• More than 38,000 people responded to the consultation

• 86% felt the ponds should remain trans inclusive spaces

• Results will help inform an updated access policy for the ponds

The results of a consultation on future access arrangements at Hampstead Heath bathing ponds have been published, with 86% of respondents favouring keeping the current trans-inclusive arrangements.

More than 38,000 people took part in the two-month consultation, making it one of the biggest public engagement exercises ever run by the City of London Corporation, the organisation which manages the Heath as a registered charity.

Of six options considered for the Kenwood Ladies, Highgate Men’s and Hampstead Mixed Ponds, the most popular, with support from 86% of respondents, was retaining the existing access arrangements, in which trans men and women are able to use the pond of their choice.

The same percentage opposed introducing strict single sex access, 90% of people rejected requiring trans swimmers to use separate changing rooms or have separate swimming sessions, while 66% opposed making all ponds mixed sex.

While the consultation was open to all and aimed at soliciting a wide range of views, 84% of respondents had swum at the bathing ponds, while 74% lived in London.

Alongside the consultation, feedback was received from pond users via a series of independently-run focus groups. Here also, retaining current trans-inclusive arrangements was the option receiving broadest support, while introducing strict single sex rules  or making all ponds mixed-sex ponds received very little support.

The findings will now be presented to relevant City Corporation committees which will consider them alongside legal duties, equality impact assessments, safeguarding responsibilities and operational considerations.

In the meantime, the current admission rules will remain in place until a final decision on future access has been made by the relevant City Corporation committees.

City of London Corporation Policy Chairman Chris Hayward said:

“The volume and tone of responses we received demonstrate very clearly just how much the ponds are valued as calm, safe, welcoming community spaces for all to enjoy.

“While we’ve been clear that the consultation was not a referendum, carefully reviewing the findings from it will form an important part of our wider decision-making process, which we will communicate clearly to the public in the months ahead.

“It’s important that we take the time to ensure future access arrangements are fair, lawful, evidence-based and, crucially, respectful to those who use the swimming ponds.”

Hampstead Heath forms part of the 11,000 acres of open space across London and the south east owned and managed by the City Corporation.

The consultation followed the April 2025 Supreme Court judgement on the meaning of ‘sex’ under the Equality Act 2020, with the aim of ensuring access rules remain fair, lawful and respectful.

The consultation was supported by TONIC, an independent and impartial consultancy with 18 years’ experience delivering complex public-policy consultations, with support from the Centre for Consultation.

The full consultation report can be viewed at https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/things-to-do/green-spaces/hampstead-heath/activities-at-hampstead-heath/swimming-at-hampstead-heath/hampstead-heath-bathing-ponds-consultation

Further info

Respondents to the consultation were asked on the following options for the future operation of the Highgate Men’s Pond and the Kenwood Ladies’ Pond:

1. That they should be strictly single-sex facilities - Under this option the Highgate Men’s Pond would only be accessible to biological men and the Kenwood Ladies’ Pond would only be accessible to biological women. 

Result: 13% agreed, 86% disagreed, 1% neither agreed nor disagreed
 

2. That they should continue to be trans-inclusive spaces as currently operated - Under this option the Highgate Men’s Pond would be accessible to all biological men and trans men and the Kenwood Ladies’ Pond would be accessible to all biological women and trans women as at present.

Result: 86% agreed, 13% disagreed, 1% neither agreed nor disagreed
 

3. That they should be trans-inclusive spaces based on how people have decided to live their lives - Under this option the Highgate Men’s Pond would only be accessible to people who have decided to live their lives as men (including trans men but excluding trans women) and the Kenwood Ladies’ Pond would only be accessible to people who have decided to live their lives as women (including trans women but excluding trans men).

Result: 43% agreed, 35% disagreed, 22% neutral or uncertain
 

4. That they should be trans-inclusive spaces but that the communal toilets and changing rooms should not - Under this option trans men would have access to the Highgate Men’s Pond and trans women would have access to the Kenwood Ladies’ Pond and Meadow, but would be required to use the separate accessible toilet, shower and changing room at each facility.

Result: 4% agreed, 90% disagreed, 6% neither agreed nor disagreed
 

5. A hybrid approach where they are trans-inclusive spaces at stated times but are operated as strictly single-sex facilities at other times - Under this option, the Highgate Men’s Pond and the Kenwood Ladies’ Pond would continue to be trans-inclusive spaces at certain specified times, but there would be other advertised sessions/times when these facilities would be operated as strictly single-sex spaces.

Result: 4% agreed, 90% disagreed, 6% neither agreed nor disagreed
 

6. That they should be mixed-sex spaces - Under this option both the Highgate Men’s Pond and the Kenwood Ladies’ Pond would be accessible to everyone regardless of sex or gender. The City of London Corporation does not currently favour this option, as it is believed that it would be unpopular with most users, due to the unique nature and historic significance of these Bathing Ponds. However, it has been included as an option for completeness and to evaluate support for it. This will be considered alongside other options.

Result: 16% agreed, 66% disagreed, 18% neither agreed nor disagreed