If one of your New Year’s Resolutions is to get fit, swimming is a fantastic way to do it. If you live in Bath or plan to visit in 2021, the city has many different indoor and outdoor swimming facilities to choose from. 

This makes sense – after all, Bath is known for its long association with swimming and bathing, stretching all the way back to Roman times. You may not be able to enjoy a dip in the historic Roman Baths, but we’ve put together a handy guide of other swimming venues in and around the city…

Bath Sports & Leisure Centre

The leisure centre on North Parade Road, close to our Avonleigh House holiday property, is your one-stop shop for health and fitness. It boasts an extended gym and a choice of recently refurbished swimming pools. This includes a 25-metre pool and new teaching pool. You can even bring the kids, as there’s now an improved choice of play features and fun flumes in the leisure pool. 

Bath Sports & Leisure Centre has a Pool Pod lift and disabled-friendly changing facilities for swimmers with limited mobility or disabilities. 

Bath University swimming pool

Not only does Bath University boast a TeamBath swimming programme which trains some of the country’s best swimmers, including James Guy, Freya Anderson, Anna Hopkin and Jazz Carlin. But it’s amazing 50-metre pool is also open to the public.

You can simply book a swim at Bath University, or take advantage of the coaching, physiotherapy and sports massage services available at this national centre of excellence.  

Fitness First Bath

You’ll find this branch of Fitness First on James Street West, in the heart of the city centre and just a stroll from our Green Park Garden Apartment. 

Along with a swimming pool, the basement facility has a fully-equipped gym, physiotherapy services, cool-down air showers and a choice of fitness classes. Act fast and you could snap up a free 3 day pass to access the facilities at Fitness First Bath. 

Thermae Bath Spa

The city centre spa’s stunning rooftop pool is more about relaxation and pampering than vigorous exercise, but it’s still a good option for a dip in the city. Check out the choice of spa packages on offer at the Thermae Bath Spa, most of which come with use of the pools and other facilities. 

Wild swimming

Definitely an activity for the summer months of 2021, wild swimming is hugely popular around Bath. One of the best locations is Warleigh Weir, which can be reached by walking or cycling from Bath city centre along the Kennet and Avon Canal towpath. It’s a great spot for lazy bathing and wildlife spotting in late spring, with shallow waters and plenty of areas for sunbathing. 

Just make sure to follow all safety guidance on wild swimming, and keep the site looking its natural best by taking litter home with you. 

And keep an eye on the Cleveland Pools project…

It may not be ready until 2022, but keen swimmers visiting Bath will be delighted to know that plans are underway to restore the wonderful Cleveland Pools. 

This is England’s oldest lido (outdoor swimming pool), which recently received a £4.7 million grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) for its restoration. It’s going to be a fabulous place for outdoor swimming when it’s finished!