London opens first natural water swimming pool — just in time for the heatwave

Need some new swimming inspo this summer? (Picture: Mike Buck / Canary Wharf / Sea L)

With the mercury trending steadily upwards and a UK heatwave pending, you might be 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.

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. Doesn’t that sound like a dreamy setting?

Billed as an ‘urban oasis,’ the water is all natural, and there’ll be six lanes to choose from. And 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.

Naturally, with the weather being so balmy, adding more heat to your plate might be the very last thing you want to think about.

It marks London’s first-ever floating natural pool (Picture: Mike Buck / Canary Wharf / Sea L)

But 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.

And if you want to up the ante on your swimwear, there’s a dedicated shop packed to the rafters with picks from brands like Dry Robe, Finisterre, and Water Haul. It’s all intended to make swimming more inclusive, too.

That’s not all. 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. Count us in.

Price-wise, one hour of lane swimming costs £10, while there are a number of concession rates available at £8.

As part of the project’s bid to make swimming accessible for all, there’ll be a few fully-funded memberships on offer, while discounted memberships will be provided through Tower Hamlets Council’s Be Well scheme.

Meanwhile, a one-hour swim and sauna session costs £18 for an adult, while the concession price will set you back £14.40.

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.

One hour of lane swimming costs £10 (Picture: Mike Buck / Canary Wharf / Sea L)

‘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.

‘This is why we’re launching the Clean and Healthy Waterways plan to ensure they’re safe and welcoming spaces for all, as we continue to build a better, greener London for everyone.’

If you’re local to East Sussex, you’ll already be familiar with Sea Lanes Brighton, which was the UK’s first National Open Water Swimming Centre.

This new Canary Wharf location is the team’s latest venture, so expect much of the same vibe, but with one obvious difference: no beachfront view.

Speaking of outdoor swimming, while London has plenty of options, from Charlton Lido to the Hampstead Heath Ponds, one sweet little spot in Hertfordshire has just received a pretty major facelift.

Sea Lanes has a sister venue in Brighton (Picture: Mike Buck / Canary Wharf / Sea L)

Hitchin Lido first opened in 1938, and coincided with the heyday of open water swimming. It was increasingly in vogue to enjoy a few lengths outside of a seaside setting, and during this period, around 160 outdoor pools popped up across the UK, some of which still stand.

The outdoor pool measures 50 metres and features a gorgeous terrace, which becomes a glorious sunbathing spot when the weather’s right for it.

Who needs to holiday abroad, right? And for £8 a pop, too.

The future is looking bright for the Hertfordshire market town, as users of this historic venue have been treated to newly refurbished facilities, including fresh changing rooms, lockers, sinks, mirrors, and flooring.

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