Head to Hampton Pool for a dip in the dark.
Of all of London’s outdoor swimming pools, Hampton Pool claims to be the hottest – heated to a toasty 28℃ all year round, it’s a whole three degrees warmer than rivals in London Fields and Charlton.
Those extra few degrees go hand-in-hand with being situated in one of the posher suburbs of outer London: the Hampton neighbourhood also contain Henry VIII’s palace, a temple to Shakespeare and Pink Floyd’s recording studio.
Aside from the elevated temperatures, Hampton Pool has one unique offering that makes it stand out from the crowd – monthly midnight swims by the light of the full moon.
These ‘Moonlight Dips’, which run from 10pm–midnight, are a rare opportunity to splash about beneath the stars in London. You’ll need to reserve a place in advance, as they usually sell out.
Otherwise, the 36-metre pool is open seven days a week, 365 days a year, and is fully heated no matter the weather. Christmas Day swim, anybody?
Hampton Pool has now reopened for day and nighttime swimming after the latest lockdown. You can book daytime swims right now, and they’re planning to make moonlight swims available for booking soon. What better way to start summer 2021?
Location: High Street, TW12 2ST
Opening hours: seven days a week. Mon, Wed, Fri: 6am–9pm. Tue, Thu: 6am–9am, then 12.30pm–5pm. Sat, Sun: 9am–5pm.
Price: £6.80-£7.80, depending on the exact time you go; the moonlight swims are £12 for adults, £8 for children.
More information: from their website.