Cool off: 5 cheap London swims

5 cheap lidos and ponds

London is baking, so here are five cheap lidos and ponds to cool off in, all from £5 or less for a session. Prices and times move with the season and the weather, so always check the official site for the right price before you go.

Under £10 · across London

Hampstead Heath Ponds — from £5. Men's, Ladies & Mixed. Hampstead Heath, NW5 (Hampstead Heath Overground). Walk-in early & evening, book midday in summer. A wild pond swim on the Heath. Under-16s and over-60s swim free before 9:30am.
Serpentine Lido — from £2.50, the cheapest. Hyde Park, W2 (Hyde Park Corner / Knightsbridge). Daily Jun to Sept, 10am–6pm, late session after 4pm. Lake swimming in the middle of town, ducks included.
London Fields Lido — from £6.40. Heated to 24°C. Hackney, E8 (London Fields Overground). Daily 6:30am–9pm. A 50m heated pool, warm even when the weather is not.
Parliament Hill Lido — from £4.80, cheapest early & evening (up to £8.40 for 3hrs). Hampstead Heath, NW5 (Gospel Oak Overground). Unheated steel pool. Get there early for the cheap rate.
Brockwell Lido — from £9.50. Art Deco 50m. Herne Hill, SE24 (Herne Hill rail). Weekends 7:30am–6:30pm. A 1930s 50m pool in Brockwell Park, a proper south London classic.

These pools are run by their own operators, not London Free Guide. The from price is the cheapest session we could find, you may pay more at peak times. Always check the official website for the right price and opening hours before you travel.

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