The summer heatwave is in full swing and with South London short on beaches, visiting your local public pool or lido is the perfect solution to cool off! This blog will be your ultimate guide to finding the best pools in South London and what each has to offer.
Balham Leisure Centre
Elmfield Road , Balham, London, SW17 8AN
De-stress and stay active at the same time at the Balham Leisure Centre! Their timetable is extremely flexible to fit your needs, whether you’re a morning person or not. If you’re interested to see how much you move when you swim here, you can download their app ‘Places Locker’ and connect with any of your ‘wearables’, e.g. FitBit. This allows you to track your activity and earn MOVES to find out how active you are!
Balham Leisure Centre
Latchmere Leisure Centre
Burns Rd, Battersea, London SW11 5AD
Latchmere is one of many swimming pools that is perfect to bring your kids that are already hot and bothered this summer. With Family Fun sessions hosted regularly and under 8’s swimming free, the kids will love splashing around in this pool and South London parents would have nabbed a bargain!
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The Spa at Beckenham
24 Beckenham Road, Beckenham BR3 4PF
The Spa at Beckenham has two pools to explore, each with a crisp and refreshing design to cool off this summer. If you have a membership here, you can even bring your friends along to try the pool and other facilities for a day for free! They also run the Pisces Swimming Club for less mobile adult swimmers, with trained staff on hand. So everyone is welcome at this pool in Beckenham.
Mytime Active at The Spa at Beckenham
Seven Islands Leisure Centre
100 Lower Road, Rotherhithe SE16 2TU
Situated only a 20 minute walk from Bermondsey station and ran by the fitness company Everyone Active, this swimming pool is a great family day out! They run Wet & Wild swim sessions at weekends where parents can relax and enjoy the pool, as well as entertaining the kids at the same time.
Third Space Tower Bridge
2b More London Riverside, London Bridge, London SE1 2AP
This luxury swimming pool has an incredibly modern feel to treat yourself. Become a member here and take advantage of the pool, steam room and sauna to de-stress from the working week. Inside the pool suite, you’ll find juniper log hot zones and once you’ve worked up a sweat, you can submerge yourself in the cool water.
Third Space London
Brixton Recreation Centre
27 Brixton Station Rd, Brixton, London SW9 8QQ
With recent refurbishments, this centre has greatly improved and worth a visit if you’re in the Brixton area. A recent campaign the swimming pool have launched is #LoveWaterSafely, encouraging both children and adults alike to get back into the water this summer and join swimming lessons at the centre and improve the community’s water confidence!
Brixton Recreation Centre
The Pavillion
Kentish Way, Bromley, BR1 3EF
This leisure centre puts the fun back in swimming this summer! Bring your kids, or your kids at heart, along to enjoy the walk in leisure pool with flumes and a wave machine. This pool can be used for fitness and pleasure, running swimming lessons and playing host to kids parties. Their Learn to Swim programme aims to help adults and children learn to swim, improve their abilities or just to get that water confidence back!
Mytime Active at The Pavillion Leisure Centre
Camberwell Leisure Centre
Artichoke Pl, Camberwell Church St, Camberwell, London SE5 8TS
Go back in time this summer and visit this historic leisure centre built in 1892 as Camberwell Baths! Most of the pool’s original features are still retained, including a 5 lane 25m length pool to swim the day away. Despite this, the centre still works hard to make sure it is constantly updated, with recently added showers!
J Mark Dodds
Charlton Lido and Lifestyle Club
Hornfair Park, Shooters Hill Rd, London SE18 4LX
Lidos are a summer favourite and a great way to swim in the sun. This Olympic-sized outdoor pool is heated and now open from 6.30-21.00 to enjoy the water. When you’re tired from swimming, you can soak up the sun in their sun terraces with a drink and snack from their summer cafe Coffee Corner!
Charlton Lido & Lifestyle Club
Clapham Leisure Centre
141 Clapham Manor St, Clapham, London SW4 6DB
The pale wood designs of this pool gives a fresh feeling everytime you visit and take a dip in the pool. The timetable offers a wide flexibility, the pool having a moveable floor and boom so general swimming and swimming lessons can take place at the same time!
Clapham Leisure Centre
Waddon Leisure Centre
Purley Way, Croydon CR0 4RG
This leisure centre is encouraging its youth to jump into the water this summer! Between 24th July and 2nd September, Under 16s that live in the Croydon Borough can swim for free. As well as a 25m swimming pool, check out their 25 different fitness classes this centre holds weekly!
Waddon Leisure Centre
Crystal Palace National Sports Centre
Ledrington Rd, London SE19 2BB
Visit this impressively modern gym and experience 4 different pools to choose from! There is a 50m racing pool, as well as a teaching, training and diving pool with a depth of 4.78m. During the summer holidays, the centre will open the teaching pool to family fun sessions from 11:00-17:00 every weekday!
Nico Hogg
Dulwich Leisure Centre
2b Crystal Palace Rd, Dulwich, London SE22 9HB
Dulwich are praised for being an accommodating leisure centre, holding men and women-only swimming sessions, as well as a session for under 5’s. The bright, white design of the pool area gives a clean feel to your swimming session and afterwards you can pop into the cafe for a well-earned post-workout snack!
Aspire at Southfields
337 Merton Rd, London SW18 5JU
Aspire at Southfields caters to all swimmers’ needs no matter their level, whether you’re an athlete trying to beat your personal best or a causal swimmer getting some exercise in. This leisure centre’s mission is to support the local community both physically and mentally, as well as teaching life skills, at a reasonable cost.
Aspire at Southfields
The Castle Centre
2 St Gabriel Walk, London SE1 6FG
This leisure centre has recently undergone a £20 million redevelopment, which includes brand new swimming pools, as well as a new cafe and a luxurious spa! They have a 20m six lane pool as well as a smaller pool so you can introduce your little ones to the water and help them cool off this summer.
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Eltham Centre
2 Archery Rd, Eltham, London SE9 1HA
Eltham Centre shows you swimming doesn’t always have to be a work out! If you’re tired from the working week then you can relax in the centre’s Health Suite which has a spa pool, sauna, and a jacuzzi. There is also a 25m main pool and a family pool that has a beach entry and is up to 0.9m deep.
Forest Hill Pools
Dartmouth Rd, Forest Hill, London SE23 3HZ
Locals praise the ever-friendly staff at this leisure centre, guiding their customers to the 25m main pool and teaching pool for families. The swimming lessons have also been popular as parents love the engagement of the teachers with the children.
Forest Hill Pools
The Greenwich Centre
12 Lambarde Square, Greenwich Peninsula, London SE10 9HB
You don’t even have to be a member to enjoy the high-quality facilities at this leisure centre. By signing up for their Free One Day Guest Pass, you’ll have access to the two swimming pools as well as the rest of the facilities the centre has to offer. There are plenty of swimming activities to try out, including sessions to entertain your little ones during the holidays.
Downham Health and Leisure Centre
7-9 Moorside Rd, Bromley BR1 5EP
Visit this local leisure centre and be spoilt for choice in how to spend your session, whether that’s getting your lengths in, cooling off or enjoying the inflatables with the children. They also offer swimming lessons for all ages.
Downham Health & Leisure Centre
Brockwell Lido
Brockwell Park, Dulwich Rd, London SE24 0PA
Take advantage of the heatwave and enjoy swimming outside at the Brockwell Lido. It is also hailed as one of the most famous lidos in London with its 50m size, surrounded by a Grade II listed art deco building. They frequently have inflatables out too so you can get that holiday feeling without having to hop on a plane!
Brockwell Lido
Colfe's Leisure Centre
Horn Park Ln, Lee, London SE12 8AW
This leisure centre’s flexibility means they can hold both lane swimming and family swim during every session. They are also celebrating one of their esteemed swim teachers Michael Gunning seting the New Jamacian National Record in 200m butterfly! You’ll be guaranteed to only receive the top quality service here.
Colfe’s Leisure Centre
Glass Mill Leisure Centre
41 Loampit Vale, London SE13 7FT
Be tempted to make a splash this summer at the bright and colourful Glass Mill Leisure Centre. As well as their two swimming pools, the centre is offering a Fun Swim as part of their Holiday Activities, which includes inflatables and floats for your children to enjoy!
Glass Mill Leisure Centre
Morden Leisure Centre
London Rd, Morden SM4 5HE
Morden’s brand new leisure centre overlooks the scenic Morden park, offering a great range of facilities. The centre boats two swimming pools to cool off and exercise for all the family. They have also recently introduced women-only swim sessions to their timetable.
Morden Leisure Centre
Peckham Pulse Leisure Centre
10 Melon Rd, Peckham, London SE15 5QN
As well as a standard 25m main pool, this centre also offers a hydrotherapy pool! They have recently invested in Poolview Plus system, where lifeguards can view underwater activity in the main pool using real-time digital video images, to ensure the optimum safety of every customer.
Putney Leisure Centre
Dryburgh Rd, London SW15 1BL
Putney offers a leisure centre packed with exciting swim fit classes and a spacious main pool. Join their SWIMTAG scheme and you can enter in challenges with other swimmers at the centre or challenge yourself!
Streatham Ice and Leisure Centre
390 Streatham High Rd, Streatham, London SW16 6HX
This leisure centre has become a hub for the local community, featuring not only two swimming pools, but an Olympic-sized ice rink two. Whether you visit for a swim or a skate, they offer only top quality tuition to optimize every customer’s experience.
Streatham Leisure Centre
The Bridge Leisure Centre
Kangley Bridge Rd, Lower Sydenham, London SE26 5AQ
Locals love the fantastic customer service at this leisure centre. As well as having quality swimming facilities, they are running a Summer Holiday Camp for when you’re stuck on how to entertain the kids this summer. Running until the end of August, the camp features activities such as sports and arts and crafts.
Thornton Heath Leisure Centre
100 High St, Thornton Heath CR7 8LF
Thornton Heath has ‘everything you need to feel better’ this summer! With a swimming pool for fitness and a sauna and steam room, this leisure centre is the perfect weekday escape. There is also a chance to privately hire out the pool.
Tooting Bec Lido
Tooting Bec Rd, London SW16 1RU
The blissfully cold water will certainly be tempting during this year’s heatwave. This colourful pool is surrounded by a canopy of trees, so much so that you’ll forget you’re in London! With a pool that’s a whopping 100 yards long, this outdoor escape is a must visit for any South Londoner.
Rolyatam
West Norwood Health and Leisure Centre
25 Devane Way, West Norwood, London SE27 0DF
The stunningly blue swimming pool inside this sleek leisure centre welcomes swimmers of all abilities, creating a valuable sense of community. Whether you come to cool down or push yourself to a new record, the friendly staff are dedicated to help each customer to have the best experience.
West Norwood Health & Leisure Centre
Wimbledon Leisure Centre and Spa
Latimer Rd, London SW19 1EW
Visit this modern swimming pool and take advantage of the only day spa in Wimbledon. The Victorian building gives the centre a unique atmosphere for every swimmer. The fitness pool is 30m wide and has 5 lanes.
Wimbledon Leisure Centre and Spa
Waterfront Leisure Centre
Woolwich High St, Woolwich, London SE18 6DL
Bring your kids along to this leisure centre and get them moving whilst having fun! The pool has a selection of flumes and a wave machine to give you that holiday feeling. Customers praise the efficient upkeep of the centre. One of the slides is the snaking Anaconda slide sure to serve up some thrills!
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