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The Hampstead Ponds or Highgate Ponds are three large freshwater swimming ponds — two designated single sex, and one for mixed bathing — fed by the River Fleet in Hampstead Heath, England.
They were originally dug in the 17th and 18th centuries as reservoirs. A malarial marsh was drained by the Hampstead Water Company in 1777 to meet London's growing water demand.
In 2004, the City of London Corporation, which operates the Heath, tried to close the ponds on the grounds that they were an unsustainable drain on their expenses and posed a health risk to swimmers. The swimmers challenged this and won a victory in the High Court. To defray costs, the Corporation introduced a charge for swimmers of £2 per session, £1 for concessions. There was some opposition to this. Some of the ticket machines were vandalized.
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The Three Ponds
There are three different ponds for swimming - one for men, one for women and one mixed. The men's pond has a reputation as being very popular with gay men, boxers and weight lifters.
Winter swimming is usually possible at all three ponds, but membership of Hampstead Heath Winter swimming Club may be required.
Getting There
The Men's and Women's Ponds are located on the eastern side of the park, off Millfield Lane, London, N6. Bus Route 210 passes the end of Millfield Lane - pick it up at either Golders Green or Archway tube station.
The nearest tube stations are Hampstead or Archway (both on the Northern line), but both require a 15 minute walk (through the park from Hampstead, or on the road for Archway) or are better by bicycle.
These ponds are referred to as "Highgate Ponds" on Google Maps:
[The mixed bathing Pond is in the centre of the Heath, and is easily reached from Hampstead Heath railway station - a 10-15 minute walk via South End Road.]
References
- London Pools Campaign advocacy website.
- City of London Corporation Swimming facilities on Hampstead Heath
- The London Encyclopaedia, Ben Weinreb and Christopher Hibbert, Macmillan.
External links
- Detailed guide to the ponds with photographs, by Andrew Selkirk, editor of Hampstead-based Current Archaeology magazine.
- Map of the River Fleet with links to locations with photographs, including the ponds.
- Diving at Highgate Ponds on the Lost Lidos website.
This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)
