Hampstead Heath bathing ponds
Three natural ponds run by the City of London Corporation, not a club: Highgate Men's Pond for biological and trans men, Kenwood Ladies' Pond for biological and trans women, and the Mixed Pond for everyone, with the access policy settled on 31 July 2026. £5 a swim, £3 concessions, fixed until 31 March 2027, cashless from 1 October 2026. On a hot day the grass bank by the Men's Pond entrance is, per an August 2026 piece, one of the city's main hubs of queer activity.
- Who it's for
- Everyone
- Where
- North London
- Find them
- Website
When and where
Every day, all year round
Highgate Men's Pond, Hampstead Heath
Competent swimmers only, deep and opaque water · £5, £3 concessions and under 16s · Men
Open to biological and trans men. Autumn 2026 hours: to 12 September open 7am, last entry 6.45pm; 13 September to 10 October, 7am, last entry 5.45pm; 11 to 24 October, 7.30am, last entry 4.45pm; 25 October to 21 November, 7am, last entry 2pm; 22 November to 13 February 2027, 7.30am, last entry 2.30pm. No lockers, so bring a floating dry bag or nothing. No snorkels, masks or swim aids, no alcohol, no glass, no speakers. Drop-in outside late May to early September.
Every day, all year round
Kenwood Ladies' Pond, Hampstead Heath
£5, £3 concessions and under 16s · Women
Open to biological and trans women. Same autumn 2026 hours as the Men's Pond. A one-piece swimsuit or two-piece bikini must be worn; topless swimming and nude sunbathing are not permitted. Drop-in outside late May to early September.
Every day, April to October
Hampstead Mixed Pond, Hampstead Heath
£5, £3 concessions and under 16s
Open to everyone. Same autumn 2026 hours as the other ponds while open. Drop-in outside late May to early September.
What it costs
- £5.00 Single swim, adultValid to 31 March 2027. Under 16s and over 60s swim free before 9.30am with proof of age.
- £3.00 Single swim, concession and under 16s
- £83.00, £50.00 concession Bathing Ponds season ticket, 6 months
- £157.00, £94.00 concession Bathing Ponds season ticket, 12 monthsPays for itself on the 32nd swim at £5.
- £348.00, £209.00 concession Lido and Bathing Ponds season ticket, 12 months
Never done it before
Just want cold water and other gay people: the Men's Pond before last entry, £5, no locker. Parliament Hill Lido next door is 60m, unheated and open all year, £5 from 28 September 2026 with last entry 1pm in winter.
What they don't say
- No postcode is published for any of the three ponds on the City of London pages, so the area is set by hand to north.
- Summer booking (late May to early September) is not detailed here; the autumn hours above are drop-in.
Every fact here was checked on 10 September 2026, against 10 sources. Training nights and fees change, so if something is out of date, tell us.
Hear when something new is added.
New clubs, changed training nights, and the occasional weekend. No more than that.
Or come and meet people all at once.
A weekend away with a group of gay men, and nothing to prove.