Anonymous
This is a remarkable facility housed in a Grade 1-Listed Historic Building. A private club opened in 1870, phone and ask to visit as a prospective member. For payment of a £10 fee, you will be shown around the premises – an unusual blend of original Victorian bathhouse alongside state of the art fitness club – and let loose to enjoy yourself. It's a 21 metre striped but unroped pool (48 lengths equates to 1,000 metres); kickboards, pull buoys and fins are available poolside; towels are supplied. Pool etiquette is to select an unoccupied lane: not a problem at the time of my weekday visit (8 AM) because there were only two other swimmers present. For those interested in historic swimming pools and their role in the social history of urban Victorian and Edwardian Britain, the Arlington is well worth one visit.