Five of the best outdoor swimming in London

Dip your toes in one of these awesome outdoor pools and swimming ponds in London and make a splash with friends and family this summer, come rain or shine! Book your train tickets in advance and you could save money on your journey.

Brockwell Lido

At 50 metres long, Brockwell Lido is a great size for visitors craving a decent swim. Located in Herne Hill’s Brockwell Park, the lido is beautiful and surrounded by art deco buildings, which also play home to The Lido Cafe (top notch brunches). In the summer months, you can expect crowds of eager sunbathers to flock here in pursuit of a cooling dip, so be prepared for it to get super busy.

Hampstead Heath Swimming Ponds

There are three bathing ponds on the heath: one for men, one for women and one mixed. The mixed bathing pond is open from 7am to 6:30pm, extended to 8:30pm on Wednesdays in July only. Surrounded by greenery and wildlife, there is something incredibly freeing and liberating about open-air swimming here, and if you’ve never taken the plunge before then it’s high time you gave it a whirl.

Serpentine Lido in Hyde Park

Enjoy a relaxing wild swim at the Serpentine Lido in Hyde Park. The swimming area has been carved out of the main pond with public access granted during the summer months. Rock your best breaststroke or front crawl while admiring the breath-taking views of the park’s gardens. Alfresco summer dips don’t get better than this.

London Fields Lido

In the heart of Hackney lies a momentous 50-metre lido. What is more, the swimming pool is heated, so you can enjoy a dip whatever the weather. The perfect water temperature only serves to make this lido even more popular with the masses, so prepare to queue for a very busy-but-very-worth-it swim when the sun comes out.

Parliament Hill Lido

Last year, Parliament Hill Lido celebrated its 80th birthday. This gigantic pool measures in at a whopping 61×27 meters, and as such attracts plenty of visitors during the summer months. On a busy day it can feel overcrowded but with its Art Deco style design, shimmering waters and views of the London skyline, it’s one of the finest in the capital.