Since 1929, this lido has been keeping north Londoners cool on hot, sunny days. The heated 50m long pool is open all year round, allowing you to take a dip even when the weather isn’t playing ball.

Situated in Greenwich, the beautiful Charlton lido is one of south London’s most beloved outdoor pools. The pool itself is Olympic-sized at 50 metres long. Drop by for a casual dip or sign up for one of the pool’s swimming classes – and be sure to set aside some time after your swim to grab a drink from the cafe and soak up the sun on the pool’s gorgeous rooftop terrace.

You’ll find Finchley lido in the Great North Leisure Park in Barnet. Open seven days a week, it’s the perfect place to soak up a (rare) bit of sun and enjoy a dip or two. And for chilly days, the leisure centre also offers an indoor pool with a wave machine and jets.

Calling all west Londoners! The Grade II-listed Hillingdon lido, formerly known as the Uxbridge lido, is now open business.

Head to Hillingdon for a dip with your friends, an aqua aerobics session or even a visit to the Swim Doctor, who will help you perfect your technique. Hillingdon also offers a splash pool for kids, a poolside cafe and plenty of sun loungers, making it the perfect place to kick back all day long this summer.

For south Londoners, Brockwell lido is a bit of a local icon. The 50-metre outdoor swimming pool is found in the corner of Brockwell Park in Brixton. It’s also the star of Libby Page’s hit book, The Lido. An adult lane swim for non-members is £8 (all the details are on the website).

East Londoners can take respite in the 50-metre heated outdoor pool at London Fields lido. There’s also a cafe on site that does a really decent falafel wrap. Broadway Market, London Fields and Victoria Park are very close by for a post-swim hangout, and the nearest Overground station is London Fields. An adult lane swim for non-members is £6.

If you’re looking for a unique swimming experience, Oasis Sports Centre offers central London’s only 25-metre heated outdoor swimming pool. There’s also an indoor one, in case it gets busy. The nearest Underground is Covent Garden. 

Shoreditch House members are lucky enough to have access to the incredible rooftop pool, away from the hustle and bustle of east London below. If you know a member, they are allowed to bring one guest at a time to the pool. We recommend making sure that guest is you. The nearest Overground station is Shoreditch High Street. 

South London is home to the biggest outdoor freshwater pool in the UK (and the second largest in Europe). Tooting Bec’s 90-metre pool will give you a serious workout or you can sit back and admire the colourful huts that line the pool, making it a perfect Instagram shot. The nearest Underground station is Tooting Bec. 

Go wild by jumping into one of the ponds at Hampstead Heath. You can relax in the peace of the ladies pond or join the vibrancy of the mixed pond. Swimming in the open water, which is lined by towering trees and the surrounding hills, really is an exhilarating London experience. The nearest Overground station is Hampstead Heath. 

Not technically a pool, but swimming in a lake sounds even better, right? Beckenham Place Park is home to a 285-metre wild swimming lake, which reaches a depth of 3.5 metres in some parts. There’s been a lake on the site as far back as the 1700s.