London’s wellness scene is making waves this summer with the opening of Sea Lanes Canary Wharf, a brand-new waterside destination bringing year-round open water swimming to the heart of the capital.
Opening to the public on 19 June, the innovative venue features London’s first floating 50-metre natural water swimming pool, creating a unique urban swimming experience within the revitalised Eden Dock waterfront.
London’s First Floating Open Water Swimming Pool
Located at the picturesque Eden Dock in Canary Wharf, Sea Lanes offers a six-lane natural water pool designed for swimmers of all abilities. Unlike traditional swimming pools, the venue allows participants to experience the benefits of open water swimming within a safe, structured and fully lifeguarded environment.
Developed by the team behind Sea Lanes Brighton, the UK’s first National Open Water Swimming Centre, the project has been delivered in partnership with Canary Wharf Group (CWG) and the Canal & River Trust.
Visitors can find out more via the official website: https://www.sealanescanarywharf.co.uk/
Wellness Facilities Powered by Renewable Energy
Beyond the water, Sea Lanes Canary Wharf has been designed as a complete wellness destination.
Facilities include:
- Renewable energy-powered saunas
- A dedicated clubhouse
- Accessible changing facilities
- A food and drink offering curated for swimmers and visitors
- A retail store featuring products from outdoor brands including Finisterre, Dryrobe, and Waterhaul
The venue sits within the biodiverse landscape of Eden Dock, part of Canary Wharf’s wider transformation into a greener and more wellness-focused district.
For more on Canary Wharf’s regeneration and public spaces, visit the official Canary Wharf website: https://canarywharf.com/
Demand for Outdoor Swimming Continues to Rise
The opening comes at a time when outdoor swimming continues to grow in popularity across the UK.
According to Swim England, approximately 6.81 million people participate in outdoor swimming annually, including 2.45 million open water swimmers.
Sea Lanes Director Joe McNulty believes the facility will help make the activity more accessible to newcomers.
“With growing demand for outdoor swimming facilities, Sea Lanes Canary Wharf provides the freedom of open water swimming with the safety and structure of a pool, helping swimmers of all abilities build confidence before exploring wider outdoor swimming opportunities.”
He added that the unheated natural water pool offers both a valuable training environment for experienced swimmers and an opportunity for Londoners to discover the wellbeing benefits associated with cold water swimming.
Expansion Plans Include Paddleboarding and Freediving
While the floating pool is the headline attraction at launch, Sea Lanes has ambitious plans for the future.
Later this year, visitors will be able to enjoy a wider range of water-based activities throughout Eden Dock, including:
- Non-lane open water swimming
- Paddleboarding
- Freediving
- Surf-fit sessions
- Winter scuba programmes
The expansion is expected to further establish Canary Wharf as one of London’s leading destinations for outdoor recreation and wellness.
Supporting London’s Clean and Healthy Waterways
The launch was officially celebrated with a relay race led by Deputy Mayor of London Mete Coban MBE, who highlighted the importance of improving public access to London’s waterways.
Speaking at the opening, Coban said:
“Sea Lanes Canary Wharf provides a fantastic new open swimming opportunity for Londoners and visitors in the heart of our city.”
The initiative aligns with the Mayor of London’s wider ambitions to improve water quality, biodiversity and access to blue spaces across the capital through the forthcoming Clean and Healthy Waterways Plan.
Canary Wharf Group has also recently signed the Swimmable Cities Charter, a global movement promoting cleaner urban waterways and safe public swimming opportunities.
Learn more about the charter at: https://www.swimmablecities.org/
Making Open Water Swimming More Accessible
Sea Lanes Canary Wharf is also introducing several community-focused initiatives aimed at increasing participation.
A limited number of fully funded memberships will be made available through local community organisations, while residents eligible for the Tower Hamlets Be Well scheme will be able to access discounted memberships and pay-per-swim sessions.
Stuart Fyfe, Managing Director of Retail, Hospitality and Leisure at Canary Wharf Group, described the attraction as an important addition to the area’s growing wellness offering.
“This unique leisure attraction will meaningfully improve access to nature and the waterside for Londoners and we can’t wait for our community to experience everything it has to offer.”
How to Book Sea Lanes Canary Wharf
Memberships, swim sessions and activities are available to book now ahead of the official opening.
For pricing, opening times and membership information, visit the official Sea Lanes Canary Wharf website: https://www.sealanescanarywharf.co.uk/
