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Hold onto your swimming caps – a dip in the Hampstead Heath Swimming Ponds is about to get a little more spenny. That’s right, fees for the men’s pond, ladies pond and mixed pond are all set to rise from April 1.
Don’t worry, the price hike isn’t too dramatic. Each pond will only charge an extra 10p. That means that a single adult ticket will increase to £4.80 and concession rates (for disabled swimmers or those on Universal Credit) will go up to £2.90.
If you like to dip all year round, you might notice the ponds’ six-month season ticket go up by 20p to £77.50 (£47.50 for concessions) and the annual pass rise by £4 to £150.50 (£90 for concessions).
The one group of people that won’t face an increase is young swimmers aged eight to 15. Their fee will stay at £1.40 per swim.
The small increases are to ensure the ponds remain swimmable and accessible. The City of London Corporation, which looks after the Heath, said: ‘Hampstead Heath is a cherished green space. We reinvest all income directly back into the charity to maintain and improve the array of facilities we have on the Heath.
‘A modest increase — around 10p per swim — helps us cover rising costs and ensure the bathing ponds and lido remain safe, clean, and accessible for all. We remain committed to keeping the Heath’s swimming facilities affordable while preserving them for future generations to enjoy.’
Oh, another thing to note for any frequenters of Kenwood Ladies Pond – it’s currently closed for maintenance until April 4, so the mixed pond will offer women-only swims instead. If the work is done in time, the mixed pool will reopen to everyone on April 5. Happy swimming!
Want to take the plunge? Theses are the best lidos and outdoor swimming pools in London.
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