At the Pond: Swimming at the Hampstead Ladies' Pond

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Although Hampstead Heath is a good place to start, there is much more to Hampstead than just the Heath.

Combining personal reminiscence with reflections on the history of the place over the years and through the changing seasons, At the Pond captures fourteen contemporary writers’ impressions of this unique place.The ponds on the Heath were created to provide drinking water for the growing villages of Hampstead and Highgate. The mineral-rich water became known for its health-giving qualities in the late-18th century, but before that, they were primarily reservoirs, and are still supposed to be maintained at drinking quality, something that any head-above-the-water swimmer in their murky, weedy green will be surprised to hear.

Although the Hampstead Heath swimming ponds are open all year round they do open and close at different times throughout the year. I found that a lot of ladies sunbathe topless in the grassy area of the ladies bathing ponds on Hampstead Heath as it’s completely covered by trees during the summer. Kenwood Ladies Pond is a popular destination for women seeking a peaceful and secluded place to swim, sunbathe, and relax. The pond is surrounded by lush greenery and tall trees, creating a tranquil and serene environment that is perfect for unwinding and escaping the hustle and bustle of city life.According to some Guardian UK staffers, who wished to remain anonymous for fear of repercussions, distress arose among younger members of staff and those supportive of trans rights. “The editorial was clearly trying to avoid alienating that portion of our readership – but in doing so it created a false equivalence between the two views, as if they were both equally valid,” says one staff member. “This was obviously disheartening for those who believe trans rights should be protected.” We aspire to be a leader in diversity, equality and inclusion, and we are committed to supporting a strong, sustainable and cohesive society in the capital and beyond.” When we look, or leap, into the frondy gymslip-green cold-as-is-good-for-you water of the Ladies’ Pond, we move through the tangles of history. We gulp down Hopkins’s spit and sweat and piss, and we step out of the water shedding Dido Belle’s skin cells, torn in her attempt to conform to her society’s narrow expectations. Lots of people have stopped going so their memories of the place aren’t sullied,” says activist Alix Lemkin, who co-convenes the Save Our Ponds campaign run by Forum ‘71, which has held protests against the charges all year. She swam in the ponds every day for 30 years and refuses to under the new regime, in solidarity with friends who have struggled during the pandemic and can’t afford to pay.