London Aquatics Centre

During the day, only three or four lanes of the two 25 metre sections of Pool 2 may be open for lap swim, as swim lessons take the other lanes. The lap lanes are clearly marked with swim speeds (slow / medium / fast). No equipment (pull buoys / kick boards) appears to be available.

The 50m competition pool (Pool 1, above) is slightly cooler than the training pool (Pool 2). If you want to swim in the competition pool, call ahead to be sure it is not reserved for a competition or other special event.

The entrance fees are very reasonable, considering that you get a nice, hot shower, free use of a hairdryer, and the lockers return the £1 coin deposit.

There's just one, slightly quirky rule to know: one cannot take towels to the pool side.

It's a long trip (45 minutes on the subway plus a 10 minute walk) from Central London but, for a swimming devotee, it is well worth the ride to swim in the pool's perfectly enchanting, Olympic waters. Granted, it was on a Friday at mid-day, but the pool was nearly empty (two or three swimmers per 50m lane). The lifeguards were courteous and attentive, and managed lane speeds well.

An outstanding facility with the capacity to serve the needs of lap swimmers in the 3 metre-deep competition pool alongside those at varying stages of development of their swimming competency in the very flexible training pool. The swimmers' entrance (which is not particularly well signposted) is to be found at ground level alongside the River Lea on the opposite side of the building to that facing Stratford Railway Station. Although the website invites one to pay on-line for a specified half-hour slot, it is quite possible to turn up and pay at the reception desk. Fast, medium and slow lanes available. On my mid-morning visit the pool was quiet (no more than three other swimmers sharing my lane). Lane discipline was good. I so enjoyed myself that I extended my usual daily 1,000 metre swim by an extra 500 metres and am now looking forward to my next excuse to go over to the East End.

It's everything you'd expect from a pool built to host the Olympics: clean, bright, lots of lanes. I recommend that swimmers check the website, pick a time that is not too busy, and book in advance. (They don't chuck you out at the end of your pre-booked slot.) It's also fine just to turn up and swim.