Swimming Pools in Greater London

The outdoor lidos are where Greater London stands apart, and they split by temperature. London Fields Lido is a 50m pool that Where To Swim In London says is heated and open all year; the reviews describe strict lane discipline, which suits older kids and teens more than learners, and there is free parking. Parliament Hill Fields Lido is 60m, unheated, around 17°C in summer, and Swim Fan calls its 1938 stainless steel-lined Art Deco design the only one of its kind in the country. Tooting Bec Lido, which London's Outdoor Swimming Pools lists as the UK's largest freshwater open-air pool by surface area, and Brockwell Lido, with open changing rather than cubicles, both suit confident swimmers of around seven or eight and up. For younger children, Hampton Pool is the exception: The 10 Best Kid-Friendly Swimming Pools describes it as heated to 28°C year-round with a shallow learning pool, and reviews say toddlers can stand in the shallow section on their own.

London Aquatics Centre is the big indoor option; 12 Of The Best Kid-Friendly Swimming Pools notes two 50m pools and a diving pool, and reviews praise birthday parties with inflatables. Parking is very sparse, so take public transport. Hillingdon Sports & Leisure Complex pairs a 50m indoor pool with a seasonal Art Deco lido and runs parent-and-child sessions for under-threes. Oasis Sports Centre offers the rare Zone 1 outdoor swim, quietest on Sunday mornings.

For lessons, reviews single out named teachers: Rachel and Maddison at Becontree Heath Leisure Centre, Karen at Thornton Heath Leisure Centre for children with autism, Stella's baby classes at Park Road Leisure Centre & Lido. Finchley Lido Leisure Centre and Latchmere Leisure Centre have warm water for small children who feel the cold. Many local centres carry changing-room hygiene notes, Abbey Leisure Centre had an ongoing hot water failure, and Clapham Leisure Centre - Active Lambeth has pool cleanliness reports worth reading before you go.