As most of us Londoners know, the city is a buzzing hub of activity which attracts tourists from all over. With plenty of beautiful green spaces, vibrant pubs, bars and restaurants as well as exciting events, there is no shortage of things to do in London. This is particularly true in summer, when everyone’s moods and spirits seem to be lifted!
At Beija, we love London – in fact our flagship store is based in Kings Cross St Pancras just off of Granary Square in Coal Drops Yard. This area has recently been developed into a bustling centre for eating, drinking and shopping. With a bunch of amazing cafés, restaurants, bars and shops, Kings Cross offers an exceptional day out.
Here in the UK we don’t often get much sun, so it’s best to make the most of it while it lasts. The current heatwave we’re experiencing here in London offers the perfect opportunity to take advantage of what the city has to offer. Therefore, we’re going to run through 5 of our favourite things to do in London during summer!
London Fields Lido
Kicking off our list today is the London Fields Lido. Based in Hackney, the London Fields Lido is a 50 metre Olympic sized outdoor swimming pool. Although perfect for the heatwave and summer weather, the pool is heated to 25°C and is open all year round, making it an option for other times of the year too. The lido is located in the north-west corner of London Fields Park and is run by the organisation Better.
Also equipped with a large sundeck, sunbathing area and a café, London Fields Lido has all of the facilities you need to make the most of summer, including of course changing rooms and toilets. Additionally, the equipment is also very inclusive of disabled people – with accessible changing, ramp access and a poolside hoist, London Fields Lido is very accessible to wheelchair users.
So, why not come down to Hackney to enjoy the sunshine this summer? London Fields Lido provides the perfect chance to show off your curves in Beija’s Get Wet range, which is our brand of swimwear. Catering to all shapes and sizes, the Get Wet range provides your perfect bikini fit this summer. Plus, even as we start to head into colder weather, as a heated pool the lido is still one of our favourite things to do in London year round!
Hampstead Heath Swimming Ponds
Next up on our list is the beautiful Hampstead Heath. Spanning 790 acres or 320 hectares, this grassy, public space is an ancient heath located in London. Based in the London borough of Camden, Hampstead Heath sits astride a sandy ridge. One of the highest points in the city, it runs from Hampstead to Highgate.
Aside from its glorious woodland and meadows, perhaps a lesser known fact is that you can also swim in Hampstead Heath. The Heath is home to some of the best outdoor swimming spots in London, including three natural bathing ponds and a 60m Lido. These are the Parliament Hill Lido, Kenwood Ladies’ Pond, Highgate Men’s Pond and the Hampstead Mixed Pond.
With regards to the ponds: yes, they are muddy and yes, there are ducks, but that’s part of what makes it such a brilliant experience! The ladies’ and men’s ponds are both on the Highgate side of the Heath and are lifeguarded and open year round.
The mixed pond is near to the Hampstead Heath overground station and is only lifeguarded and open to the public outside of the winter season. So, right now is the perfect opportunity to bust out your Beija Get Wet swimwear at Hampstead!
London's Canal
No list of our favourite places would be complete without giving Kings Cross a mention, and one of the best ways to discover it is winding your way through the charming waterway of Regent’s Canal. You can discover neighbourhood parks and gardens, canal side restaurants and more along the way, and if you’re feeling adventurous, you can even hire a canoe, kayak or even a paddle board to make your way down the canals in style! While you might work up a sweat, there’s always something refreshing about being in a body of water in a hot city.
A treasure to be found around the Kings Cross area is Coal Drops Yard, a shopping complex and privately-owned public space which sits just off the square. This location is close to our heart as it’s where our flagship store is based! Why not come over for a free in-store bra fitting in our store while at this shopping destination and foodie hotspot?
London’s Beach – The Ruislip Lido
A beach… in London? Yes, we’re serious! The Ruislip Lido is a reservoir and artificial beach located in Ruislip, which is in the London Borough of Hillingdon. Situated between Ruislip Common, Ruislip Woods and Poor’s Field, the 60 acre lake is home to sandy artificial beaches and a miniature railway.
There is always something fun to do at Ruislip Lido and it’s a great place to take the family for a day out. The beach and lido offer kids the opportunity to build sandcastles, hunt for buried treasure or splash around in the Ruislip Lido Splash Pad. Also for children are several play areas with climbing frames, a water park and a pirate ship on the beach. There’s even an outside gym!
Aside from this, the Ruislip woods surrounding the area are perfect for woodland walks. Follow one of the nature trails, walk around the lido or stop for a relaxing drink from one of the cafés when you get thirsty. It’s also a great chance to experience Britain’s longest 12” gauge miniature railway, which travels through the woods around the lido.
Shop Beija – Get Wet
To round off our list today, we encourage you to join us at our flagship store in Kings Cross, St Pancras! As mentioned, Granary Square and the surrounding areas are a great day out – so why not pop into Beija too to pay us a visit? We’re located in Coal Drops Yard, the shopping complex just off of the Granary Square plaza.
Join us for a free bra fitting by one of our experts and perhaps pick up some pieces from our swimwear range. Get Wet is our collection of bikini tops and bikini briefs, which come in various sizes and shapes to cater to women of all proportions. As we have seen on our list, there are some perfect activities to do this summer which involve water – even more so with the lovely weather we’ve been having! So why not shop our Get Wet range and do it in comfort and style?
