The best family friendly London lidos give you a wild swimming vibe and they’re the coolest spots this summer. Seonaid McGill picks the ones worth packing swimmies for right now.
Hampstead Heath Ponds, London
Easily one of the coolest places to swim this summer
Probably the best known of the London lidos, Hampstead Heath Ponds are famously chilly – even in summer – on the plus side, the setting’s lovely and there are three different ponds: men’s, women’s and mixed.
The mixed pond is open to families and accompanied children from age eight, lifeguards are always on duty and Hampstead Heath posts water temperature updates year round.
Where: Hampstead Heath
Nearest Tube: Belsize Park
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The best family friendly London lidos are all about chilling
Best family friendly London lidos for city views
Parliament Hill Lido is tucked away in a southern corner of Hampstead Heath and it’s one of the London lidos that’s almost as well loved for its city views as its swimming.
Open 365 days a year, it might have been built in 1938 but manages to feel fresh thanks to a relatively new stainless steel floor in the main pool and a paddling pool for younger kids.
Children of all ages can swim here (under eights have to be accompanied by an adult). And, although the pools are unheated, hot showers for after make that seem a lot less bracing.
Where: Hampstead Heath
Nearest Tube: Tuffnell Park
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Brockwell, the beachiest of family friendly London lidos
Brockwell Lido, also known as “Brixton’s Beach”
Few London lidos are as popular with locals as Brockwell Lido. It’s better known as “Brixton’s Beach” and as well as the 50m pool, there’s a Grade II listed art deco building which has a café, gym and exercise classes.
There’s a strong community feel here, it’s very family-friendly and kids of all ages are welcome. The pool’s open 7-days, year round from 7am to 6pm and you can now book 50 minute slots online.
Where: Brixton
Nearest Tube: Brixton
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Hampton Pool, London
One of the family friendly London lidos where you can really swim
Unlike some other London lidos, Hampton Pool is almost entirely dedicated to public swimming to it’s one of the easier places to book a slot.
Famously saved from demolition by locals, the pool’s understandably a bit of an icon and well loved by Hampton residents. Great for families and kids of all ages, the water’s heated year round and there’s also a paddling pool for younger children, and small waterslides too.
Where: Hampton
Nearest Station: Hampton
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Park Road Leisure Centre, London
The luxe London lido that’s open all year round
The Park Road Leisure Centre is the luxe end of London lidos after an £8 million refurbishment added three indoor swimming pools, gym, exercise classes and children’s play area to the 50-metre heated outdoor pool.
Family fun is the focus here, grassy hills by the lido pool are perfect for summer picnics and it’s suitable for kids of all ages. The lido’s programme is quite structured, so be sure to check times and book in advance.
Where: Hornsey
Nearest Tube: Highgate (Northern line)
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Oasis Sports Centre, London
One of the best family friendly London lidos to escape the summer heat
Of the London lidos that give refuge from city heat in summer, Oasis Sports Centre really lives up to its name. The sleek complex has an outdoor and indoor pool and it can get busy on sunny days.
Kids age eight and over are welcome and the atmosphere’s surprisingly chill and family-friendly, considering you’re right in the heart of London.
Where: Covent Garden
Nearest Tube: Tottenham Court Road
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London Fields Lido
A great London lido for splash-around kids
Another of the London lidos saved by passionate locals, London Fields is the result of a decade-long community protest against its demolition. The city eventually gave in and the abandoned lido re-opened in 2003.
Refurbished over the past few years it sits hidden away in London Fields and comes with an Olympic size, floodlit swimming pool that’s heated year-round.
Both lane and open swimming are available, so kids of all ages can have fun without getting in the way of more serious pool users.
Where: Hackney
Nearest Train Station: London Fields
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Charlton Lido, Greenwich
Another of the family friendly London lidos with an Olympic-size pool
Charlton Lido underwent a £2 million redevelopment in 2013, resulting in another of the London lidos with an Olympic-size, heated pool.
There are also two sun terraces and extra space around the main pool for lazing. There’s a smaller pool for less confident swimmers and younger kids, and the temperature is a balmy 23° all summer long.
Where: Greenwich
Nearest Station: Charlton
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Tooting Bec Lido
The largest freshwater pool in the UK, and London’s largest lido
Tooting Bec Lido isn’t just the largest of all London lidos, at an astounding 90m, it’s the largest freshwater pool in the entire UK. Multi-coloured changing huts around the pool bring a cute retro feel to summer swims.
Although the enormous outdoor pool is the main attraction, there’s also a kid’s pool for under-fives. Wraparound grass areas are good for picnics and you’ll find plenty of space for grabbing some sun – older kids like the diving boards.
Where: Streatham Park
Nearest Station: Streatham Hill
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