So, you fancy donning your swimsuit and taking to the water on 25 December? As you might expect, options for swimming in London on Christmas Day are limited — understandable, as pool staff and lifeguards most likely appreciate the day off — but we've rounded up your options below.
Oh, and bear in mind that public transport in London is effectively non-existent on Christmas Day, with no buses, trains or tubes (though, depending where you live and where you're going, cycle hire may be an option — triathlon, anyone?).
Christmas Day swim at Hampton Pool
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This south-west London swimming spot is known for its out-of-hours swimming sessions, specifically its moonlight dips... and Christmas Day swims. A 36m outdoor (but heated) pool, Hampton opens for a few hours in the morning of 25 December, 8am-12pm, and slots usually sell out well in advance (book via the app or booking website), so plan ahead.
If you miss out on Christmas Day itself, consider booking for a Christmas moonlight dip instead. They run throughout the festive season, including 20 December, and 3 January. With Christmas lights strung across the pool, and an illuminated Christmas tree on the edge, it'll feel festive enough, even if it's not 25 December.
Christmas Day at Brockwell Lido
South London swimmers willing to brave an al fresco dip are usually blessed with a Christmas Day opening at Brockwell Lido, in the morning. It's open 9am-10.30am on Christmas Day, bookable via the website or app.
Christmas Day at Parliament Hill Lido
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Hampstead Heath's open-air Parliament Hill Lido usually opens on the morning of 25 December, though you'll have to be up early to have a dip; it's open 7am-11am on Christmas Day 2024.
Christmas Day at Hampstead Heath Ponds
For a swim on the wild side in north London, head for the nearby Hampstead Heath ponds. On Christmas Day, the Ladies' Pond is open 7.30am-11.30am, while the Men's Pond is normally open 7.30am-8.30am for men only, and then 8.30am to 10.30am for a joint men's and women's Christmas dip.
Swimming at the Serpentine on Christmas Day
London's most famous Christmas Day dip is the Peter Pan Cup, an historic swimming race which is hotly (or rather, coldly) contested in Hyde Park's Serpentine lake on 25 December each year. Don't dig out your trunks/cossie just yet though — it's only open to members of the Serpentine Swimming Club, the oldest swimming club in Britain. You can, however, cheer those brave souls on from the comfort of dry land.
If you're super-keen to get involved, membership is £40 and runs 1 January-31 December each year. It gets you access to the Serpentine during swimming hours year-round. Even that won't guarantee you a spot on the Christmas Day starting line though — only members on the handicap list are allowed to partake. Members who do not qualify are free to swim before or after the race on Christmas Day, but not between 8.30am-9.15am.
Christmas Day at Tooting Bec Lido
After missing a couple of years due to refurbishment works, Tooting Bec Lido offers a Christmas Day 2024 dip, albeit only for members of South London Swimming Club. If you are a member, it's open 8am-12pm on the big day. Not a member? Here's everything you need to know on becoming one.
For swimming the rest of the year, take a look at our guide to lidos in London.
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