Beach
Hampstead Heath Men's Pond (Highgate)
in London, United Kingdom
A men-only freshwater bathing pond in the vast Hampstead Heath, for decades a gathering spot for gay London. On warm days men sunbathe on the surrounding lawns; open year-round for swimming.
Where it is
Highgate Men's Pond lies in the eastern part of the vast Hampstead Heath parkland in north London, between the Highgate and Hampstead neighbourhoods.
What it is
It is a natural, lifeguarded bathing pond for men only, open year-round, with a fenced enclosure for nude sunbathing. Long known for its gay reputation, it also offers tranquil open-water swimming surrounded by greenery.
History
The ponds on Hampstead Heath were originally dug as water reservoirs in the 17th and 18th centuries and have been used for bathing since Victorian times. Over the 20th century the Men's Pond became a well-known gathering spot for gay men, especially in the 1980s.