Ladies Pool Hampstead Heath

For women (and girls) Hampstead heath ladies pond is simply sublime. You can sunbathe topless, should you wish, swim in a natural pond with fish in it and watch moorhens and ducks swimming around. It is easy to forget you are in London when the sun is shining and you are spending a glorious day here.

I agree this is a nice spot but it can get very crowded in hot weather. The showers don’t always work and you get very muddy because it is a natural pool so don’t go there if you need to get spruced up to go on anywhere else later.

When it is absolutely boiling hot in the summer and I mean really really hot, take a hike up the hill to Hampstead Heath, where you’ll find the bathing pools. I think there are three in total, a ladies pool (which I suspect is the best and the only one I’ve been to) a mixed one and a men’s pool (though I have heard that this is mainly frequented by those who are batting for the boys so you’ll have to decide for yourself if it’s up your alley). I can say though that the ladies pool is just amazing. It is actually just a big freshwater pond complete with water lilies, ducks and frogs, which is reserved for swimming there is a changing hut on the little deck. The best bit is that because the pool is so dark it stays really cool, which is fantastic in the hot sun. It’s a real countryside escape just 20 mins tube ride from Leicester square.