Photo credit: © Lucy Sutton-Long
The past few days have seen launches of the wonderfully nostalgic Splash! exhibition at the Design Museum and the fantastic Anya Hindmarch Dive Shop in Chelsea, both of which are perfectly inspiring for swimming enthusiasts visiting London this season.
Dive Shop
Anya Hindmarch’s latest concept shop offers a bright celebration of all things underwater in Anya’s trademark fun style. Located at The Village on Chelsea’s Pont Street, The Dive Shop’s range includes beachwear, kids’ swimming rings, snorkels, inflatables and the cutest raffia fashion accessories. They explain: “Inspired by small-town coastal dive shops from Florida to Folkestone, Anya’s Dive Shop caters to everyone who would rather be at sea, from paddlers to PADI pros and master divers. You’ll find everything you need for your next dive, swim or rock pooling trip, plus a few surprises, too – every piece guaranteed to raise a smile.”
The Dive Shop will be at 11 Pont Street until 1 June. Its opening hours are 10am to 6pm Monday to Saturday, and 12pm to 5pm on Sundays.
Splash! A Century of Swimming and Style
Running until 17 August, Splash! at the Design Museum in Kensington celebrates the love of water whilst exploring the architectural and fashion designs associated with aquatic sports. It also charts the history of coastal holidays and the evolution and revival of lidos. Highlights of the exhibition include the world’s first women’s Olympic swimming gold medal awarded to Fanny Durack at the 1912 games, early bikinis to iconic 50s bathing suits and 80s Speedos, and an architectural model of Zaha Hadid’s London 2012 Aquatics Centre. There are also plenty of nostalgic photos and videos to enjoy.
The best places to swim during your London stay
Camden Oasis Swimming Baths
The beautiful, historic Camden Oasis swimming baths offer both an outdoor and indoor pool, gym, squash courts, sauna and café for you to enjoy during your stay. Located on this Covent Garden site which has provided swimming facilities for the past 300 years (where it began as a Turkish bagnio), it’s the perfect place for you to relax and unwind. Please check their website for facility opening hours as they can be variable.
Hampstead Heath
Hampstead Heath is an absolute haven for swimming enthusiasts, boasting three natural bathing ponds and a 60m Lido (Parliament Hill Lido), all of which offer year-round swimming.
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
Developed in 2012 when London hosted the Olympics, Queen Elizabeth Park continues to be a fantastic place to visit. You can swim in the 50m pool, explore the parkland, grab a bite to eat and travel down the iconic ArcelorMittal Orbit (the world’s longest tunnel slide)!
The Serpentine
Bathe within the tranquil setting of Hyde Park, in the ornamental lake of The Serpentine. You can either swim in the Lido (summer months only) or you can gain membership to the historic Serpentine Swimming Club to access the lake for year-round swimming.