London's best lidos, ponds and outdoor pools to beat the heatwave

Metro

8 hours ago

A searing heatwave is sweeping the UK, and all any of us Londoners can think of is where to go to cool off.
It's so hot, in fact, that the previous record of 40°C, in July 2022, could be under threat. A health agency has issued an amber heat warning, meaning there's potential for it to be dangerously hot, and the Met Office has warned it's only going to get hotter.
In London, we don't have the luxury of a coast. But along with dozens of parks and buzzing beer gardens, we do have plenty of lidos and spots for wild swimming.
So, grab your towel, slap on some factor 50, and dive right in.
After a £4 million revamp, Tooting Bec Lido is finally open to the public this summer.
At 90 metres long, it's the UK's largest freshwater swimming pool, catering to 1,300 Londoners. The lido offers two sessions per day, alongside special swim times to kickstart the season.
As well as installing a new pumphouse and UV filtration system to keep the water clean and safe, the surrounding area has also had a glow-up.
The changing rooms have been given a sleek, modern update and there's fresh landscaping around the water's edge.
According to Wandsworth Council, 130 free tickets for swimming sessions will be available for eligible residents under Wandsworth's Access for All scheme.
Otherwise, it's £9.40 for adults and £5.20 for kids.
If you want wild swimming without travelling to the countryside, make for Hampstead Heath Ponds.
Split between mixed, and men's and women's areas, the ponds have a cult following and come July will be heaving with crowds.
Who knows, you might even spot a celebrity. A-listers are known to frequent the Heath, with Harry Styles, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Woody Harrelson all swimming there in recent years.
Tickets are £4.80 for adults and £2.90 for concessions for 60 minutes of swimming.
Tucked in the corner of Brixton's Brockwell Park, this lido is a real sun trap on a warm day.
The 50m Olympic-sized pool sits beside an art deco building, with a cute café where you can refuel after a swim.
Lane swims cost £8 for up to 50 minutes, and must be booked in advance.
Another South London gem, this Olympic-sized heated pool has a summer sun terrace, coffee bar, and outdoor gym equipment.
If you're lucky, you'll see the local parakeets flying above while you backstroke.
Adult swimming sessions cost £11.50, with prices starting at £5.50 for concessions.
Opened in the 1930s, this unheated outdoor pool is open to the public 365 days a year.
Located near Gospel Oak train station, it's ideal for those who don't feel ready to brave the ponds.
Swimming sessions start at £4.80 for adults and £2.00 for concessions, with no need to book ahead (but you may need to queue if it's busy).
At Green Lanes in Stoke Newington, you can go for an open-water swim or try your hand at kayaking at the West Reservoir.
It's not for the faint-hearted – temperatures are low, but it's a great spot to get used to the cold water in a beautiful setting.
Once you're done, warm up with a coffee at the waterside cafe.
Open water swimming – which is available between 7am and 6pm – costs £13.15. Sessions are 30 minutes.
Beckenham Place Park is the largest green space in Lewisham, and although you'll get the feel of wild swimming, lifeguards are on hand to ensure everything is safe, and you can hire kayaks or paddle boards at certain times too.
Whichever water-based activity you choose, the lake offers a refreshing escape from the hustle and bustle.
One-hour sessions cost £7.40 for non-residents. Lewisham locals pay a little less, at £6.80.
Fancy hitting up one of London's most iconic 'open water' swimming locations? Head to Serpentine Lido in Hyde Park.
Here you can swim surrounded by nature, before drying off in the Lido Cafe Bar with a fresh lunch and a glass of wine.
If you don't want to swim, but fancy checking out the views,waterside tables are available.
For a full day at the lido, it's just £7.50.
According to the website, Serpentine Lido will reopen for the weekend on May 17, and then fully from 24 May.
If you've got kids in tow, Hillingdon Lido is a great shout.
The 1930s Grade II-listed, 50m open-air swimming pool oozes art deco charm, and is considered a 'hidden gem.'
Not only are there stunning fountains to play around in, but there's also a new, heated shallow splash pool for little ones. https://www.instagram.com/p/DI_GiJzIuee/
It's close to Ruislip Lido, a sandy (man-made) beach with a lake beside it, though swimming is not permitted there.
Also ideal for families, there's an ice-cream shop and play areas suited for kids.
Worth the journey if you fancy a day in nature.
Tickets cost £11 for non-residents.
Let's be honest, this is the UK, and we're not always guaranteed good weather. More Trending
And if the heavens open this weekend, Finchley Lido Leisure Centre has your back.
This indoor complex combines a pool with slides, a wave machine and jets. There's also a cinema and a bowling alley for some post-swim fun.
Outside, there is a 25-metre swimming pool open during the summer months.
Swimming costs £8.30.
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