Saunas and winter swim plans for Hampstead Heath

Hampstead Heath’s Mixed Pond could soon welcome swimmers year-round, as the City of London Corporation considers extending its season in response to the rising popularity of open water swimming.

The Mixed Pond is one of three bathing ponds on the Heath, alongside Kenwood Ladies’ Pond and Highgate Men’s Pond.

A review by the corporation is also considering plans to improve changing room facilities and the installation of saunas across the ponds.

Chair of the City of London Corporation’s Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park Committee, Alderman Gregory Jones KC, said the review had been proposed due to the “increasing popularity of open water swimming”.

While the Ladies’ and Men’s ponds are open all year round, the Mixed Pond is only available for use by the public from April to October.

Jones said that during the winter “only members of the Hampstead Heath Winter Swimming Club can use the pond, by long-standing arrangement”.

The review will look at bringing the pond into line with Parliament Hill Lido, Kenwood Ladies’ Pond and Highgate Men’s Pond.

A draft five-year business plan, which has been drawn up by the corporation, has proposed several changes to the swimming spots, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

These also include fitting temperature sensors that can be viewed online, and the installation of water aeration systems.

The plan is due to go before the Hampstead Heath Consultative Committee next week for discussion with approval expected at a separate committee meeting in early February.