The pond itself is as beautiful as ever, but the experience is not. I used to spend the day there with a book and picnic, sliding into the water whenever I felt like it. Now there’s a portakabin for ticket sales, signs everywhere telling you not to do this and that, taped-off areas.. plus timed sessions and advance booking 😢 the atmosphere has definitely changed in the years I’ve been going. And it was, sadly, predictable, once the wealthy Corporation of London decided to charge for entry. I went last at 0920 on a sunny Saturday on a not-especially hot day and it was already pretty busy and really noisy ☹️ No longer the peaceful haven it used to be. Women swimming in groups and just being so loud. No idea why some people have to talk and shriek at top volume while they’re swimming in such a lovely spot, surrounded by nature.. while many of us are trying to escape the stresses of city life. Still nice, but not the idyll it once was. And it makes me so sad that the entry charges now exclude people who’d really benefit from this place.

Amazing place! Gorgeous pond and great place to cool down. The water is cold depending on the weather. The issue is the disorder and the queue

Best experience ever. It's worth swimming here. Awesome guidance by Jane.

I heard great things about these ponds so I travelled all the way to London, but they were quite disappointing. From books and documentaries one would expect a nature reserve with a few small lakes. In reality it's a bunch of small reservoirs in the middle of a typical city park. On top of that you have got to pay for and book in advance to stay for 1 hour. They're probably worth for the posh londoners living nearby, so they can say they're "wild swimming" or something like that, but there are so many nicer and less pretentious places in England.

Horrific sad nasty feeling there now and this has literally ruined my life and many many others lives in London. I have been going there for 40 years and it was the rest and beauty we depended on .. It was our healing place but all the beauty that once was in this city it has been completely destroyed.. Shame on the people who run the Ladies Ponds.. Shame on you all.

It's really sad the pond is not what it used to be. It's still beautiful and the lifeguards are trying their best with the new rules and regulations but it is a shadow of its former self. Shame on the city london cooperation for ruining a sacred place to so many and profiting from it. Disgusting.

What a wonderful place! I recently started swimming here and can't believe it took me almost 20 years to get round to becoming a regular visitor. A beautiful setting, and well run. It's great to know that I can book in advance and not have to queue. Or turn up early on spec. I don't understand the recent negative reviews moaning about the charge (a very reasonable £4, with half price concessions). I feel reassured by the presence of lifeguards. Presumably everyone agrees they should be paid decently and the toilet and shower block needs to be maintained? A few quid doesn't seem too high a price to pay, especially when compared to the £6 I pay to swim at Highbury Pool or the £11 charged at the West Reservoir in Stoke Newington (both of which are run by the not-for-profit social enterprise Better.)

I have been for a swim since lock down ended and although you have to book now it is much nicer as the pond and garden is so much quieter and peaceful. Love the new system. The money goes to pay for the lifeguards and upkeep of the facilities at the pond. Bliss

If you want to be told you can't go for a swim, when you're 13mins early of the 11am last-entry free-session (unbooked swimmers) then head to the Ladies pond. I ended up jogging over to the Mixed pond, which was full of lovely staff and had a really friendly atmosphere. Lovely swim too! Ps. Would give 0 stars if it were an option.

What a mess! The pond used to be lovely, a peaceful haven to focus on a swim session or chill out in nature. The place is just full of screeching women now and overbearing lifeguards. The place has been ruined.

It's an nice experience butc annot be considered as my go-to place for swimming since it's so difficult to get in unfortunately. Works mostly with bookings now and when going at 5PM (entry without bookings), we queued for 1 hour with my friend.

if you only want to sunbathe ignore all sings and queues.Anything you see on their website or on the signs at the entrance apply to the pond only and NOT for the meadows. We figure this out the hard way, after queuing for half an hour and they were shouting telling people they wouldn’t get in. They even put a sign at the top saying No entry, but again, this has nothing to do with the meadows. It’s all badly explained so around 70 women left without asking. I only know because I’ve asked the steward and she perplexed said “you can go to the meadows!” As a result, the meadows are empty now and I doubt anyone passing by will think they can get in since it says No entry! There’s no entrance fees for the meadows. There are chemical toilets (flush didn’t work) and I think you can refil your water somewhere near the pond - I haven’t tried but seen several people going towards the pond with their water bottle. Failing that the closest water fountain is outside the women’s area, about 5 min walk.

Just offering my support to the people in The Guardian article. Seems like a typical Tory Government place, price hikes and service cuts.

Love swimming grrrr it's so peaceful. Sometimes lifeguards can be a bit grumpy but in general are nice!!

Love it every time.

Fabulous place

Absolutely brilliant. A complete haven in nature. Swim w ducks and birds. Really great atmosphere, great for a solo trip or a group of gals. Nice grassy areas about the pond to lay down. Bring coins to drop in the little collection container right at the actual pond entrance. Enjoy!!

The spot is definitely unique but something I wish I had known whilst checking previous reviews is that currently for the free flow sessions in the weekend you will have to wait more than an hour if you queue from 16:40 onwards.

Freezing, clean natural water. Birds swimming alongside. Don’t go. It’s one of the most magical places in London.

Beautiful swimming pond surrounded by plants. It is very popular in summer and some sessions need to be booked in advance. There is a spacious meadow for sunbathing too.

Wonderfully inclusive! I thoroughly recommend the Ladies Pond to all femme identifying individuals (pre or post op - all welcome here!) One fellow woman gave me some pointers on tidying up my bikini line - it was so affirming I practically filled up with gender euphoria! 🥰🥰🥰