Here are the arrangements for Spring and Summer access 2021:
“Capped Free Flow” access will be in place until 30 April 2021, which means that you will not have to make an advanced booking online in this time. If the pond becomes full to the current capacity of 60 people, there will be a one-in-one-out procedure in place.
Opening times at the Ladies’ Pond will be as follows:
| DATE | OPENING TIME | LAST ENTRY | EXIT WATER | EXIT FACILITY |
| 29 March -11 April | 7am | 4pm | 4.15pm | 4.30pm |
| 12 – 30 April | 7am | 6pm | 6.15pm | 6.30pm |
From 1 May 2021 there will be a mixture of “Capped Free Flow” and advanced booking. We are waiting for more details of the online booking platform to be used, which is expected to be Eventbrite. We hope to see the telephone booking line reinstated for those who do not have internet access or find the online booking system difficult to use (last year the number was 020 7332 3779).
CHARGES
The new prices for day tickets and season tickets will apply from 1 April 2021. There will be free access for those with 60+ season ticket wristbands until 9.30 am but for now those under 16 are not permitted access at all to the bathing ponds.
Day tickets will go up to £4.05 (or £2.43 concession). Cash payment is still being accepted but no change given, so this is not being made easy for those without access to contactless payment, or who prefer not to use it.
Existing season tickets have been extended by 83 days to reflect the lockdown period. If you intend to buy a new season ticket (or renewal is still due on your old season ticket) the old prices will apply until 31 March 2021, so you might wish to take advantage of that window before the price increases apply. This is especially relevant for holders of ponds-only concession season tickets who face inflation busting price rises on 1 April 2021.
CITY OF LONDON REVIEW 2020/2021
The City of London has published a review of the 2020/2021 swimming season including its implementation of enforced charging to access the bathing ponds. The document can be seen here and also has a brief reference to this year’s arrangements. If you wish to comment directly on this review please send your comments by 31 March 2021 to:
Anne.Fairweather@cityoflondon.gov.uk
Bob.Warnock@cityoflondon.gov.uk
HH-swimming@cityoflondon.gov.uk
Please copy your response to klpamailbox@gmail.com
For those who can afford to swim, and can navigate the booking system likely to be in place from 1 May 2021, we hope you enjoy your swims. For those who are now excluded, we will continue to campaign on your behalf as the Heath belongs to all Londoners.