London's outdoor pools and lidos are a god send on hot summer days when you can't manage to escape the city heat for a day trip to the beach.
But London's lidos are also a brilliant way for kids to burn off energy on days out or longer visits to London. They are far more likely to engage with museums and other tourist attractions when balanced with some physical fun.
So in this guide to London's outdoor pools I'll give you the low down on :
- Olympic sized lidos
- Swimming ponds & lakes
- And heated outdoor pools.
But also share tips on historic houses and other things to do in London nearby that you can combine with a swim for the perfect day out.
Table of Contents
London Outdoor Pool Tips
London's outdoor pools and lidos get busy it is hot so be prepared for crowds and cafe queues! Book ahead in summer and take your own picnic.
Many of London's outdoor pools offer membership schemes that are worth buying if you enjoy outdoor swimming as they let you skip the queues.
Most big London outdoor pools run a mix of lane and free swimming. Early sessions are often reserved for lanes so confirm timetable before booking.
Remember most London lidos are not heated and the water can be bracing! All swimmers should read up on cold water swimming guidelines.
Where Are London's Lidos?
To help you find a London lido near you I have split the pools by area. You can then click on the links to read more details in the full guide below.
Central London Outdoor Pools
- Serpentine Lido : London's most famous outdoor pool in Hyde Park.
- Oasis Outdoor Pool : a small heated outdoor pool in Bloomsbury handy for museums.
South London Outdoor Pools
- Beckenham Place Lake : swim lake in Beckenham Park.
- Brockwell Lido : 50 metre lido in Brockwell Park near Brixton.
- Charlton Lido : 50 metre heated pool in Charlton Park.
- Tooting Bec Lido : 100 metre pool on Tooting Bec.
North London Outdoor Pools
- Finchley Lido : 25 metre outdoor pool in Finchley leisure complex.
- Hampstead Ponds : 3 wild swimming ponds on the Heath.
- Park Road Pools : 50 metre lido & 10 metre kids pool in Crouch End.
- Parliament Hill Lido : 50 metre lido on Hampstead Heath.
West London Outdoor Pools
- Hampton Pools : 2 heated pools on the edge of Bushey Park
- Hillingdon Outdoor Pool : 50 m lido in Hillingdon leisure centre.
- Ruislip Lake Lido : a paddling only lake popular with small kids.
East London Outdoor Pools
- London Fields Lido : 50 m heated lido with sun decks in park.
Heated London Lidos
Most London lidos and outdoor pools are not heated but these few are:
- Charlton Lido : 50 m lido in south London park with historic house.
- Hampton Pools : 36 m & 12 m kids pool near Hampton Court.
- London Fields Lido : 50 m lido in east London park.
- Oasis Outdoor Pool : a 27m heated outdoor pool in central London.
- Pools On The Park : 33 m heated pool on edge of deer park in Richmond.
London Outdoor Pools
Beckenham Place Lake
Beckenham Place lake is a 285 metre long swimming lake in the wooded park around Beckenham Place House.
The lake is over 3 metres deep in parts and only open to kids over 8 and those who can swim more than 25 metres.
There is a cafe in Beckenham Place House and other facilities in the park. Beckenham Place is on the Green Chain walk from Petts Wood. Travelling by car you could tie in :
The swimming lake is less than 10 minutes from Beckenham Hill station.
Brockwell Lido
Brockwell Lido is a 50 metre 1930s built unheated pool on the edge of lovely Brockwell Park in Herne Hill.
The Lido is 5 minutes from Herne Hill station with regular Thameslink and Victoria trains and the 37, 3 & 196 buses from Brixton stop by the lido.
There's a cool but busy cafe at the lido. So after swimming do like Herne Hillers and eat fish and chips from the famous Olleys in the park in the evening sun or try the numerous cafes, restaurants and bars around station square.
Charlton Lido
Charlton Lido is south London's other big outdoor pool and is heated.
The lido is in Charlton Park which also contains beautiful Charlton House, London's most haunted mansion.
Charlton Park is on the Green Chain Walk between the Thames Barrier and Oxleas Wood and can also be combined with visits to :
- Severndroog Castle stunning views across London
- Maryon Wilson Animal Park
- Woodlands Farm
- Eltham Palace
- Red House National Trust property
The lido is 20 minutes walk from Charlton station or you can get a bus from Charlton or Blackheath.
Finchley Lido
Finchley Lido is a 25 metre outdoor pool with a shallow end for children which is part of the Great North Leisure Complex with indoor pools, wave machines, multiplex cinema, bowling and restaurants.
Tucked next door there's a small nature reserve and the lido is just a mile from the lovely Stephens House & Gardens.
Hampstead Swimming Ponds
The famous Hampstead Ponds are natural swimming ponds on Hampstead Heath. Kids must be 8 and reasonable swimmers to swim in the mixed pool or can swim at Parliament Hill Lido at the bottom of the Heath.
The mixed pond is 10 minutes walk from Hampstead Heath overground and Hampstead tube on the west side of the Heath whilst the mens and women's ponds are on the east side.
The pools are in walking distance of a a good number of museums :
- Kenwood House Rembrandt, Vermeer etc and free to visit.
- Fenton House a small National Trust house with garden.
- Burgh House little local museum & art gallery.
- Keats House where Keats lived.
- 2 Willow Road influential 1930s modernist house by Erno Goldfinger.
Hampton Pool
Hampton Pool has two outdoor pools - the 36 metre main pool and a a separate 12 metre children's pool - and they are both heated to 28 degrees.
Hampton pools are on the edge of family friendly Bushy Park and you can walk or cycle through the park to Hampton Court Palace. The pools are 15 minutes walk from Hampton station.
Hillingdon Lido
Hillingdon Lido is a 50 metre 1930s pool with a heated children's splash pool. It is part of Hillingdon Sports & Leisure Complex and also has indoor pools and other sports facilities.
The lido is about 15 minutes walk from Uxbridge and Hillingdon stations. But if you drive - and take bikes - you can also explore the enormous Colne Valley Park which is just a mile away.
London Fields Lido
London Fields Lido is a 50 metre 1930s outdoor pool with sun decks and is heated. The lido is set in London Fields park which has a paddling pool, play areas, tennis courts, cricket pitch etc and the lido itself has a cafe.
The lido is a few minutes from London Fields station with trains from Liverpool Street and 10-15 minutes from Dalston Junction and Hackney Central.
London Fields Lido is walking distance or a quick bus ride from :
- Sutton House a lovely National Trust property in Hackney.
- Hackney City Farm
- Young V&A Museum
- St Augustine's Tower
Oasis Outdoor Pool
If you can't bring yourself to brave the Serpentine in Hyde Park, central London has a heated alternative in the Oasis outdoor pool. It is smaller at 27 metres so busy but has a sun deck.
The Oasis pool is on the edge of Covent Garden and Bloomsbury and and handy for multiple museums including :
- John Soanes Museum
- Grant Museum of Zoology
- Hunterian Museum
- British Museum
- London Transport Museum
- National Gallery
- National Portrait Gallery
- Somerset House
The Oasis is also a short bus or tube ride from some of the key Harry Potter locations at King's Cross.
Parliament Hill Lido
The massive 60 metre Parliament Hill Lido is at the bottom of Hampstead Heath and is an alternative to wild swimming in Hampstead Ponds especially for children under 8 who can't swim in the mixed pond.
The lido has it own's cafe and is right next to Parliament Hill Playground which is usually a big hit with kids.
Parliament Hill Lido is just a few minutes walk from Gospel Oak station.
Park Road Pools
Park Road Pools in Crouch End combines a 1920s 50 metre lido with a small 10 metre outdoor pool for children right next to it.
Park Road Pools are 20 minutes walk from Highgate and Hornsey stations.
The pools are very close - only 10 minutes walk - from lovely Highgate and Queens woods so you could easily combine outdoor fun in the woods with a swim in the pools. There is no cafe at the pools but there is a popular cafe in the middle of Highgate wood.
Pools On The Park
The Pools on the Park in Richmond are in the old deer park adjoining Kew Gardens just minutes from Richmond station. The 33 metre outdoor pool is heated and there is also an indoor pool.
The pools are within easy riverside cycling distance of some of the grandest of west London's historic houses including :
You can hire bikes by the river from Blazing Saddles.
Ruislip Lake Lido
Unfortunately, you can't actually swim any longer at Ruislip Lake but there is a sandy beach and splash pools.
There is also a miniature railway - a big hit with little kids - which cuts through the lovely Ruislip woods surrounding the lido. The H13 and 331 buses from Ruislip station stop by the lido.
Serpentine Lido
The Serpentine is one of London's oldest outdoor pools and a swim in the Serpentine has to be on every bucket list of cool things to do in London.
The Serpentine's lido in Hyde Park is 100 metres long and has a cafe bar, food kiosks and a play area. Hyde Park is surrounded by museums so you can easily combine an outdoor swim with some indoor culture at :
- Apsley House Wellington's home.
- Kensington Palace
- Science Museum
- Natural History Museum
- Victoria & Albert Museum
- MOCO Museum
Tooting Bec Lido
Tooting Bec Lido is another beautiful 1930s London outdoor pool and at 90 metres is big. On the edge of Tooting Bec - a large south London common - the lido is about 15 minutes walk from Streatham and Streatham Hill stations.
There's a cafe at the lido and another pretty close by on the common.
Tooting Bec is just off the Capital Ring Walk so you could end up at the lido for an outdoor swim after walking from Crystal Palace or Sydenham Wood.
And there you go, a huge guide to all London's outdoor pools, lidos and swimming ponds that truly do come into their own on hot days in summer.
For more tips check out my guides to other fun things to do in London and follow me on Pinterest.
Original images under Creative Commons 2.0 : Parliament Hill Lido, Tooting Common Lido
Elizabeth (Wander Mum) says
Great article! Lots of inspiration. Thank you so much for reading and linking to my Bushy Park post. Bring on the summer!
Elizabeth (Wander Mum) says
Great article! Lots of inspiration to enjoy London's outdoor pools . Thank you so much for reading and linking to my Bushy Park post. Bring on the summer!
LC says
You can also swim at the West Recevoir in Hackney
Alice says
That's good to know. I will update the list.