Yearsley Swimming Pool

The facility had a nice, family feeling. I really enjoyed a good, long swim in this pool.

It's great to swim in this iconic pool! It's kept clean and has very helpful staff.

This pool was built in the early years of the twentieth century and exudes memories of earlier times. Flanked by changing cubicles (women on the left of the pool; men on the right: lockers - requiring a 20p coin returnable deposit - are found at the near end of each row of cubicles), the pool itself is 50 yards long (so, if like me, you want to swim 1,000 metres you'll have to do 22 lengths). Outdoor footwear has to be removed in the reception area before entering the pool hall.

On my early morning, weekday visit, the pool was laned for lap swimming with three, wide, speed-differentiated lanes. It was not particularly busy; there were no more than about 30 swimmers during the time that I was there. I had an enjoyable swim, but what was particularly notable was the friendliness shown - both by staff and by other users - to the stranger (me) turning up on their doorstep at 7 AM. Just about everyone I encountered went out of their way to welcome me and to ask how I'd enjoyed my visit to a place of which they are clearly very fond.

Troublingly, the pool's future is in doubt. Currently both owned and managed by York City Council, management is to be contracted out to GLL (a major operator of sports facilities in the UK) in the near future, most probably from 1 July 2015. An old sports facility elsewhere in the city is currently being redeveloped and will provide, amongst other things, a new 25 metre pool. Although decisions about the Yearsley Pool have yet to be taken, it is to be reviewed once the transfer to GLL has taken place. It will be a great shame if this friendly, if rather quirky, facility is to lost to future generations of Yorkies (or Ebors, if you want to use the Latin term for the folk who come from York).

I wouldn't swim anywhere else. Superb staff and the pool is always clean, as are the changing facilities and showers. I love that you can ask the staff for tips on improving techniques and they always come up with a plan of action. I certainly don't get this 'perk' at the other pool in York.
Try Yearsley for a swim, you will not be disappointed.

This is a really good facility. Fifty yards is an unusual length, but you get used to it. Watch out if you swim in the fast lane because there's a ladder half way along that can catch your arm; and take care not to swim into the walls as there are no lines to tell you you're almost at the end of the lane.

It's always a good temperature, very clean and has sensible session times. The changing and shower facilities are always spotless, and they play music while you swim in the late adults' sessions.