Hackney, England, United Kingdom

West Reservoir, Stoke Newington

Built in 1833 to store and clean New River water, this 30-acre reservoir in Stoke Newington now hosts supervised open-water swimming alongside sailing and kayaking. Swims are booked through the Better app, last up to an hour and follow marked loops of up to 300m. A tow float and bright hat are compulsory, and the team recommends a wetsuit once the water falls below 14°C.

Directions

Photo: Matt Brown · CC BY 2.0

Get your personalized SwimScore

Latest reading · SwimScore 83/100 (Get in) for a typical swimmer: air 19°C, wind 11 km/h, UV 3. Updated 23 Sept, 14:00 UTC.

Know before you go

Getting in: Booking is essential via the Better UK app; sessions are one hour (about 50 minutes in the water) and one booking per person per day. New swimmers get a safety briefing on their first visit. A tow float (loaned if needed) and a red, orange or pink hat are compulsory. Minimum age 14; 14-17s must swim with an adult from the same household.
Parking & transport: 16 free spaces (3 disabled) and storage for 40 bikes. Manor House Underground is about 10 min walk; Finsbury Park is also nearby; buses 141, 341 and 106 stop close by.
Lifeguards: All swim sessions are supervised by the centre's qualified water safety team.
Water quality: Not a designated bathing water, so it is not on the Environment Agency's classification list.
Season: Open all year; session times follow daylight hours.
Who swims here: Mamma Swim, a social enterprise for swimming mothers, runs a weekly Sunday group swim here.
Watch for: Cold water: courses shorten and swim times are restricted as the temperature drops
Shared with sailing and kayaking activity
Sessions cancelled in lightning, snow or thick fog
Facilities: Changing rooms with padlock lockers · Outdoor cool showers · Café · Toilets