Parliament Hill Lido

The gorgeous unheated Parliament Hill Lido on Hampstead Heath (also called 'Hampstead Heath Lido') was upgraded not so long ago when it had a generous ?2.9million lavished on it. This means the lido now has a cool new stainless steel lining with wonderful reflective qualities which also helps to retain the heat. Regular visitors love the wonderful sense of space, not a word commonly associated with many of London's swimming pools today. That sense of freedom is perpetuated by the most amazing views of the city from its elevated spot. The 60 metres x 28 metres pool is also ideally located to cool you down if you're all hot and bothered after a walk on the Heath. You'll find there's a huge variety of people who use the pool and depending on the time of day, from the really serious swimmers to families and groups of teenagers. All visitors are welcome to dive in, swim around, cool down and of course catch some rays. Bring your own refreshments or visit the cafe, the exterior of which is a beautiful example of 1930s architecture, with the steps on the surrounding area giving it the feeling of an elegant Roman amphitheatre. The Swimming Ponds on Hampstead Heath are also well worth a visit and are just a short walk away.