Five of the best outdoor swimming venues for women
Outdoor and open-water swimming have become increasingly popular over recent years. Photograph by Cultura Creative/Getty Images
When temperatures soar, there’s nothing like a cooling dip in the open air. Here are some of our favourite spots
With the UK poised for another heatwave and the summer holidays around the corner, many of us are looking for ways to cool off beyond crowded beaches and indoor pools. Open-water swimming has increased in popularity in recent years, with more people discovering an alternative way to keep fit, improve mental health and reconnect with nature.
For Muslim women, however, finding somewhere to comfortably swim outdoors can be a challenge. Fortunately, a growing number of lakes, lidos and swimming communities offer women-only sessions, making it easier to enjoy the water in an inclusive environment.
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Kenwood Ladies’ Pond, Hampstead Heath, London
Hidden away on Hampstead Heath, Kenwood Ladies’ Pond is the UK’s most well-known women-only outdoor swimming spot. Women have been swimming here since 1926, creating a sense of community that keeps visitors coming back. Open throughout the year, the freshwater pond gives visitors a peaceful escape from the bustle of London. During the summer months, women can attend the morning drop-in sessions between 7 and 11.30am for £5, or book a one-hour slot from 12 to 8.30pm for the same price.
Whitmore Lakes, Staffordshire
Located in the Staffordshire countryside, Whitmore Lakes has become a popular destination for wild swimmers, combining open-water swimming with wellness experiences. Alongside its year-round swimming sessions, the venue runs a women-only guided dip every other Wednesday (£12.50), as well as ladies-only sauna and swim sessions on Thursdays at 10am (£20) and alternate Sundays at 9am (£22.50). Sessions can be booked via the venue’s website.
London Fields Lido, London
A heated outdoor pool that’s open all year round, London Fields Lido is one of the few in the capital to offer dedicated women’s-only sessions. The Olympic-sized 50-metre pool is a short walk from London Fields and Hackney Downs stations and sits just around the corner from Broadway Market, making it one of London’s most accessible outdoor swimming destinations. The women’s sessions take place on Tuesday evenings from 8 to 9pm and cost £6.65.
Petersfield Lido, Hampshire
During the summer, Petersfield Lido hosts monthly women-only evening sessions, giving women and girls exclusive use of the heated open-air pool. The community-run lido has a sauna and a cafe on site and the sessions are lane-free, allowing swimmers to move at their own pace. Each booking includes a complimentary drink. Sessions can be booked via the lido’s website. Adult bookings cost £12, and children’s bookings cost £8.50.
Court Farm Lakes, Gloucestershire
Sitting on the edge of the Forest of Dean, Court Farm Lakes is a members-only lake which hosts different social swim groups, including Wild Water Women. The weekly women-only wild swimming group meets on Thursdays at 6pm, providing a pressure-free environment focusing on connection and mental wellbeing. Court Farm Lakes also has saunas and a cafe on site. The venue operates on a membership or pass-holder basis, ranging from six-month memberships for £132 to 12-months for £22 per month. All memberships offer unlimited swimming sessions and discounted sauna slots. First-time visitors can purchase a one-off Test the Water pass for £12, which gives you one hour of swimming or paddle boarding before committing to a membership.
