The wild swimming lake in Beckenham Place Park has reopened, more than a month after it was closed due to health and safety concerns.
Lewisham Council has announced that the lake is now open for business again, but with more restrictions than previously.
Entry to the lake is now ticketed, at a cost of £3 adult/£2 child, bought at the entrance on the day (cards only, no cash). Swimming is limited to five different two-hour sessions each day during opening hours. If you turn up and the session you wanted is full, you can book onto a later session.
Disappointingly for families looking to make the most of the last days of the summer holidays, under-8s aren't currently allowed in the lake. The open water swimming area is only open to those aged 8+ (8-12 year olds have to do a swimming test before they're allowed in), while the paddling area for under-8s is still closed, with no opening date predicted.
Swimmers of all ages must be able to swim at least 25m, and have to wear a tow float (provided) while in the lake. The full list of rules and regulations can be found on the Lewisham Council website.
Paddleboarding, boating and canoeing are up and running again in one area of the lake, provided by PTP Coaching at an extra charge.
After opening to swimmers on 20 July, the lake was closed just five days later due to health and safety concerns, and an incident which resulted in a child being hospitalised. Lewisham Council was criticised for not predicting or preparing for large visitor numbers, despite the grand opening taking place in a heatwave at the start of the school summer holidays.
