London Fields Lido is a 50-metre outdoor pool in the heart of Hackney, complete with roomy sun decks and a friendly café for post-swim refreshments. See below for all the essential information you’ll need before your visit.
How long can I stay?
Depending on the activity you have booked, your time slot is as follows:
- Swim for All, Swim for Fitness, Swim for Families - 50 minutes
- Sunbathing - 2 hours
Please make sure you arrive within 10 minutes of your slot’s start time. If you are late for your booking, we may not be able to admit you due to building capacity. We ask that you respect your time slot in order to give everybody a fair chance to enjoy the Lido and to help us prevent overcrowding. By leaving at the end of your slot, you are helping us to run the facility safely.
Keep your ticket or booking confirmation to hand during your visit - emailed, printed, or on the Better UK app. At points throughout the day, we may ask to see your booking to check your time slot. Please note that if you have overstayed or if you do not have a copy of your booking, you may be asked to leave.
Can I sunbathe?
You are welcome to sunbathe during your time slot. We have a spacious sunbathing area at the shallow end of the pool, as well as areas on the west side and the deep end. Please be mindful of the areas where sunbathing is not allowed - follow the signage and lifeguard directions. These areas need to be kept clear to allow lifeguards to operate efficiently when supervising the pool and during emergencies.
As the Lido is a public facility, there is no topless or nude sunbathing and we ask that you make use of our designated changing areas. We have a no-shoe policy indoors to ensure these areas are kept clean for you. Our premises are not covered by a music licence, so please refrain from playing music out loud on poolside.
Which lane can I swim in?
Throughout the day, both Swim for Fitness and Swim for All lanes are available. You can find our full programme on the board just outside reception.
Swim for All
This lane is for everyone - groups, families and casual swimmers. All non-swimming children and children under 8 must be supervised from the water by a responsible adult in the shallow end, in the ratio of one adult to two children. Children over 8 may cross the non-swimmer demarcation boom if they pass the Swim Test and obtain a wristband from the lifeguards. To pass the Swim Test, the child must demonstrate swimming 25 metres in a recognised, front-facing stroke.
Swim for Fitness
This lane is for continuous, single-file swimming according to your speed - for example, slow, medium, fast. The lanes may be busier than usual during hot days. Please remain courteous to fellow swimmers by following lane etiquette. Keep a safe distance, swimming clockwise near the outside edges of the lane. Overtake carefully and allow others to overtake. Please note that when a lane is busy, lifeguards may ask you to change lanes to control capacity, to swim in a different stroke, or to avoid using equipment like hand paddles. Our lifeguards are here to prevent accidents and make it possible for everyone to enjoy their workout safely - please help us by following their instructions and respecting other swimmers.
Are refreshments available?
We have a cafe available on site, providing coffees, soft drinks and refreshments. Alternatively, feel free to bring some picnic foods with you to enjoy during your visit. Please avoid bringing any glass containers or bottles to poolside. Our new food waste bins and recycling stations are located conveniently around the facility for you to dispose of any rubbish.
Alcohol, drug-use, smoking and vaping are strictly prohibited anywhere on the premises.
As always, we hope you have a great visit and we look forward to seeing you soon!