The 6 best swimming pools in Liverpool to make a big splash
When your closest friends love to swim, you also learn to love the water. That’s what happened to me. They’d swim in venues around Liverpool, and I’d tag along—until I fell in love with swimming.
Before long, I turned from just tagging along to being one of the ring leaders. We would regularly search for the best swimming pools the city offers. We’d look for public or private pools, check out indoor or outdoor facilities, and search for free or paid swimming venues.
This search became almost quarterly, and now we’re sure that we know the best swimming pools in Liverpool.
So, we want to share our picks with you.
1. Liverpool Aquatics Centre
Media credit: lifestylefitnesscentres
Website: https://lifestyles.liverpool.gov.uk/liverpoolaquaticscentre
Address: Wavertree Sports Park, Wellington Rd L15 4LE
Contact Details: +41 151 233 8848
Hours: Monday to Tuesday, Thursday: 8 AM – 10 PM | Wednesday: 9:30 AM – 10 PM | Friday: 6:15 AM – 9:30 PM | Saturday to Sunday: 8 AM – 4 PM
Pricing: Free (public swim hours)
Liverpool Aquatics Centre is part of the city’s Lifestyles group of activity centres, and we think it’s the best one on this list yet.
The centre has a couple of pools—a 50-metre pool that goes 1.85 metres deep and a 20-metre pool that reaches 1.5 metres in depth. The best part is that access to these pools is free at scheduled times, mostly on Saturdays at 8:00 AM – 12:30 PM and 12:30 PM – 4:00 PM.
We give a thumbs up to Liverpool Aquatics Centre for having pool hoists. This is especially useful for our differently abled pal, who can quickly get in and out of the pool safely and conveniently.
We also appreciate that the centre strictly enforces its adult-to-child pool ratio (number of adults looking after a child). This strict enforcement of a safety protocol ensures kids can safely enjoy their swim and prevent untoward incidents.
Pro Tip:
Mix pleasure with fitness by taking advantage of Lifestyles’ GP (General Practitioner) referral scheme. See your GP, request a referral, and present it to any Lifestyles branch. Its in-house team of experts will work with you to determine a fitness plan that could include swimming.
2. Europa Pools Leisure Centre
Media credit: activewirral
Website: https://activewirral.com/invigor8-centres/europa-leisure-centre/
Address: Conway St., Birkenhead CH41 6RN
Contact Details: +41 151 606 2010
Hours: Monday to Tuesday, Thursday to Friday: 6 AM – 9 PM | Wednesday: 7 AM – 5 PM | Saturday to Sunday: 9 AM – 9 PM
Pricing: ££
Active Wirral’s Europa Pools Leisure Centre has just this one large pool, yet we think it’s more than enough. The friendly and accommodating Europa staff sets a swim schedule and follows it strictly; thus, the pool doesn’t get crowded.
We’re also lauding Europa for their facility being disabled-friendly. They make life easy for people with disabilities with pool hoists, disabled changing facilities, and more. They even hold disability swims that give these swimmers their exclusive slot to enjoy.
Even more, the facility offers other activities for a family with kids to enjoy. In particular, they say the soft play area for children aged 0-6 is fantastic and perfect for passing the time after a hearty plunge at the pool.
As for me, I like the fact that Europa has a steam room. It’s my favourite capper for a nice swim.
Pro Tip:
Active Wirral has a watersports centre at West Kirby Marine Lake, just seven miles from Europa. If you love the thrill of the water, consider getting a watersports membership starting at £13.65.
3. Volair Huyton (Knowsley Leisure and Culture Park)
Media credit: volairleisure
Website: https://volair.org.uk/centres/knowsley-leisure-culture-park/
Address: Longview Drive, Huyton
Contact Details: +41 151 443 2200
Hours: Monday to Tuesday, Thursday to Friday: 6 AM – 9 PM | Wednesday: 7 AM – 5 PM | Saturday to Sunday: 9 AM – 9 PM
Pricing: ££
Volair Huyton has a couple of 25-metre pools, enough to accommodate the facility’s revolving door of guests. It’s because, like Europa, Volair enforces a strict swim schedule.
What I like about Volair Huyton are the swimming classes they offer. These sessions are Swim England-certified, and I saw how well the staff conducted the training. They’re very organised, extremely knowledgeable, and patient.
I also like that there’s much to do for adults here. For someone who biked in my younger years, I can say the Velodrome and BMX park are a great addition to the facility. They’re an off-the-beaten-path way to relax after a swim.
My friends, meanwhile, say we’d be doing Volair a disservice if we didn’t shout out their spa. It’s truly world-class with its state-of-the-art facilities and expertly trained therapists. Put simply, it’s pampering at its finest.
Pro Tip:
Always book in advance. That way, you can access special swimming lanes and avoid waiting during peak hours.
4. Formby Pool Trust
Media credit: formbypooltrust
Website: https://www.formbypool.co.uk/
Address: Elbow Ln, Formby, L37 4ED
Contact Details: +44 170 487 9366
Hours: Monday to Friday: 6:15 AM – 9:30 PM | Saturday to Sunday: 8 AM – 5 PM
Pricing: ££
Fromby Pool Trust is what we like to call a hidden gem. Sure, it has a sleek, modern-looking exterior with glass panes, but it’s not generally known as a swimmer’s spot.
Its 25 x 12.5 metres main pool with a depth range of 0.9-1.8 metres is perfect for a refreshing swim. The water is also just right—neither too hot nor too cold! And since the facility is known more for its modern fitness centre, this pool rarely gets crowded.
Since most of my friends have kids, they especially love the facility because it has a learner’s pool. The 12.5 x 9 metres pool has a depth range of 0.65-0.9 metres and has stepped access on all four sides. This combination makes the learner’s pool safe and enjoyable for kids.
Pro Tip:
Formby is a tourist destination with its scenic beaches (Formby Beach, for one) and its natural parks, like the Natural Trust and Formby Point Caravan Park. Make the most of your trip with an excursion to these attractions or a swim by the beach.
5. Liverpool Watersports Centre
Media credit: liverpoolwatersports
Website: https://liverpoolwatersports.org.uk/
Address: Queens Dock, 110 Mariners Wharf, L3 4DG
Contact Details: +41 151 708 9322
Hours: Monday to Sunday: 9 AM – 5 PM
Pricing: ££
We’ve reached not-for-the-faint-of-heart territory with Liverpool Watersports Centre. We say that because the swimming pool in this facility is open water—in this case, a part of the historic River Mersey by Queens Dock.
While the centre offers open water swimming, it goes to great lengths to ensure safety. Only swimmers aged 11 are allowed, and everyone is asked to wear a bright-coloured swim cap for easy monitoring. The swimming area is also kept at 300-500 metres.
If open water swimming is too daunting or you’ve got kids with you, the centre’s Aqua Park is always there. It features inflatable obstacles, offers various water sports, and is about fun and thrills. My young nephews and nieces know because they love it here.
Pro Tip:
Watch for special events and promotions on the Liverpool Watersports Centre website. The facility regularly organises events like festivals and themed water sports events.
6. Swim Liverpool (We Swim Run)
Media credit: swimliverpool
Website: https://www.weswimrun.org/liverpool.html
Address: Princes Dock Footbridge, William Jessop Way, L3 1BG
Contact Details: +44 170 487 9366
Hours: Wednesday: 4 PM – 6:30 PM | Saturday: 10 AM – 12 PM
Pricing: ££
If Liverpool Watersports Centre isn’t for the faint of heart, so is Swim Liverpool. It’s under the UK’s We Swim Run organisation, and we call it the “thrill-seeker’s option.” That’s because it offers something more adventurous than open water swims at the River Mersey.
For the more intrepid swimmers, Swim Liverpool organises events like The Eliminator. It’s a swim-run race with two-thirds of a typical Iron Man race: running and swimming. It’s a test of endurance, courage, and swimming skills that’s sure to pump up anyone’s adrenaline.
A less thrilling but equally exciting option is the winter swim. It’s a hair-raising plunge on an icy-cold River Mersey during Liverpool’s unforgiving months and is a test of character in its own way.
Pro Tip:
While finding a no-splash zone in open waters is generally tricky, you can try the outermost left side of the dock. The middle area is where swimmers congregate, while paddleboarders typically do their thing on the right side of the pier.