Hampstead Heath Women’s Pond

Hottest day of the year? Time to go and swim in some freshwater ponds in London. Obviously.
I’ve been meaning to go the the ponds on Hampstead Heath since I moved to London and the forces co-​joined yesterday to make it happen. BBF and I headed there around lunch time, we took the overground and got off at Hampstead Heath.
The closest swimming pond to that station is the mixed pond, because of this the queue was HUGE. Mostly a lot of teenagers hanging out in big groups enjoying the sun. Which is fine, but I hate having to queue. so we headed over to the other side of the Heath where they have the segregated pools.
There was still a queue, but it wasn’t too bad. It moved quite fluidly. There are ticket machines on the right hand side as you head down towards the pond. It’s £2 for an adult and £1 for a concession. No one checked our tickets, so I assume it’s based on a honour system. I’m all for paying out a couple of pounds to see the ponds opened and maintained!
There is very little space when you get down to the pondside; there are toilets and there are changing rooms, but they’re basic and not very big. Best bet is to come prepared; wear your cossie under your clothes, or just be brazen and get changed right there — it’s OK. no one’s looking at you. There didn’t appear to be any lockers or anything like that, but unless someone is going to heist all your stuph and stick it in their bikini I think you might be OK. We just left our bags on the side.
If it gets too busy, you have to wait before you can get in, but you never have to wait long. I don’t think anyone stays in the pond for ages. You can’t touch the bottom and there are only a few rings to hold on to, so unless you’re happy to tread water for ages then I’d say 20 mins/​half hour tops. Despite the glorious weather (34 degrees) it’s still super cold in there –brisk– which also means there is a steady flow of people in and out.
There are quite a few lifeguards, all ladies, and they are. very passionate (?) about their job. I think they take it quite personally and sometimes it got a bit dramatic. I’d say that every second or third person got told off. I realise that there is a lot of responsibility held when you’re letting a whole load of people in to a pond and you do need to keep careful watch on the situation, but we are adults (no kids under 8, adult supervision for children 8 – 16 years) and mostly… not stupid. I mean there was the one woman who jumped in from the pond edge, which was apparently a big no no, as the life guard nearly had an aneurysm whilst telling her off. She was fine, the reaction was a little excessive.
Aside from the slightly officious life guarding I can not recommend this experience enough. It’s amazing; you’re just swimming around, there are ducks (and who knows what else underneath!) they never let the pond get too busy and it’s just wonderfully refreshing on a blazing hot summers day.
In the immortal words of Shia Labeouf. DO IT.

I’ve heard many amazing things about the Hampstead Heath Women’s pond. I was told that it was a magical place — a women’s sanctuary in the middle of London.
I’m happy to report that it is! With this secluded pond and hidden away sunbathing patch, this is probably one of the few places in London where a woman can let her hair down and just be.
I’m just sad that is taken this long for me to discover it!