The bathing ponds at Hampstead Heath in north-west London will remain trans-inclusive after a public consultation overwhelmingly supported the existing rules. The City of London Corporation (CLC), which manages the ponds, reviewed its policy following the Supreme Court's April 2025 ruling that the legal definition of a woman is based on biological sex.
Under the policy, transgender women will continue to have access to the Kenwood Ladies' pond, and transgender men to the Highgate Men's pond. The Hampstead mixed pond remains open to everyone. The decision was made after a consultation in which 86% of 38,000 respondents favoured retaining the current arrangements.
The campaign group Sex Matters, which has challenged the policy in court, criticised the decision. Director Fiona McAnena said the CLC had voted to defy the law and discriminate against women. She argued that the policy is unlawful and that female users do not expect to encounter male people in the Ladies' pond.
Trans people have described the campaigners as cruel and judgmental, noting they have used the ponds for decades without issues. The CLC said improvements will include adding more private cubicles as part of upgrades to toilet and shower facilities.
The CLC's policy chair, Chris Hayward, said the consultation showed people want the ponds to remain safe, respectful and inclusive. He emphasised that the Supreme Court judgment did not require all trans-inclusive services to become single-sex services, and that the approach protects the ponds' unique character while ensuring they remain welcoming to all.
