Keep cool on and in the water this summer. River cruises, narrowboat trips, and outside lidos make keeping cool fun in London. Whenever you are out on the river, there are soft breezes to keep you cool. Enjoy a leisurely guided cruise seeing the sights, or take a Thames Clipper ride down to Greenwich. Prefer something faster? Planning for a visit? Staying at Regency House Hotel, 71 Gower Street in London is a great choice to rejoice with family this summer.
Depending on your choice of ride, it might be accompanied by tales of spies and espionage to the tune of the famous 007 Bond theme music complete with heart-stopping sharp manoeuvres, a fast trip down to the Thames Barrier passing famous sites like Shakespeare’s Globe, Tower of London, Greenwich Royal Naval College and the O2 arena.
Calmer, more leisurely trips can be enjoyed on London’s canals. Head up to Little Venice or the London Canal Museum near Kings Cross for journeys along the waterways, possibly even through London’s longest canal tunnel.
More active water-based activities can be enjoyed at the Surrey Docks Watersports Centre, Wimbledon Park water sports and outdoor center and at the Lee Valley Watersports Centre. Kiddies will love the water play facility in Kensington Memorial Park which has separate areas for toddlers and older children. Fancy hiring a rowing boat or pedalo? Regents Park and Hyde Park offer wonderful opportunities to float around on the water.
Hyde Park’s Serpentine Lake also offers the chance to get very wet in the water – this is one of London’s most famous swimming spots. Londoners have been coming here for decades to enjoy a dip in the water – even in the depths of winter – although you might be sharing your swim with a few curious ducks or swans.
Another great swimming location is the Hampstead Heath Ponds. These offer a wonderful wild swimming opportunity in the heart of London, as the ponds are surrounded by trees and woodland, with the open heathland within a few minutes walking distance. But choose your pond carefully. Only three of the many ponds on Hampstead Heath are suitable for swimming – one for men, one for women and one for families and mixed bathing.
More conventional outdoor swimming pools can be found at the nearby Parliament Heath Lido, London Fields Lido in Hackney and the Tooting Bec Lido in southwest London. All three lido’s have been attracting Londoners for over a century, and are very popular destinations. But, before that make sure to book your stay at one of the most popular hotels in Gower Street, London. Tooting Be Lido is actually the largest outdoor pool in the entire country and has featured in many films due to its iconic colourful bathing huts. lidos
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