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Below are the Mixed Pond opening hours over the coming months.
From 1st November the Mixed Pond is closed to the public until 2nd April 2022. Full details available on the City of London website. Mixed Bathing Pond Open Last Entry Vacate Vacate Water Facility Monday 20 September – 7am 3.30pm 3.45pm 4pm Sunday 17 October 2021 Monday 18 October – 7am 2pm 2.15pm 2.30pm Sunday 31 October 2021 Monday 1 November 2021 – Winter Swimming Club ONLY* – No Public Access Friday 1 April 2022 Saturday 2 April – 7am 2pm 2.15pm 2.30pm Friday 6 May 2022
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 From this coming Saturday (1st May 2021), swimming at all ponds will require pre-booking for all but the first and last slots of the day which will remain "free flow" as they currently are. The booking system is the same as the one in place last summer, however, there are a few differences, including that you may now use your season ticket to book your swim.
Whilst Covid is still a threat (even when restrictions are lifted) some restrictions/booking arrangements will remain in place for all of 2021, but we anticipate that there will be tweaks as the year continues and weather changes. Below is a summary of the arrangements effective from 1st May with links to relevant places for more detailed information. Full details from the City Of London are available here. SWIM SESSION TIMINGS (from 1st May)
A telephone booking line is available at 020 7332 3779 (Monday to Friday) for swimmers who have no internet access or who find this system difficult to use. Please forward this information to any swimmer you know who may be unable to book online. IMPORTANT EXTRA INFORMATION With a limit of 40 people at any one time/session in the Mixed Pond, it is important that people are aware of the booking and cancellation policies (which may be subject to change); this will help maximise use and minimise wasted bookings (and money). We are also keen to retain some feeling of spontaneity for swimming so if you can take note of the following that will help.
 Mixed Pond Public Swimming Re-Opens 29th March 2021 Exciting news for all Mixed Pond swimmers, we are now less than 2 weeks away from outdoor swimming being permitted under Covid restrictions AND, the Mixed Pond will be opening to the public at 7am on Monday, 29th March 2021. This is about 6 weeks earlier than normal and the Mixed Pond will also be staying open and lifeguarded until 31st October. PLUS (yes, there is more good news) the opening hours of the Mixed Pond will fall in line with the other ponds on the Heath which means it will be open later than usual during the summer months. Swimming Season Tickets Everyone (including Mixed Pond Association members) has to pay to swim. Pre-booking details are not yet confirmed, but we believe there will be no need to book your session until early May. Until then, there will be timed swim sessions as per last year, but you can (subject to numbers of swimmers) turn up and pay or scan your season ticket. Swimming Season Tickets are now back on sale so, if you want to make the most of your swims this year then visit the link below. If there are any Covid related suspensions of swimming then your ticket will be extended. Update Regarding Swim Charges Whilst the Mixed Pond Association does not agree with the enforced charging that was introduced last year, fighting this has so far been futile, and this year prices have generally increased by 1.3% (inflationary increase) with higher increases for concessionary tickets to bring them in line with the 40% discount given to other sporting facilities on the Heath. As a committee, continue to work with the other pond associations to find ways to overturn this policy and a joint group consisting of members from each of the swim groups continues to investigate options and is also looking at getting the City to improve the scope of the "hardship fund" that was set-up. If you have specific feedback regarding the charges then please get in touch with us by replying to this email. If you are, or would like to become, a regular pond swimmer and are struggling with the charges then we recommend you approach the management team at Hampstead Heath by emailing hh-swimming@cityoflondon.gov.uk, and also feel free to contact the MPA directly (and in confidence) as we will try to help you. We want to do as much as we can to ensure swimming remains inclusive and affordable in these difficult times. Other Important Information for Heath Swimmers in 2021 What We Know So Far (Subject to change).
The Annual General Meeting of the Mixed Pond Association took place (on Zoom) on 9th November 2020. The full set of minutes can be read via the button below. Any questions can be directed to swim@mixedpondassocation.org.uk The Mixed Pond is now closed to public swimming until Sprint 2021. Look out for details of the re-opening in the New Year. |
