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Canary Wharf is a place we’ve long associated with glass high-rises, tailored suits and big corporations. Love it or hate it, the district has come a long way from its days as a stretch of abandoned docklands.
As part of that transformation, its identity has expanded beyond finance, with culture, leisure and community spaces becoming part of the landscape.
The new open-water swimming destination Sea Lanes is the latest addition to a growing list of amenities helping Canary Wharf evolve into an unlikely urban oasis.
And during a heatwave that has sent Londoners scrambling to find places to cool off, Sea Lanes is helping meet a growing demand for outdoor swimming.
It may not be the first place most Londoners would think of to take a dip, but since opening in June, the venue has been inundated with swimmers eager to take to the water.
Sea lanes has welcomed more than 13,000 swimmers in its first month, which director Harry Smith says has been a “fantastic endorsement” and “incredible milestone” for the centre.
But what makes Sea Lanes worth the hype and what can you expect if you visit?
Sea Lanes Canary Wharf boasts a 50-metre open water pool with fast, medium and slow lanes, making it accessible for swimmers of all abilities.
It features two eco-friendly, wood-crafted saunas powered by renewable energy, with floor-to-ceiling glass windows overlooking the pool.
There's also an all-day lakeside dining area with al fresco seating, alongside a community clubhouse.
While Sea Lanes is primarily designed for lane swimming, it maintains a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere, with swimmers of all ages enjoying the water.
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