I (Manda) mentioned in a blog that this winter we are going to be trying to visit as many new/different pools as possible this winter. It would be lovely to only go to new pools, however we have already done ALOT of the local pools so that is not really possible. So until April 30th variety is the name of the game.
The criteria for the pool selection:
Temperature
Unfortunately due to the distance we need to train and the ever decreasing temperature, it will soon be time for us to hang up our Wetsuits for the season, so this list only contains heated pools. I am sure we will do something similar next summer with non-heated swim locations if we can drag ourselves away from our 2 favorite swim locations of Shepperton and Tooting Bec Lido for long enough 😉
Pool Length
I cannot/won’t swim in a sub 25m pool where possible, so we have kept it to >25m unless we felt that the pool was worth compromising.
Access for all
We all have to be able to go swimming so it has to be a swimming pool with public sessions/access.
Locations
In case you hadn’t noticed we live in London so the list is focused around that, however, if we are going to be else where we will definitely be trying out some out-of-London options. Beau Sejour leisure centre Guernsey..I am looking at you! So here is the list of pools we put together (with help from Brian)
Outdoor:
- Hampton (36m)
- London Fields (50m)
- Charlton
- Oasis (27.5)
- Chesham Moor
- Wycombe Rye
- Park Road Lido (heated to between 15 – 20) Please note that where this pool is advertised as being open for 2 hours a day it is regularly closed with limited notice. Please check it is going to open before going there.
- Guilford (currently heated to 14!)
- Richmond Pools in the Park (33.3m) (TW9)
Indoor:
EAST:
- London Aquatic (50m) (E20)
- York Hall Leisure Centre (33.3m) (E2)
- Golden Lane Sports Centre (Length: 20m) (EC1Y)
- Tiller Leisure Centre (25m) (E14)
- St George’s Leisure Centre (33.3m) (E1W)
- King’s Hall Leisure Centre (25m) (E5)
- Ironmonger row baths (~30m) (EC1V)
- Mile End (25m) (E3)
- East Ham (25m) (E6)
- Newham (25m) (E13)
- Balaam (25m) (E13)
- Waltham Forest (30m) (E17)
- Leytonstone (25m) (E11)
- Leyton (25m) (E10)
WEST:
- Oasis (25m) (WC2H)
- Seymour (25m) (W1H)
- Gurnell Leisure Centre (25m/50m) (W13)
- Marshall St Baths (30m) (W1F)
- Porchester centre (25m/30m) (W2)
- Jubilee (25m) (W10)
- Chiswick (25m) (W6)
- Kensington (25m) (W10)
- Phoenix Fitness (25m) (W12)
SOUTH WEST:
- Putney (33.3m) (SW15)
- Clapham Leisure Centre (25m) (SW4)
- Balham (25m) (SW12)
- Tooting (33.3m) (SW17)
- Streatham (25m) (SW16)
- Wimbledon (30m) (SW19)
- Chelsea Sports Centre (25m) (SW3)
- Aspire Centre (25m) (SW18)
- Brixton (25m) (SW9)
- Latchmere (25m) (SW11)
- Queen Mother (25m) (SW1V)
- Fulham Pools (25m) (SW6)
SOUTH EAST:
- Crystal Palace (50m) (SE19)
- Dulwich Leisure Centre (25m) (SE22)
- Camberwell Leisure Centre (25m) (SE5)
- West Norwood (25m) (SE27)
- Seven Islands (33m) (SE16)
- Forest Hill (25m) (SE26)
- Peckham (25m) (SE15) **CURRENTLY CLOSED**
- Waterfront @ Woolwich (25m) (SE18)
- Arches @ Greenwich (25yds) (SE10)
- The Bridge (25m) (SE26)
- Glass Mill (25m) (SE13)
- South Norwood (25m) (SE25)
NORTH:
- Cally Pool (25m) (N1)
- Pancras Square Leisure Centre (25m) (N1C)
- Highbury Pool (25m) (N5)
- Clissold Leisure Centre (25m) (N16)
- Archway (?) (N19)
- Finchley (25m) (N12)
NORTH WEST:
- Kentish Town baths (30.5m/25m) (NW5)
- Swiss Cottage (25m) (NW3)
Other:
- Richmond Pools in the Park (33.3m) (TW9)
- Morden (33.3m) (SM4)
- Canon Leisure Mitcham (25m) (CR4)
- Hurst Pool (25m) (KT8)
- Thornton Heath (25m) (CR7)
- Malden Centre (25m) (KT3)
- Kingfisher (25m) (KT1)
- Brentford (25m) (TW8)
- Epsom Rainbow (25m) (KT17)
- Cheam Leisure Centre (30m) (SM3)
- Westcroft Leisure Centre (25m) (SM5)
Our friends Kate, Lisa, Brian and Pivo, who have all been previously mentioned on blog or have guest blogged for us are also doing the challenge. If you fancy trying to tick off as many of the above as well feel free or if you don’t live in London create your own list. Let us know how you get on.
Here is how we are getting on:
Finally cake is super important to us so if you know somewhere amazing for cake and tea close to a pool that is on list then let us know.
Tweet us at @manda_sw and @katiekenny1804 or leave a comment below.
Happy Winter swimming.
Manda and Katie
TEAM Mermaids 
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