Photo story: King’s Cross Pond Club

Whilst visiting the new King’s Cross Skip Garden site on Friday I couldn’t help but be captivated by their neighbours, the recently opened art installation and natural bathing pond Of Soil and Water: King’s Cross Pond Club.

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A pioneering micro-ecological environment project, it is the UK’s first ever man-made fresh water public bathing pond. It is entirely chemical free as the water is purified through a natural, closed-loop process using wetland and submerged water plants to filter the water and keep it clear. The pond is also surrounded by wild flowers and grasses that change with the season.

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Designed by Swedish architecture firm Ooze (Eva Pfannes and Sylvain Hartenberg) and artist Marjetica Potrč as part of the King’s Cross public art program RELAY.

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The installation aims to make us think about the relationship between nature and the urban environment – the permanence of buildings and the changing nature of undeveloped spaces.

The King’s Cross pond club is open Monday-Friday from 6am-dusk, and Saturday-Sunday from 8am-dusk. Tickets will be available for designated sessions throughout the day, and two weeks in advance. Prices range from £3.50 to £6.50 for peak swims and non-swimmers will be able to visit the pond at a discounted rate.

Full information and tickets are available at the King’s Cross Pond Club website.