UK - London - The Serpentine Swimming Club

The start of the Serpentine Swimming Club Saturday morning swimming race, Hyde Park, London, UK. The Serpentine Lake is situated in Hyde Park, London’s largest central open space. The Serpentine Swimming Club was formed in 1864 ‘to promote the healthful habit of bathing in open water throughout the year’. Its headquarters were beneath an old elm tree on the south side of the lake, a wooden bench for clothing being the only facility. At this time London was undergoing rapid expansion and Hyde Park was now in the centre of a densely populated built up area and provided a place of relaxation to its urbanised masses. Now, the club has its own (somewhat spartan) changing facilities and members are permitted by the Royal Parks to swim in the lake any morning before 09:30. They race every Saturday morning throughout the year, regardless of the weather.

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Filename: SSC_0017_1.jpg
Copyright: Tessa Bunney
Image Size: 4000x3000 / 1.8MB; Britain Bunney England Great Hyde Lake London Park SSC Serpentine Tessa UK Winter capital city club cold competition enjoy enjoyment exercise fun green health healthy hobby leisure oudoor outdoors pastime race relax relaxation relaxing space sport swim swimmer swimming urban water wet dive diving
Contained in galleries: UK - Serpentine Swimming Club, Tessa Bunney - All pics

The start of the Serpentine Swimming Club Saturday morning swimming race, Hyde Park, London, UK. The Serpentine Lake is situated in Hyde Park, London’s largest central open space. The Serpentine Swimming Club was formed in 1864 ‘to promote the healthful habit of bathing in open water throughout the year’. Its headquarters were beneath an old elm tree on the south side of the lake, a wooden bench for clothing being the only facility. At this time London was undergoing rapid expansion and Hyde Park was now in the centre of a densely populated built up area and provided a place of relaxation to its urbanised masses. Now, the club has its own (somewhat spartan) changing facilities and members are permitted by the Royal Parks to swim in the lake any morning before 09:30. They race every Saturday morning throughout the year, regardless of the weather.