***Closures due to high wind - Sat, Sun Dec 7,8th***
High winds are expected this weekend due to Storm Darragh and the city are anticipating closing the ponds "at short notice". If the forecast turns out to be accurate this probably means closed all Saturday and most if not all of Sunday, though they will try to open later if the winds drop.
They plan to keep the lido open and will accept Ponds season tickets.
Their Instagram (@colhampsteadheath) already says the ponds will in fact be closed.
- Facebook: Hampstead Heath City of London(external link)
- Instagram: colhampsteadheath(external link)
- X: @CityCorpHeath
Opening hours
November 24th 2024 onwards: 7.30am - 2.30pm
Please check the City of London website here for details.
Current water temperature: around 7C (Nov 27th 2024)
Current circuit length "Winter Ropes": around 120m (This is around the ropes, swimming under the jetty. )
(Full summer length is ~320m)
Experimental Temperatures
We are experimenting with methods to share real-time and historical temperatures here. See the example chart to the left (or above on mobile).
We currently have several sensors in the water and air; the water is around 7C; the air is typically lower but goes up when the sun shines (duh). Don't read too much into the small variations!
Updating the chart on the website is still manual for now.
Travel & Parking
Public transport:
- C11 bus from Archway tube (Northern Line).
- 88 or 214 bus from Kentish Town (Northern Line).
- Walk across the Heath from Gospel Oak Overground.
- Rental scheme e-bike & scooter parking bay on Millfield lane.
Parking on Millfield Lane N6 6JD. Pay & Display Monday - Friday 10:00 - 12:00. 90 minutes maximum. Otherwise free parking (but somewhat restricted places). Millfield lane is one-way by the pond.
You can usually tie up friendly dogs 🐕🦺 near the sentry box at the entrance, at the city steward's discretion, and bikes can be locked to the stout metal railings - at your own risk of course 😬. There is a new rather unfriendly 8' high fence made of 2-3mm wire - we don't recommend locking a bike to this as it doesn't look very robust.
Accessibility
The path from Millfield lane to the pond compound entrance is rough gravel. It's possible to enter from there into the changing area without steps, but getting to the water still requires steps, and then a variety of near-vertical step-ladders to get in. An accessible changing hut with modern railings has been constructed over the past 2 years but is still(!) not yet complete or usable. Contact the City for up-to-date accessibility details.
Charging
Charges: Compulsory charging to enter and swim is now in place, despite lengthy opposition from the HMPA. Currently £4.70 for a full adult swim, or £2.80 concessions.
Booking: Slot booking for the peak periods operates from around May to September each year. 90% of the time it is still possible to just turn up and pay to swim at the Men's; but watch out for hot busy weekend afternoons! When the booking levels get higher, the stewards and lifeguards start to enforce the slots. This means:
11 - 12: Last entry 11am; out of water 11.30; out of compound 11.45; no entry until 12noon! HMPA strongly oppose this slot structure.
Further slots all afternoon till about 6pm, enforcing a rigid hourly cycle.