Who swims where at Hampstead Heath? City launches public consultation on bathing ponds access
The City of London Corporation has opened a Hampstead Heath bathing ponds consultation on future access to the Ladies’, Men’s and Mixed Ponds, inviting views from swimmers, residents and stakeholders between 30 September and 25 November 2025.
The review follows a Supreme Court ruling this year on how the Equality Act defines sex. Organisations across the UK are reassessing single-sex provision in light of that judgement and evolving guidance from the equalities regulator. The City says responses will inform decisions alongside legal duties, equality impacts, safeguarding and practical enforcement.
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At present, the Highgate Men’s Pond admits biological men and trans men, and the Kenwood Ladies’ Pond admits biological women and trans women. Those arrangements were adopted in 2019 after consultation and are being reviewed to ensure any future access rules are fair, lawful and respectful.
Through the consultation, the City is asking whether the Ladies’ and Men’s Ponds should remain trans-inclusive, move to exclusively single-sex admission, or operate as mixed-sex spaces. It is also seeking views on communal toilets and changing rooms, and on possible dedicated times for biological single-sex use. Current rules will continue until decisions are taken by elected Members.
Policy Chairman Chris Hayward said the ponds are an integral part of the Heath and encouraged everyone with an interest to take part. The City has committed to publish the findings and to set out any changes clearly once finalised.
Hampstead Heath attracts around 8.1 million visits a year and has held a Green Flag Award annually since 1997. The ponds sit within a Site of Metropolitan Importance for Nature Conservation, part of the 11,000 acres managed by the City across London and the South East.
Have your say: Have your say on Hampstead Heath’s swimming ponds
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