The One Thing You Wouldn't Think To Pack For London But Should

When you think of London, BBQs and tanning sessions don't immediately come to mind, as British weather isn't exactly famous amongst holiday-goers in search of sun. But Londoners do not fear the weather. They are accustomed to windy beach days, sometimes even upholding the tradition of jumping into the freezing sea on Christmas day. So as soon as the first bit of sun appears in the British skies, it's time to go swimming! This may seem hard to believe for tourists, but despite being somewhat of a concrete jungle, London has some of the best outdoor pools and ponds in Europe, with lidos scattered all over town that fill up as soon as spring weather hits.

City swimming is how Londoners enjoy their downtime, lounging at Hampstead Heath Ponds or one of the many new lidos that have appeared in the city over the last century. Any Brit will tell you there's nothing better than soaking up London's best weather at one of the city's lidos or ponds, then making a mandatory visit to the pub.

Perhaps the most well-known swim spot amongst Londoners is Hampstead Heath Ponds. These man-made reservoirs fed by natural springs were initially established in 1544 and developed for over 100 years by the Hampstead Water Company to provide London with drinking water. It was not until 1849 that the reservoirs became more fashionable as a recreational spa. Later, in 1871, a decree was passed to protect the 800 acres of Hampstead Heath until it was formally established as a bathing zone for men in 1893. Hampstead Heath plays a large role in the cultural history of London, with the poet John Keats regularly frequenting this park. The Heath also supposedly influenced Bram Stoker during his writing of "Dracula."

Hampstead Heath Ponds are now divided into three popular swimming ponds. First, there is the mixed-gender pond, situated on Heath's Hampstead side, near the train station (if you take the train to get here, try to avoid this London train mistake). This pond has a lifeguard and closes in the winter months. There are also two ponds divided by gender, the Ladies' pond and Men's pond, which are both lifeguarded and open all year round. You'll find these by Heath's Highgate side. Surrounded by leafy trees, this is a great place to get a good sense of real London community, as you'll find people of all ages bathing and picnicking on the banks of these ponds.

London has also seen a resurgence in its lido culture in the last decades, with Brockwell Lido in South London being a local favorite. With a (164-foot-long) unheated pool open all year round, Brockwell Lido also has an outdoor sauna open during the winter months. There is also a café that serves artisanal pizzas on site, and you can book yoga, spin, and cardio classes on the grounds. North London's favorite lido, London Fields Lido, matches up to this with a 164-foot-long pool to match, likewise open year-round, for those brave enough to take a winter dip. London Fields Lido is also wheelchair accessible, and its outdoor pool is heated for extra comfort.

You'll find London's first purpose-built swimming lake at Beckenham Place Park in Lewisham. Set within 237 acres of parkland, this is a perfect place to swim or simply enjoy the wooded greenery surrounding the lake. Swimming sessions must be booked in advance. While some may consider the region a dangerous London destination, the Hackney area houses the West Reservoir Center, which is a great place for open-water swimming (especially with the kids) and watersports such as sailing and kayaking! The reservoir is also a great place to spot some local London wildlife. So if you happen to be in London toward the end of spring or early summer, make sure to pack a swimsuit, as all of these remarkable hidden gems in the city prove that London isn't such a dreary place to be after all.