Know of any good swimming pools in London for toddlers.

[Meanmum]

Ds and I were home recently in Australia on holiday. We had unlimited choice in a variety of swimming pools that had excellent toddler facilities. I can't think of any in my area that have the same thing. Most tend to have just swimming pools with no toddler pools. Does anyone know of any.

I appreciate in Oz it is a different climate so caters for this they had everything from wave pools with very shallow areas for new borns up to toddlers, a variety of fountains, slides etc.

He obviously loves swimming but I don't feel it is the same if I am just holding him as he wants to get off and do his own thing.

Does anyone know of any centres that cater for very small babies up to kids that aren't expensive. I'm hoping their are options other than water theme parks as I can't go there every weekend.

Thanks

What part of London are you? (North, South, East, West?)

Officially west but I'm very cenral living very close to Paddington Station. Travel is not too much of an issue though.

Not convenient for you unfortunately but the pools at Clissold Park (N1) and Woolwich (in particular) are excellent for toddlers.

There are two in the Ealing area which are good for toddlers - Gurnell (up near the A40) and Brentford Fountain (near Kew Bridge). Neither has brilliant changing facilities and nor can I recommend the cafes in either, but the pools are only about a foot deep at one end.

Gurnell is the one I prefer, as one whole side of the pool is that depth, and it has 2 small slides into the water (with about 4 steps they can get up by themselves, sit down and slide in). My 2yo ds loves it there.

Brentford Fountain has a few small fountains but they're nothing to get excited about. It does also have a huge waterslide, which I wouldn't take my ds on (and the only time I've been there recently it was closed anyway).

Meanmum - I've heard the one in Queens Park is good ( I think it's the Jubilee Sports centre) is good but haven't yet checked it out myself (dd only 6m). Also, the pool at Seymour leisure centre in Whiteleys does kids swimming but unsure if they have a separate pool. Both are quite close and run by Courtneys (Westminster's own leisure management compay - see www.courtneys.co.uk) and you get discounts if you are a rescard holder (which I imagine you could be if you live in Paddington). I live in Maida Vale so would be interested if these pools are any good. HTH