Police were forced to intervene on Friday afternoon after swimmers invaded the wildlife pond at Hampstead Heath, ignoring strict no-swimming rules enforced with barbed wire and security patrols. The incident occurred as temperatures in London reached 36°C, prompting dozens of people to seek relief in the water.
The Hampstead Heath Constabulary and ParkGuard responded to reports of more than a dozen swimmers bathing in the nature pond, which is home to swans and other protected wildlife. Despite measures by the City of London Corporation—including barbed wire, extra security, and prominent signage on all sides of the pond—an estimated 14 swimmers entered the water.
Swimmers Defy Security Measures
Videos from the scene show swimmers entering the pond one after another, with security struggling to call them back to land. One pair managed to swim the entire width of the lake before being noticed. In another video, a man entered the pond just meters away from a group of swans, while a boy repeatedly dove near nesting swans. The Hampstead Heath Constabulary eventually joined the effort to call swimmers back, intervening in the chaos.
For most of the afternoon, visitors appeared to follow the rules, though many told The Standard they were waiting for security to leave. The City of London Corporation has repeatedly urged swimmers to only bathe in the three designated ponds on the heath, where lifeguards are present. Entering non-designated water carries risks such as cold shock, hidden hazards, exposure to blue-green algae, and significant harm to wildlife.
Heatwave Fuels Demand for Swimming
As the heatwave continues, Londoners are desperate for access to blue spaces. Speaking to The Standard, one sunbather said: “The ponds, you can never book them and they used to be free until Covid-19.” She added that while there are enough blue spaces in London, they all require booking. Friends Alastair and Malcolm echoed this sentiment, explaining that every lido in the capital is “oversubscribed and completely booked” as people seek respite from the heat.
Malcolm expressed mixed feelings about the swimming in the wildlife pond. While he was “angry” about the disruption to wildlife, he noted that there are not enough options for those who want to swim, calling the system “bureaucratised.” Mother and daughter Lois and Isa, visiting from the Netherlands, were disappointed to find they couldn’t swim without a prior booking. Their frustration grew when they saw the Men’s and Mixed Bathing ponds were not full despite being fully booked. “It could definitely fit more people. This is going to be the future, so they need to look at this again to make more room for people to swim,” said Lois. “You should see Holland, we swim everywhere with no restrictions.”
City of London Corporation Responds
The City of London Corporation said: “As well as our own Constabulary, we’ve put additional security and patrols in place across the Heath, particularly around the Lido and Model Boating Pond. Entering any other water body is extremely dangerous and risks both lives and wildlife. We want all visitors to enjoy their time on the Heath, and we’re asking everyone to behave responsibly, and respect the space and those who care for it.” The corporation also reported that its wardens have faced “physical and verbal abuse” as a result of the measures at the nearby Lido.
