The top London hotels with outdoor pools (with kids)

When the sun shines, there are few better places to be than in a swimming pool – and with more regular heatwaves, London hotels with outdoor pools are unbeatable for a summer city break.

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However, don’t expect to have dozens to choose from: space is always at a premium in London (and sunshine rarely guaranteed) so finding a great hotel with outdoor pool in London isn’t always easy – especially if you’re looking for family-friendly options during a trip to London with children.

So I’ve picked out the best London hotels with outdoor pools, as well as more ideas of where to enjoy open-air swimming in London with kids, plus a few more tempting London hotels with rooftop pools.

The Berkeley, Knightsbridge

Located in the heart of Knightsbridge, The Berkeley is one of London’s top luxury hotels with kids, with welcome gifts for little ones, special children’s bed linen and bathrobes, toys, colouring books, and even gaming consoles on request.

And the 5-star hotel is also one of the best London hotels with an outdoor pool for families. 

Redesigned in 2020, the hotel’s new heated rooftop pool is located on the hotel’s 7th floor, with unobstructed views over Hyde Park and the city skyline – ideal if the sun’s shining but not quite a heatwave.

Don’t expect to be swimming Olympic-length laps, but there is plenty of room for lounging and splashing around with the family. 

The pool does close during the winter months, but reopens between 7am and 7pm from April.

For more London attractions with air conditioning for sunny days in the city, check out my top picks

Art’otel, Battersea Power Station

Set in the iconic Battersea Power Station, Art’otel London Battersea Power Station has a unique setting as well as a contemporary feel.

Decorated with bold block colours and quirky original artwork, the vibrant 4* hotel is a surefire hit with guests of all ages, including teens.

But the best part? The large infinity pool and jacuzzi on the 16th floor with incredible 360 views of the famous Power Station Chimneys and out across the city. The heated pool is open year-round and can be used between 8am and 8pm every day.

While I wouldn’t exactly call this hotel budget-friendly, it is a little more affordable than some of the other high-end 5-star hotels on this list. It’s also owned by Radisson Hotels, so you can get discounts as a member and use your loyalty points toward your stay.

Check out The Chimney Lift while you’re staying there, one of the best views in London with kids

Shoreditch House Hotel, Shoreditch

Shoreditch House is one of the capital’s most desirable private members clubs amongst the city’s cool creative crowd. Located in a converted east London warehouse, the house has a luxury spa and gym, two restaurants, a screening room, and – yes – an outdoor rooftop pool.

The large pool is surrounded by a wrap-around terrace with plenty of sunbeds and loungers to enjoy the sun while the kids splash around in the pool. Children are welcome to use the pool and deck until midday but need a child membership.

Usually, Shoreditch House and its rooftop pool are only available to Soho House members. But you can also enjoy the property’s facilities by signing up for a Soho Friends membership and booking a stay at the small but luxurious on-site hotel. 

London Hotels with Rooftop Pools

While London hotels with outdoor pools are few and far between, you can find a few more with rooftop pools so there’s a great view as you swim – not open-air perhaps, but a great rooftop indoor pool is a handy alternative given London’s unpredictable weather.

The Shangri-La London, The Shard

Taking up 18 floors of The Shard, London’s tallest and most iconic building, The Shangri-La is one of the capital’s most luxurious five-star hotels.

And one of the hotel’s main attractions is its large rooftop infinity pool on the 52nd floor of the soaring skyscraper with some unbeatable views over the city’s skyline. 

From the pool, you can look out across the Thames to a string of famous London landmarks, such as Tower Bridge, and St Paul’s Cathedral. 

The pool is open daily between 6am and 6pm, with dedicated children’s swimming times between 9am and 11am, and 3pm and 5pm.

Canary Riverside Plaza

Sat within the historic wharfs and quays of East London, Canary Riverside Plaza is the only five-star independent hotel in Canary Wharf, known for its luxurious suites and impressive views.

And guests of the hotel also get complimentary access to the health club and spa, with an amazing rooftop infinity pool overlooking the River Thames and city skyline.

Under 16s can use the pool between 8:30am and 10:30am each morning, while over 16s have access to the pool throughout the day.

Other places to swim outdoors in London

If you’re determined to enjoy a bit of al fresco swimming in the city, happily it’s not essential to check into a pricy hotel, with various other outdoor swimming pools in London.

Brockwell Lido 

Found in the south London neighbourhood of Herne Hill, Brockwell Lido is a 50-metre unheated swimming pool that’s open year-round – although, it is a little (okay, a lot!) on the chilly side during the winter months!

The outdoor swimming pool is family-friendly at all times, with reduced prices for children. But families with toddlers and children under 7 may feel more comfortable at the designated family swim sessions between 10:30am and 11:30am most weekends and holidays.

The lido is extremely popular, especially during the hotter summer months, so swim sessions are booked in 50 minute slots. It’s strongly advised to book in advance to avoid disappointment. 

Charlton Lido 

For those sunny spring London days when you’re not ready to brave the still arctic temperatures of an unheated pool, Charlton Lido’s Olympic-sized heated outdoor pool is the perfect place to try. The pool is kept at a pleasant temperature of 22-28C throughout the year.

Owned by Better Gym, the pool is available to use by gym members and non-members. But if you’re not a member, you will need to book in advance. 

Children are welcome during the “Swim For All Sessions” which run at least once a day (and more regularly during school holidays). Little ones can also enjoy the “Toddler Splash Sessions” in the small teaching pool on certain days throughout the week. 

Older children and teens can also attend the “Swimming For Fitness Sessions” if they’re proficient enough to keep up with the adult swimmers in the lanes.

There’s also a large sun terrace and cafe for parents to enjoy while the little ones hit the water.

More outdoor pools/lidos in London

• Finchley Lido Leisure Centre – the outdoor pool opens from around May Bank Holiday throughout the summer months (though weather dependent so do doublecheck). There’s also an indoor fun leisure pool at Finchley Lido that includes a wave machine, jets, and other fun features.
• London Fields Lido – this 50m long heated outdoor pool is kept around 25C all year round. You’ll find both lane swimming as well as free swim areas at London Fields Lido for younger kids.
• Parliament Hill Lido – this non-heated outdoor pool is open year-round and one of the biggest lidos in London at 60 metres by 28 metres. Kids can attend Open Swimming Sessions at Parliament Hill Lido during the daytime.
• Oasis Sports Centre, Tottenham Court Road – central London’s only heated, outdoor pool, this sits on a sun terrace above street level. Kids can attend Swim For All Sessions at Oasis Sports Centre but under 8s and non-swimmers aged 11-17 must be accompanied in the water by a competent adult swimmer.
• Hampstead Heath Swimming Ponds – no children under 8 are permitted to swim at Hampstead Heath Swimming Ponds but it’s an option for older kids. However, all under-16s must attend with an accompanying adult who will be in the water with them and also need to pass a swimming test! 
• Tooting Bec Lido – reopened after refurbishment, Tooting Bec Lido is the largest open-air freshwater pool in the UK.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links – any purchases you make are unaffected but I may receive a small commission. All opinions about the best London hotels with outdoor pools are my own.

Main image/Shard skyline/Hampstead bathing pond courtesy of Depositphotos, The Berkeley pool courtesey of The Berkeley Hotel, Art’Otel Battersea Power Station copyright Matthew Shaw (courtesy Art’Otel), Charlton Lido via Picfair

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