This lake is easily accessible on the Metropolitan Line
While London’s heatwave is still in full swing, plenty of Londoners are keen to make the most of it by going for a cooling swim. When you think about outdoor swimming in London, lidos like London Fields or Brockwell Park probably come to mind first. Or maybe freshwater spots like the Hampstead Heath Swimming Ponds or West Reservoir Centre in Hackney.
But there’s one lesser-known outdoor swimming spot just over the London border in Hertfordshire that’s surprisingly easy to get to as it’s only a 10-minute walk from a Tube station. Unusually, this swimming lake is actually inside a school, though anyone can use it.
A short walk from Moor Park station on the Metropolitan line takes you to Merchant Taylors’ School, where you’ll find Merchant Taylors’ Lake. It’s a selective boys’ school in Moor Park, but you don’t have to be a student to use the swimming facilities.
The open water site has different circuits from a 150-metre loop if you’re just starting out, right up to a one-kilometre circuit for the more serious swimmers. It’s not just people who love the peaceful waters, you’ll often spot birds chilling around the pond, including a heron.
While you’re swimming, there’s always a water-safety team keeping an eye on things from their kayaks. Crucially, you will have to wear a brightly coloured swimming cap when you’re in the lake – you can buy one there if you need to – so the safety team can always see you.
At weekends, there’s a barista serving up drinks and snacks, and after your swim you can use the changing tents or head to the Old Merchant Taylor building, which has toilets, indoor changing rooms and showers.
Because the lake’s in a school, it’s not open all the time. You can book morning sessions on Saturday or Sunday, with evening slots on Tuesday or Thursday. You need to be over 16 to swim there.
You also can’t just turn up on the day – you have to book online beforehand, and it costs £9.50, or £10 if you book on the same day.
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