The beauty of London is its variety. The best swimming pools in London range from historic baths and leisure centres to open-air lidos and picturesque ponds. London is a great place for swimmers, with some locations taking travellers to the most beautiful corners of the city. Brave the chill of Hampstead Ponds and be surrounded by Hampstead Heath’s natural beauty, or look like an Olympian at The London Aquatics Centre. Go alone, with friends, or on a date night with a difference. What’s so great about these London swimming pools is that they feel like an adventure rather than just a trip to the local baths.

Fancy a dip? The best swimming pools in London are all easily navigatable by tube, with pools in south, west, east and north London. This is our pick of the best places to go swimming in the capital, whatever the weather.

Best swimming pools in London

1. Brockwell Lido

Brockwell Lido is a south London institution in leafy Brockwell Park. The Grade II-listed building opened in July 1937 and was refurbed in the ’90s in the style visitors can experience today. Nowadays, there’s a coffee hatch, bar, and pizza restaurant on site, so you can make a whole afternoon of it. There are also loungers and plenty of spaces to lay down a towel, making it a popular place in the summer with a holiday-esque feel. This is one of the best swimming pools in London if you’re looking for a cold-water dip. brockwelllido.com

2. London Fields Lido

Like Brockwell Lido, London Fields Lido has a warm community vibe with colourful surroundings, but there’s one key difference — it’s heated. This means a dip is welcome all year round, and you won’t need to brace yourself for cold water swimming (though this does have an impressive list of health benefits if you can brave it). better.org.uk/leisure-centre/london/hackney/london-fields-lido

3. Hampstead Ponds

Another famous London swimming spot, Hampstead Ponds, is one of the most idyllic places in London to take a dip. Be warned, they’re cold water ponds and can get extremely nippy in the winter months – you’ll need extra gear (such as neoprene swim socks and gloves) to cope with the colder temperatures and a cold water induction if you’re new to open-water swimming. But once the logistics are out of the way and you’ve acclimatised to the icy water, swimming in the wild can be an incredibly uplifting experience. The ponds are slipt in mixed and ladies ponds and surrounded by woodlands. hampsteadheath.net/swimming-ponds

4. Balham Leisure Centre

Balham Leisure Centre is a work of art with an ornate high vaulted ceiling and striking iron details. The 25-meter pool is split between casual swimmers and those doing more intensive lengths, so it’s an ideal spot for all levels of swimming. It’s also an easy choice, as the pool is heated, and you can pay as you go. A cut above other leisure centre pools, this banquet-hall style swimming pool is well worth a visit if you’re in south London. placesleisure.org/centres/balham-leisure-centre

5. Ironmonger Row Baths

These historic baths are a real hidden gem in East London’s Shoreditch, dating back to 1931 when the property was first used as a wash house and slipper baths. The second phase of development, later in 1938, saw the arrival of the main swimming pool, children’s pool and Victorian-style Turkish baths. Nowadays, the Ironmonger Row Baths are a great place to relax for the day with a sauna, steam rooms and a refreshing plunge pool to explore after a swim. This is one of the best swimming pools in London if you’re interested in the city’s history. better.org.uk/leisure-centre/london/islington/ironmonger-row-baths

6. London Aquatics Centre

This light and area space looks built for serious swimmers, but the leisure facility is open to swimmers of all abilities. The building, situated in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, was designed by the late architecture legend Zara Hadid and provided the backdrop to some of the UK’s greatest swimmers — Tom Daley and Ellie Simmonds, to name a few. everyoneactive.com/centre/london-aquatics-centre

7. Park Road Pools & Fitness

Another London Lido worth putting on your swimming list is Park Road Pools & Fitness. This well-kept outdoor lido is nestled in leafy Harringay and offers a rarity in London — a 50-meter outdoor heated pool. Be warned, it gets busy on weekends, but it’s an ideal pool for an after-work dip. fusion-lifestyle.com/centres/park-road-pools-fitness

8. The Porchester Spa

Head to The Porchester Spa in Bayswater for a swim that also feels like a spa day. You may have to bring your own towel, but this is an authentic spa experience with a historic building that dates back to 1929. Inside, you’ll find two steam rooms, a plunge pool and Turkish baths, with access to the spa’s 30-meter pool. everyonespa.com/our-venues/porchester-spa-westminster

9. Crystal Palace National Sports Centre

Crystal Palace National Sports Centre is housed in a 1960s Grade-II listed building with two pools; a 25-meter pool with swimming lanes and a training pool. There are also volleyball courts, tennis courts and a gym for fitness fans. better.org.uk/leisure-centre/london/crystal-palace/crystal-palace-national-sports-centre