London opens first natural water swimming pool — just in time for the heatwave. With the mercury trending steadily upwards and a UK heatwave pending, you might already be planning an outdoor swim. Tomorrow, the temperature is set to shoot up to 31°C in London, while Saturday and Sunday will see highs of 27°C and 29°C. Now, in pretty perfect timing, the capital is getting a brand-new open water swimming destination: Sea Lanes Canary Wharf.
London's First Floating Pool
Throwing open its doors this Friday, June 19, the new spot will see a 50-metre swimming pool suspended in the dock, making it London's first-ever floating destination. Billed as an 'urban oasis,' the water is all natural, and there'll be six lanes to choose from. The fun doesn't need to stop once you've finished your lengths, either, as there's a food and drink menu for you to enjoy poolside. Weekend brunch options include things like shakshuka, a green goddess salad, smoked salmon flatbread, and even an ice cream sandwich. As for tipples, you'll be able to get your hands on Aperol spritzes and pints.
Sauna and Seasonal Activities
If you're one for a sauna and cold dip during the winter, there'll be plenty of hot pods to get stuck into. They've been designed with the environment in mind, as they run completely on renewable energy. Later on this year, the Sea Lanes will cover a larger area of Eden Dock with activities like non-lane open water swimming, paddleboarding, freediving, surf-fit, and winter scuba.
Pricing and Accessibility
Price-wise, one hour of lane swimming costs £10, while there are a number of concession rates available at £8. A one-hour swim and sauna session costs £18 for an adult, with concessions at £14.40. As part of the project's bid to make swimming accessible for all, there'll be fully-funded memberships on offer, while discounted memberships will be provided through Tower Hamlets Council's Be Well scheme. Deputy Mayor of London, Mete Coban, MBE, said: 'Sea Lanes Canary Wharf provides a fantastic new open swimming opportunity for Londoners and visitors in the heart of our city.'
Swimwear and Inclusivity
If you want to up the ante on your swimwear, there's a dedicated shop packed with picks from brands like Dry Robe, Finisterre, and Water Haul. It's all intended to make swimming more inclusive. Sea Lanes Brighton, the UK's first National Open Water Swimming Centre, inspired this new location.
Other Lidos in the South
If a bit of lido tourism tickles your fancy, there are plenty of similar options across the south of England. Last month, the historic Brightlingsea Lido reopened for the summer. The Essex spot sits right by the sea, and while it was originally a creek, in 1932, it was converted into a tidal saltwater pool. Adult admission costs just £7.50, and children over two can enter for £5.50. Brockwell Lido in South London has also made a global list of top cold water dip spots.
