Outdoor Swimming in London – Historic Lidos, Docks and Ponds

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Outdoor Swimming in London – Historic Lidos, Docks and Ponds

By Natasha Sones

Published on February 12, 2026 10 min read

Have you heard of these iconic outdoor swimming spots in London?

Being in the capital is a place that a lot of people usually associate with shopping, theatre and nights out. But there are many blue spaces that are available to wild swim in that you may not know about. Natasha Sones, wild swimming author and OS Maps Champion has chosen 9 beautiful spots to swim outdoors in London.

You can wild swim at Canary Wharf’s Eden dock

An outdoor swim in crystal clear water at Eden Docks, Canary Wharf

It’s hard to believe you can swim in crystal clear water in the hub of a busy London district surrounded by sky-high offices and floating gardens, but swimming at Eden Dock just has to be experienced. Canary Wharf is well known as a major financial district, but it is also home to a vibrant arts scene and has evolved to become a place where people, nature and business thrive together. The water in the docks is not actually from the Thames, but from an underground aquifer. Swimmers are able to swim right in the heart of this urban landscape.

The dock was formerly called Middle Dock but, in 2024, a new waterside platform was constructed, and it was renamed Eden Dock, created in partnership with the Eden Project charity. There is now an area with interconnected pontoons and aquatic islands to connect people with nature, as well as a truly unique bathing area surrounded by tall buildings. At the time of writing, exciting plans for an Olympic-sized open-water lido – Sea Lanes Canary Wharf – have also been announced, hopefully opening in 2026. This lido will float in the dock, alongside saunas, a clubhouse and a restaurant.

Canary Wharf is in East London. There are multiple public transport options available to get to Canary Wharf, including the Tube (Elizabeth and Jubilee lines), Docklands Light Railway, buses and river buses. There are also several public car parks.

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Outdoor Heated Swimming in London at the Oasis Sports Centre

One of Central London’s best-kept secrets, at Oasis Sports Centre you can swim all year round in an outdoor heated swimming pool. This hidden oasis, located in the heart of the West End, has a small sauna overlooking it, as well as patio areas, a sunbathing deck to relax on, an indoor pool and gym. The water is heated to a warm 25.5 °C, and it is the perfect place to escape for a dip amongst the bustle of the city. The outdoor pool has recently had a major upgrade, including a full redecoration of the poolside and surroundings. Lifeguards keep the swim safe and there are tables inside for a chat with friends afterwards.

Oasis Sports Centre is in Holborn, Central London. Arriving by public transport is your best bet – the nearest Tube stations are Tottenham Court Road and Covent Garden.

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Swim Outdoors in London’s Historical Tooting Bec Lido (unheated)

Tooting Bec Lido – Britain’s largest open-air swimming pools

Surrounded by colourful changing room cubicles with gorgeous blue water, it’s well worth a visit to swim at Tooting Bec Lido in South London. Famously the largest freshwater open-air swimming pool in England, it contains one million gallons of clear water. Be warned though: it can get extremely busy on hot days in summer. Built in 1906, it is one of Britain’s oldest open-air swimming pools. Originally known as Tooting Bathing Lake, the pool was designed partly as a communal bath. It has been upgraded since then, with additions such as a cafe, showers and toilets, children’s paddling pool and the lido pavilion.

Tooting Bec Lido is in Wandsworth, South London. The nearest Overground station is Streat ham; the nearest Tube station is Tooting Bec. The lido also has good bus links.

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A unique swimming experience at London’s Royal Victoria Docks

Swimming at London Royal Docks is a truly unforgettable experience. Enjoying the clear, clean water while surrounded by spectacular views of Canary Wharf and the O2 Arena is fantastic. The unique area with the post industrial feel has become a vibrant and exciting waterside destination. In the summer there is a free, family friendly lido – Summer Splash – at the docks. The main swimming area in the dock is open to the public all year. The water is regularly tested and is completely safe to swim in. Often mistaken as being a part of the River Thames, the water at London Royal Docks is actually fed from the Thames Estuary.

To fully appreciate the grandeur of the place, arrive by cable car from North Greenwich and then swim underneath the cable cars! Swimming at London Royal Docks is managed by Love Open Water; you need a NOWCA membership to swim, then download the ACTIO app to book a session.

The Royal Docks are in East London. The swimming site is at the western end of Royal Victoria Dock, next to London City Hall. There are multiple public transport options available to get to the Royal Docks (all stopping a few minutes’ walk away), including the Elizabeth Line, Docklands Light Railway and the IFS Cloud Cable Car. There is very limited parking in the area.

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Experience Wild Swimming in London at the Historic Hampstead Heath Ponds

Hampstead Heath is home to some of the best outdoor swimming spots in a unique setting in London, including three natural bathing ponds and one 60-metre lido. A dip in the ponds is a wonderful experience which thousands of Londoners and visitors alike enjoy each year. On sunny days, hundreds of dippers visit to escape the heat, and even in the depths of winter people can be found swimming amongst the ice. The ponds were regulated for swimming in the late 19th century. Men swam in what is now the Hampstead Mixed Pond and women were allowed to bathe there just one day a week. The Kenwood Ladies’ Pond opened in the 1920s.

All the ponds are lifeguarded. There are changing rooms, showers and toilets at all the ponds. There are no lockers at the bathing ponds – valuables are left at your own risk.

The Highgate Men’s Pond and Kenwood Ladies’ Pond are open all year; Hampstead Mixed Pond is open from April until October.

Hampstead Heath is in North London. The nearest Overground stations are Hampstead Heath and Gospel Oak; the nearest Tube stations are Hampstead, Golders Green, Tufnell Park and Kentish Town. There are also good bus links to the heath.

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Swim Outdoors in London in a balmy 28 degree heated lido – Hampton Pool, Bushy Park

A welcoming open-air lido, Hampton Pool is heated to a balmy 28 °C all year round – you can even have a swim on Christmas Day. The lido has two pools and is situated in a lovely woodland area, on the outskirts of Bushy Park. Built in 1922, it was saved from closure in the 1980s by a group of local residents, who continue to take part in fundraising activities. It was managed by YMCA St Paul’s Group and is now looked after by South Downs Leisure.

It has a warm, community atmosphere and hosts events such as summer picnic concerts with swims to enjoy. There are adult and children’s swimming lessons, fun family swim sessions and midnight swims. You can also try the poolside gym and fitness studio, with a range of exercise classes. There is a 12.5-metre shallow learner pool for children and parents.

Hampton Pool is on the edge of Bushy Park in Hampton, South West London. The nearest train station is Hampton. There are good bus links and cycle parking facilities at the lido.

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Open Water Swimming in London’s 17th Century Greenland Docks, Canada Water

Surrey Docks

A relatively new stunning location available for swimming is Greenland Dock, near Canada Water. Those in South London now have the opportunity to have a dip in the dock, thanks to open water swimming sessions being offered at Surrey Docks Fitness and Watersports Centre, located at Greenland Dock. The centre also offers a range of other activities, including sailing, kayaking and paddleboarding.

Greenland Dock is the oldest of London’s riverside wet docks. The 17th-century basin is located in the Rotherhithe area of the London Borough of Southwark. As well as having excellent water quality, it is also a safe and scenic environment for bathing. There is a 300-metre swimming loop to enjoy. Dipping in the open air, swimmers can enjoy incredible views of London’s iconic skyline from the water.

Greenland Dock is in Rotherhithe, South London. Arriving by public transport is your best bet – the nearest Tube station is Canada Water; the nearest Overground station is Surrey Quays, and the nearest River Bus stop is Greenland Pier. The centre is also served by buses.

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Open Water Urban Swimming in Hackney – West Reservoir

The West Reservoir Centre in Hackney offers the opportunity for open water swimming and other water sports. The water is blue-green, clear and silky smooth, dyed to prevent too much weed and blue-green algae. The circumference is lined with lush green reeds and bushes, while buildings tower above. At the time of writing, the centre is undergoing a refurbishment, including new changing facilities, a new cafe and 25-metre pontoon pool area, specifically for people new to open water and swimmers transitioning from pool to lake.

It seems an unusual place to swim in quite a built-up, urban area but the lake is big and wonderful for swimming in. A great place to be able to cover various distances while coots and moorhens glide past serenely.

West Reservoir is in Hackney, North London. The nearest Tube station is at Manor House (a ten-minute walk from the lake). The reservoir is also accessible by bus. Bike storage is available; there is a small car park.

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How to swim in the iconic Serpentine Lido in Hyde Park

The Serpentine Lido is an iconic venue for open water swimming right in the middle of London. In the heart of the urban city is the beautiful green space of Hyde Park, an area of around 350 acres. In the centre of this thriving park is the Serpentine, a 850-by-160-metre purpose-built lake – the Serpentine Lido is a marked 100-by-30 metre section of this lake. The rest of the lake is reserved for boating and the local wildlife.

One of the oldest swimming clubs in Britain, the famous Serpentine Swimming Club was formed in 1864, with its members enjoying the water in Hyde Park. The Serpentine Lido has been a popular choice since the general public started swimming here in 1930. Today, the club’s swimmers can swim in the Serpentine every morning, before public swimming opens. They also host a well-known race on Christmas Day. The lido hosts Swim Serpentine – a swimming event that over 6,000 people take part in annually. You can also hire boats on the lake throughout the year.

Hyde Park is in Westminster, Central London. The closest mainline/overground train station is London Paddington; the closest Tube station is Knightsbridge.

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Find More London and South East Swimming Spots in Natasha’s New Book: Swimming Wild in South East England

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Visit www.adventurebooks.com to pre-order the book from 10 February 2026, and you could win a 33L Waterproof Tote Bag from Red Equipment, worth £99.95. Available in 3 sleek colours, these tote bags are lightweight but incredibly resilient. They make ideal swimming kit bags as they can withstand all types of adventure and are totally waterproof, leakproof and dirtproof.

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By Natasha Sones

Natasha Sones is a Stand-Up Paddleboarding Instructor, wild swimming enthusiast and Ordnance Survey Champion. She is also a travel writer and currently writing a book about wild swimming in England.

Read Natasha’s Travel Blog | Natasha Sones Family Adventures Blog