London's first 'natural water' lido is set to open in Canary Wharf this Friday, offering a unique urban oasis for wellbeing. Located in the northwest corner of Eden Dock, Sea Lanes Canary Wharf features a 50-metre, six-lane Olympic-sized unheated swimming pool. The facility is designed to provide swimmers with the freedom of open water swimming combined with the safety and structure of a pool.
A New Urban Oasis
Created by Sea Lanes Brighton in partnership with CWG, the lifeguarded pool will be operated by South Downs Leisure. It offers both membership and pay-per-swim access. Joe McNulty, Sea Lanes Director, said: 'With growing demand for outdoor swimming facilities, Sea Lanes Canary Wharf provides the freedom of open water swimming with the safety and structure of a pool, helping swimmers of all abilities build confidence before exploring wider outdoor swimming opportunities.'
Natural Water and Amenities
The pool will be filled with filtered dock water, continually tested to meet 'Excellent' EU Bathing Standards. Open 364 days a year, it includes two wood-fired outdoor saunas powered by 100% renewable energy. A clubhouse and dining area will be available for post-swim refreshments. Later this year, Sea Lanes will expand the Eden Dock area to offer non-lane open water swimming, paddleboarding, free diving, surf-fit sessions, and winter scuba programmes.
Community and Environmental Impact
Deputy Mayor of London, Mete Coban, MBE, commented: 'Sea Lanes Canary Wharf provides a fantastic new open swimming opportunity for Londoners and visitors in the heart of our city. The Mayor and I are committed to transforming London's waterways – cleaning them up, improving biodiversity, and opening up more blue spaces for Londoners to relax, walk and swim in safely.'
According to Swim England, 6.81 million people swim outdoors each year, including 2.45 million open water swimmers. Stuart Fyfe, Managing Director of Retail, Hospitality and Leisure at CWG, said: 'Canary Wharf is thrilled to welcome Sea Lanes as the next bold step in enhancing our blue and green spaces, adding to our district's exceptional wellness offering.'
Sea Lanes will be open Monday to Friday from 6am to 9pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 7am to 7pm.
