Follow our venue group on the NOWCA Wild app for announcements: LOW LONDON ROYAL DOCKS
Swimmer Information
This venue is reopening in Summer 2026.
FACILITIES
We have limited changing facilities onsite. We suggest coming swim-ready and making sure you have warm clothes to change into after your swim.
Unfortunately we don’t have a toilet for swimmers onsite however there are a number of local businesses that will appreciate your custom in return for letting you spend a penny more!
There is a bag drop area within the venue perimeter (no public access) though we would advise leaving any valuable belongings at home as we can not take responsibility for any items lost of stolen.
Any items left at the venue will be held for a few weeks. Please ask the venue staff when you are next onsite to check the lost property box if you have left something behind.
We have a cold water shower on the pontoon for swimmers to use following their swim.
Access to the swimming area is via a ramp. Depending on the water level of the dock, this can be quite steep at times. Please ensure you hold the handrail when you enter and exit the venue.
We have many swimmers with different access requirements who swim with us. If you are unsure if the venue is suitable for your needs, we would advise visiting the site and talking to our venue staff to discuss your access needs.
THE SWIM
Please make sure you arrive in plenty of time to change and check-in for your swim at the registration desk. New NOWCA members will be able to collect their band on their first visit.
Your swimming slot is your entry time to the dock. This helps us safely manage numbers. Your swimming time is open ended up until closing time minus 5 minutes. If you wish to swim longer than 55 minutes, you should book an earlier timeslot in the session.
We have different swim loops from 150m up to 750m. Loops available are dependent on session times and weather conditions and will be determined by the Venue/Duty Manager at the beginning of the session to ensure swimmer safety. Make sure you ask which loops are operating when you check-in for your swim and familiarize yourself with the course and direction, before you enter the water.
If you are unsure how to ‘sight’ in the water, we suggest joining one of our coaching courses to learn how to swim in a straight line in open water as well as other skills such as buoy turning, safe entry and deep water starts. We also run squad sessions during our summer season (May – September)
If you wish to swim at London Royal Docks, please download the ACTiO app, set up and pay for your NOWCA membership and then select London Royal Docks to check swim/event prices or to book your swim.
You can also book swims and courses using the desktop version of ACTiO
EQUIPMENT
Our venues are not wetsuit compulsory, however swimmers should be aware that the Royal Life Saving Society recommend swimmers wear wetsuits in water that is under 15°C.
We have a limited number of wetsuits to hire onsite at £10.00/session
All swimmers must have a valid NOWCA membership which comes with the NOWCA safety wristband. This is used to scan you in and out of the water. If you are a new NOWCA member, you will be able to collect this when you come to your first swim.
We ask that all swimmers wear a brightly coloured hat in the water. This can either be a swimming cap or a warm hat/ headband in order to both provide visibility to other swimmers and safety staff as well as helping retain vital core heat to prevent risk of hypothermia.
ALL SWIMMERS must use a tow float when they swim. These orange floats have a strap that clips round the waist. The orange inflatable float then bobs along behind the swimmer for added visibility and as something to hold on to should the swimmer start to feel uncomfortable in the water or experience cramp. We have a limited number of tow floats onsite for hire. We also have tow floats onsite to purchase.
Should you wish to purchase a wetsuit, our staff can help advise the right type for your requirements. You can also visit NOWCA Perks where you can get exclusive discounts for wetsuits and swim kit.
We have a number of swimming items available to purchase onsite, including caps, goggles and anti-fog spray.
For more information, see our HELP page
SAFETY
Those swimming outdoors for the first time at a venue of varying depth such of this one, should already have pool swimming experience including confidence in deep water. Our benchmark is the ability to swim 400m unaided.
Our lifeguards are RLSS Open Water trained, meaning their experience and skill is specific to an open water environment. As well as basic water rescue skills, they are also knowledgeable in areas such as cold water shock and hypothermia.
The safety team work to the RLSS Promotion, Recognition, Rescue framework; promotion of swim safety and swimmer education, recognition and subsequent reduction of risk and finally when required, safe efficient rescue.
Love Open Water venues operate using the NOWCA safety system. All swimmers must have a valid NOWCA membership which comes with the NOWCA safety wristband which is used to scan you in and out of the water. If you are a new NOWCA member, you will be able to collect this when you come to your first swim.
During the winter season (November – March), and when the water is below 15 degrees it is compulsory for all swimmers to complete a Cold Water Induction
Water testing is very important to us and is tested regularly at many locations around the docks. This is in accordance with EU bathing standards and is always marked as Excellent.
FOOD & DRINK
We have tea/coffee/hot chocolate available for swimmers but please ensure you BYO mug.
There are a number of cafes & bars close to our venue. Please help support our local Docks community when you come to swim with us.
Check out:
The Oiler Bar – right next to our swimming pontoon. Head on over for a cooling pint after your swim.
Perky Blenders – the best coffee in the area!
Husk Brewery – just around the corner on N Woolwich Road. Beers, amazing burgers and great vegan options
Heroica – located next to the Good Hotel with pizzas to die for.
The Good Hotel – head upstairs when the weather is good for a birds eye view of the docks
LOCATION
Our London Royals Dock site is based at the west end of Royal Victoria Dock. Look for the pontoon opposite the City Hall Building – entrance is at the gate onto the pontoon. We have banners on the fencing by the gate and the pontoon is covered with green astro turf.
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The closest station is Royal Victoria on the DLR and is only a few minutes walk. You can also reach us by the Emirates Skyline – the terminal is 100m from the entrance gate.
There is very limited parking in the area. Check the JustPark app for private spaces in Brittania Village which is a short walk from the venue. There is also some paid parking on Dock Road though this can be busy during the week. Currently this is free on Sundays.
