Scramble for outdoor swimming

A ‘No Swimming’ sign at Hampstead Heath in London. Some of Hampstead Heath’s ponds are reserved for its wildlife, although some visitors have ignored that restriction. — Jane Stockdale/The New York Times

AS heat in London neared records, a friend took Kurtis Brown east to a hidden stretch of river. Brown lounged in the shade as teenagers played catch in the water and old-timers paddled around.

Swimming in the River Lea is banned, as it is in most of the city’s open waterways. But Brown’s apartment was roasting and he did not want to fight for a coveted slot at an outdoor pool.