West Reservoir Centre in Hackney runs supervised open water swimming all year round. You book a 1-hour slot through Better, swim a marked loop of 100 m to 300 m with a mandatory tow float and a bright hat, and pay from £6.30 to £13.15 per session for adults, depending on membership (checked 6 October 2026).
For triathletes in east London it is one of the most practical places to get used to open water before a race. This page covers what the venue's official pages said on 6 October 2026. Check with Better before your first visit, as rules and prices can change.
Where West Reservoir Centre is
The centre is on Green Lanes, London N4 2HA. The stations listed for it are Manor House and Finsbury Park. Better (GLL) runs the centre for Hackney Council. The centre's opening hours are Monday to Sunday, 07:00 to 20:00; open water swimming is in booked 1-hour slots.
What West Reservoir swimming is like
You swim in the reservoir itself, on a marked course. The loop is between 100 m and 300 m, and the venue says the course shrinks as the water cools. Better describes the open water swimming as open all year round, in any water temperature. That makes West Reservoir useful through the winter, when some other London venues, such as the Serpentine Lido, close.
Each booking is a 1-hour slot, and you can make one booking per day. If you arrive more than 10 minutes late, the venue may refuse entry, so leave time to change.
Rules at a glance
| Rule | What the venue says |
|---|---|
| Tow float | Mandatory for all swimmers; provided by the venue |
| Swim hat | Bright red, orange or pink; red caps on sale at the centre (contactless) |
| Induction | None; a safety talk on your first visit |
| Waiver | Online waiver required |
| Wetsuit | Optional; recommended below 14 °C; no wetsuit hire |
| Minimum age | 14; swimmers aged 14 to 17 must come with an adult |
| Session | 1-hour slot, one booking per day; over 10 minutes late may be refused |
A tow float is an inflatable buoy on a waist leash that trails behind you. It makes you visible to lifeguards and gives you something to hold if you need a rest. You do not need to bring one here, but if you plan to swim at other venues, our tow float guide explains what to look for.
Booking and prices
Booking is essential. You book through the Better UK app or on the Better website, and complete the online waiver before you swim.
Better's price list shows three adult (16+) prices for open water swimming: £13.15, £8.90 and £6.30 per session. The price you pay depends on your membership type. We checked these prices on 6 October 2026. The page did not show the date the prices took effect, and prices change, so confirm in the app when you book.
Wetsuits: venue advice and race rules
At West Reservoir a wetsuit is optional. The venue recommends one when the water is below 14 °C, and it does not hire wetsuits, so bring your own if you want to wear one.
That 14 °C figure is the venue's safety advice for its own sessions. Race rules are separate. Under the British Triathlon Competition Rules 2026, a wetsuit is mandatory in a race when the water is below 15.9 °C, and for swims up to 1,500 m it is forbidden above 22 °C for age-groupers aged up to 59. If your race is likely to be a wetsuit swim, use some West Reservoir sessions to practise in the same wetsuit. Our triathlon wetsuit guide covers fit and buying, and our UK triathlon rules page has the full temperature table.
The official pages we read did not give a current water temperature. Ask the centre if you want to know before you go.
How to use West Reservoir for triathlon training
A 1-hour slot is enough for a focused session. The ideas below are general guidance. Adjust them to your level and to the loop length on the day.
- Settling in. On your first visits, swim easy loops and practise breathing calmly in cold water before you think about speed.
- Sighting. Every six to eight strokes, lift your eyes just above the water to spot the next buoy, then carry on. Practise until it does not break your rhythm.
- Race-distance swims. Count loops to cover your race distance. A sprint triathlon swim in open water is 750 m under British Triathlon rules. Our sprint triathlon guide explains the format.
- Steady efforts. Alternate one loop at a firmer effort with one easy loop, keeping your stroke long.
- Wetsuit practice. Practise getting the wetsuit on and off quickly, as you will in transition.
If you are new to open water, keep sessions shorter in colder months. The course gets smaller as the water cools for a reason.
A sample first visit
Arrive early enough to change without rushing, as late arrivals may be refused. Listen to the safety talk, clip on the tow float and start with two easy loops to settle your breathing. Then try a few loops with sighting every six to eight strokes. Finish with an easy loop and get warm and dry straight away. On later visits you can add the steadier efforts above.
What to bring
- Swimsuit or tri suit and goggles.
- A bright red, orange or pink hat (or buy a red cap at the centre).
- Your own wetsuit, if you want one, as there is no hire.
- A warm change of clothes, a towel and a hot drink.
- Your booking in the Better app and a completed online waiver.
Other places to swim outdoors in London
West Reservoir is not the only option. The Hampstead Heath ponds, Parliament Hill Lido, the Serpentine Lido in summer and Beckenham Place Park lake each have their own rules and seasons. Our guide to open water swimming in London compares them side by side.
Frequently asked questions
Is West Reservoir open in winter?
Yes. Better says West Reservoir open water swimming is open all year round, in any water temperature. The course gets shorter as the water cools, from loops of up to 300 m down towards 100 m. You still need to book a 1-hour slot in advance, and the venue recommends a wetsuit when the water is below 14 °C. Check the Better page before you go.
Do I need my own tow float at West Reservoir?
No. A tow float is mandatory for every swimmer, but the venue provides one. You do need a bright red, orange or pink swim hat. If you do not have one, the centre sells red caps, paid by contactless. Bring your own tow float only if you prefer to use it, and check with the centre first.
What is the water temperature at West Reservoir?
The official pages we read did not give a current water temperature. The venue says it opens in any temperature and recommends a wetsuit below 14 °C, which tells you it gets cold in winter. Ask the centre or check the Better page on the day if you want the reading before you decide whether to wear a wetsuit.
How much does West Reservoir open water swimming cost?
Better's price list shows three adult (16+) open water prices: £13.15, £8.90 and £6.30 per session. The price you pay depends on your membership type. These were the prices on the page on 6 October 2026. Prices change, so check the West Reservoir prices page or the Better app when you book.
Sources
- Better: West Reservoir Centre open water swimming, checked 6 October 2026
- Better: West Reservoir Centre prices, checked 6 October 2026
- British Triathlon Competition Rules 2026 (April 2026), rule 4.2, checked 6 October 2026