Parliament Hill Lido
Opened in 1938 and now Grade II listed, this 60-metre unheated lido on the edge of Hampstead Heath is open every day of the year, a few minutes' walk from Gospel Oak station. Its stainless-steel lining dates from a 2005 refurbishment. In summer the morning and afternoon sessions are bookable; in winter it opens from 7am to early afternoon, and a sauna runs through the colder months.
Photo: Tom Page from London, UK · CC BY-SA 2.0
Latest reading · SwimScore 71/100 (Good swim) for a typical swimmer: air 17°C, wind 13 km/h, UV 0. Updated .
Know before you go
- Getting in
- Summer (May to September) mixes a breakfast drop-in with bookable morning, afternoon and adults-only evening lane sessions; bookings open at 8pm up to 7 days ahead. Winter is drop-in only. 2026-27 adult prices: £5 in winter and at breakfast, £8.80 for summer morning and afternoon sessions. Under-16s must be with an adult; payment is cashless from 1 October 2026.
- Parking & transport
- Lido car park on Gordon House Road. Gospel Oak Overground is about 3 min walk; Kentish Town (Northern line) about 17 min. Bike racks outside.
- Lifeguards
- Lifeguarded during all opening hours, year-round.
- Water quality
- Chlorinated pool water (not a natural bathing water).
- Season
- Open 365 days a year. Winter 2026-27 (28 September to 30 April): 7am opening, last entry 1pm. Summer 2026 (2 May to 27 September): from a 7am breakfast drop-in through to adults-only evening lane sessions (not Tuesdays or weekends).
- Who swims here
- The Parliament Hill Lido Users' Group supports the lido's swimming community, and the United Swimmers' Association of Hampstead Heath represents lido and pond swimmers.
- Watch for
- Unheated water: cold water shock risk from autumn to spring
- Closed in very high winds and thunderstorms
- Facilities
- Lifeguards · Changing rooms (no mixed-sex changing) · Hot and cold showers · Toilets · Winter sauna (adults, extra ticket) · Lockers (bring a padlock) · Hoist and steps for access
Sources: cityoflondon.gov.uk, cityoflondon.gov.uk, cityoflondon.gov.uk, cityoflondon.gov.uk, en.wikipedia.org, parliamenthilllido.org
Hand-checked spots nearby
Community Reports
How was your swim?
How accurate were the predicted conditions?
What were actual conditions like?
What SwimScore would you give it?
Details
- Location
- Camden, England, United Kingdom
- Type
- pool
- Coordinates
- 51.5564, -0.1513