West Reservoir Centre

Gorgeous place for an outdoor swim. One way although route with different distances between 50m-400m. All the normal open water swimming rules apply: ie cap must be worn, no swimming on your back or they'll assume you need assistance and kayak over to check on you. Only downside: It's a bit expensive for non-members. The facilities will be nicer once the big upgrade has happened (due to start summer 2025).

A little gulag for swimming enthusiasts. You must wear a silly brightly coloured hat! You must put on a rubber bracelet! You must get a plastic inflatable and strap it to your body (not making it up)! There is only “mixed changing” (no separation by gender). You cannot linger and sunbathe. You cannot go to water for the second time (because they took your rubber bracelet)!!! There is barely any seating. So be a good stoic, go in, go out, change with all people watching and be on your way. You HAVE to book in advance through terrible better app (the name of the app is a comic misnomer) and one off swim costs £13.15 in July 20025.

Superb location with the friendliest and most helpful staff in the business. As a bonus they are open Christmas, New Year & bank holidays :) There is a cafe and a nice range of birdlife too. You will never regret a swim here whatever the weather. A truly happy place which I cannot recommend enough.

Ridiculous. £13+ for a 50 min dip in open water, if you haven't brought the right colour cap you have to buy one for £6.75, or wear any headwear of the specified colours. I ended up swimming in a pink woolly hat which actually soaked up water and weighed me down but I was not allowed to remove it. There is only a small concreted area to rest, all the surrounding areas had been closed but entry price remained the same. Honestly not worth the cost and sucked the joy out of open water swimming.

Lovely staff, simple and informative induction. Tow floats provided. Red/pink/orange swimming caps required (purchasable on site). It was my first time there on a Monday evening and it wasn't too busy but nice seeing people ending their day with a swim. Some people were doing a proper swim session but a few (myself included) had a nice chat and swam with friends. Plenty of space for everyone along the routes. Booking through Better is very easy. Your name is on their system so you don't need to bring up your booking when you arrive, just give your name.

This is one of my favourite places in north London. I can never get enough of swimming here - it’s lovely. The views while swimming are gorgeous. It’s a bit pricey though and you need to book ahead - but well worth it. Parking is very easy - there’s always plenty of space. And there’s a great little cafe for after your swim. For kids there’s also the watersports club which is very popular and well worth it

The facilities are basic while they have some building work done, but as a not very confident swimmer I really appreciated when one of the staff (Ruben?) took time and gave me some advice on how to increase my confidence swimming and make the transition from pool to open water. So if you don’t feel confident, do talk to the staff before you get into the water and they’ll help. Shame they don’t do classes there but it’s probably also due to capacity while the upgrades are happening. It’s ridiculously popular in the summer, be prepared to book you slot a week in advance unless you can go when everyone else is at work.

We had a great time on our first visit to the West Res - my wife had her first paddleboard lesson and by the end of it/with the help of one of their in-house instructors was on her feet and paddling away like a natural - we will definitely be coming back for more!!

Those who have never ventured beyond the gates of this sailing centre might justifiably assume from its two tall stone towers that it's some sort of Tudor castle miraculously saved from the grimness of North London. Clissold marine centre, however, is nothing of the sort. Every weekend you can come along and learn how to pilot a dinghy, to race motorised models, or, like most of us, just to watch the fun, games and capsizing teenagers. There is a cafe located in the 'castle' on the side of the larger reservoir where refreshments can be had.

We went a'wandering the other day, curious to check out the advertised Reservoir Cafe and stretch the eyes across open space to lessen the feeling of city bustle induced claustrophobia. There was barely anyone around and we followed our noses through the barren concrete maze of cars and urban planning to the reservoir's new cafe housed in the pump house. Literally off the beaten track and far from the height of summer it was unsurprising that there were few takers and so the look on the faces of the staff was one of relief that someone had walked in the door. Atmosphere nil but the view across the water makes it worth stopping in for a visit. I do wonder how they manage to keep their doors open.

I went along yesterday (Sunday) after climbing at the Castle climbing wall with my two children and friends. When I ordered I was told 10 minute wait, I checked after 30 minutes and was told 10 minutes, after 45 mins, our friends were served but we were still waiting. They lost our order!!! Then told 5 minutes but after an hour and 10 minutes waiting, asked for a refund and we left with very hungry children. Lovely location, and I am sure it would be good for coffee and cake as it is easy to do. Very busy, but staff service poor and no customer service. Didn't even get an apology but did get a refund of my money at least. Plan at least 40 mins for food and bring snacks for kids as food will not come early.

I love the location of the cafe here. What a fantastic find! You walk through the gates and all of a sudden you are on the terrace overlooking the West Reservoir. This place is a treasure, the location is excellent. Unfortunately the cafe is a bit of a let down. Not many options and the coffee is not decent. It feels like not many people know this place. I think it needs to be advertised better. I'm sure all the Stokey yummy mummys will be delighted to find this place. Perhaps if more people discover it, the food and drinks on offer will get better.

The food isn't great, it's weirdly hidden away, and I don't think the waitress understood anything I said, but there's something strangely good about this place! These are the public facilities we should all make use of more, and sitting with a tea and book looking over the reservoir is a nice experience. So don't expect great food or coffee, but do expect a decent place to sit and the feeling you've found something a little bit secret and special.