Hampstead Heath Ladies' Pond is maintaining its inclusive policy for transgender people despite a recent Supreme Court ruling that trans women are not legally female.
The women-only bathing spot has become a flashpoint in the debate over trans rights since the City of London Corporation adopted a self-ID policy in 2019.
The London authority confirmed its current policy would "remain in effect at this time" while it considers the implications of the court judgment.
The City of London Corporation, which oversees the neighbouring Hampstead Heath men's and mixed ponds, is maintaining its self-ID policy despite the court ruling.
Hampstead Heath Ladies' Pond is maintaining its inclusive policy for transgender people despite a recent Supreme Court ruling that trans women are not legally female
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The decision has drawn sharp criticism from feminist campaigners.
A spokesman for the City of London Corporation told The Telegraph: "These accusations are completely false. The City Corporation is compliant with existing UK law."
The authority said it is "carefully considering the judgment" while awaiting statutory guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission.
Prominent barrister Sarah Vine KC warned that continuing to label the ponds as "men's" and "ladies'" could expose the corporation to legal challenge.
She said that if the City of London Corporation wishes to maintain its gender self-ID stance, it "should not describe the ponds as anything other than mixed sex".
She added that women's "overall need for safety and privacy is generally higher than that of men".
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Venice Allan, a 49-year-old feminist activist, said she was "not surprised" by the local authority's response.
Allan was the first woman banned from the Kenwood Ladies' Pond Association after objecting to biological men being granted access.
She explained that women "need women's spaces for our safety, privacy and dignity, and also in this case for our joy."
In August 2022, she participated in a "Let Women Swim" protest against the gender self-ID policy.
Fiona McAnena, director of campaigns at Sex Matters, called the policy "invasive, discriminatory and unlawful".
The pond is the UK's sole women-only natural bathing pool
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She urged immediate action following the Supreme Court decision, which she said "makes the inclusion of men in designated women's spaces untenable".
"Each day the City of London and other local authorities delay aligning their policies on women's spaces with the law is one more day at serious risk of legal action," she told The Telegraph.
The City of London Corporation spokesman emphasised they "remain committed to providing a safe environment for all".
He added that "a carefully considered decision... will be taken in due course" after reviewing the judgment.
The pond is the UK's sole women-only natural bathing pool.
