Dive into Sea Lanes Canary Wharf
Partner content: Canary Wharf is ideal for lovers of open skies, nature and water, as new opening Sea Lanes proves
Where else in London can you see this much blue? Get the river, docks and the sky all together in Canary Wharf. With cleaner air and more access to water, it’s a no brainer to get back to the best bits of nature.
New open-water swimming destination Sea Lanes Canary Wharf has officially opened, bringing a fresh way to experience the Wharf. With outdoor swimming, waterside saunas and a welcoming community clubhouse, it offers a unique opportunity to reconnect with nature, move your body and spend time by the water in one of London’s most vibrant neighbourhoods.
Sea Lanes is the latest addition to Canary Wharf’s growing offering of leisure, wellness and cultural experiences. While it may be one of the most exciting openings of the summer, it’s also a reflection of what makes the Wharf special: a place that invites people to come together with sustainability, a year round events programme, acres of open spaces and access to water.
The waterside environment encourages people to slow down, explore and connect. Whether you’re walking, running, cycling or simply taking in the views, there’s space for everyone to enjoy the Wharf in their own way.
And spending time outside matters. Our research shows that 39% of people feel more productive after time outdoors, while 69% say being in nature helps spark creative and innovative thinking. At Canary Wharf, access to water, green space and fresh air is part of the everyday experience
Canary Wharf offers space to relax, recharge and come together. During the summer months, visitors can enjoy everything from open-air theatre and live music to outdoor fitness, film screenings, markets and family-friendly events, many of which are free to attend.
Everything’s listed on the official Canary Wharf website, canarywharf.com, so just have a browse and find something that suits you. But it’s not just the events programme that keeps people coming back. With more than 320 shops, cafés, bars and restaurants, alongside waterside public spaces, art installations, there’s always something new to discover.
For those looking to embrace the water, Sea Lanes offers a unique open-water swimming experience in the heart of Canary Wharf. Combining naturally filtered dock water with waterside saunas, food and drink, and spaces to connect and unwind. And this is no cramped city centre pool, this one is 50-metres in length, the same as an Olympic swimming pool.
At the facility, visitors will also be able to try an exciting array of activities, including paddleboarding, freediving, surf-fit sessions and winter scuba experiences that’ll make you feel like you’re anywhere but London.
As outdoor swimming skyrockets in popularity, Canary Wharf is setting a new standard, given that Sea Lanes is London’s first National Open Water Swimming Centre. According to Swim England, nearly 7 million people swim outdoors every year, with nearly two-and-a-half million choosing open water swimming, and Canary Wharf is proud that one of the best new facilities is right here with us.
The new opening has also been designed with inclusivity in mind, with modern facilities to enable everyone to use the water. Fully funded memberships will be available through local community groups, and discounted memberships will be available for eligible residents who apply through the London Borough of Tower Hamlets Council’s Be Well scheme.
Even the Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy, Mete Coban MBE is on board, who agrees that “Sea Lanes Canary Wharf provides a fantastic new open swimming opportunity for Londoners and visitors in the heart of our city. The Mayor and I are committed to transforming London’s waterways – cleaning them up, improving biodiversity, and opening up more blue spaces for Londoners to relax, walk and swim in safely. This is why we are launching the Clean and Healthy Waterways plan to ensure they are safe and welcoming spaces for all, as we continue to build a better, greener London for everyone.”
As more people look for ways to reconnect with nature in the city, Canary Wharf is redefining what that can look like. Here, the water isn’t simply a backdrop – it’s a place to swim, unwind, explore and connect with others.