The swimming pool had 16C (Image: Seth L.)
With the UK facing a record-breaking heatwave, there could not have been a better time for the opening of a swimming pool in the heart of London’s concrete jungle. When Sea Lanes Canary Wharf announced its launch on June 19, the online excitement was palpable. Viral social media posts from the heights of skyscraper offices, capturing swimmers dotted in the pool and around its elegant wooden decking, really made me want to try it out myself.
Located in London’s financial district, the pool is the UK’s first 50-metre floating lido. The area includes two saunas powered by renewable energy, a clubhouse, food stands and a bar. Tickets cost £10 for a one-hour swimming-only session and £18 for a swim-and-sauna session. The site also offers a range of additional activities, from paddleboarding and freediving to aquathlons, triathlons, and open-water events.
Sea Lanes is a must-try for anyone hoping to reconnect with nature, since the water is unchlorinated. At first, I thought it came directly from the River Thames, but I soon learned that it is naturally filtered water from the wharf’s Eden Dock, part of the Eden Project, which is separate from the river.
Sea Lanes uses naturally filtered water (Image: Supplied)
Testing the pool
As my friend and I arrived at the entrance, we saw a stand with hanging wetsuits. For a moment, this made me feel like being at a beach surf school, which was exactly what I needed after a long day in the office. But it also came as a total shock to me – without doing much prior research, I didn’t anticipate the water being so cold that wetsuits would be on offer.
I looked at the pool and saw mostly brave people swimming without one and doing absolutely fine. But the moment I saw one man’s hesitant breast stroke, with his head sticking out of the water, teeth clenching, and a smile desperately trying to hide his silent suffocation, I decided to go with the wetsuit.
We were welcomed by friendly staff into a buzzing atmosphere, full of people in the mixed changing rooms, excited to test the water. I immediately fell in love with the sporty vibe of the place, with a shop selling cool surfer towels, swimming costumes and all sorts of other gear.
The site has a lovely a shop (Image: Laura Zilincanova)
After changing and finding our spot in the last stretch of sun – we only came at 6pm, but still had three hours until closing – we plunged into the water.
I was pleasantly surprised by how insulating and high-quality the wetsuit was, truly keeping the cold at bay. The lanes were slightly too narrow for my taste, but I quickly adapted by trying to look out for fellow swimmers’ hands a bit more.
The water has a natural green tint, intentionally left untreated to support aquatic life. While visibility is not as good as in a chlorinated swimming pool, the water quality is continuously monitored and consistently rated as “Excellent” under EU Bathing Water Standards. I decided to embrace it.
The swim itself was truly refreshing, though the pool’s Olympic length was not something I was used to. I noticed myself getting breathless quite quickly, which is arguably a normal thing when swimming in 16C water.
We later headed to the saunas. They were spacious and, although at a slightly below-average temperature of around 60C, once we poured water on the hot stones, they heated up very quickly to the desired effect after a cold swim.
After the experience, we went for a pint. I don’t think an IPA has ever tasted better.
Swimming below skyscrapers hits different (Image: Laura Zilincanova)
Overall impression
There is something magical about going for a cold swim and then heading to a sauna, and I could also see my friend’s mood improve instantly.
As a keen swimmer, he said: “I think it’s a very one-stop-shop kind of experience. You start with the swim, then you go to the sauna, then to the showers, and immediately outside, there are bars for your hydration needs. I think it’s definitely very well thought out.”
We both agreed the area would benefit from water dispensers near the pool and swimming costume spin dryers. A large display at the entrance showing the current water temperature would also be helpful, allowing people to decide whether they should use a wetsuit.
I would definitely visit again, although it would have to be on one of those days when I feel like embracing the cold water.
But at this time of year, those days aren’t exactly rare.