King's Cross Pond is the UK's first ever man-made freshwater public bathing pond. This 40m long, natural, chemical-free pond is technically an art installation called 'Of Soil and Water' but the rest of us will call it an outdoor swimming pool. And if this wasn't unusual enough it is on a construction site as the King's Cross area is part way through a long-term regeneration project.

King's Cross Pond opened in May 2015 and is expected to be on site for at least two years, but there is the possibility of the lifetime of the pond being extended.


King's Cross Pond is operated by Fusion Lifestyle. You need to book online in advance and the website offers bookings up to two weeks in advance.

Prices vary depending on the session you choose but in 2015 prices started from just £3.50. Each session is up to 2 hours but most people do not stay in the pond for the full 2 hours. There is a short break in between session times to allow the pond to 'breathe'.

The pond is completely natural and unheated. The average temperature varies from 9-18C so it is cool/chilly/cold.

Within the 40m pond the longest swimming length is 25m. The pond has varying depths up to 2.8 meters with a shallow area, suggested for families.

All Natural Purification

The swimming pond is purified through a natural closed-loop process, using wetland and submerged water plants to filter and sustain clean and clear water. Because of this chemical-free filtration system there is a limit of 160 people allowed to enter the pool each day.

The planting area in the pond is sectioned off so you are not swimming through lily pads and reeds.

Facilities

There are simple individual changing facilities, large outdoor cage lockers (padlocks available at the front desk or bring your own), toilets, and outdoor showers.

Spectators can watch from the high viewing platform (stairs only), and The Skip Garden cafe is next to the entrance so you warm up with a hot drink and enjoy homemade cake.

My Visit to King's Cross Pond

After the compulsory cold shower, I chose to use the swimming pool steps to get into the pool. If you really want to jump in you need to go from the top step as lifeguards warn that the edge of the pond can be slippery.

Yes, it's cold but it's best to just get in and not spend too long thinking about it. A bit of jumping up and down and it soon felt quite manageable although I was reminded this was a pond and not a swimming pool as such as the bottom of the pond did feel a little slimy.

The view from the pond is of new apartments in one direction and a construction site on the other side and we waved to builders on their tea break. We also watched a Eurostar train go by as it left St Pancras International.

It reminded me a little of holidays in southern Spain in the 1980s when the holiday brochure showed a new high rise hotel and pool but the view in the other direction, which couldn't be seen in the photo, was of diggers and building work.

Usually swimming in a public pool leaves my eyes red and puffy and skin tight from the chlorine. The lack of chemicals left my skin feeling soft and some commented how swimming at the pond felt more like visiting a spa than a public pool.

Think of the pond as an 'urban wilderness' and you can enjoy it for what it is. Is it art? Only as much as anything in life can be interpreted as art. Would I go back? Absolutely. It was fun, and something I'd like to do regularly.

Address:
King's Cross Pond Club
20 Canal Reach
(entrance on Tapper walk)
London N1C 4BE

The Pond is located on Stable Street, just a short walk from Granary Square at King's Cross. It is about a 5-10 minute walk from King's Cross or St Pancras stations.

Tel: 020 3818 6500

Official Website:www.kingscrosspond.club

You can also swim outside in Covent Garden at the Oasis Sports Centre.