This season has endedThis was our summer 2026 guide and the season it covered has ended. Pools and ponds change their hours and prices through the year, so check each official site before you go. What's on this month

cheap swims and free ways to beat the heat

Cool off in London this summer

Under £1013 placesAcross London

When London bakes you have two ways to cool down, a cheap lido or pond, or somewhere genuinely free. The cheapest swim is Parliament Hill early or evening from £4.80, then the Hampstead Heath Ponds at £5 a session, London Fields heated to 24°C from about £6.40, the Serpentine at £7.50 for the full day and Brockwell from £9.50. After the paid swims come the free ones, two fountains you can paddle in, a Japanese waterfall, a sunken garden in deep shade and the wild edges of the royal parks. Prices and times change with the season and the weather so always check the official site before you go.

Before you go

Prices and times change with the season and the weather, always check the official site before you go.

Cheap swims: lidos and ponds

These lidos and ponds all charge to get in. The from price is the cheapest session we could find, you may pay more at peak times. The cheapest is Parliament Hill early or evening at £4.80.

From £4.80Cheapest early & evening

Parliament Hill Lido

Hampstead Heath, NW5 · Gospel Oak Overground

From £4.80 early or evening, up to £8.40 for 3hrs

An unheated stainless steel pool on the edge of the Heath, and now the cheapest swim on this list. Get there early or come in the evening for the £4.80 rate. Run by the City of London.

Check the pool

Prices and times change with the season, always check the official site before you go.

£5 a sessionUnder-16s about £2.70

Hampstead Heath Ponds

Hampstead Heath, NW5 · Hampstead Heath Overground

Walk-in early and evening, book midday in summer

A proper wild swim in the Men's, Ladies' or Mixed pond, cold and brilliant. Under-16s pay about £2.70. Run by the City of London.

Check the pool

Prices and times change with the season, always check the official site before you go.

From about £6.40Heated to 24°C

London Fields Lido

Hackney, E8 · London Fields Overground

Daily, book ahead in a heatwave

A 50m pool heated to 24°C so it stays warm even when the weather is not. Run by Better, check Better for the current price.

Check the pool @london_fields_lido

Prices and times change with the season, always check the official site before you go.

£7.50 full dayChild £3.25 · concession £4.30

Serpentine Lido

Hyde Park, W2 · Hyde Park Corner / Knightsbridge

Season June to mid-September

Open water swimming in a real lake in the middle of town, ducks included. A full day is £7.50, a child £3.25 and a concession £4.30. Run by the Royal Parks.

Check the pool

Prices and times change with the season, always check the official site before you go.

From £9.50 adultChild from £6 · Art Deco 50m

Brockwell Lido

Herne Hill, SE24 · Herne Hill (rail)

Check Active Lambeth for the timetable

The Art Deco 50m classic in Brockwell Park, a proper south London institution. Now run by Active Lambeth, which took over from Fusion on 1 July 2026. Children from £6.

Check the pool @brockwell_lido

Prices and times change with the season, always check the official site before you go.

The small print

These pools are run by their own operators, not London Free Guide, and prices and times change with the season and the weather. The from price is the cheapest session we could find, you may pay more at peak times. The Hampstead Ponds and Parliament Hill Lido are run by the City of London, the Serpentine by the Royal Parks, London Fields by Better and Brockwell by Active Lambeth, which took over from Fusion on 1 July 2026. Always check the official website for the right price and opening hours before you travel.