King’s Cross Pond Club

What a lovely idea! While construction goes on in the area, this is a little haven (that is technically an art installation), where you can book swimming sessions. Only a limited number can swim each day, so it can’t get too crowded, and really is a peaceful, nature-​laden little oasis.
It’s man-​made but natural (if that makes any sense) — it doesn’t contain chemicals and has pondlife in it. There’s a partition between you and most of the plants, and the bottom is wooden (I think?) so it’s not quite like being in a real lake, but that protects the natural bits while still giving the impression that you’re somewhere a bit unusual.
It was a very pleasant experience — even though when I went it was raining! This is the major downside — you pretty much have to book in advance to secure a place, but you have no idea what the weather will be like. When I woke up and saw the pouring rain, I was very unimpressed. It wasn’t the end of the world — you’re wet already, after all — but it meant I wasn’t going to hang around by the side of the pond, which would have been better as I could have extended my stay, dipping in and out. As it was, I was basically in for a brisk 20 minutes, give or take, then departed.
Obviously, it’s not heated, and even with the water temperature at an alleged 18 degrees, that felt very chilly. The showers are also cold, and outside, so I wasn’t that keen to shower after (though you have to shower before), even though I had pond up on me.
You can arrive at any point in your 2 hour slot, but have to leave at the end even if you arrived late.
There are lockers available — you need a padlock for these, so bring your own or I think they can be provided.

The Kings Cross pond club is a very cool thing. For anyone who spends much time in the Kings Cross area, you will know that there is construction everywhere. Like really. Everywhere. Despite this, there are some lovely green spaces about and now, I have discovered, a real life lake! For swimming!
Tucked in the center of construction wasteland there is a lovely little pond with greenery growing in it, open for the public to come and take a dip. You have to book passes ahead of time for a very reasonable cost (£5 or less) for a 3.5 hour slot. The only downside to this is that you won’t be able to predict the weather when buying a ticket and it can be very difficult to go on a whim, as tickets are sold out well ahead of time.
Once you are there you will be given a lock and shown the dressing room/​lockers. Before you swim you’ll need to take a shower so as not to disrupt the ecosystem and heads up, it’s gonna be really cold. Up the stairs is the pond and it’s lovely and hilariously surrounded by views of cranes and construction. It’s a lovely little oasis.
Unfortunately it was quite cold this morning so our swim was cut short, but I would certainly come here again!!! This is a lovely and quirky treat that reminds me why I love London!