Swimmers return to outdoor pools including Hampstead Heath as coronavirus lockdown is eased further

One of London’s most popular set of outdoor pools has reopened to swimmers again after closing for months during the coronavirus lockdown.

Hampstead Heath men’s, ladies’ and mixed bathing ponds, as well as the nearby Parliament Hill lido, reopened for early-morning swimmers on Saturday after the Government said outdoor pools could reopen from July 11.

City of London Corporation, which manages the pools, said lifeguards have been trained to keep to social distancing rules if they need to assist swimmers in the water.

The corporation added that if the new early-morning sessions run safely, extra swimming sessions will be added.