Yes, we know – it’s not exactly feeling like prime summer time now to be talking about cooling off in a water body but any beach replacement in London should be celebrated and so here we are.
A major new addition to London’s swimming scene is arriving as part of the Eden Dock transformation: a six-lane, Olympic-sized lido featuring fresh water and outdoor saunas is set to open in Canary Wharf in summer 2026, hoping to offer a welcome alternative to the ever-busy Brockwell and London Fields lido.
Eden Dock – London’s new freshwater lido
This floating, 50-metre pool built by the team behind the acclaimed Sea Lanes Brighton will operate year-round and make the most of Eden Dock’s naturally filtered waters, with clarity and cleanliness confirmed by consistently “excellent” EU Bathing Standards ratings.
Eden Dockcreated in partnership with the Eden Projectis designed as an innovative floating park and ecological lido, reimagining the historic Middle Dock of Canary Wharf.
The lido at Eden Dock will be ringed by a wooden boardwalk and equipped with fully lifeguarded lanes 1.3 metres deep, encouraging both casual dips and serious lane swimming.
Outdoor saunas and open-water swimming all year long
Outdoor saunas will offer a restorative experience, while a new community clubhouse will host fitness classes, wellness talks, and local food and drink options making the dock a genuine social hub for swimming enthusiasts across seasons.
The project features a complex of interconnected pontoons, aquatic islands, boardwalks, and lush planted areas that offer Londoners a unique opportunity to reconnect with nature, right in the financial district.
The scheme includes over 215 floating ecosystem modules and 16 ecosystem sections, fostering habitats for birds, pollinators, and aquatic life while improving water quality. Its design draws on natural wetland substrates, enhancing biodiversity and creating safe, beautiful places for open-water swimming.
The new Olympic-sized lido at Canary Wharf’s Eden Dock is set to become a landmark for East London’s swimming and wellness scene, floating right at the heart of the city’s regenerated docklands.
