Is there such a thing as a swimming pool open to the traveling public in central London?

There is. The Oasis Sports Centre, corner of High Holborn and Endwell Street. Please see http:// www.wguides.com/city/1/177_198034.cfm

Also, I used Google for London swimming pool and found this list: http://www.viewlondon.co.uk/home_fea...e_swimming.asp

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Maybe not what you were thinking of, but how about open air swimming at:

Hampstead Heath Open Air Ponds
Offering some of the most staggering views of the Capital plus superb kite flying facilities, wide open spaces and the sublime Kenwood House, Hampstead Heath is also renowned for its open air swimming facilities. Dip your toes at the Open Air Ponds (children not admitted) which are free to all and open all year round.
Address: Access via Millfield Lane, N6
Telephone: 020 7485 4491
Open: Please call for details
Cost: Free
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/real-londo...eadheath.shtml

The Serpentine Lido, Central London

Hyde Park, London W2 2UH
Tel: 0207 706 3422.
The pool is open June to September seven days a week from 10am to 6pm.

This pool is part of the Serpentine Lake in Hyde Park and has a popular "lido" on its South bank with a screened, pay-to-enter enclosure. Gavin Hadland writes: "It's great for adults and children as there is a paddling pool, a sandpit, swings and a slide. A children's entertainer performs between 2.30pm and 4pm every day during the summer".
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/oliver....dos/lidos1.htm

Don't want to sound ignorant but Patrick I was pondering the Lido on Sunday. Presumably we are sharing the water with the ducks?

Violin1, this is a place I keep meaning to drop into as apparently the building itself is a Victorian gem. Pool is 30 metres. It is not centrally located, however. It is just north of The City/Barbican:

http://www.aquaterra.org/irb.htm

I don't have personal experience of the Serpentine Lido (but did swim once or twice at Hampstead, a slightly leafy experience). I would imagine it's enclosed off from the rest of the Serpentine to ensure you wouldn't be troubled by people in rowing boats, and the ducks would probably want to stay away from people - but you could always splash a bit.

I haven't actually swum in the Serpentine, but I have noticed that the swimming area is roped off from the rest of the lake.
Annette

It is roped off but having seen a duck doing a little doo-doo in the water, I kind of went off the idea...

If you are serious - there is a website called 'swimmersguide.com' that allows you to search for pools by city, county, country, etc with information and links provided.

Thanks for all the help, everyone!

Hi

when I was a trainee in London, I swam at Seymour Hall (Seymour Place, W1).
I think Porchester Hall also had a pool.

Peter
http://tlp.netfirms.com

If you have a YMCA membership in the US, I believe you can also use the YMCA facilities in London. My husband is a member, and we came across a YMCA in Bloomsbury (with an excellent pool) and we were told that he could use the facilities. Of course, our schedule was too hectic to allow him time for a dip. Just a thought.

Guests at the St Giles hotel have access to a Y pool. See http://www.stgiles.com/londonhotel/l...acilities.html