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6 Best Swimming Spots in London

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During the summer London turns into a different city. The sun comes out, the heat turns up, and it seems like everyone is always buzzing! We’ve already had the hottest day in London history, and the weeks ahead don’t seem to be letting up, so you need to find a way to stay cool over the weekend!

Luckily, London and its surrounding areas are filled with great swimming spots, whether it be a beautiful pond helping you reconnect with nature and a few beers… oops we meant friends, or a state-of-the-art indoor swimming pool for a bit of exercise and relaxing recovery. There are so many options to choose from, and there is plenty of time to visit them all! Here’s our list of the best swimming spots in London.

London Aquatics Centre, Stratford

Of course we need to kick off our list with one of the most famous pools in the world – the London Aquatics Centre. Built for the 2012 Olympics, the London Aquatics Centre has some of the most impressive technology ever fitted in a pool. It is still currently used by some of the best swimmers in the country, but the general public is just as welcome!

Hampstead Heath Ponds, North London

The Hampstead Heath Ponds are a popular swimming spot in North London. They are open from 7am every day and you have a choice of three different swimming areas. There is the Kenwood Ladies’ Pond, Hampstead mixed pond, and Highgate Men’s Pond. If you’re keen for a fun environment and a lie down in the sun, this is the place!

Royal Docks, East London

This swimming spot is unique because it has an unreal view of London to enjoy as you’re enjoying your time in the water. There are three different swimming loops that range from 150m to 750m, and the location offers a range of coaching courses to learn deep water swimming skills.

Marshall Street Leisure Centre

If you’re based in Central London, the Marshall Street Leisure Centre is the perfect location for you to have a swim. For starters, it is absolutely gorgeous. The facility has been restored from the 1930’s and showcases original marble floors that take you back in time. The pool is also shaded by windows that let in loads of natural light creating a tranquil space for you to relax in.

West Reservoir, Hackney

23 acres of open water with a cityscape view in the distance is not a bad place to spend the afternoon. The West Reservoir in a hidden part of Hackney and opens at 7am on weekdays and 8am on the weekend. There also offer sailing and yachting courses led by expert instructors available for children and adults.

Tooting Bec Lido

The Tooting Bec Lido is not just one of Britain’s oldest open-air pools, but it is also the biggest. It opened in 1906 as Tooting Bathing-Lake and sits at 100 yards long and 33 yards wide. The Lido is nestled between Tooting and Streatham, and you can use it from late May until the end of September. If you’re in Southwest London it is well worth the visit!

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