Swimming with small children is one of those activities that is equal parts joy and logistics. The actual time in the water — watching a toddler discover they can kick, or a baby bobbing along in your arms looking absolutely delighted — is magic. But everything surrounding it — the changing rooms, the locker coins, the hair dryer that burns or does nothing, the post-swim meltdown in the car park — can feel like an endurance event.
The pool you choose makes all the difference. A warm pool with decent family changing rooms and a shallow end that actually feels shallow turns swimming into a genuinely fun outing. A cold, overcrowded pool with nowhere to change a nappy turns it into something you dread. I have been to both kinds, many times, and this guide is the result.
Here are the best swimming pools, outdoor lidos, and baby swimming classes in London for families with young children.
There is something about swimming outdoors in London that feels special. Maybe it is the novelty, maybe it is the light, maybe it is the fact that you are doing something slightly mad in a city that spends most of the year under grey cloud. Whatever it is, kids love it. And London has some genuinely brilliant lidos — from grand Art Deco pools to heated year-round options that work even in February.
Hampstead Heath, Gospel Oak NW5 · Unheated · 60m stainless steel pool · Map · Website
Parliament Hill Lido is the iconic London swim. An unheated, 60-metre stainless steel pool on the edge of Hampstead Heath with views across the city that make you forget you are in Zone 2. The water is cold — genuinely cold — which means this is a summer-only destination for most families. But on a hot July morning, there is nowhere better. The Art Deco surroundings are beautiful, the poolside has a real community feel, and kids who are confident swimmers will love the sheer size of it.
Brockwell Park, Herne Hill SE24 · Heated · 50m · Grade II listed · Map · Website
Brockwell Lido is the one that has it all. A beautiful Grade II listed Art Deco lido in Brockwell Park, with a heated 50-metre pool that makes it swimmable for much more of the year. The Lido Cafe is excellent — proper food, good coffee, the kind of place you want to linger after your swim. The park setting means you can combine a swim with a playground visit and make a proper morning of it. The pool is well-maintained and the atmosphere is warm and welcoming.
London Fields, Hackney E8 · Heated · 50m · Olympic-size · Map · Website
London Fields Lido is the east London favourite. A heated, Olympic-size 50-metre pool in the heart of Hackney that stays open year-round. The heating means the water is comfortable even in cooler months, and the 50-metre length gives it a proper swimming pool feel rather than a paddling experience. It gets busy on summer weekends — this is Hackney, after all — but the vibe is friendly and the pool is well-run. Family swim sessions are available and there is a shallow end that works for younger children with a parent.
Hornfair Park, Charlton SE7 · Heated year-round · 50m · Map · Website
Charlton Lido is the under-the-radar pick for families in south-east London. It is heated year-round, which means you can swim outdoors in January if you are feeling brave (or just bring the kids on a spring morning without worrying about blue lips). At 50 metres it is a proper pool, but it tends to feel calmer and less crowded than the more famous lidos. The facility was refurbished and is well-maintained with good changing rooms. For families who want the outdoor lido experience without the crowds, Charlton is the answer.
High Street, Hampton TW12 · Heated · Outdoor · Community-run · Map · Website
Hampton Pool is a gem. A community-run heated outdoor pool in Hampton that has been going for decades and has a loyal following of local families. The water is heated to a comfortable temperature, the pool is a manageable size for families, and there are dedicated family swim sessions that are geared towards parents with young children. The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly — it feels like a proper neighbourhood pool rather than a council leisure centre. The cafe is simple but does the job, and the surrounding area is leafy and pleasant.
When the weather rules out a lido, or your child is still too small for cooler water, London has some excellent indoor pools that are properly set up for families. These are not just any council leisure centres — they are the ones where the family changing rooms work, the water temperature is right, and the whole experience does not make you want to give up swimming forever.
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford E20 · 50m & 25m pools · Family splash sessions · Map · Website
The London Aquatics Centre is the crown jewel. Zaha Hadid's extraordinary wave-shaped building from the 2012 Olympics is now a public swimming facility, and it is absolutely worth the visit. There is a 50-metre competition pool and a 25-metre training pool, plus a diving pool. Family splash sessions take place in the training pool and are brilliant for young children — inflatable toys, music, and warmer water than the main pool. Swimming in a building this beautiful genuinely elevates the experience. The changing village is large and has family cubicles.
Old Deer Park, Richmond TW9 · Indoor & outdoor pools · Surrounded by gardens · Map · Website
Pools on the Park in Richmond is one of those places that feels like it should not exist in London. An indoor pool and an outdoor pool set in the beautiful surroundings of Old Deer Park, with trees and green space all around. The indoor pool is heated and well-suited for families with young children. The outdoor pool is open seasonally and is a lovely spot in summer. The setting is the real selling point — after your swim you can walk through the park, feed the ducks, or head into Richmond town centre. It feels like a proper day out rather than just a swim.
Hyde Park, W2 · Outdoor · Open water · Seasonal (June to September) · Map · Website
The Serpentine Lido is outdoor swimming in the heart of London. A designated swimming area in the Serpentine lake in Hyde Park, open during the summer months. This is open water swimming rather than a pool, which makes it a different experience entirely — the water is natural, the setting is magical, and there is something wonderfully wild about swimming in the middle of a royal park. For children, the paddling area is shallow and safe, and the whole experience feels like an adventure. It is seasonal and weather-dependent, but when it is open, it is genuinely special.
If you have a baby or toddler who has not been swimming yet, or you want to build their confidence in the water, structured swimming classes are brilliant. They use warm pools, the classes are short enough for small attention spans, and the teachers know exactly how to make a nervous baby feel safe. Here are the three best options in London.
Various warm pool locations across London · Ages birth to 4 years · Map · Website
Turtle Tots is a gentle, nurturing baby swimming programme that operates in warm pools across London. The water temperature is kept higher than a standard public pool, which makes a huge difference for babies and young toddlers who get cold quickly. Classes are small, the teaching is patient and encouraging, and the focus is on water confidence rather than technique. Songs, games, and plenty of parent-baby bonding. If your baby has never been in water before, Turtle Tots is an excellent place to start.
Various locations across London · Ages newborn to 10 years · Map · Website
Puddle Ducks offers structured, progressive swimming lessons from newborn all the way up to age 10. What sets them apart is the curriculum — it is well-designed with clear stages, so you can see your child progressing from water confidence to actual swimming skills over time. The baby and toddler classes are fun and engaging, with songs, toys, and activities designed around developmental milestones. Teachers are well-trained and the ratio of instructors to children is good. They operate from various warm pools across London.
Various locations across London · Ages birth to 4 years · Map · Website
Water Babies is the biggest baby swimming franchise in the UK, which means they have a huge number of locations and class times across London. The programme is well-established and focuses on building water confidence through games, songs, and gentle submersion techniques. The scale of the operation means you are likely to find a class near you at a time that works. Teachers follow a standardised programme, so the quality is consistent. If convenience and availability matter — and with a baby, they absolutely do — Water Babies makes it easy to get started.
After many, many trips to the pool, here is the packing list that actually works: