Swimming in The Serpentine

Swimming in Hyde Park

Book a swim

Take a plunge in The Serpentine

An open-air swim is an amazing, invigorating experience, and we welcome everyone to dip their toe in. Enjoy a swim at The Serpentine Lido in Hyde Park, one of London’s most iconic open air swimming locations.

The Serpentine Swimming Club is the oldest swimming club in Britain. They swim every day in the Lido between 5:30am and 9:30am, and also during the famous race on Christmas Day.

Where to swim

The Serpentine Lido

Swimming at the Serpentine Lido is a seasonal highlight, usually running from June to mid‑September, with weekend sessions available from mid‑May. Dates may vary slightly each year, so it’s always worth checking ahead.

Secure your spot online and enjoy a truly memorable swim in one of the world’s most iconic lakes. As the Lido is a popular destination for open‑air swimming, we recommend booking in advance to guarantee your place. However, booking online isn't essential – at quieter times you can simply walk up on the day and book in person.

Swimming in The Serpentine

The Serpentine Lido:

Opening times

Open 10am to 6pm.

Seasonality

Available on weekends from mid‑May, and daily from June to mid‑September.

Location

The Serpentine Lido, Hyde Park, London W2 2UH.

Google Maps

Amenities

Toilets and changing facilities available. The Lido Café Bar is open 8am to 4pm, Monday to Sunday.

Find out more about swimming in Hyde Park

Full day

  • Adult: £8
  • Child: £4 (three to 15 years)
  • Family: £17 (two adults and up to four children; supervision ratios apply, please see below)
  • Concessions: £4.50

Sessions (10am to 1:30pm and 2:30pm to 6pm)

  • Adult: £6.20
  • Child: £2.30 (three to 15 years old)
  • Family: £14.70 (two adults and up to four children; supervision ratios apply, please see below)
  • Off-Peak Adult: £4.50
  • Off-Peak Child: £1.65
  • Off-Peak Family: £11.30
  • Concessions: £3.35
  • Lockers: £2.00
  • Sunbeds: £12.00

Children under three years are free of charge. Carers are free of charge. Young persons aged 16 and 17 years, students and adults over 65 years are eligible for concessions with a valid ID.

If you have any questions around accessibility or concessionary pricing, please get in touch.

Children under the age of 16 years will not be permitted access unless accompanied by an adult who is 18 years or above and is a competent swimmer. Children must be directly supervised by an adult who is 18 years old and above at all times.

The required ratio of adults to children is set out below:

Swimmer ageSupervision required
< 3 years1:1
> 3 years to < 8 years1:2
> 8 years to < 14 years1:3
> 14 years to < 18 years1:4
> 16 years to < 18 yearsNo supervision

Please read our full booking terms and conditions for more information before swimming at The Serpentine Lido.

The do's

Entry to the lido is only permitted from the manned entrance gate adjacent to the pavilion. 

Please can all entrants to the lido beachhead register at reception (including care-givers and children) They’ll be advised of any important risk at the point of booking online and at the point of entry; there may be additional risks for example, for open water swimmers with underlying health conditions (such as asthma, heart conditions etc) and open wounds.

Our priority is customer safety at all time and our staff will accommodate customers with specific cultural, medical or other requirements where possible.

Please can all children aged under 18 be supervised by an adult who is a competent swimmer, at all times.

Pushchairs can be brought onto the beach head.

Please can all swimmers wear suitable swimwear, including:

  • Swimming costume/short/trunks designed for water-based activities
  • Body suit or Burqini designed for water-based activities
  • Leggings made from a lycra-based material
  • Lycra-based, ‘comfortably’ fitting, top/vest (known as a rash vest)
  • Wet suit
  • Swimmers’ caps and sun hats
  • Masks, goggles, short fins, snorkels can be worn.

The don'ts

The following clothing is not permitted while swimming:

  • Denim, trousers or jogging bottoms
  • Underwear
  • Loose fitting T-shirts and tops
  • Coats and jackets
  • Jumpers and sweatshirts
  • Clothing made of inappropriate fabric such as cotton/wool and materials that absorb water.

Please read our full booking terms and conditions for more information before swimming at The Serpentine Lido.

  • Weak or non-swimmers should not enter the deeper water and must remain in the shallow areas
  • We will direct care-givers to the use of swim nappies for small children
  • Swimmers are not allowed to enter the lido water unless a lifeguard is on duty
  • Swimmers may only swim within the buoy boundary
  • Cameras are not permitted to be used in the changing facilities or within the lido and beach head
  • Please do not smoke or vape on the beach head
  • Please do not play music on the beach head (this may interfere with safety communications)
  • Please do not bring glass and ceramic containers on the beach head
  • Taking drugs and consuming alcohol is prohibited within the lido area, including the changing rooms
  • We do not allow disposable barbeques
  • Please take care and consider others, with no running or boisterous behaviour allowed
  • Please don’t dive or perform acrobatics or use toys such water pistols
  • We aren’t able to lend buoyancy aids or armbands to swimmers
  • Please can bathers using  buoyancy aids remain in the shallower areas, indicated by depth markers on the pier
  • Inflatable pool toys such as lilos and large rings are not permitted.