Thames Baths

Thames Baths Thames Baths is a social enterprise established to deliver London's first public floating lido since

The proposals are focused on London’s River Thames but could occur in any waterway. Imagine swimming in the river, surrounded by reeds that frame tantalising views of the city around you. The Baths are not just for swimmers, but provide refuge and habitat for fish, birds and a wide range of flora. The Thames Baths Project is all about developing a scheme that is visionary but ultimately achievable

. The ideas were launched in 2013 as part of the ‘London As It Could Be Now’ programme. This was an open call ideas project, developed by The Architecture Foundation with Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners and the Royal Academy of Arts. Architects Studio Octopi and their team were selected as one of five groups to work up new visions for the Thames. The proposals were subsequently exhibited at the Royal Academy of Arts. The Thames Baths has received considerable press coverage including The Guardian, Financial Times, Wall Street Journal and Time Out.

Commissioned by Bäderland Hamburg, the architects von Gerkan, Marg and Partners (.architects) have prepared a feasibilit...
19/05/2026

Commissioned by Bäderland Hamburg, the architects von Gerkan, Marg and Partners (.architects) have prepared a feasibility study for a public natural outdoor facility at ’s (Outer Alster) lake. The concept envisions a new natural complex at the historic Schwanenwik site, once again making Hamburg’s waterways more accessible to the public.

From The Penny Illustrated News in June 1875. The press bemoaning the new Charing Cross Baths that lacked the openness ...
04/05/2026

From The Penny Illustrated News in June 1875.
The press bemoaning the new Charing Cross Baths that lacked the openness and boldness of the Seine’s floating baths.
One for / / / to chuckle over.
Paris may still have some of the best floating baths but watch out, London is coming!

1951 - Police stop kids from swimming in River Thames.
28/02/2026

1951 - Police stop kids from swimming in River Thames.

Aerial view of the Donald D. Summerville Pools, aka The Pools at .Love this pool. Something for to enjoy. I guess th...
10/11/2025

Aerial view of the Donald D. Summerville Pools, aka The Pools at .
Love this pool. Something for to enjoy. I guess this all about building an elevated on a floodplain.
Credit: City of , from 1970s.

This is a fantastic proposal by City of Vancouver and - congratulations to all involved!“This flagship project was anno...
05/11/2025

This is a fantastic proposal by City of Vancouver and - congratulations to all involved!

“This flagship project was announced on November 3rd, 2025 alongside the launch of the WAVE Prize – a new Swim Drink Fish-led initiative to increase public access to urban swimmable waters in B.C. This project will create much-needed public space and stand as a powerful example of how thoughtful investment can reclaim urban waterfronts and bring swimmable, inclusive spaces back to city life.

Construction will begin in the spring of 2026 with an expected opening in spring of 2027.

The project has been made possible through a $16 million donation from the Weston family to Swim Drink Fish. The City of North Vancouver is contributing $5 million in capital funding, staff resources to manage implementation; and ongoing responsibility for the operation and maintenance of the deck.

Because the project is at the feasibility and concept stage, the actual costs to operate and maintain this infrastructure will become clearer as the technical work advances. At this stage we are looking at an estimated cost of $500K a year, which will include staffing, security, safety, physical maintenance, and needed amenities like change and washrooms.“

28/09/2025

WORLD RIVERS DAY & a MASSIVE ANNOUNCEMENT BY Swimmable Cities: Mayor Anne Hidalgo signs Charter for Paris as Swimmable Cities alliance spreads across 100 cities & towns.

We’re delighted to announce that the City of Paris has officially joined the global Swimmable Cities alliance. The announcement by Mayor Anne Hidlago today coincides with World Rivers Day, as well as the last weekend of the first swimming season on the River Seine.

In an official press release she stated:
“Today, proudly joins the global Swimmable Cities alliance, reaffirming its commitment to reclaiming urban waterways for public enjoyment and environmental renewal. In Paris, swimming in the Seine has been an exceptional success, with 100,000 swimmers enjoying the experience! Thanks to the legacy made possible by the Paris Games, our city is now part of the growing movement of swimmable cities. Paris is also proud to inspire other cities around the world! Urban swimming in rivers is a major step forward in improving residents’ quality of life, offering cooling relief during heatwaves, and ensuring the preservation of biodiversity and the rights of nature.”

Inspiring leaders like in and former Mayor Edward Crossland in ’s City of Yarra, the Paris Olympic legacy goes far beyond the catchment of the River Seine. Paris becomes the 10th Municipal Signatory to the Swimmable Cities Charter, along with councils in , , , , Melbourne, , , and .

This is just the beginning of the Next Wave.

We hope more Mayors and Cities take the plunge to help build a future where swimming in your local river or harbour is not a dream, but a right.

Welcome Paris, Welcome ALL Round round 6 Signatories, let’s grow the Next Wave together!



This is the future - thank you and friends.
22/07/2025

This is the future - thank you and friends.

The place to be, Piscine Deligny!“The history of the Deligny swimming pool began with Barthélemy Turquin (also inventer ...
31/03/2025

The place to be, Piscine Deligny!

“The history of the Deligny swimming pool began with Barthélemy Turquin (also inventer of the life jacket) who set up the city’s first école de natation on a floating jetty on the Seine in 1785. Between 1801 and 1803, a man seemingly known to history only as ‘maitre-nageur Deligny’ (but who was also Turquin’s son-in-law and heir) took over the management of the school and built a more permenant, solid structure alongside what is today the Quai Anatole France in the 7th arrondissement. His name stayed with the establishment throughout its history.”

“By the 1990s, the historic Piscine Deligny was the last floating pool left on the Seine. It had already caught fire once, been hit by a passing boat and finally, on one fateful summer’s day in 1993, the pool sank to the bottom of the in less than forty minutes for reasons still unexplained.“

Friend, supporter, & aficionado, of , takes his tote everywhere. I’ve never seen him without it! Now it’s in 🇰🇪...
21/03/2025

Friend, supporter, & aficionado, of , takes his tote everywhere. I’ve never seen him without it! Now it’s in 🇰🇪 👏🏼
Frodo is also a huge supporter of, and advisor to . SC are honoured 🙏🏻 to have the support of for this year’s inaugural summit in .

One from the very early days, 24th November 2015 & recently rediscovered. What’s really great is this fantastic drawing ...
01/03/2025

One from the very early days, 24th November 2015 & recently rediscovered.
What’s really great is this fantastic drawing by Gaz captured the whole story. What’s less great is although things have improved with regard to swimmable water in London, we’re nowhere near where other cities are with their river. Cities like Zurich, Basel & now Paris, are way ahead. The is now working on it and we hope to continue to support the Mayor’s work. As does which we are a founding signatory of. And our leader co-founded.

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London
SE18LD

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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+442076330003

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