London - Keep Your Cool
Discover the Best Outdoor Pools in London
8 Best Outdoor Pools in London
When the temperature is rising but you are stuck in the City, (even if that city is as wonderful as London), where can you go for a quick dip to cool down?
Whether you live in London, or are visiting us during the warmer Summer months, here is my guide to the best outdoor pools in town.
Natural Pools
If you prefer wild swimming in a natural, chlorine-free environment, there is a pool for that (well actually a few).
1 💦 The Serpentine Lido
The Serps, as this Lido is affectionately known to Londoners, is situated in the heart of London within Hyde Park. The Lido is suitable for both adults and children (although there is an adult/child ratio of 2 adults to each child).
Open water swimming is available in The Serpentine, a lake in the middle of Hyde Park, in an area spanning 30m x 100m. There are changing rooms, lockers and a sun bathing terrace, with refreshments available from the adjacent Lido Cafe.
Opening times
The Serpentine Lido is open from 10:00 am - 6:00 pm (last entry 5:30pm) every day in June, July and August.
During May it is only open on weekends and Bank Holidays.
Pricing
Adult - £7.00 Full day (£5.50 10-1.30/2.30-6.00 pm)
Concessions - £4.00 (£3.00 half day)
Child (3-15) - £3.50 (£2.00 half day)
Family Ticket - 2 adults and up to 4 children-£15.00 (££13 half day)
Sunbed: £11.00
Locker: £2.00
Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult. 2 adults to every 1 under 16 if customers are using the lake.
Address: Hyde Park, London (follow signposts in park).
Closest Tube: Hyde Park Corner or Marble Arch
2💦 Hampstead Ponds
There are three wild swimming ponds in Hampstead Heath. The Ladies' and Men's Ponds are the UK's only lifeguarded open water swimming facilities open to the public every day of the year. There is also a mixed swimming pond.
Strong swimmers only. The ponds are deep and can be very cold
Children aged 8-15 must be accompanied by an adult.
All children will be asked to complete a Swim Test to show competency in the water when returning to the Bathing Ponds or swimming at the facility for the first time
There are no lockers
Opening Times
Opening times vary dependent on season. Usually 7am-8.15 pm but Check I for current situation.
Pricing
Adult day tickets £4:25 (season tickets available)
Concessions: £2.55
Address: Hampstead Heath, NW5 1QR
Closest Tube: Golders Green, Hampstead, Tufnell Park, Belsize Park, Archway, Kentish Town
Outdoor Lidos
3 💦Parliament Hill Lido
Parliament Hill Lido
Not only does Parliament Hill boast the best views of London, it is also home to one of the best outdoor pools.
Parliament Hill Lido, (also known as Hampstead Heath Lido), is a public unheated open air 200 by 90 feet (61 m × 27 m) swimming pool, open for 12 months a year. It first opened in 1938.
Facilities include hot showers, changing rooms, lockers and toilets.
Opening Times:
Morning swimming 7am- 9am
Day swimming 10am-5.30pm
Evening swimming* 6.30pm-8pm
*evening swimming is available on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights only.
Pricing:
Prices vary - see website
Example: Adult: Single Day £7.45
Address: Parliament Hill Fields, Gospel Oak, London NW5 1LT
📞 020 7485 3873
Closest Station: Gospel Oak
4 💦 Tooting Bec Lido
Tooting Bec Lido
At just over 90m, Tooting Bec Lido is the largest outdoor freshwater pool in the country. Edged by iconic colourful changing huts, its also insta-ready!
To swim in winter you need to be a member of the swimming club (but as it’s unheated, that probably isn’t even a consideration). The pool will be undergoing a £3m refurbishment this autumn
Opening times:
May - August: 6am - 8pm
September: 6am or dawn - 5pm
Pricing:
Adult - (16+) £8.30
Concessions/Child (5-15) £5.20
Members: Free
Address: Tooting Bec Rd, London SW16 1RU
📞 020 8871 7198
Neatest Tube : Tooting Bec, Balham
5💦 Brockwell Lido
Brockwell Lido on a summers day
Brockwell Lido is situated in a corner of Brockwell Park, South London. It is currently run by a fitness company, Fusion Lifestyle, so has fantastic facilities on offer including a 50m outdoor swimming pool, all the latest gym & fitness equipment, an extensive programme of group exercise classes such as yoga, pilates and HIIT, plus a café!
Opening times: 6:30-20:00 (check timetable for seasonal/weekend opening hours and to check for blackout periods when classes taking place).
Pricing: check website for latest pricing
Address: Brockwell Park, Dulwich Rd, SE24 0PA
Closest Tube: Brixton
Heated Pools
If, like me, you prefer to dip your toes into something a little warmer, consider these three heated gems.
6 💦 London Fields Lido
London Fields Lido, Hackney, London
In the heart of trendy Hackney, London Fields Lido is an accessible 50m, heated (25c), outdoor pool, open whatever the weather. The lido is in the north-west corner of London Fields Park. Providing lane swimming in the Olympic-sizes pool, it also has sunbathing decks and a cafe.
Opening hours: Mon-Sun 06:30-21:00
Pricing: Adult £5.40 Child £3.15
Discounts for members
Address: London Fields West Side, Hackney, London E8 3EU
Closest Tube : Bethnal Green, Stepney Green
7 💦 Charlton Lido
Charlton Lido Terrace, London
A Swimming and Lifestyle Centre in London Borough of Greenwich, Carlton Lido is worth a visit if you are Sightseeing in the area - (02, Cutty Sark, Greenwich Observatory etc.).
This Lido is well resourced with changing rooms, sunbathing terraces, Cafe, gym etc.
Opening hours: Mon-Sun 06:30-20:00 (Sessions apply)
Pricing: Adults £11.50 Seniors: £5.50 Child £5.60
Address: Hornfair Park, Shooters Hill Road, London, SE18 4LX
Closest Tube: North Greenwich
8 💦 Oasis Swimming Pool
Oasis Rooftop Pool, Covent Garden, London
If you are staying in the West End of London and are feeling the heat, there is an outdoor pool right on your doorstep. How about a spot of shopping in Covent Garden, followed by a dip before heading to the theatre? Perfect!
Opening hours: Mon-Sun 06:30-20:00 (Sessions apply)
Pricing: Adult £6.85 Child £2.25
Discounts for members.
Address: 32, Endell Street, Covent Garden, London WC2H 9AG
Closest Tube: Covent Garden, Holborn, Tottenham Court Road
Need to cool down, but no time to swim? Why not visit a splash fountain instead? Read where to find them here.
Alternatively, why not cool down with an alfresco drink at one of London’s rooftop bars. Find out more here.