Hampstead ponds to remain trans‑inclusive

Hampstead Heath’s single‑sex swimming ponds will remain open to trans people, the City of London Corporation has confirmed, following a public consultation on their future operation.

The decision comes after pressure from the campaign group Sex Matters, which has indicated it intends to continue legal action against the City of London Corporation unless trans people are excluded from the men’s and women’s ponds. The Corporation manages the historic bathing spots on Hampstead Heath.

An overwhelming majority of respondents to the consultation, made up of people who use the ponds, said they supported keeping the spaces trans‑inclusive.

Responding to the news, Trans+ Solidarity Alliance director Alexandra Parmar‑Yee (she/her) said:“This is great news for the ponds but it’s ridiculous that they are going to inevitably have to spend public money defending their inclusive choice against well‑funded lawfare.

“It’s on this Labour government to ensure a coherent legal framework that protects inclusive spaces like this more clearly. So far, they aren’t delivering – and services providers are caught in the legal crossfire.”

The legal challenge centres on differing interpretations of equality law and how single‑sex services should be defined and operated. Similar disputes have created uncertainty for service providers across the UK, with organisations warning that the lack of legal clarity leaves them vulnerable to costly court cases.

The City of London Corporation has previously said it aims to balance legal obligations with the needs and safety of all pond users, and noted the strong support for inclusivity expressed during the consultation process.