05/28/2026
The actions of swimmers who crowded into a pond at Hampstead Heath â home to newly hatched cygnets â have been described as âutterly appallingâ by local officials.
Swans and their 12-day-old cygnets were reportedly disturbed by large groups of revellers splashing through the water in the north London park on Monday as temperatures soared to a record 35°C. In one video, a swan could be seen nudging an unhatched egg with its beak after it reportedly fell into the water during the chaos.
Alderman Gregory Jones warned that entering the heathâs non-lifeguarded ponds not only puts people in danger, but also causes serious disruption to wildlife habitats.
Videos shared on social media over the bank holiday weekend showed large groups of people paddling and swimming dangerously close to swans and their young cygnets, despite clear âNo Swimmingâ signs around the area.
A wildlife campaigner known online as âSwans of Hampstead Heathâ said the protected ponds are increasingly being treated like beach destinations, creating stress for nesting birds and damaging the fragile ecosystem.
The group explained that the ponds are home not only to swans and their newly hatched cygnets, but also ducklings and other young birds that rely on the shallow waters for food and shelter. They warned that forcing the birds into smaller sections of the pond makes it much harder for them to safely feed and survive.
Officials also reminded the public that swimming is only permitted in the designated Mixed, Ladiesâ, and Menâs ponds for safety reasons, adding that police may issue fines or make arrests if people continue violating the rules.