Hampstead Heath ponds to remain trans-inclusive after public back existing rules | Transgender
Swimming pools in Hampstead Heath, north-west London, will remain trans-inclusive after a public consultation overwhelmingly approved existing rules.
There are gender-separated ponds for men and women; transgender people can swim wherever they wish or use the heathland’s mixed pond instead.
The City of London Corporation (CLC), which manages the ponds, reviewed its policy in response to the high court’s decision in April 2025 that the legal definition of woman is based on biological sex.
The company said on Thursday a committee made its decision following a public consultation launched in October, in which 86% of 38,000 participants were in favor of retaining the ponds’ current trans-inclusive regulations.
CLC confirmed the policy agreement means trans women will continue to access the Kenwood Ladies pool on the site and the Highgate Men’s pool will also be open to trans men. Hampstead mixed pond is stated to be “open to all”.
Campaign group Sex Matters won an appeal court bid in March to continue the legal fight over the swimming pool access policy. Pressure from similar advocacy groups has increased after the Supreme Court ruled earlier this year that transgender women do not legally identify as women.
Fiona McAnena, director of Sex Matters, said the CLC had in fact voted to break the law and discriminate against and harass women who use the women’s pool.
“The majority of City of London councilors think UK equality legislation does not apply to Hampstead ponds,” says McAnena. “The clue is in the name: Female users don’t expect to encounter men in bikinis or sometimes even naked in the women’s pool showers, although the City of London Corporation has confirmed this.”
McAnena added: “This whole policy is an unlawful mess and it is a shame that London councilors think they can break the law.”
Trans people described campaigners as “cruel and judgmental” and said they had used the space for decades without any problems.
CLC said improvements had also been agreed to add more private cabins as part of improvements to toilet and shower facilities at the pools.
The decision means men’s and women’s pools will not be considered single-sex spaces under the Equality Act.
Guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), published by the government last month, confirmed that single-sex services should be based on biological sex.
Chris Hayward, head of policy at the City of London Corporation, said the results of the consultation “show that people want these ponds to remain safe, respectful and inclusive”.
He said: “It’s clear how important these swimming pools are to the swimming community here. Many people have told us how much they appreciate them as calm, safe and welcoming spaces with a strong sense of inclusion and belonging.”
“Although our consultation was never a referendum, the message from regular swimmers and the wider community was clear – people want these ponds to remain safe, respectful and inclusive.
“While the Supreme Court decision confirmed the legal definition of ‘gender’, it did not rule that all trans-inclusive services must become single-gender services.
“We have continued to listen and seek detailed legal advice throughout this process. The approach agreed today preserves the character and unique spirit of the ponds, whilst ensuring they are welcoming to all.”
