London beauty spot set to keep 'trans-inclusive' swimming ponds - despite High Court ruling

James Saunders
Tue, 28 Apr 2026 02:31:51 +0000

Officials overseeing Hampstead Heath have said its single-sex bathing ponds should keep their doors open to transgender swimmers.

The City of London Corporation, which runs the beauty spot, has published a report on its access policy following a public consultation.

Results showed a strong backing for keeping the current arrangements in place.

The authority is also suggesting improvements to changing rooms, showers and toilets across all three ponds - which could cost more than £1million.

But the call comes in the face of a legal challenge from charity Sex Matters following last year's common-sense Supreme Court judgment.

That ruling confirmed that "sex" under the Equality Act refers to biological sex rather than "gender identity".

No final decision has yet been taken on the ponds' trans policy.

Maya Forstater, Sex Matters's chief executive, said the plans were "simply unlawful" and that it is operating "as if Hampstead Heath is an enclave that is outside of the law".

The ancient City of London Corporation manages Hampstead Heath as a registered charity.

A spokesman said all its options had been shaped by expert legal advice and the consultation's findings.

The authority had previously interpreted the Equality Act 2010 as allowing transgender swimmers to use the pools - a policy which has been in place since at least 2017.

Hampstead Heath features three bathing areas: Kenwood Ladies' Pond, Highgate Men's Pond and a mixed swimming space.

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Under its current rulebook, the ladies' pond admits both biological women and trans women, while the men's pond operates on the same principle for men.

The corporation launched its consultation in late September, and it closed on November 25.

Research firm Tonic oversaw the process, which attracted 38,445 responses.

Of those participating, 86 per cent backed keeping the existing access arrangements.

Just 13 per cent wanted the men's and ladies' ponds restricted to single-sex use.

Ms Forstater said: "The City of London is proposing to continue with its approach of allowing fully intact males into the women's bathing pond, including changing rooms and showers which are used by girls as young as eight.

"Despite the fact that the Equality Act and the Supreme Court expressly recognise that single-sex services are legitimate and lawful, the City of London says that restricting access to the open showers, changing and swimming areas by sex 'would be disproportionate' because it would affect men who identify as women."

A CLC spokesman said: "All options have been informed by our recent public consultation, expert legal advice, equality impact assessments, safeguarding responsibilities, and operational requirements."

The Hampstead Heath Consultative Committee will discuss the report on May 5, before a final decision is expected at the Policy and Resources Committee meeting on 4 June.