The Mixed Pond in Winter
In the winter (from late October until late March) the Mixed Pond is closed to the public (including Mixed Pond Association members) but some people are able to continue to swim there unsupervised as members of the separate Hampstead Heath Winter Swimmers Club (HHWSC).
The HHWSC is a completely separate organisation to the Mixed Pond Association and being a member of the MPA or having a swim season ticket does not entitle you to swim in the Mixed Pond during the winter season. Even members of the Winter Swimming club are only permitted to swim from dawn until 9.00am and from 2.00pm until dusk. So do not consider this a replacement to swimming at other facilities during the day.
Members of the HHWSC swim at their own risk as there are no lifeguards; they pay a subscription to cover insurance and must observe the separate rules of the club. To find out more please email them directly (we at the MPA do not have further details) using [email protected].
You should only join the HHWSC if you are an experienced regular cold water winter swimmer. Most members swim without wetsuits and stay in only very briefly during the colder part of the winter season. If this is your first winter trying cold water swimming then you should visit the Men's or Ladies' ponds (or the Lido) which remain open with lifeguards throughout the year. Cold water swimming can be dangerous, please read more about the risks here.
For information about joining the Hampstead Heath Winter Swimming Club and to get membership information contact the club directly by emailing [email protected]
The HHWSC is a completely separate organisation to the Mixed Pond Association and being a member of the MPA or having a swim season ticket does not entitle you to swim in the Mixed Pond during the winter season. Even members of the Winter Swimming club are only permitted to swim from dawn until 9.00am and from 2.00pm until dusk. So do not consider this a replacement to swimming at other facilities during the day.
Members of the HHWSC swim at their own risk as there are no lifeguards; they pay a subscription to cover insurance and must observe the separate rules of the club. To find out more please email them directly (we at the MPA do not have further details) using [email protected].
You should only join the HHWSC if you are an experienced regular cold water winter swimmer. Most members swim without wetsuits and stay in only very briefly during the colder part of the winter season. If this is your first winter trying cold water swimming then you should visit the Men's or Ladies' ponds (or the Lido) which remain open with lifeguards throughout the year. Cold water swimming can be dangerous, please read more about the risks here.
For information about joining the Hampstead Heath Winter Swimming Club and to get membership information contact the club directly by emailing [email protected]