Swimming at Brentford Fountain Leisure Centre – 3.5 stars
A pool is a pool is a pool? Not to me and my daughter. She had not been exposed to swimming until only a month ago, and on her first experience of a ‘hotel pool’ was pretty unsure. Let’s face it – being taken into somewhere that you can’t touch the ground is pretty daunting… and she’s a girl who loves a bit of messy play with the water.
Step up Brentford Leisure Centre! Not only does it not cost a fortune to simply get in (£1.80 off peak on a weekday), but it has a wonderful sloped ramp entrance into the pool that made it incredibly less daunting to enter the pool itself.
There’s also a mini paddling pool which is a nice place to sit and have a splash. For the older children there is a twisty 40m slide, plus there’s also a ‘fitness’ pool if you’re there on your own (or with another adult!).
Why just 3.5 stars then? It’s a little bit tired, and could do with a bit of a facelift… the outside of the building is a wonder of concrete! It cannot be described as luxury, but for £1.80 to swim and parking for 40p I’m not complaining!
Facilities:
The changing rooms have a playpen where your toddler can wait whilst you get changed, or take advantage of the family room with change tables, which makes things a whole lot easier with a little one. Take a 20p piece for the lockers.
There’s a little cafe which overlooks the pool, selling tea, coffee and basic snacks.
Where is it, how do I get there, and when is it open:
658 Chiswick High Road
Brentford
TW8 0HJ
Brentford
TW8 0HJ
As mentioned, there is parking for just 40p (maximum of 3 hours). Some buses run along Chiswick Road. Check out the Transport for London site for more details.
Opening hours:
Mon, Tues and Thurs: 9am to 10pm
Weds and Fri: 9am to midday (excluding pools and health suite)
Midday to 10pm
Sat and Sun: 9am to 6pm
