Hampstead Heath
 

Anyone here have experience of speedos and swimming at the mens pond on Hampstead Heath. Are speedos the norm, or do shorts tend to prevail. What are the facilities like - are there lockers to keep your stuff safe?

Not been for 20 or more years, the changing area has been rebuilt since then and traditions may have changed.
The changing area used to be roofed lockers and benches around an open core. You would change under cover then could sunbathe in the central core. Since the whole area was a men's changing room with showers many of the sunbathers would be naked.
A doorway would take you onto the bank of the men's lake, A couple of elderly lifeguards would be sitting there on deckchairs watching the swimmers. The swimmers used to be in speedos or short shorts. lake swimming is serious, it does not attract the just about swimmers in their boardshorts that you find in leisure pools and beaches.

Speedobilly, Did you ever get to Highgate Mens Pond this Summer?

I have just started swimming again after several years and went quite a few times this Summer - last visit was late September. Although shorts predominated, speedos and speedo-types did make up a reasonable minority, and I am pleased to say that included me.

The lifeguards seem to have got younger - or is that just what happens when you get older, rather like policemen?

Sounds like a great place!

http://theghostofwatttyler.blogspot.co.uk/

Roll down to the 6th item on the link for a photo and description of swimming on Hampstead Heath.

That photo is of the mixed pond, which is OK but I much prefer the atmosphere and surroundings of the men's pond on the Highgate side of the Heath.

I have some photos of the Mens Pond which I will try and work out how to post here.

Hampstead Heath / Highgate Men's Pond

Attachment 733

Highgate Mens Pond as the sun goes down at the end of a late summer day:

Attachment 734

Jetty, Highgate Men's Pond

Attachment 735

Swimmer, Highgate Men's Pond

Attachment 736

Can't remember if he was wearing Speedos or not :)