5 Architecturally Refreshing Places for a Dip This Summer
This is a list of our favourite personal pools across London. As always, there’s a delightful architectural touch to all of them. We hope you find these places amazing.
For more inspiration, get your Architectour Guide of London
1. A Zaha Hadid Swimming Pool
This stunning Olympic swimming pool is open to the public, and not many people know. The venue was created for the Olympic Games of 2012 along the surrounding environment and it was adapted for the general public after that. If you want to experience a space designed to mimic the geometries of water in motion, all you need to do is grab a swimming suit, towel and some spare change (even less off-peak time) as this place is pretty and super affordable.
Location: Olympic Park, London E20 2ZQ (Google)
Admission: £5.35 per session (book here)
2. A Secret Pond Oasis in Hampstead Heath
Though most of the year is cold, very cold, open-air swimming in summer is a delight. The Bathing Ponds (and the Parliament Hill Lido) are the perfect place for a splash al fresco. The best part? There’s two independent ponds: The Ladies’ and Men’s Ponds. After your visit, you can stroll around the park and visit its many delights such as Kenwood House and the Viaduct Pond.
Location: Hampstead Heath, Highgate, London NW5 1QR ( Google)
Admission: £7 (Single day ticket)
3. A Pool with City Views
Shoreditch House, the latest (and coolest) private members’ club in the Soho House group, has opened in Shoreditch, with interiors by Tom Dixon. You can access the pool and all its other facilities by becoming a member (or knowing one). Our opinion? It’s worth it.
Location: Ebor St, Hackney, London E1 6AW ( Google)
Admission: £1130 per year (Apply for membership here)
4. A Former Church Nave
This former church in Repton Park had a blissful transformation. The Virgin Group restored this beauty by George Thomas Hine (the expert in asylum architecture) and converted it into a gym. If you travel frequently to Stansted Airport, this place would prove convenient as it is a stone’s throw away and open all year round.
Location: Manor Rd, IG8 8GN ( Google)
Admission: £97 per month (Book here)
5. A Pool Over 52 Levels
The highest swimming pool you’ll find in Western Europe offers views of St. Paul’s Cathedral and the Houses of Parliament. What a treat if you love architecture too. The pool is kept all year round at a nice temperature of 25°C (77°F) which means you’ll be likely to use this pool in winter too. Surrounding the pool you have the GŎNG Bar in case you get thirsty or peckish.
Location: 31 St Thomas St, SE1 9QU( Google)
Admission: Accessible for hotel guests only (Book here)
Check these and other amazing places in London on Architectour Guide
