Westminster Aquatic Centres Launch New Swim Programs for All Ages This Month

Westminster City Council added 12 new weekly swim sessions across its aquatic sites on 1 July 2026, with slots for parent-and-baby classes, adult lane swims and over-65s aqua aerobics now running seven days a week.

Summer demand for indoor water exercise rose after last year’s heatwave closed outdoor facilities for three weeks. Council records show 4,200 residents joined at least one group swim class in the first half of 2026, up from 3,100 the same period in 2025. The increase prompted extra staffing at two main venues to keep instructor-to-participant ratios at one to twelve.

Queen Mother Sports Centre on Vauxhall Bridge Road

The Queen Mother Sports Centre added four evening lanes reserved for 55-plus swimmers on Mondays and Thursdays. Sessions run from 6.30pm to 7.30pm at a cost of £7.50 per visit. Nearby residents from Pimlico and Millbank use the centre’s changing rooms that open directly onto the 25-metre pool deck. A separate Saturday morning slot for children aged four to seven operates from 9am, with places booked through the council’s online portal or at the front desk on Vauxhall Bridge Road.

Further east, the Serpentine Lido in Hyde Park runs mixed-age group swims on Tuesdays and Fridays. Instructors lead 45-minute circuits that combine gentle swimming with water-based resistance moves. The lido charges £6.20 for adults and £3.10 for juniors, with season tickets available for £48 until 31 August. Participants meet at the main gate on the south shore near Park Lane.

Sign-up and next steps

Westminster residents can register for any session through the council website or by calling the Queen Mother Sports Centre front desk before 5pm. Spaces fill within 48 hours for the senior classes, so early booking is advised. Those new to group exercise can attend a free 15-minute taster on the first Monday of each month at either site. The council advises checking with a GP before starting any new routine.