Kenwood Ladies' Pond

• Lifeguards
• Changing rooms
• Showers
• Toilets
• Stepped access into the water via ladders
• Assisted access into the water via a hoist
• Smooth road-like surface from entrance gate to the water. Access from any main road to the gate is via an unmade track.

See here for our Swimming Opening Times page. We are open all year round including Bank Holidays, and operate seasonal opening hours.

Please see Swimming tickets for our range of Pay-As-You-Go and Season Tickets.

• Carers swim free of charge when accompanying a disabled swimmer who requires a carer.
• Under 16s and over 60s swim free of charge before 9:30am on production of proof of age.
• Cashless payment is preferred and correct change may not be available for cash payments.

We operate a booking system in the summer months only. See Booking for Swimming for further information.

See here for water temperatures which are displayed at each facility and updated regularly online.

• The Bathing Ponds remain open in all weather except high winds and thunder storms.
• When the Met Office* issue weather warnings of winds gusting 40mph or higher, our current policy is to close the bathing ponds. This precautionary measure is taken to ensure public safety due to the risk of strong gusts bringing down trees or large limbs.
  *Location: Hampstead Heath Youth Hostel (Greater London) 
• If swimming is suspended for short periods during stormy weather, we will transfer swimmers to and from booked slots and drop-in sessions to provide swimming opportunities to swimmers affected by the weather.
• We do not offer refunds for lost pay-as-you-go swimming time, except for when we close the Bathing Pond entirely.

On occasions we have to close the Pond, at short notice, for safety reasons. When we do this we will update the Pond's open/closed status on our swimming homepage and through our social media channels. During standard office hours we are also able to send an email to all swimmers who have subscribed to our mailing list. Outside of office hours and at weekends, our social media channels are used exclusively.

• Facebook: Hampstead Heath City of London (no account needed)
• Instagram: colhampsteadheath
• X: @CityCorpHeath

If you have not already done so, you can sign up to our swimming mailing list at any time.

When the facility reaches capacity during drop-in sessions, entry will be managed at the gate.

• Only children aged 8+ years are permitted at the Bathing Ponds.
• Children aged 8-15 years must be accompanied by an adult at all times, particularly when in the water.
• An adult may supervise a maximum of two children.
• All children will be asked to complete a Swim Test to show competency in the water when returning to the Bathing Ponds or swimming at the facility for the first time.
• Children deemed not competent to swim at a Bathing Pond may wish to swim at the Lido.

• A one-piece swimsuit or two-piece bikini must be worn.
• Topless swimming is not permitted at the Ladies' Pond.
• Neoprene boots, gloves, wetsuits are permitted at the Bathing Ponds.
• Snorkels and swimming masks are not permitted at the Bathing Ponds.
• Swimming aids, tow buoys and floatation devices are not permitted at the Ladies' Pond.

There are no lockers at the Bathing Ponds and valuables are left at your own risk.

• The Upper Meadow, within the gates of the Ladies’ Pond, is available to use on a free-of-charge basis during the Pond’s opening hours.
• Rules applicable to the Ladies’ Pond more generally, are also applicable to the Upper Meadow area.

• The Bathing Ponds are deep and the water opaque. They are suitable for competent swimmers only.
• There are tethered life rings for swimmers to rest on, but swimming aids are not permitted in the Bathing Ponds.
• The Bathing Ponds are natural bodies of untreated water with fluctuating levels of micro-organisms. High levels of micro-organisms can pose a risk to health and often occur after rain and when the ponds are heavily used. The risk of illness is greater for children, the elderly or immunocompromised people and some overseas visitors, as they can have lower immunity. The dangers include mild-gastroenteritis or eye, ear and respiratory infections. We recommend you consult a doctor if you have any health concerns, avoid swallowing pond water and shower before and after bathing.
• Blue-green algae naturally occur in inland waters, estuaries and the sea. Blooms can form at various times of the year, most commonly in the summer months. We display notices at our Bathing Ponds when we detect signs of rising levels of blue-green algae. At times, we close our facilities due to the presence of blue-green algae.
• Weekly water quality tests are undertaken by the Environment Agency between May-September and test results are available to view on the Environment Agency website. Fortnightly water quality tests are undertaken by Public Health England between October-April in line with the Environment Agency's requirements for inland Bathing Water Quality Classifications.  

We do not offer cold water induction sessions but strongly recommend winter swimmers read our cold water swimming guidelines.

• There is a small, unattended gated area for dogs at the Ladies’ Pond. Well behaved dogs may be tethered there while the owner swims. Dogs are left at the owner’s own risk.
• Assistance Dogs only, also known as Service Dogs, are permitted within other areas of the Ladies' Pond.
  • These are dogs that have been formally trained to perform specific tasks for a disabled person. Assistance Dogs are individually trained by national or regional dog organisations.
  • Emotional Support Dogs and Therapy Dogs are not permitted at the Ladies' Pond. These are dogs that provide comfort or emotional support to an individual but are not trained to perform specific tasks related to a disability.
• Pets and other animals are not permitted at the Ladies' Pond.

The Ladies' Pond is located off Millfield Lane on Hampstead Heath

Public transport
The nearest stations to the Ladies' Pond are:

• Gospel Oak on the Overground Line (23 minute walk)
• Highgate on the Northern Line (26 minute walk)

The 214 bus route also goes close to the Pond.

Visit TfL's Journey Planner to plan your trip to the Pond.

Parking
There is on-street parking available on Merton Lane and Millfield Lane. Please make sure you check parking signs and follow any restrictions.