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There’s more to Canary Wharf than bankers and skyscrapers, FYI. This summer, open water swimming will return to the east London business district with sessions at Eden Dock opening for the summer season as soon as next week. You can leave the quarter zip at home for this one.
From June 5, wild swimmers will be able to splash about in the water off the Eden Dock, FKA Middle Dock. The 200-year-old former maritime hub has been transformed into a waterfront oasis, with islands, marine habitats and art installations.
You’re probably wondering, is it safe to swim in the Thames? Yes! Eden Dock swimming is run in partnership with Love Open Water. The water is regularly tested, adhering to ‘high levels of cleanliness as required by EU Bathing Standards’. To get really into it, the water is ‘spring fed by an aquifer which filters the water through layers of Thanet sand and gravel resulting in its superb water quality and unrivalled clarity’, according to a spokesperson in 2025.
That sounds good enough for us. You will need a NOWCA membership (£15 a year) to use the outdoor pool, which gets you access to Canary Wharf swimming as well as more than 40 outdoor pools across the UK (totally worth it).
Be warned, the water is pretty chilly, and all swimmers are required to wear a brightly coloured swimming cap. See you on the water.
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