Strode Swimming Pool

This place isnt just a swimming pool, its also home to a 2 story gym, upstairs and downstairs. In the changing rooms, there are showers and a sauna, and the swimming pool area has both kids pool and main pool. Regular activites are held here, including aqua aerobics, and the gym scheme is also very good, as you have a personal trainer follow you round for the first couple of visits, to make sure you’re getting proper training.

Although fairly basic décor, this is a great community place. Before changes in our working pattern necessitated a change, we came here regularly. The pool itself in long (33.3m, I think) and deep, so you can get plenty of exercise.
The swimming lessons are brilliant. My son learnt to swim here and worked his way up through all the levels with support and encouragement from the coaches. I did used to find it vaguely annoying that you could only book the children’s lessons on the day that you wanted to attend, ie if you wanted to book for saturday morning classes, you had to go in to do so on a saturday. Classes are oversubscribed though so it’s worth making the effort.
There are holiday classes (eg diving, popmobility in water) which are great value for money, although for some reason there are never as many children on these as you would expect. Sunday afternoons on the inflatables are great too.
My son even had a swimming pool party there once, with the food/​drink (which we supplied) in the viewing area afterwards. They all had the most phenomenal time, thoroughly enjoyed themselves and the staff were great.

Strode swimming pool is located next to Strode college. There is some pay and display parking outside the pool. If you take half the ticket into the pool with you they will refund you the parking.
The changing rooms are open communal changing but there are some cuibicles availble if you are not keen on the communal thing!
There is a large long and deep pool for swimming which is great a little cold but very clean and well maintained.
There is also a seperate baby pool which can become very crouded. This pool is only safe for a set amount of people so if it is busy you might not be allowed in the baby pool.
The baby pool often has toys such as floats water cans etc for the children to use. A 4 year old would be able to stand in the water saftey.