The Best Places to Swim in London

Whether you are looking for an early-morning dip, a long outdoor swim or somewhere to cool off on a hot day, discover our favourite places to swim and spend time by the water this summer.

For a unique outdoor swimming experience, Oasis in Covent Garden stands out. With its outdoor pool, you can enjoy swimming while basking in the sun and taking in the vibrant atmosphere of this unique central London location.

If you're looking for a heated outdoor pool that remains open year-round, London Fields Lido in Hackney is the place to go. This Olympic-sized pool is surrounded by parkland, and offers a refreshing escape from the urban environment.

Brockwell Lido, located in Brockwell Park, offers a picturesque outdoor swimming experience. Surrounded by art deco architecture, this open-air pool is perfect for swimming laps and enjoying the sun on the terrace.

Charlton Lido in south-east London is another popular outdoor swimming spot, featuring a heated 50-meter pool, a smaller teaching pool, sunbathing area, and a café too.

If open water swimming is your thing, the Royal Docks Love Open Water swimming sessions in East London offer a pretty memorable experience in historic docks. Guided by experienced instructors, it's one we often recommend to friends.

For something more central, the Serpentine Lido in Hyde Park provides a designated area for open water swimming in the Serpentine Lake, allowing you to experience the joy of wild swimming in a historic London location.

Providing a serene setting for swimmers, The West Reservoir Centre in Stoke Newington offers open water swimming in a scenic 23-acre reservoir.

If you're more inclined toward wild swimming, the Hampstead Ponds in Hampstead Heath provide a tranquil and close-to-nature swimming experience in unheated freshwater ponds.

If you prefer an indoor swimming experience, try the Marshall Street Leisure Centre in Soho, which has been fully restored, whilst retaining its 1930’s splendor, including original marble floors.

For a world-class swimming facility, the incredible Zaha Hadid designed the London Aquatics Centre, built for the 2012 Olympic Games. With its two 50-meter indoor swimming pools and diving pool, it caters to both recreational swimmers and elite athletes.

Our final recommendation comes from The Porchester Centre in Bayswater. It offers a 30-meter indoor swimming pool within a historic architectural setting, making it a great place for swimming and relaxation. There’s also a beautifully restored Grade II listed Spa, with Turkish Baths, plunge pool and various treatments on offer, set within what is claimed to be the capital's oldest spa!