Pools on the Park in Richmond is one of London’s most distinctive leisure venues — a Grade II listed building with a 33-metre indoor pool and a year-round outdoor lido, both sitting inside Old Deer Park less than ten minutes’ walk from Richmond station. Whether you swim a few times a year or several times a week, there is a membership route that works out cheaper than paying on the door every time. This guide covers every option currently available through the centre’s operator, GLL (Better), as well as third-party platforms, and breaks down the pay-as-you-go rates so you can compare before you commit.
- Pools on the Park is operated by GLL under the Better brand; memberships are booked through Better.org.uk.
- The most flexible paid membership is Better Flex Adult at £10/month, which gives one free activity per month plus 30% off all other sessions.
- Pay-as-you-go swim for adults costs £6.30 (member rate) or £6.90 (non-member) per session.
- A Hussle Monthly+ Pass at £52.50/month gives gym and pool access without a Better account, useful for visitors or those already on Hussle.
- Concession swimmers (students, benefit recipients, under-4s) access significantly reduced or free rates.
Membership Options at Pools on the Park
All formal memberships for Pools on the Park are managed by GLL through their Better brand, which took over the site from Richmond Council’s previous operator. Better runs over 200 leisure centres across the UK, meaning some memberships open access to other facilities beyond just Pools on the Park. Prices for full local memberships are not published on the Better website and are set at the centre level; the best route to getting a current quote is to visit the reception desk or call 020 3772 2999.
Better Health local membership
The Better Health (Area or Centre) membership is the standard full-access option for Pools on the Park. It covers unlimited gym sessions, swimming, and fitness classes at the Richmond centre, typically paid by monthly direct debit without a long minimum contract. Because Better does not publish the specific monthly rate for this site online, you will need to enquire directly — however, comparable Better centres in London typically charge between £30 and £50 per month for an equivalent full-access adult membership. A Saver (Off-Peak) variant is available for those who can swim outside peak hours (usually before 09:00 and after 18:00 on weekdays), at a reduced rate. Senior (66+) and Junior (under 18) memberships are also available with lower monthly rates.
Better Flex — the no-contract flexible option
For occasional users who do not want to commit to a full monthly membership, the Better Flex Adult membership costs £10 per month (plus a one-time £12.50 joining fee) and works on a rolling direct debit with no fixed term. Each month you receive one free booking — a swim session, gym visit, or fitness class — and all further activities are discounted by 30% off the standard non-member price. At the Pools on the Park adult swim rate, that brings a swim session down to around £4.83 after your free monthly credit is used. A Better Flex Junior (under 18s) costs £5/month plus £12.50 joining fee, with one free swim per month.
Third-party membership: Hussle Monthly+
If you already hold a Hussle Monthly+ Pass (£52.50/month), Pools on the Park is included in that pass’s network, giving access to both the gym and pools. This is especially useful for people who use Hussle at multiple London gyms — Pools on the Park becomes one stop on a broader circuit without a separate membership. Note that group fitness classes at the centre require direct booking and an additional fee on top of the Hussle pass; the pass covers equipment and pool access only. A day pass for the centre is available via Hussle at £11.00 for one-off visits.
Pay-As-You-Go Prices
If you are visiting infrequently or want to try the venue before committing to a membership, paying on the day (or booking as a pay-as-you-go member) is perfectly straightforward. The rates below are sourced from the Pools on the Park Better pricing page; prices are subject to periodic review.
Swimming session prices
| Category | PAYG Member | Non-Member |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | £6.30 | £6.90 |
| Teen (13–19) | £4.10 | £5.30 |
| Junior (4–12) | £3.00 | £3.20 |
| Senior (60+) | £5.40 | £5.70 |
| Student | £2.60 | — |
| Under 4 | Free | Free |
The PAYG Member rate applies to anyone who has a free Better account (registered online) or holds a Richmond Resident Card. Creating a free Better account online takes a few minutes and saves a small amount on each visit — worth doing if you plan to use the centre more than once.
Gym and fitness class prices
Single gym sessions are charged at £10.40 (PAYG member) or £11.40 (non-member) for adults. Senior gym sessions cost £6.80, and junior gym access is available at £6.50. Fitness classes — including Les Mills formats such as BodyPump and BodyBalance — cost £10.70 per session (member rate). Wellness classes, including yoga and Pilates, are priced at £5.30. If you want to use the gym independently before your first visit, a basic induction session costs £20.80 (or £31.20 for a full total induction with programme design).
Concession rates: who qualifies
Pools on the Park offers concessionary pricing for those in receipt of qualifying benefits. The concessionary swim rate is £2.60 per session, which is also the student swim rate. To access concessionary pricing, you will need to present relevant documentation at reception on your first visit to have the rate applied to your Better account. The Better Flex Adult Concessionary membership is available at £5/month (plus £12.50 joining fee) with the same one-free-activity-per-month structure as the standard Flex membership, at a significantly lower monthly cost.
What You Get: Facilities and Practical Information
Understanding what your membership or day pass actually covers helps you decide which option is the right fit. Pools on the Park is one of relatively few London leisure centres that combines a year-round outdoor lido with a modern indoor facility, which makes it distinctively good value for outdoor swimming enthusiasts in particular.
The indoor pool and outdoor lido
The indoor pool measures 33.3 metres long, 13 metres wide and 3.6 metres at its deepest point, with 6 lanes available for lane swimming sessions. A separate learner pool provides a shallower space for lessons and beginners. The outdoor lido is also 33 metres with 6 lanes and remains open year-round — heated and accessible even in winter, which is unusual for London lidos. The building itself was designed by architect Leslie Gooday and opened in June 1966, winning a Civic Trust Award in 1967; it was awarded Grade II listed status by Historic England in 1996 for its pioneering use of glazed curtain walling.
Gym, fitness classes and extras
The gym offers a full range of cardio machines, free weights and resistance equipment. Fitness classes run throughout the week and include Les Mills programmes (BodyPump, BodyBalance, group cycle), yoga, Pilates, aqua fitness and dance fitness. The site also houses a sauna and steam room (included with gym membership or available at an additional charge for swim-only members — confirm at reception). A café and on-site parking make it convenient as a stand-alone fitness destination for a half-day visit. The centre’s long-established physiotherapy and osteopathy clinic operates independently from the main leisure facilities, available by separate appointment.
Getting there and practical tips
The centre’s address is Old Deer Park, Twickenham Road, Richmond, TW9 2SF. It is a short walk from Richmond station, served by the District line, London Overground and South Western Railway. Bus route 490 also stops nearby. Peak lane swimming sessions fill up quickly, especially on weekday mornings and weekend slots; booking online via the Better app or website is strongly recommended rather than turning up on the day. Accessible facilities include a poolside hoist and fully accessible changing rooms. For the most up-to-date membership prices, the Better website or a call to the centre (020 3772 2999) is the most reliable source, as rates are reviewed periodically.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who operates Pools on the Park, Richmond?
Pools on the Park is operated by Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL) under their Better brand. The London Borough of Richmond upon Thames owns the site. Memberships, bookings and pricing are all managed through the Better platform at better.org.uk or in person at the centre.
How much does it cost to swim at Pools on the Park?
A single adult swim session costs £6.30 for Better account holders (PAYG member rate) or £6.90 for non-members. Junior swims (4–12 years) cost £3.00/£3.20, teens (13–19) £4.10/£5.30, and seniors (60+) £5.40/£5.70. Students and concession holders pay £2.60. Under-4s swim free.
Is there a swim-only membership for Pools on the Park?
Better offers a Swim UK membership that provides access to over 140 indoor pools and 9 outdoor lidos across the UK, including Pools on the Park. Pricing for this membership is not published online; contact the centre or the Better website to enquire. The Better Flex membership (£10/month) provides one free activity per month — including a swim — and is a practical alternative for those who do not need unlimited access.
Can I use a Hussle pass at Pools on the Park?
Yes. A Hussle Monthly+ Pass (£52.50/month) includes access to Pools on the Park’s gym and pool facilities. Group fitness classes at the centre are not covered by the Hussle pass and must be booked and paid separately. A one-off Hussle day pass for the centre costs £11.00.
Is the outdoor lido at Pools on the Park open all year?
Yes. The 33-metre heated outdoor lido is open year-round, which distinguishes Pools on the Park from most lidos in London that only operate during the summer months. Opening hours are Monday to Friday 06:30–22:00 and weekends 07:00–21:00, though session times for lane swimming may vary — check the Better website or app for the current timetable.
