The Best Lidos & Outdoor Swimming In London

If you are looking for the best lidos and outdoor swimming spots in London then read on. We have hopefully included every choice available.

London is getting warmer (where isn’t), and apart from air-conditioned buildings, there aren’t that many places in the city where you can cool off. London’s parks are a good place to cool down especially if you stay by the trees but if you really want to cool down then London’s Lidos and Outdoor Swimming Pools are your best bet. Below is a list of all the outdoor places you can swim in London. Just remember, no diving or running!

The Best Lidos & Outdoor Swimming In London:

London Fields Lido, Hackney

The power of people power. London Fields Lido in Hackney reopened in 2006 after local residents campaigned to have it reopened. This Olympic sized swimming pool has lane swimming available all day and the pool is heated so you can visit in the cooler months too. There are even floodlights so you can swim up till 21:00. Also on site is a large sunbathing area and a cafe.

London Fields Lido, Hackney Info:

• Opening Times: 06:30 – 21:00
• Prices – Adult Non-Member – £5.10, Child Non-Member – £3.00
• Accessibility: Disabled Toilet, Poolside Hoist, Ramps Access, Accessible Changing.
• Cafe?: – Yes
• Nearest Stations: Hackney Central, London Fields, Bethnal Green

Tooting Bec Lido, Tooting

Tooting Bec Lido is one of the most popular in London. Surrounded by mature trees filled with birdsong, it’s not hard to see why this lido is such a popular place to relax. Tooting Bec Lido is the largest freshwater swimming pool in the UK, being 91 meters long and 30 meters wide. There is a sunbathing area, paddling pool and cafe on-site too.

Tooting Bec Lido Information:

• Opening Times: 06:00 – 19:45
• Prices: Adult – (16+) £7.70 After 6 pm £4.70, Child (5-15) £4.70, 65 Years + £4.70
• Accessibility: Disabled change and Disabled parking.
• Cafe?: Yes
• Nearest Stations: Streatham Railway Station, Tooting Bec, Balham

Parliament Hill Lido, Hampstead

Parliament Hill Lido in Hampstead is probably one of the most famous lidos in all of London. Built-in 1938 this Grade II listed lido is the only stainless steel lined pool in the UK. Like a lot of lidos, the pool is unheated. It is one of a number of open-air swimming spots in Hampstead Heath. The Ladies Pond, Men’s Pond and Mixed Pond are just steps away from Parliament Hill Lido. For more information on the bathing ponds check out this guide on them: Hampstead Heath Bathing Ponds

Parliament Hill Lido Information:

• Opening Times: 07:00 – 20:00
• Prices: There are various prices depending on what time you arrive. Please click here for the price list.
• Accessibility: It is hard to find any information on their site but other sites say there is disability access.
• Cafe?: Yes
• Nearest Stations: Belsize Park, Tufnell Park

Beckenham Place Park Wild Swimming Lake

This is the new kid on the block. This new swimming lake opened in July 2019 and is 283 meters long and 45 meters wide and it can take up to 60 swimmers at a time. The lake is a recreation of the original Georgian water feature that was on this site. The lake, part of a £6.8 million park regeneration project, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Lewisham Council, will be open all year round.

Beckenham Place Park Wild Swimming Lake Information:

• Opening Times: 07:00 – 18:00
• Prices: Adults – £3, Children – £2, Under 3’s – Free, Family (up to 2 adults/3 children) -£10
• Accessibility: At the time of writing there was no information regarding disabled access. Please contact Lewisham Council for more information.
• Cafe?: Yes in the park.
• Nearest Station: Beckenham Hill station

Serpentine Lido, Hyde Park

The Serpentine Lido and paddling pool probably have the best spot to swim in the city. Located in Hyde Park lake the lido is open to members of the public in the summer months. For the rest of the year, the lido is only open to the Serpentine Swimming Club which is Britain’s oldest swimming club. You will know them from their Christmas Day swims that always end up on the news. Don’t be surprised if you share the lido with the local wildlife like ducks and swans!

Serpentine Lido, Hyde Park Information:

• Opening Times: It is open on weekends throughout May (including the May Day Bank Holiday) and seven days a week from 1 June to early September. 10:00 am – 6:00 pm (last entry 5:30pm)
• Prices: Adult – £4.80 (£4.10 after 4pm), Child – £1.80 (£1.10 after 4pm), Family Ticket – 2 adults and up to 2 children -£12.00 (£9 after 4pm)
• Accessibility: N/A
• Cafe?: Yes
• Nearest Stations: Lancaster Gate, Knightsbridge, Queensway

Brockwell Lido, Herne Hill

Brockwell Lido has been one of South London’s most popular spots since it opened in 1937. The outdoor pool is 50m long which has general swimming and lap swimming so make sure you check the times before you go. The award-winning cafe is in a beautiful art-deco building.

Brockwell Lido, Herne Hill Information:

• Opening Times: 06:30 – 22:00 (Mon – Fri), 07:30 – 21:30 (Sat), 07:30 – 21:00 (Sun)
• Prices: Adult – £6.40, Child – £3.60
• Accessibility: Click here for all the information on disabled access to Brockwell Lido.
• Cafe?: Yes
• Nearest Stations: Herne Hill, Brixton

Park Road Pools & Fitness, Crouch End

Londoners have been swimming at Park Road Pools in Crouch End since 1926. Having had an £8 million refurbishment in 2016 these pools are as popular as ever. There are two lidos here and 3 indoor pools so you won’t struggle to find a place to swim! There is also sun loungers, a play area and some fun water features.

Park Road Pools & Fitness, Crouch End Information:

• Opening Times: 06:00 – 21:30 Mon – Fri, 07:00 – 19:30 Sat – Sun
• Prices: Adult – £5.00, Child – £2.40
• Accessibility: The Lido has disabled access for the lido and indoor pools.
• Cafe?: Yes (Inside)
• Nearest Stations: Tube: Finsbury Park; Bus: then W7 bus

London Royal Docks Open Water Swimming

Wild swimming is taking off all over the UK and London is no exception. Fancy swimming in one of London’s docks? Now you can at the London Royal Docks Open Water Swimming venue. They pride themselves on creating the safest environment in which to swim. They test the water fortnightly and provide all the equipment you need to make sure you have an amazing experience with them. You can also have lessons on how to swim in the wild.

London Royal Docks Open Water Swimming Information:

• Opening Times: Sessions will be run 5 times a week throughout April; Tuesday 5-8pm, Wednesday 5-8pm, Friday 5-8pm, Saturday and Sunday 9-12pm.
• Prices: You will need a NOWCA safety wristband to swim in London’s Royal Dock – This costs just £12 a year in addition to the swim session prices.
• Accessibility: I can’t find any information regarding disabled access. Please contact Royal Docks Open Swimming here for more information.
• Cafe?: No
• Nearest Stations: Royal Docks

Charlton Lido, Greenwich

Charlton Lido is located in Hornfair Park and is a heated 50 meters Olympic sized pool that locals flock to.  It reopened in 2013 after an extensive £2 million refurbishment. This is a mixed pool with lane swimming, water games and noodles all encouraged. There is also a small shallower pool.

Charlton Lido, Greenwich Information:

• Opening Times: Mon – Thurs – 06:00 – 22:00, Fri – 06:00 – 20:00, Sat & Sun – 09:00 – 17:00
• Prices: Adult £7.00, Child £4.00
• Accessibility: The Lido has disabled access.
• Cafe?: Yes
• Nearest Stations: Charlton Railway Station

Hillingdon Outdoor Pool

This Grade II listed 50-meter pool was formally known as Uxbridge Lido. It has been restored to its 1930’s glory with a massive restoration project. The outdoor pool is now part of a new leisure centre that includes an indoor pool. By the Lido, there’s space to chill by the pool and a café for post-swimming snacks. 

Hillingdon Outdoor Pool Information:

• Opening Times: 06:00 – 22:00 Mon – Fri, 08:00 – 20:00 Sat – Sun
• Prices: Adult £6.00, Child £4.00
• Accessibility: Both pools have disabled access.
• Cafe?: Yes
• Nearest Stations: Uxbridge

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We hope this has given you some ideas of places to cool off on hot summer days in London. If you know of a place we haven’t included please let us know.

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