Swimming Pools in London
There are over 100 swimming pools in London from great outdoor pools like the Brockwell park lido, 50m pools like Crystal Palace and any number of smaller local pools. Most pools have a separate pool for small children.
Swimming is great exercise for both kids/children and adults be it either recreational or with a swimming club.
Children can normally start swimming lessons from age 3-4 though many pools have parent and baby sessions as well. You can take a baby swimming from a few weeks old though many baby sessions won't accept them under 12 weeks. It is worth noting that the Amateur Swimming Association recommend taking your baby to a heated pool from 6 months old, stating that they can become familiarised with water in the bath at home. Lessons can be booked through the GLL web site.
If you keep your eye out there are usually a number of promotions going on that give you free swim vouchers. An annual or monthly membership can also save you money if you are going to be a regular visitor. These can often cover a number of pools in the same area as well.
Guidelines differ between pools but generally there must be an adult for every two children. Pools with slides may insists on one adult for every child.
Many of the pools also cater for children's birthday water parties.
Tips when taking children swimming
- When taking very young children swimming you may want to check to see when the pool is busy. Pools can become very busy places in the holidays and other peak times
- Don't forget swim nappies for small children. You can purchase them at most pools though it is considerably cheaper to by a bulk pack at the supermarket. They can be used for more than one swim as well!
- If you have very small children it is worth checking if they have baby change facilities.
- Wearing Flip flops or swim shoes from the changing room to the pool are a good idea to prevent verrucas.
- Many pools don't lend out arm bands or rubber rings so best to take these with you. Again, these can be purchased at most pools but are cheaper purchased elsewhere.
| City - 2 Postcodes beginning with EC This covers the following areas: Bishopsgate, Clerkenwell, Fleet Street, Holborn, Moorgate, Shoreditch, St Paul's |
West End - 1 Postcodes beginning with WC This covers the following areas: Bloomsbury, Covent Garden, Holborn, King's Cross |
North - 8 Postcodes beginning with N This covers the following areas: Barnsbury, Bowes Park, Canonbury, Crouch End, Edmonton, Finchley, Highbury, Holloway, Hornsey, Lower Holloway, Muswell Hill, New Southgate, North Finchley, Palmers Green, Shoreditch, Stamford Hill, Tottenham, Winchmore Hill, Wood Green |
| South East - 14 Postcodes beginning with SE This covers the following areas: Bermondsey, Camberwell, Canary Wharf, Catford, Deptford, Dulwich, Eltham, Forest Hill, Gipsy Hill, Greenwich, Kennington, Lee Green, Lewisham, Mottingham, Norwood, Peckham, South Bank, Southwark, Sydenham, Thamesmead, Tulse Hill, Vauxhall, Walworth, Waterloo, Woolwich |
South West - 11 Postcodes beginning with SW This covers the following areas: Balham, Battersea, Belgravia, Brixton, Chelsea, Earl's Court, Fulham, Merton, Mortlake, Parsons Green, Pimlico, Putney, Sloane Square, South Kensington, Streatham, Tooting Bec, Tulse Hill, Vauxhall, Victoria, Wandsworth, Westminster, Wimbledon |
East - 12 Postcodes beginning with E This covers the following areas: Bow, Canary Wharf, Chingford, Clapton, Dalston, East Ham, Hackney, Highams Park, Leytonstone, Plaistow, Poplar, Shoreditch, Stepney Green, Stratford, Upton Park, Walthamstow, Wanstead, Wapping |
| West - 7 Postcodes beginning with W This covers the following areas: Acton, Bayswater, Chiswick, City of Westminster, Ealing, Hammersmith, Kensington, Maida Vale, Marylebone, Mayfair, Paddington, Shepherds Bush, Soho, West Kensington |
North West - 4 Postcodes beginning with NW This covers the following areas: Camden, Camden Town, Colindale, Cricklewood, Euston, Golders Green, Hampstead, Harlesden, Hendon, Kensal Green, Kentish Town, Kilburn, Kingsbury, Maida Vale, Marylebone, Mill Hill, St John's Wood, Willesden |
North East - 6 Postcodes beginning with EN This covers the following areas: Barnet, Enfield, Ponders End |
| Greater London North - 7 Postcodes beginning with HA, SG, WD |
Greater London South - 25 Postcodes beginning with BR, CR, DA, KT, RH, SM, TN |
Greater London East - 9 Postcodes beginning with IG, RM, CM |
| Greater London West - 8 Postcodes beginning with SL, TW, UB |
Top 10 Kids Activities in London
Register for our weekly 10 best activities for kids in London newsletter