Highgate Men's Pond
Highgate Men's Pond is a natural bathing pond and one of London's best open air swimming spots.
Facilities
- Lifeguards on duty
- Changing rooms
- Toilets
Restrictions
- Strong swimmers only. The ponds are deep and can be very cold
- Children aged 8-15 must be accompanied by an adult in the water. The maximum number of children per adult is two. All children will be asked to complete a Swim Test to show competency in the water when returning to the Bathing Ponds or swimming at the facility for the first time
- Swimwear must be worn
- Assistance dogs only allowed in the facilities
- There are no lockers and valuables are left at your own risk
| Ticket | Adult price | Concession price |
|---|---|---|
| Single session | £4.70 | £2.80 |
Cashless payment is preferred. Correct change cannot be guaranteed for cash transactions.
Swimmers under 16 years and 60+ years can swim free of charge up to 9.30am on production of proof of age.
Season tickets are also available.
Opening times
| Session | Open | Last entry | Vacate water | Vacate facility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morning Drop-in | 7am | 11am | 11.30am | 11.45pm |
| Bookable | 12pm | 12.50pm | 1pm | 1.10pm |
| Bookable | 1.15pm | 2.05pm | 2.15pm | 2.25pm |
| Bookable | 2.30pm | 3.20pm | 3.30pm | 3.40pm |
| Bookable | 3.45pm | 4.35pm | 4.45pm | 4.55pm |
| Bookable | 5pm | 5.50pm | 6pm | 6.15pm |
| Evening Drop-in | 6.30pm | 8.15pm | 8.30pm | 8.45pm |
Bookings
Bookings for the Bathing Ponds will open on 27 May 2024.
Bookings will be available at 12.00 noon every Monday via Eventbrite for the following seven days.
We do not take group bookings and bookings will only be available up to seven days in advance.
We strongly recommend booking swims for these slots to avoid disappointment. Unsold tickets can be purchased on the day but in hot weather unsold tickets are rarely available.
If you are not able to use our online systems, please speak to a member of staff at your swimming facility who will be able to advise further.
Improvement works
There are currently works taking place at the Men's Pond to improve accessibility and safety. This includes building an accessibly W.C. and changing room, adding a hoist and improving the visibility from the lifeguards hut. The Pond will stay open while these works take place with some minimal restricted access in the facility. We apologise for any disruption while these works take place.
Water temperature
We regularly publish the water temperature at the pond.
Donations
All money received from swimming is gratefully received and is reinvested to support the costs of lifeguarding and operating this Pond, thank you for your support. You can make an additional donation to Hampstead Heath (Registered Charity no. 803392).
The Men's Pond is located near to Millfield Lane on Hampstead Heath
Public transport
The nearest stations to the Men's Pond are:
- Gospel Oak on the Overground Line (17 minute walk)
- Highgate on the Northern Line (26 minute walk)
The 214 bus route also goes close to the Pond.
Visit TfL's Journey Planner to plan your trip to the Pond.
Parking
There is on-street parking available on Millfield Lane. Please make sure you check parking signs and follow any restrictions.
Concessions
Concessions apply to people in receipt of State Benefits including: Universal Credit, Job Seekers Allowance, Personal Independence Payments and Housing Benefit as well as people with a Freedom Pass; Disabled Card; Students, those 60 and over and under 16’s.
You will be asked to provide proof before you book.
Free morning swim
Those aged under 16 or over 60 are eligible for a free morning swim from 7am until 9.30am, on production of proof of age.
Carers
Carers can accompany a swimmer for free. Choose the free Carer option on the Season Ticket Application form.
Untreated Water
The levels of micro-organisms fluctuates in this untreated water. High levels pose a risk to your health and often occur after rain and where there is a lot of swimmers in the pond. The risk of illness is greater for children, the elderly or immunocompromised people and some overseas visitors, as they can have lower immunity. The dangers include: mild-gastroenteritis or eye, ear and respiratory infections. We recommend you consult a doctor if you have any health concerns, avoid swallowing pond water and shower before and after bathing.
Water quality
Weekly water quality tests are undertaken by the Environment Agency between May-September and test results are available to view on the Environment Agency website.
Please read our cold water swimming guidelines for more information.