I’m hot. Are you hot? We’re all hot. Let’s go swimming. And let’s go swimming in the most glorious places that London has to offer. Ponds, beaches (beaches!!) lakes & lidos. Here are eleven of my favourite hotspots to cool down.
I’ll bring the ice cream. See you there xx
Hampstead Ponds
The Men’s and Ladies’ Ponds are open all year round. Hurrah! If you want to use the Mixed Pond in the Winter you must join the Hampstead Heath Winter Swimming Club (love it). The water is always cool, but quite frankly, that suits me down to the ground at the moment.
Tooting Bec Lido
“This outdoor pool at Tooting Bec is an art deco charm. It has these wonderful colourful cubicles around the outside. The water isn’t heated so it’s not for the faint-hearted!”

Tooting Bec Lido
Photo: Accidental Earthling
Ruislip Lido
“Ruislip Lido offers a range of facilities situated around a 40 acre lake and is home to many species of wildlife. The site proves to be very popular during the summer months but has something for everyone all year round. Surrounding Ruislip Lido is Ruislip Woods, a National Nature Reserve, which is well worth a visit, offering its own unique natural beauty and adventures.”

Ruislip Lido
Photo: Diamond Geezer
London Fields, Hackney
“London Fields Lido is a 50m Olympic size, heated outdoor swimming pool open all year round and located in Hackney, central London. The swimming pool has lane swimming available all day, swimming lessons for children and adults, one-to-one swimming lessons and advice and instruction for members and non-members during our swimfit sessions. Facilities also include a café as well as a large sundeck and sunbathing area.”

London Fields Lido
Photo: Cool Places
The Serpentine Lido,
Hyde Park
“Located in Hyde Park, the Serpentine Lido has been a Londoner’s escape for over 100 years. Come and experience the outdoors in a unique atmosphere and enjoy a relaxing swim in the Serpentine. Or pull up a deckchair and sunbath while children play gleefully in the background. It’s all right here in the middle of London.”

The Serpentine Lido
Photo: Brigid Benson
Brockwell Lido,
Herne Hill
“Brockwell Lido, nestled in the corner of Brockwell Park, is a much-loved local landmark. It’s been at the heart of the local community since 1937. The Art Deco Grade II listed building has been extended and transformed and now offers fantastic health and fitness facilities all year round.”

Brockwell Lido
Photo: Brixton Blog
Charlton Lido, Greenwich
“Charlton Lido and Lifestyle Club is South London’s premier fitness destination. The Lifestyle Club boasts the latest state-of-the-art gym Technogym artis equipment, along with dedicated Fitness and TRX classes in our deluxe exercise studio. Also available is an open air Group Cycle Studio which is one of a kind! The studio overlooks the club’s spectacular Olympic sized, heated outdoor pool.”

Charlton Lido, Greenwich
Photo: Now Here This, Time Out
Parliament Hill Lido, Hampstead
“Built in 1938 and refurbished in 2005, the Grade II-listed Parliament Hill Lido measures a generous 60 metres by 28 metres. It has a stainless steel pool liner (the only one in an outdoor pool in the UK) which gives the water a metallic shimmer – not that you’ll be able to tell when it’s packed full of people on a sunny day. The lido is unheated, but wetsuits are permitted at the lifeguard’s discretion.” -Time Out

Parliament Hill Lido
Photo: Martin Deutsch
Park Road Lido,
Crouch End
“Following an £8 million investment at Park Road, the lido has been given a complete makeover, with brand new changing areas, bathroom facilities, a new reception area and cafe. The 50m long pool has also been renovated and new landscaping and water features give the whole site a relaxing, family-friendly feel.”

Park Road Lido
Photo: The Resident
Pools on the Park, Richmond
“The outdoor pool is now open for the summer season. The grounds are scheduled to open on 26 June 2017 and will be available from 10am to 6pm on good weather days.”

Pools on the Park, Richmond
Photo: Fiona Ford Coaching
Hampton Pool,
Hampton Court
“Hampton Pool, otherwise known as South West London’s biggest secret, is a 36-metre long open-air pool. The lido is heated to provide for 365 days of outdoor swimming. The Hampton Pool has an even warmer paddling pool for beginners in addition to two water slides and a large grassy area for picnics or lazing in the sunshine. Once inside, you can stay all day, or follow your swim with a walk or cycle ride at Bushy Park next door.”

Hampton Pool, Hampton Court
Photo: The Resident
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Great post :)
I love swimming and all lido’s, I just wish there were more of them! I usually avoid them in the summer though as they are so packed, I prefer them on a cold day! (only the heated ones mind!).
Ultimately, can’t beat the sea.
Ahh the sea. Maybe next year it will arrive in London ;)
The cafe at the Brockwell Lido is also top notch! x
I agree! Love it xx
Ahh I love Brockwell Lido – I visited last year for the first time and I couldn’t believe I’d lived so close to it for such a long time without going! I agree with Amanda above – the cafe is fantastic!
I’ve heard of Ruislip Lido but I didn’t realize it’s basically a beach! It looks amazing and I think I have to go ASAP haha x
Laura // Middle of Adventure
It is indeed a BEACH!! Go go go!
Should mention that swimming is not permitted at Ruislip Lido due to water quality.
I LOVE swimming – the Hampstead Pond is definitely my favourite place :)
Ruislip is lovely, but swimming is not permitted there.
This is a perfect list for me. I am spending the summer in and out of London and it was 93 degree the other day. Perfection!
I wish London had more places like this. It is getting more and more packed in the summers. Hampstead pond for the win!