Camden, England, United Kingdom

Kenwood Ladies' Pond, Hampstead Heath

A women-only bathing pond on the east side of Hampstead Heath, set aside for women and girls since 1926 and ringed by trees and reeds. The water is deep and opaque, with tethered life rings to rest on and lifeguards on duty every day of the year. In summer the afternoon and evening sessions are booked online up to a week ahead, so the 7am to 11am drop-in is the simplest way in.

Directions

Photo: Peter · CC BY-SA 2.0

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Latest reading · SwimScore 79/100 (Good swim) for a typical swimmer: air 16°C, wind 12 km/h, UV 0. Updated 23 Sept, 22:00 UTC.

Know before you go

Best conditions: Dry, settled spells: the City notes micro-organism levels tend to rise after rain and when the pond is heavily used.
Getting in: Competent swimmers only; children must be 8+ and those aged 8-15 need an accompanying adult (max two children per adult) plus a swim test. From late May to early September some sessions must be booked online (released 8pm, up to 7 days ahead); the rest of the year is drop-in. 2026-27 price: £5 adult, £3 concession/under-16; under-16s and over-60s swim free before 9.30am; payment is cashless from 1 October 2026. Women only; wetsuits and neoprene are allowed, but tow floats, swim aids, snorkels and topless swimming are not.
Parking & transport: Limited on-street parking on Merton Lane and Millfield Lane (check restrictions). Nearest stations: Gospel Oak Overground (about 23 min walk) and Highgate on the Northern line (about 26 min); the 214 bus stops nearby. Bike racks inside the gate.
Lifeguards: Lifeguarded during all opening hours, year-round.
Water quality: Designated bathing water 'Hampstead Heath (Ladies Pond)': rated Good by the Environment Agency in 2025 (Good in 2024). The ponds are natural, untreated water; the EA samples weekly from May to September.
Season: Open all year, including bank holidays. 2026 hours: opens 7am (7.30am in midwinter), with last entry from about 2pm in winter to 8.15pm in high summer.
Who swims here: The Kenwood Ladies' Pond Association (KLPA) is the volunteer user group representing swimmers to the City of London; membership is optional.
Watch for: Deep, opaque water: competent swimmers only
Cold water shock and hypothermia in colder months
Blue-green algae blooms can lead to warning notices or closure
Micro-organism levels rise after rain and on busy days; avoid swallowing water
Closed in thunderstorms and when the Met Office warns of gusts of 40mph or more
Facilities: Lifeguards · Changing rooms · Showers · Toilets · Ladders into the water · Hoist for assisted entry · Upper Meadow for sunbathing · Tethering area for dogs · No lockers (floating dry bags allowed)