Baby swimming in Central London

[cocolina]

Hello,

Can anyone recommend any clean indoor pools in central London (We are in EC1)
My DD is almost 8m and planning to take her swimming for the first time...

Thank you for any recommendations!

There's one in the City, which is very nice. Goldsmiths' Row? I think? It's right next to the Barbican.

oh great, I will google for it, thank you!

hmmmm can't find anything on google. Do you know what it's called, NQC?

is it this?

Thanks, Norksdrift, looks like it could be the one. Have you used it or any other ones?

Sorry,I've never been.I've always wanted to try the Turkish Baths which is why I've heard of it.

yes that sounds good but probably not with a baby

Sorry, here it is.

It's run by the City of London, who have loads of ££. The pool doesn't have a proper baby section, but iirc, it's shallow enough to stand. The changing rooms are very clean, and they have those centrifuge things to dry your swimsuit.

It is heavily chlorinated, but doesn't smell so bad, because the pool is surrounded by glass.

Can I ask (vaguely) where you live in EC1? I've always loved the idea of living in the Barbican, and more so, now that DS1 is going to school next to it! We won't move, I know, but it's always interesting to hear about other places.

I live very close to the Angel, off Myddleton Square (that's behind Saddler's Wells). Good area but a bit urban, we moved there b4 DD was born and we'd like to be somewhere a bit greener. But I work in the city (in fact next to Barbican) and easy for me to walk to work.
Where abouts are you?

I'm in Mile End. It's probably a bit more family-oriented than Angel ... hard to say, though, there are lots of family-friendly restaurants up there, aren't there? Giraffe, Brown's etc?

We have Victoria Park, though, which is nice. DH works in Docklands, but may end up in the City again some day, he theoretically bikes to work, but actually takes the bus these days.

Victoria Park is good to have close by, already dreading to think where to go with DD when she starts running around (only 8m at the moment).
Do you go swimming with your DS? Thinking about trying out the pool in Golden Lane but DP will probably be against it as DS might catch something...

I don't tend to swim much, I have glasses, and it's all a hassle. I have two DSes, one is 5, the other is 2.

I wouldn't worry about diseases, though, really, what's to catch?

Yeah, the parks and playgrounds here are really nice, we do enjoy them.

yes I believe you. As for the swimming, I never go swimming, just think it would be nice for DD to get a bit of experience in the water. She is very very wriggley and lively, might suit her to do something physical. I'll check it out after xmas when I'm off work, so thanks for your help!

if you havent tried them already would recommend ironmonger row baths per Norksdrfits link. Having been taking our toddler to the sat am water safety classes since she was about 6 months, they are good value c.30 for 10 weeks. there are also classes on a sun am and freeplay sessions during week ( not been to these).