|
Date
|
Pool
|
Borough
|
Distance Swam
|
Distance So Far
|
|
16/11/2008
|
Ironmonger Row
|
Islington
|
300m
|
36280m
|
|
A beautiful old pool still with its laundry that used to look so big. I realise now it is only 30m long and not the largest of the pools I have been in. |
|
16/11/2008
|
Cally Pool
|
Islington
|
300m
|
35980m
|
|
I like Cally pool, home to Anaconda swimming club and two big pools. Labour always try and claim we want to close it - which we all know is rot! |
|
16/11/2008
|
Highbury Pool
|
Islington
|
2100m
|
35680m
|
|
Did the first of a number of stints here this week and now today for the grand finale - my home pool and in my ward so very fitting. I have exceeded (just) the 22 miles and done 108 pools. |
|
15/11/2008
|
Tottenham Green Leisure Centre
|
Haringey
|
300m
|
33580m
|
|
A lane and leisure pool with small slide. It is also part of a big complex with a library, the college and town hall on it. Pretty nice but the changing rooms let it down. |
|
13/11/2008
|
Church Farm
|
Barnet
|
252m
|
32830m
|
|
This is probabley the strangest pool. An old open air pool (built to be 20 yeards) that had a roof put on in the late 60's and then a portacabin at the front to act as a reception. It is mainly a teaching pool with over a 1,000 kids coming through each week. It has a very nice manager. |
|
13/11/2008
|
Barnet Copthall
|
Barnet
|
450m
|
33280m
|
|
A big, big leisure complex which was useful as the floodlights helped me find the place. It has 3 pools (training, main and diving) but was very quiet for such a great facility. |
|
11/11/2008
|
Archway Pool
|
Islington
|
750m
|
32578m
|
|
I am glad Islington has a leisure pool - even if the slide is quite small. It is great for families and just about manages lanes and lessons. I am liking my new waterproof MP3 player - I can do lots of lengths. |
|
09/11/2008
|
Toulouse
|
France
|
2000m
|
31828m
|
|
The only pool I have done in France in the end (Lyon's closed very early at the weekend and I did not go to lille in the end). Like Dormer Wells it is mandatory to wear a swim cap in this pool - but what a clean pool it is. I have never seen a pool as clean as this in the UK. This 50m pool was packed with lane swimmers - swimming is a serious business here. |
|
06/11/2008
|
Golden Lane Leisure Centre
|
City
|
320m
|
29508m
|
|
This is the only leisure centre in the City - it has a 20m pool and some sports space but is very dinky and very eighties in its feel. It is always funny how the lane you swim in can be so dependent on the people in the pool. the old ladies in the slow lane were so slow I felt very speedy in a the medium lane. |
|
06/11/2008
|
Shoreditch House
|
|
320m
|
29828m
|
|
Okay this is not a council pool but as some of the places I identified as having pools did not have them I thought I would add a few in to make up the numbers. This is my favorite palce to swim - a roof top heated pool in shoreditch with fantatsic showers. I deserve it after yesterdays 1.8 miles! |
|
05/11/2008
|
Wavelengths
|
Lewisham
|
750m
|
28588m
|
|
A pool that was only officially opened yesterday by Mayor Bullock. A great revamp of the leisure pool (with big slides) and a new 25m pool alongside a library. It was very quiet so got a lane all to myself so decided to make the most and do as many lengths as possible. |
|
05/11/2008
|
Kings Hall Leisure Centre
|
Hackeny
|
1000m
|
27838m
|
|
When I said Putney was a tardis I was wrong - Kings Hall is! I must have been past this leisure centre many many times but never saw it. A small frontage with a large pool and centre behind. This pool is very diferent to all the others - very shabby chic with iron pillars, some original tiling and a ironwork balcony. GLL have done well to modernise it whilst keeping its charm and keeping it usable. The pool end of the centre is a bit nippy so got changed very quickly! |
|
05/11/2008
|
Arnos Pool
|
Enfield
|
600m
|
26838m
|
|
This is a sweet pool and great for a morning swim, nice and quiet and clean. It seems to have only a pool there hence it being so quiet. Looks perfect for swimming lessons. It is only 20m so did 10 meters of each stroke in my dedicated lane. |
|
05/11/2008
|
Southgate Leisure Centre
|
Enfield
|
600m
|
29188m
|
|
An early start this morning - up at 6 to get to two pools on the Piccadilly line and bulk up my lengths. This pool was busy for 6.45 in the morning. They only had one lane swimming lane and could really do with more to make morning swim go smoother. |
|
03/11/2008
|
Camberwell Baths
|
Southwark
|
50m
|
25638m
|
|
Don't ask - I turned up at the side of the pool in costume and goggles and the whole pool was swimming lessons. It took some pleading to be allowed to join the kids for a quick lap. I thank the lady who was running the swimming for taking pity on me. |
|
03/11/2008
|
Peckham Pulse
|
Southwark
|
600m
|
26238m
|
|
A pool built alongside the state of the art library. It is a busy and pulsing leisure centre with acres of changing, a hydro pool and lots of bright colours. Doing more lengths got difficult after the swimming club, who had decanted from the broken-down Seven Islands moved lane swimming to a tiny lane next to the steps. |
|
02/11/2008
|
Putney Leisure Centre
|
Wandsworth
|
198m
|
25588m
|
|
Quantity not quality is the name of the game today - I want to knock a load off today. I tried Putney on the moped on Friday night but it was so cold I turned back to get warm. this is a tradis of a centre that looks so small from the front. Sunday morning swimmers are very ernest! |
|
02/11/2008
|
Dulwich Leisure Centre
|
Southwark
|
150m
|
25390m
|
|
This centre is at the start of a much needed redevelopment. The pool is a strange shape and the shallow end is rounded rather than straight - lots of families playing there this morning. This is another pool with changing around the edge. |
|
02/11/2008
|
Ladywell Leisure Centre
|
Lewisham
|
198m
|
25240m
|
|
I wish I could find when this pool was built - but it trys to straddle a couple of fashions in its facilities. For example amongst the 60'ish architecture there is a now closed turkish baths with ornate wooden rotating doors. They have tried to squeeze more modern facilities into spaces (such as cardio in reception) but this centre lacks the facilities of a modern centre and pool that pulls the punters in - it was so quiet. |
|
02/11/2008
|
Downham Health and Leisure Centre
|
Lewisham
|
150m
|
25042m
|
|
The type of leisure centre I would like to see at Archway -health centre, library, leisure and community centre all in one. It has been open 18 months and was buzzing with life on a Sunday. |
|
02/11/2008
|
The Bridge Leisure Centre
|
Lewisham
|
150m
|
24892m
|
|
An 80's centre with sports pitches outside. |
|
02/11/2008
|
Eltham Leisure Centre
|
Greenwich
|
150m
|
24742m
|
|
This pool has only been open since March - but the details have still not been added to the GLL website. Very nice, but not as nice as Bexley's. Needs signposting. |
|
02/11/2008
|
Thamesmere Leisure Centre
|
Greenwich
|
150m
|
24592m
|
|
All the rest of Greenwiches centres are along the river. This centre was built around the same time as the rest of Thamesmere annd has a wooden paneled ceiling like lots of buildings of the time. I guess they do a lot of kids pool parties as there is lots of decor and funky lighting in the small pool. |
|
02/11/2008
|
Waterfront Leisure Centre
|
Greenwich
|
150m
|
24442m
|
|
The ultimate water pool - a bit dates now but it does have water slides (one of which goes outside the building. It has a bit of a funky and dated beach theme going on but is packed. I think we could do with a full, proper big water park in London for wet days and family fun. Maybe I will write to Boris. |
|
02/11/2008
|
Arches Leisure Centre
|
Greenwich
|
162m
|
24292m
|
|
I did not see the 'tropical pool' in this centre as it is seperate from the leisure pool but it is clearly popular. The fitness pool has cubicles around the outside. This, i find, is a 27 meter pool! |
|
02/11/2008
|
Seven Islands
|
Southwark
|
0m
|
24130m
|
|
The pool is bust - not open for the foreseeable future - boo! |
|
02/11/2008
|
Balham Leisure Centre
|
Wandsworth
|
150m
|
24130m
|
|
An old pool with seating under arches around the pool. |
|
01/11/2008
|
Hornchurch Sports Centre
|
Havering
|
400m
|
23980m
|
|
A long day travelling around the M25 to get some out of the way pools done. Haverings pools are not even in the AZ but manage to find them. This is a busy pool for 8.30am on a Saturday morning. |
|
01/11/2008
|
Chafford Sports Complex
|
Havering
|
300m
|
23580m
|
|
What a contrast to the other pool - very quiet and reminds me of a pool in a small Somerset town. |
|
01/11/2008
|
Central Park Leisure Centre
|
Havering
|
150m
|
22285m
|
|
A new leisure centre in ouside of Romford. I took a wrong turn and ended up the otherside of the M25 where housholds were selling eggs and veg - weird.... |
|
01/11/2008
|
Southbury Leisure Centre
|
Enfield
|
150m
|
23280m
|
|
Another leisure centre builys as part of a leisure complex - this place has a cafe like many other leisdure centres but is the unhealthiest cafe I have ever seen in a local pool! |
|
01/11/2008
|
Hayes Pool
|
Hillingdon
|
425m
|
23130m
|
|
After a fortifying lunch and a long trip around the M25 I finally get to hayes after several abortive attempts in the past. Hillingdon may only have 2 pools but they both have diving platforms and clearly very active swimming clubs. |
|
01/11/2008
|
Dormer Wells Leisure Centre
|
Ealing
|
20m
|
22705m
|
|
I tried to get into this pool before but traffic got me there to late. This time I had plenty of time but got there to find swim caps are compulsary (would have been useful to have known that in advance). After much pleading they agreed to let me do one length making sure I kept my head out of the water. |
|
01/11/2008
|
Feltham Air Parcs
|
Hillingdon
|
400m
|
22685m
|
|
With a name like this I expected to see a whole water world adventure extravaganza - but no - a basic pool really and quite at the end of the day. |
|
27/10/2008
|
Tiller Leisure Centre
|
Tower Hamlets
|
400m
|
22135m
|
|
I need to up my lengths to make the target so 16 lengths in this pool. |
|
27/10/2008
|
St George's Pool
|
Tower Hamlets
|
330m
|
21735m
|
|
An interesting pool - with balconies around the outside for viewing and big floodlights for lighting. Not sure if the rusting dive platforms are being used but this is one of only a few pools with this facility. |
|
27/10/2008
|
Mile End Leisure Centre
|
Tower Hamlets
|
400m
|
21405m
|
|
A new centre built with regeneration money - full and buzzing this is a great centre. |
|
27/10/2008
|
York Hall Leisure Centre
|
Tower Hamlets
|
330m
|
21005m
|
|
A great twenties/thirties centre that has just been refurbed - it has a disused but massive amazing dive platform at the end that looks like something from War of the Worlds |
|
26/10/2008
|
Wimbledon Leisure Centre
|
Merton
|
180m
|
20025m
|
|
This pool is hidden behind closed roads and roadworks at the minute. I was about to calculate this as a 25m pool and have just found it is 30m. There is one clear thing from this swim - never assume how long the pool is! |
|
26/10/2008
|
Canons Leisure Centre
|
Merton
|
150m
|
20175m
|
|
A basic pool and leisure centre with changing room refurb on the way. i notice here that they have the new Speedo fitness cards here so you can design a fitness programme for yourself in the pool. Must try those one day. |
|
26/10/2008
|
Morden Park Pools
|
Merton
|
200m
|
20375m
|
|
I got a bit lost looking for this pool but finally got there. Decided I should go for quantity of pools not quality of swim today so I can get home into the warm! |
|
26/10/2008
|
Malden Centre
|
Kingston
|
150m
|
20525m
|
|
Again the lack of lane swimming hampered me in this swim. But great to see both Kingston pools so busy on a Sunday morning. It is raining hard outside and I am miserable and cold already today! |
|
26/10/2008
|
Kingfisher
|
Kingston
|
150m
|
20675m
|
|
At last i do the Kingston ones after several failed attempts. My hope was to get her earlier but my mobile automatically changed the clocks for me during the night so work me up late. This pool opens at 9 on a Sunday, but they take out all lanes by 9.20. Frustrating for the many people there for lane swimming. i wish there was to flexibility in the system to put lanes in if there is demand. |
|
25/10/2008
|
Waltham Forest Pool & Track
|
Waltham Forest
|
300m
|
18945m
|
|
This pool closes at 4.30 on a Saturday so I caught it at the tail end of the day and had a lane to myself. Whilst a soulless building from the outside it is actually clean and nice inside. It also has big diving platforms. |
|
25/10/2008
|
Larkswood Leisure Centre
|
Waltham Forest
|
300m
|
19245m
|
|
Another pool built in as part of a leisure development. There is scrub land at the back of the centre and I managed to watch a fox play around in the grass as I swam my lengths. |
|
25/10/2008
|
Edmonton Leisure Centre
|
Enfield
|
300m
|
19545m
|
|
A new leisure centre built as part of the new shopping centre. The one good thing about this pool was the proper built in sound system. Most pools have new music at all, and some have the lifeguards stereo plonked in the corner. I like pools with music but it has to have a proper sound system and maybe a music policy! |
|
25/10/2008
|
Albany Leisure Centre
|
Enfield
|
300m
|
19845m
|
|
This place has an octaganal teaching pool - so eighties. |
|
24/10/2008
|
Isleworth Recreation Centre
|
Hounslow
|
325m
|
18345m
|
|
Similar to Heston this pool needs some modernisation. |
|
24/10/2008
|
Heston Pool
|
Hounslow
|
300m
|
18645m
|
|
One of two pools in Hounslow that look like they were last touched in the late 70's. Time for a refurb I think. There is a slide here too, but it is tacked on around the wall - I don't think I will give that one a try. |
|
19/10/2008
|
Britannia Leisure Centre
|
Hackney
|
300m
|
18020m
|
|
A leisure pool so difficult for lengths and dead quite at 8am, but I did meet a lovely lady called Ruth who has also sponsored me! Hope it went well with the Prince Ruth ;) |
|
19/10/2008
|
Clissold leisure Centre
|
Hackney
|
300m
|
17720m
|
|
Despite the problems with this centre it is a fantastic leisure centre designed well and nice to swim in. 8 lanes (now my preference to an olympic sized pool) and the same depth all along. |
|
18/10/2008
|
Hampton open air pool
|
Richmond
|
360m
|
17420m
|
|
A great day and a beautiful pool. It took me an age to get there but it was worth the wait. I should have sun glasses goggles for days like these. |
|
17/10/2008
|
Teddington Pools
|
Richmond
|
500m
|
17060m
|
|
A nice pool just of Teddington high street - which is loverly - they run a hydrotherapy pool too. |
|
17/10/2008
|
Pools on the Park
|
Richmond
|
396m
|
16560m
|
|
I would have done the outdoor pool too but it had no water in! It wins the prize for the most expensive lockers - 50p non refundable token. |
|
14/10/2008
|
Cheam Leisure Centre
|
Sutton
|
165m
|
16164m
|
|
A contraversial centre - London Pools keep suggesting it will be closed - it is old and does need lots and lots of investment. Something new would provide a leisure centre that more people could enjoy - more adaptable space and better for lessons. At this pool the elderly ladies swim in a long line, slowly! |
|
13/10/2008
|
Westcroft Leisure Centre
|
Sutton
|
331m
|
15999m
|
|
A basic but nice pool - the toilets were a bit smelly! |
|
07/10/2008
|
Oasis Sports Centre
|
Camden
|
600m
|
15668m
|
|
This is the first time I have been here and it does not live up to the myth of this wonderful outdoor pool in the west end. It needs investment. Did 300m indoor and 300 outdoor, sharing a lane with a lady whose swim suit did nover cover her breasts whilst swimming. |
|
06/10/2008
|
Vale Farm Sports Centre
|
Brent
|
300m
|
15068m
|
|
This pool is okay and basic. I know the council want to build a new centre here as good a quality as their Willsden one and here's hoping they get a chance to do that. there is certainly the space and lots of great sports grounds outside that this centre could connect better with. |
|
05/10/2008
|
West Wickham Pools
|
Bromley
|
200m
|
14768m
|
|
This pool has a very hairy deep end - I don't think their pool vac gets down their too often! |
|
05/10/2008
|
New Addington Pool
|
Croydon
|
300m
|
14568m
|
|
A pool that has not seen much work since it was built, which is a shame. A pool like this should be packed with kids on a Sunday morning. |
|
05/10/2008
|
Darrick Wood Pool
|
Bromley
|
300m
|
14268m
|
|
This pool feels like it is in a village hall. It is tiny (20m) and mainly used for school swimming lessons. It is not even signposted so took me a while to find it. Mainly older residents swimming for the 1hr of adult swim that day so was very busy and slightly weird! |
|
05/10/2008
|
Pavilion Leisure Centre
|
Bromley
|
250m
|
13968m
|
|
The best slide pool in London. I did the Mississippi and the Python slides - oh and did some swimming too which was a bit hard in this lagoon pool. And have expanded the theory - the bigger the slide the older the child dad takes! |
|
05/10/2008
|
The Spa at Beckenham
|
Bromley
|
300m
|
13718m
|
|
This pool extension must have been done by the same company as Crook Log as it had the same design and materials. It had a similar sized learner pool with moving floor and lots of gizmo's. But no body drying machine so it did not replace Cooks as my fav. |
|
05/10/2008
|
Crystal Palace
|
Lewisham
|
300m
|
13418m
|
|
This pool is now run by the LDA along with the rest of Crystal palace. The whole site needs a big upgrade and I know the training pool (olympic sized with diving platforms) is being renovated. This meant that the site is covered in scaffold and I nearly did not find the entrance to the public swimming pool. This pool is 25m and all shallow with modest changing facilities. |
|
05/10/2008
|
Streatham Leisure Centre
|
Lambeth
|
366m
|
13118m
|
|
This is a 30.5m pool in an older building that needs a big refurb and overhall to bring it up to modern standards and boost use. But it has amazing features, including the fish stain glass windows in the roof windows. |
|
04/10/2008
|
Fairfield Pool
|
Bexley
|
50m
|
11902m
|
|
I am sure this pool is in Dartford, but it was on the Bexley site so on my list. Although run by the same providers as the others this pool is a big disappointment. I could not find a locker that worked so just did 2 lengths and jumped out again. It does have a dive pool which is a plus. |
|
04/10/2008
|
Sidcup Leisure Centre
|
Bexley
|
250m
|
12152m
|
|
Another new leisure centre. Well done Bexley. Another nice, clean pool and changing rooms. Had to do widths as the bottom end of the pool has been sectioned off for float time! |
|
04/10/2008
|
Crook Log Leisure Centre
|
Bexley
|
300m
|
12452m
|
|
Ohhh - my favorite pool so far. Clearly a new extension and refurb has gone on here and produced a fantastic pool which is great for lane swimming and gala's. Eight lanes, lots of spectator seating, all the technology to record and display results and even a body drier machine in the changing rooms. Did I say I like gadgets! The design is clean, light and nice and the learner pool is large with a movable floor so good for everything from float sessions to serious learning. |
|
04/10/2008
|
Erith Leisure Centre
|
Bexley
|
300m
|
12752m
|
|
Oh they have been spending money in Bexley - what a great leisure centre. Indoor and outdoor facilities, a decent sized teaching pool, the works. Very impressive. |
|
02/10/2008
|
Swiss Cottage
|
Camden
|
300m
|
11852m
|
|
I was looking forward to this pool as when I last visited it was a building site. It is a fab leisure centre with lots going on and an eight lane swimming pool which I am now a convert to. The most annoying part is the token system for the lockers - the same as elsewhere but you have to buy a token at reception rather than put in cash. I had to redress and go back up after wasting 40p - I then realised if you don't buy 2 you cant lock your valuables whilst showering. Annoying and unnecessary. |
|
01/10/2008
|
Highgrove Pool
|
Hillingdon
|
258m
|
11552m
|
|
Architecturally the worst leisure centre I have seen, but once inside it is not so bad. It has a very deep deep end and is the only pool I have visited so far with a 10m diving platform as well as diving boards. The strange distance is due to the fact that half way through my swim they divided the pool so that kids could continue to play in the shallow end! |
|
30/09/2008
|
Thornton Heath Leisure Centre
|
Croydon
|
300m
|
10694m
|
|
A quiet pool for early evening - I would have expected more swimming lessons and more lane swimming as it is so close to the train station. I must say this pool had more debris on the bottom than nay I have seen - including a handkerchief! |
|
30/09/2008
|
South Norwood Pools and Leisure Centre
|
Croydon
|
300m
|
10994m
|
|
A newly done up leisure centre that has jam packed its pool with swimming and club activity - and it has a really deep deep end for diving. I did a few meters down as well as across (you could not do that in the channel!) |
|
30/09/2008
|
Purley Pool and Recreation Centre
|
Croydon
|
300m
|
11294m
|
|
Purley is a long way away - and it is dark. This leisure centre is an extension of the car park but conveniently in the centre of town. Managed my 12 lengths before the aquafit class took over the whole pool - a very popular class in Purley. |
|
28/09/2008
|
Chelsea Sports Centre
|
Kensington & Chelsea
|
300m
|
10394m
|
|
A nice quiet pool to start of the day - something very spiritual about a Sunday morning swim |
|
28/09/2008
|
Janet Adegoke Swimming Pool
|
Hammersmith & Fulham
|
300m
|
10094m
|
|
A new pool that was packed full of people - families and lane swimmers. There was a real buzz about with place and the facilities are new and very clean and nice to use. |
|
28/09/2008
|
The Fulham Pools
|
Hammersmith & Fulham
|
300m
|
9794m
|
|
I was interested in seeing this pool as it is a private finance initiative with Virgin. Virgin is heavily branded. Whilst it is was great to get the two pools built for residents the fact you walk in and see a reception with fluffy towels behind it for the private gym customers makes it feel very much like 'them and us'. The plus that this is an eight lane pool so accommodated families, lane swimmers and water polo practice. |
|
28/09/2008
|
New Chiswick Pool
|
Hounslow
|
300m
|
9494m
|
|
This pool was new once but is not now! It was so sad to see a pool so quiet on a Saturday. I hope the council can do something with this leisure centre - a refurb would help as this is a modern building. |
|
28/09/2008
|
Brentford Fountain Leisure Centre
|
Hounslow
|
100m
|
9194m
|
|
The main roads in West London are a nightmare on a Sunday (and I guess everyday). Things got a lot slower from here on in. I only caugt the last five minutes the main pool in this centre being open so only managed 100m. The leisure pool (with slide) was packed and I have come to the conclusion that the best ways to get dads to come swim with their kids is to put a very big slide in your swimming pool! |
|
28/09/2008
|
Gurnell Leisure Centre
|
Ealing
|
240m
|
9094m
|
|
Bad traffic forced me to change my plans (which I later regretted as the other pool I wanted to do in Ealing finished public swimming at 4 - shame they don't put this information on their website!) This is a big and popular leisure centre with 3 pools when the beam is in the middle of the 50m pool (so I am guessing my lengths were slightly shorter than 25m. Got to see grown up water polo too! |
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28/09/2008
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Hatch End Pool
|
Harrow
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0m
|
8854m
|
|
I knew one of the pools in Harrow was closed but I could not find out which one! I did try but their website says its open, it is signposted, the neighbouring pool 'was not sure' and I tried to call but got no reply. I think it is defiantly closed but with posters promoting the service outside who know! I will check it out again. |
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28/09/2008
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Harrow Leisure Centre
|
Harrow
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400m
|
8854m
|
|
This is the only pool I have swum that has the deep end in the middle! With a big gap between swims (and the realisation I had left one of my swimming costumes in an earlier pool) I decided to make the most of this swim - I nearly swam faster than the man with one leg who was going at a rate of knots. This centre has had a lot of investment recently and it shows in the number of people using the centre - all ages, all backgrounds - mind you it is now the only pool in Harrow so they have little choice. |
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25/09/2008
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Willesden Sports Centre
|
Brent
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300m
|
8454m
|
|
This Leisure Centre has everything - indoor and outdoor - how fantastic, how lucky. This is a new centre and looks great, well designed and lots and lots of sports provision. I did swim as well as poke around - honest! I got 12 lengths in before the post school swimming lessons kicked in. |
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24/09/2008
|
Ilford Leisure Centre
|
Redbridge
|
400m
|
8154m
|
|
This pool is in a poor state in a poor building and measures up in no way to the great facilities at Fulwell, so building something new is a goo idea. I hope the council comes up with proposals soon. Looking at the lessons programme and what goes on in the pools there is clearly demand in the borough for more than one pool. |
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24/09/2008
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East Ham Leisure Centre
|
Newham
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300m
|
7454m
|
|
Anyone who is unsure of the benefits a rebuilt Sobell can bring should see this centre - ozzing sport, activity and fun from every pore. The pool was full and had been divided well to allow for lots of activity. Kids and adults were everywhere swimming, in the gym, judo and son on - fab. fab, fab! Could just do with better signage from the road. |
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24/09/2008
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Balaam Leisure Centre
|
Newham
|
150m
|
7154m
|
|
There was no lane swimming so there were a few people and families using the pool for fun making it hard for lane swimming so cut my losses. A shame it is not busier although there were swimming lessons on the go. |
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24/09/2008
|
Cathall Leisure Centre
|
Waltham Forest
|
300m
|
7004m
|
|
A pool buzzing with life with lane swimmers and lessons as well as an enterprising Afro-Caribbean man who had managed to prop himself across the corner of the pool 'just relaxing' he assured me. He looked comfy for such an awkward angle! |
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24/09/2008
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Fulwell Cross Leisure Centre
|
Redbridge
|
300m
|
7754m
|
|
Clearly lots of recent work done on this centre and it shows - it looks great and even at lunch time is very popular. |
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24/09/2008
|
Atherton Leisure Centre
|
Newham
|
150m
|
6404m
|
|
Last pool of the day and I left it at 6 lengths so I could get the car back - plus the pool was cooler than normal due to a technical hitch - brr |
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24/09/2008
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Leyton Leisure Lagoon
|
Waltham Forest
|
300m
|
6704m
|
|
Ladies night and the pool was virtually empty and the slide closed (boo!). They should get some tips from Finchley about how to make their women's night go with a swing (or scream!) |
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23/09/2008
|
Kensington Leisure Centre
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Kensington and Chelsea
|
300m
|
4894m
|
|
Whilst on paper a 33.3m pool the end has been divided and a moving floor put in to host a dive pool. Fab! This was an end of day swim so by the end each swimmer had a lane each with me going the slowest. |
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23/09/2008
|
Seymour Leisure Centre
|
Westminster
|
400m
|
5654m
|
|
I think this pool is 33.3m long - at least 33 anyway! A very busy pool. |
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23/09/2008
|
Queen Mother Sports Centre
|
Westminster
|
300m
|
5954m
|
|
Had a big rush after leaving work at 6 as Westminster centres do not do public swimming after 6 - except some nights I am told - which they do not advertise - grr. The staff do not seem interested in any suggestion they change their phone and web info. |
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23/09/2008
|
Park Road Leisure Centre
|
Haringey
|
300m
|
6254m
|
|
A before work swim in a busy pool that hosts a morning aquaerobics (must remember that). All the ladies doing the aerobics were dead friendly. |
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23/09/2008
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The Porchester Centre
|
Westminster
|
360m
|
5254m
|
|
Just when I thought all pools were either 25 or 33 - this one is 30! But waht a building - worth a look anytime. |
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21/09/2008
|
Goresbrook Leisure Centre
|
Barking and Dagenham
|
150m
|
4264m
|
|
A great family fun pool teaming with people - kids were hard to avoid so I only did a short sprint. |
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21/09/2008
|
London Fields Lido
|
Hackney
|
300m
|
3964m
|
|
Hackney should be very proud of their refurb of this pool. It is fab, popular and heated. |
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21/09/2008
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Abbey Sports Centre
|
Barking and Dagenham
|
150m
|
4114m
|
|
What a dull pool - no windows, no decoration, hardly any swimmers and very murky water. This pool should be full of kids on a Sunday morning. I have never been in a pool before where you can only see a couple of meters ahead. |
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21/09/2008
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Dagenham Swimming Pool
|
Barking and Dagenham
|
330m
|
4594m
|
|
I had to queue to get in this pool! Despite it being a large pool they limit the numbers to 50 people (yet they have 4 lifeguards). They have a fantastic dive pool too but very bad changing rooms and showering facilities. |
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20/09/2008
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Tooting Bec Lido
|
Wandsworth
|
400m
|
2968m
|
|
A monster of a pool at 100m long - decided to see how long a length I could do in each stroke without stopping - I still need more work on my front crawl. Only knocked into a few regular outdoor swimmers who I have found re very serious and irritated by anyone else in the pool. A great sunny day and lots of people enjoying the space. |
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20/09/2008
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Tooting Leisure Centre
|
Wandsworth
|
396m
|
3364m
|
|
This leisure centre is based around the old 33m pool and is very busy - and again with a changing village. It has a very deep deep end and it was very tempting to see how far you can swim down rather than across. |
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20/09/2008
|
Latchmere Leisure Centre
|
Wansdworth
|
300m
|
3664m
|
|
Not a great pool for lane swimming on a Saturday morning. I tried the night before but the website was a bit ambiguous and was not clear that the pool was closed for local club swimming. I am now getting used to what a changing village is! |
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19/09/2008
|
Brockwell Park Lido
|
Lewisham
|
300m
|
1872m
|
|
Seeing the sun was out I decided to hit the Lido's in force. A great pool - 50m long (still cold) |
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19/09/2008
|
Brixton Recreation Centre
|
Lambeth
|
300m
|
2172m
|
|
A very busy pool with some great plans for the future of the leisure centre. |
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19/09/2008
|
Clapham Leisure Centre
|
Lambeth
|
396m
|
2568m
|
|
This leisure centre is like a tardis - a tiny outside with a big centre behind. A great 33m pool great for lane swimming and by the time I got there no kids which was great. Basic showering facilities. |
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18/09/2008
|
Finchley Lido Pool
|
Barnet
|
300m
|
1572m
|
|
It was girls and ladies night in Finchley - and boy did you know it! It is amazing how unrelaxinbg a swim can be when there are 60 unaccompanied 8-13 year old girls in the pool and then the ladies did not see that the lanes were for anything but gossiping in - so did the 12 lengths and got out. It may have been noisy but was great to see so many kids having fun in the pool. |
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18/09/2008
|
Hampstead Heath Lido
|
City
|
480m
|
1272m
|
|
If you want to know what shock feels like then jump in this pool in September when it is 16 degrees - oh my word! I did not think I would make 10m - my heart raced and I thought I was going to die of hypothermia. Once I got going all but my toes warmed up and I decided to do as much as I could. 480 meters (each lenth is 60m) and frozen tits. It must be great in the summer! |
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18/09/2008
|
Walnuts Leisure Centre
|
Bromley
|
396m
|
792m
|
|
My picture says 300m but in fact this is a 33m pool (I did not think it could be as it is a more modern facility than many of the 33m pools in London) Apart from the annoying lady who plonked herselfin the middle of the lane and watched aquafit this was a rather pleasent swim before work. |
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15/09/2008
|
Acton Baths
|
Ealing
|
396m
|
396m
|
|
A great old pool with changing rooms around the outside - I think my trousers got wetter than me! the 20p for the locker was non-refundable - I wish I had known! |
