WILD SWIMMING IN LONDON AND SOUTH EAST ENGLAND
Natasha Sones, outdoor adventurer, wild swimmer and author of Swimming Wild in South East England, shares six of her favourite places to dip
Diving off the jetty at Hampstead Mixed Pond feels amazing
Image: VIMA Photography
The beautiful part of the country which comprises London and South East England has many picturesque locations. Explore the various places to dip in London – one of the world’s greatest cities – glide between the skyscrapers at Canary Wharf or head to the lido in the middle of Hyde Park, home to one of the oldest swimming clubs in Britain. Elsewhere, you can visit award-winning beaches, coves and secluded bays; experience the charm and heritage of historic lidos; visit unique suburban and city venues; drift along stretches of tree-lined rivers and do laps of vast, shimmering lakes.
HAMPSTEAD HEATH PONDS, LONDON
Hampstead Heath is home to some of the best outdoor swimming spots in a unique setting in London, including three natural bathing ponds and one 60-metre lido. A dip in Hampstead Heath Ponds is a wonderful experience which thousands of Londoners and visitors alike enjoy each year. On sunny days, hundreds of dippers visit to escape the heat, and even in the depths of winter people can be found swimming amongst the ice.