London is full of outdoor pools. Here are my picks while it’s hot enough to actually use them:
Hampstead Ponds
Hampstead mixed ponds
Hampstead is home to the the mixed, women’s and men’s ponds. It’s like a slice of Victoriana in North London.
The Men’s pond is absolutely massive and home to its own jetty, while the Ladies’ is far smaller but secluded and leafy. The mixed pond (in my humble opinion) suffers by comparison; it’s smaller, dirtier and far more open to dogs. ducks and passers-by.
Pros: Excellent people watching,
Cons: My friend once went for a dip in the mixed pond and came out with a duck poo moustache. I’ve since only been in the ladies’ ponds on the Kenwood side.
Parliament Hill Lido
The Lido near Gospel Oak. Large and loud
Parliament Hill Lido sits at the Gospel Oak entrance to Hampstead Heath.
Pros: It’s massive (60 metres) quite cool and relatively clean. The Lido is at its most serene in the evening session (from 6.45 – 9.00pm.)
Cons: Screaming tots and teenagers aplenty throughout the day. The changing rooms aren’t the cleanest.
The Serpentine
A pre WW2 photograph of Hyde Park Lido also known as Lansbury’s Lido. Credit: Leonard Bentley
The Serpentine Lido in Hyde Park
Pros: One of London’s only Lidos that are open all year-round and with a beautiful view!
Cons: Hyde Park can be overrun with Barclays bike-riding tourists/menaces at this time of year. Also the Geese are aggressive.
London Fields Lido
London Fields Lido. Credit: Max Nathan/Flickr
This heated pool is open year round and survived public funding cuts to stay open.
Pros: Heated and in the lovely (if a little crowded) London Fields.
Cons: Absolutely packed and very trendy. If you feel like a relaxed environment this is probably not the right place for a dip.
Brockwell Lido
Brockwell Lido: Grade II Listed Pavillion. Image via Timeout © N Gentilli
Full disclosure: I’ve never been – this recommendation is based on the advice of a friend.
Pros: Charming 1930s Pavillion and I’ve been told the Lido Cafe has gluten-free burgers!
Cons: Bit of a hike for those of us North of the river.
