Birmingham has a wide range of public and private swimming pools, from council leisure centres charging a few pounds a session to an Olympic 50-metre pool built for the 2022 Commonwealth Games. Whether you want lane swimming, family sessions, or a premium spa experience, this guide covers the best options across the city and close surroundings.
- Sandwell Aquatics Centre has a 50m Olympic-size pool built for the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham
- University of Birmingham Sport & Fitness has a second 50m pool open to the public, not just students
- Birmingham City Council’s Leisure Card gives discounted access to all council-run leisure centres
- Most public leisure centres in Birmingham charge £3–£6 for a public swim session
Best Public Leisure Centres for Swimming in Birmingham
Ladywood Leisure Centre
Ladywood Leisure Centre on Ladywood Middleway (B16 8TR) is one of the most central public pools in Birmingham, offering a modern 25-metre main pool and a separate teaching pool. Session types include general swim, lane swim, and women-only sessions, making it one of the more flexible options for different swimmer needs. Opening hours run from 5am on weekdays, suiting early-morning swimmers. It sits within walking distance of Edgbaston Reservoir, making it a convenient stop on a longer morning routine.
Fox Hollies Leisure Centre
Fox Hollies, in Acocks Green, received a substantial refurbishment that brought a new 120-station gym alongside its 25-metre pool and a dedicated toddler induction pool. The range of swim sessions available here is broad, covering free swim, lane swim, and children’s lessons. The newly upgraded facilities make it one of the better-value public leisure centre options in the south of the city.
Cocks Moors Woods Leisure Centre
Cocks Moors Woods in Kings Heath offers one of the more family-oriented pool experiences in Birmingham, with a leisure pool that includes a 50-metre flume slide and a wave simulator alongside a separate toddler pool. The flume makes it a popular family destination on weekends and school holidays. It also has standard gym and sports court facilities, making it a well-rounded community leisure centre.
Harborne Pool and Fitness Centre
Run by Places Leisure, Harborne Pool and Fitness Centre in the Harborne neighbourhood offers a 25-metre pool with a regular timetable of public, lane, and family sessions. It’s one of the smaller, more neighbourhood-focused facilities and tends to be less crowded than the larger central centres. Flexible membership options are available for regular users.
Kingstanding Wellbeing Centre in north Birmingham is another council-run option worth noting, with a pool, gym, and wellbeing facilities serving an area of the city less well-served by leisure provision. For those in the south of the city, Birmingham City Council’s leisure centre directory lists all council-managed pools with current session timetables.
Best 50m and Lane Swimming Pools in Birmingham
Sandwell Aquatics Centre
The most significant pool facility in the wider Birmingham area is Sandwell Aquatics Centre at Londonderry Lane, Smethwick (B67 7EW) — built as one of the venues for the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. It has a 50-metre Olympic-size pool with movable floors allowing it to be sectioned for different activities. The facility also has a learner pool, sauna, steam room, and a Wellness Pass option for regular visitors. It’s consistently described as modern and well-maintained, with temperature-controlled water year-round. Opening hours run from 6:30am Monday to Friday.
University of Birmingham Sport and Fitness
The University of Birmingham Sport and Fitness centre in Edgbaston (B15 2TT) has a 50-metre Olympic-standard pool with a movable boom divider, making it possible to section off the shallow end for less experienced or younger swimmers. Crucially, this facility is open to the general public, not just students, with online bookings available three days in advance. Aqua fitness classes and accessible sessions for people with disabilities are also offered. Opening hours are among the longest in Birmingham: 6am to 10:30pm weekdays, 7am to 8pm weekends.
Sir Doug Ellis Woodcock Sports Centre
Aston University’s Sir Doug Ellis Woodcock Sports Centre on Woodcock Street (B4 7ET) has a 25-metre heated pool open to the public. The central city location makes it convenient for those working or living in the Aston and Nechells areas. It’s quieter outside university term-time, which suits swimmers who prefer fewer people in the pool. Opening hours extend to 10:30pm on weekdays.
Premium and Spa Pools in Birmingham
Edgbaston Priory Club
Edgbaston Priory Club on Sir Harrys Road (B15 2UZ) is the most premium pool facility within Birmingham’s boundaries. It has a 25-metre heated indoor pool alongside an outdoor vitality pool, hydrotherapy pool, sauna, steam room, and a thermal experience zone. Spa day packages start from £90. The club setting means a quieter, more uncrowded experience than public leisure centres — though the price reflects this. Opening hours run until 10pm Monday to Friday.
Bannatyne Health Club Brindleyplace
Bannatyne at Brindleyplace (B1 2JF) is an adult-only pool and spa facility in the heart of Birmingham’s canal quarter. It offers a warm, well-maintained pool with sauna and spa pool access. The Brindleyplace location is well-connected by public transport and the club’s frequent flash deals can make day passes available for considerably less than the standard rate. It’s notably quieter than public leisure centres, which suits those preferring a calmer swim environment.
Santai Spa at Genting Hotel
The Santai Spa at Genting Hotel, Resorts World (Pendigo Way, Marston Green), offers a temperature-controlled pool overlooking a lake, alongside an outdoor hot tub, hydrotherapy jets and bubble loungers, herbal steam room, and a full spa treatment menu. Robes, towels, and slippers are provided as standard. It’s primarily a spa facility rather than a swimming pool in the exercise sense, but for a premium relaxation pool experience near the NEC, it’s the top option in east Birmingham.
The Floating Spa at Hall Street (B18 6BS) offers a different type of aquatic experience: individual floatation therapy pods with warm Epsom salt water in light- and sound-proofed pods. Sessions typically run 60 minutes. It’s suited to recovery, stress relief, or sensory deprivation experiences rather than exercise swimming, but sits within Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter and is accessible for a city-centre spa day.
When choosing between Birmingham’s pool options, the key factors are purpose (exercise, family fun, relaxation), location relative to where you’re staying or working, and budget. Public leisure centres offer the most affordable access, while university pools give serious lane swimmers the space of a 50-metre pool without a club membership. Premium options cluster around Edgbaston and the city centre.
For a broader overview of outdoor alternatives, see our guide to outdoor swimming pools and lidos near you. If you’re comparing gym memberships with pool access, our gyms with swimming pools guide covers national chains including those operating in Birmingham.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best swimming pool in Birmingham for families?
Cocks Moors Woods Leisure Centre in Kings Heath is the top family choice, with a leisure pool featuring a 50-metre flume slide, wave simulator, and toddler pool. Fox Hollies Leisure Centre in Acocks Green also has a dedicated toddler pool and broad family session timetables.
Does Birmingham have a 50-metre Olympic swimming pool?
Yes — Sandwell Aquatics Centre in Smethwick (B67 7EW, a short distance from central Birmingham) was built as a 2022 Commonwealth Games venue and has a 50-metre Olympic-size pool. The University of Birmingham Sport and Fitness centre in Edgbaston also has a 50-metre pool open to the public.
How much does it cost to swim at Birmingham leisure centres?
Public swim sessions at council-run and trust-operated leisure centres in Birmingham typically cost £3–£6 for adults. Birmingham City Council’s free Leisure Card provides access to council facilities and a Passport to Leisure card offers up to 20% off for eligible residents. Prices vary by centre and session type.
Are Birmingham swimming pools open to non-members?
Yes — the vast majority of Birmingham’s public leisure centres accept pay-as-you-go swimmers without a membership. The University of Birmingham pool and Sandwell Aquatics Centre also welcome public visitors. Private clubs like Edgbaston Priory and Bannatyne may require a day pass booking or membership for access.
Which Birmingham pool is best for serious lane swimmers?
Sandwell Aquatics Centre and the University of Birmingham pool are the top choices for serious lap swimmers, both offering 50-metre pools with proper lane swimming sessions. Sir Doug Ellis Woodcock Sports Centre at Aston University provides a more central 25-metre option with later closing times.
