The London Aquatics Centre is one of the most extraordinary public swimming venues in the world. Designed by Zaha Hadid Architects and built for the 2012 London Olympics, it hosted the swimming and diving events watched by billions of people around the globe. Michael Phelps competed here. World records fell here. And now, most days of the year, you can just turn up and swim in the same water.
That is the remarkable thing about this venue. It is not a heritage site or a museum exhibit – it is a fully operational leisure centre, managed by Everyone Active and open to the public every single day. Two 50-metre pools, a diving pool, a state-of-the-art gym, group fitness classes and a cycling studio, all inside one of the most iconic pieces of architecture built in Britain in the last thirty years.
We are at 5 Aquatics Walk, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park – on the same street as the Aquatics Centre, a short walk from the entrance. After a swim or a gym session, we are the closest proper food and drink option in the park. Board game bar and restaurant, over 1,000 games, full kitchen every day. Here is everything you need to know about visiting the London Aquatics Centre, and how to make a full afternoon or evening of it.
About the London Aquatics Centre
The Aquatics Centre was commissioned as part of the preparations for London 2012 and opened in 2011 for test events ahead of the Olympic Games. Zaha Hadid’s design is extraordinary – the wave-form roof, which appears to undulate like water above the building, has become one of the defining images of the Olympic Park. It is vast, sweeping, and unmistakably of its moment.
The temporary wings added to accommodate 17,500 Olympic spectators were removed after the Games, restoring the building to something closer to Hadid’s original vision: a 2,500-seat venue that feels spacious and human in scale despite its size. The pools themselves are at Olympic specification – lane widths, depth, filtration, everything built to the standard required for world championship competition.
Since 2012 the venue has been managed by Everyone Active under a long-term contract with the London Legacy Development Corporation. Regular public swimming sessions run alongside elite training, club use and occasional closed events. The Aquatics Centre is now one of the most visited swimming venues in London, and one of the very few places you can swim in a 50-metre Olympic pool without being a member of a performance squad.
The pools
There are two 50-metre competition pools in the main hall, sitting side by side beneath that iconic roof.
The Competition Pool has ten lanes and was the venue for the Olympic and Paralympic swimming events in 2012. It can be configured for long-course racing (the full 50 metres) or short-course (25 metres across the width), which means it accommodates a huge range of sessions – from competitive club training to beginner and improver lanes. Lane discipline is good and the water is always exceptionally well maintained.
The Training Pool also runs to 50 metres with eight lanes, but its most unusual feature is an adjustable floor – the pool floor can be raised or lowered to different depths, which makes it ideal for swimming lessons, disability swimming sessions and aquatic fitness classes. When needed, it can also be split into two separate 25-metre pools, effectively doubling the capacity of the venue.
Public swimming sessions are bookable in advance via the Everyone Active website or app, and it is worth booking ahead – popular morning and evening slots fill up quickly. Lane swimming operates throughout the day, with sessions typically separated by ability: fast, medium and slow lanes mean you can swim at your own pace without the anxiety of holding anyone up.
Diving
The diving pool is a separate facility within the Aquatics Centre and one of the best public diving venues in London. Boards and platforms are available from 1 metre to 10 metres, covering every level from beginners having their first try at the springboard to experienced divers working at competition height.
There is also a dry diving area – a foam pit and trampoline-based facility where divers can practise technique and new dives without the risk of hitting water at the wrong angle. This is used extensively by development divers and club programmes, but access depends on the session timetable. Diving sessions require separate booking and are typically supervised. If you are new to diving, check the Everyone Active website for beginner sessions and induction requirements before your first visit.
The gym and fitness classes
Beyond the pools, the Aquatics Centre has a full gym floor with modern cardio and resistance equipment, a group fitness studio running a comprehensive class timetable, and a dedicated indoor cycling studio.
The group fitness offering includes yoga and pilates sessions alongside higher-intensity Les Mills programmes – BODYBALANCE, BODYATTACK and RPM among others – as well as Zumba and other dance-based classes. The timetable varies week to week and classes can be booked through the Everyone Active app. Personal trainers are also available for one-to-one sessions if you want something more structured than a standard gym visit.
The combination of pool access and gym and studio facilities makes the Aquatics Centre genuinely useful as an all-round sports venue rather than just a swimming destination. Many members visit primarily for the gym and treat the pools as a bonus.
How to book a session
Booking is managed through Everyone Active. The process is straightforward:
- Register for a free Everyone Active card at everyoneactive.com – there is no cost to register
- Download the Everyone Active app or use the website to browse available sessions
- Book your chosen session in advance – popular times fill up, so earlier booking is better
- Pay as you go for individual sessions, or take out a monthly membership if you plan to visit regularly
Membership options cover gym-only, swim-only, or full-facility access and start from around £22.99 per month for junior memberships. Adult memberships vary depending on the access level and contract length. Pay-as-you-go pricing is available for all facilities and is ideal for occasional visitors.
Session times change regularly, particularly around school holidays and when the venue hosts events or closed competitions. Always check the Everyone Active website or app for current availability rather than assuming fixed hours. As a general guide, the centre opens around 6am and closes around 10:30pm on most days.
Getting to the London Aquatics Centre
The Aquatics Centre is well-served by public transport and straightforward to reach from most parts of London.
- Stratford station is the nearest – served by the Elizabeth line, Central line, DLR and London Overground. From the station it is a short walk into Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, following signs for the park and the Aquatics Centre
- Westfield Stratford City is directly adjacent to the park entrance and serves as a useful landmark when approaching from the station
- The Aquatics Centre is clearly signposted throughout the park once you are inside
- Cycling: Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park has good cycle access and secure bike storage near the Aquatics Centre
- By car: paid parking is available in the park area and at Westfield Stratford City, but public transport is considerably more convenient
Where to eat near the London Aquatics Centre
We are at 5 Aquatics Walk – the same street as the Aquatics Centre entrance. After a swim, a gym session or a diving lesson, we are the closest proper food and drink option in the park. Not a café with sandwiches and energy drinks – a full kitchen running every day, three bars, and over 1,000 board games.
The Aquatics Centre has an on-site café if you need something immediately after getting out of the water, but for a proper meal or a few post-swim drinks with company, Draughts is the answer. We are set up for people who want to settle in – take a table, order food, pour a pitcher, and play something. There is no rush here. A swim at the Aquatics Centre followed by lunch and a game at Draughts is a very good afternoon in east London.
We are a board game bar and restaurant with over 1,000 games available to play for free with your visit. The game library covers everything from quick thirty-minute fillers to longer strategy games, party games and classics. Our team can recommend games based on how many people you have, what you’re in the mood for, and how much time you have. If you have never played a board game since Monopoly at Christmas, we can fix that.
The food and drink
The kitchen runs every day. The menu is designed around sharing and celebrating – proper food rather than fuel, and cocktails and beer worth staying for.
Start with the Sampler Platter – corn dogs, empanadas, halloumi fries, tortilla chips and dips, served to share. The Short Rib Birria Tacos are slow-cooked rare breed beef with chilli and lime broth and a consommé for dipping, one of our most popular dishes. The Double Smashed Cheese Burger is exactly what it sounds like: two smashed beef patties, cheese, brioche bun.
For something with heat, the Korean Fried Chicken comes with a sticky soy and gochujang glaze, crispy onions and citrus mayo. It is the kind of thing that disappears from the table before anyone has a chance to think about it.
To drink: Pitchers of Margarita, Dark and Stormy or Cream Soda Bramble are made for sharing at the table. House lager on draught. A full cocktail menu. We take the drinks as seriously as the food.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the best place to eat near the London Aquatics Centre?
Draughts is at 5 Aquatics Walk, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park – on the same street as the Aquatics Centre entrance. We are a board game bar and restaurant with a full kitchen running every day, three bars, and over 1,000 games. It is a short walk from the pool and the most convenient proper food and drink option in the park after a swim or gym session.
What is the London Aquatics Centre?
The London Aquatics Centre is a world-class aquatic sports venue in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford. Designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, it was built for the 2012 London Olympics and hosted the swimming and diving competitions at the Games. It is now open to the public as a leisure facility managed by Everyone Active, with two 50-metre pools, a diving pool, a gym and group fitness studios.
Is the London Aquatics Centre open to the public?
Yes. The London Aquatics Centre is open to the public every day for pay-as-you-go swimming, diving and gym sessions. You need to register for a free Everyone Active card and book sessions in advance via the Everyone Active website or app. Some sessions are reserved for clubs or events, so checking availability online before you go is always recommended.
How do I book a swimming session at the London Aquatics Centre?
Register for a free Everyone Active card at everyoneactive.com, then download the Everyone Active app or use the website to find and book available sessions. Payment can be made on a pay-as-you-go basis or through a monthly membership. Popular sessions – particularly early morning and evening lanes – book up quickly, so booking a day or two in advance is advisable.
What pools does the London Aquatics Centre have?
The Aquatics Centre has two 50-metre pools. The Competition Pool has ten lanes and was used for Olympic swimming events in 2012 – it can be configured for long-course or short-course swimming. The Training Pool has eight lanes, an adjustable floor for different depth requirements, and can be split into two separate 25-metre pools. There is also a separate diving pool with boards and platforms from 1 metre to 10 metres.
Does the London Aquatics Centre have a diving pool?
Yes. The diving pool has boards and platforms ranging from 1 metre to 10 metres. There is also a dry diving area with a foam pit for practising technique. Diving sessions require separate booking and some sessions are supervised. Check the Everyone Active website for beginner sessions if you are new to diving, as there may be an induction requirement for first-time visitors.
Does the London Aquatics Centre have a gym?
Yes. The Aquatics Centre has a fully equipped gym with modern cardio and resistance equipment, a group fitness studio and a dedicated indoor cycling studio. Personal trainers are available for one-to-one sessions. Gym access is bookable separately or included with full-facility membership, and day passes are available for occasional visitors.
What fitness classes are available at the London Aquatics Centre?
The group fitness studio runs a full weekly timetable including yoga, pilates, Les Mills programmes (BODYBALANCE, BODYATTACK, RPM), Zumba and other classes. The cycling studio offers indoor cycling sessions. The timetable varies week to week and classes are bookable through the Everyone Active app. Check the website for the current schedule.
How much does it cost to swim at the London Aquatics Centre?
Pay-as-you-go pricing is available for all sessions – check the Everyone Active website for current rates as these are subject to change. Monthly memberships offering swim-only, gym-only or full-facility access are available from around £22.99 for junior members, with adult memberships varying by access level. Registering for a free Everyone Active card is required before booking any session.
Where is the London Aquatics Centre?
The London Aquatics Centre is in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford, east London. The address is Aquatics Walk, London E20 2ZQ. It is a short walk from Stratford station, which is served by the Elizabeth line, Central line, DLR and London Overground.
How do I get to the London Aquatics Centre from Stratford station?
From Stratford station, follow signs for Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. The walk takes around 10-15 minutes depending on your exact exit from the station. Walk past or through Westfield Stratford City shopping centre toward the park, then follow signs for the Aquatics Centre once inside. The building is unmistakable – the wave-form roof is visible from a distance.
Who designed the London Aquatics Centre?
The London Aquatics Centre was designed by Zaha Hadid Architects. Zaha Hadid won the commission in an international design competition in 2004. The building is widely considered one of her most significant works – the wave-form roof, which evokes the fluid forms of water, has become an iconic piece of contemporary architecture.
Can beginners use the London Aquatics Centre diving pool?
Yes. The diving pool at the London Aquatics Centre is open to beginners as well as experienced divers. Boards start at 1 metre, which is appropriate for those trying diving for the first time. Check the Everyone Active website for beginner-specific sessions, as some sessions are categorised by ability level and there may be induction requirements for first-time divers at the venue.
What are the London Aquatics Centre opening times?
The London Aquatics Centre is generally open from around 6am to 10:30pm daily, but session times vary considerably depending on bookings, club use and events. Always check the Everyone Active website or app for the current session timetable before visiting, rather than assuming fixed hours. Checking ahead also lets you book your preferred session time before it fills up.
Can I book a table at Draughts near the London Aquatics Centre?
Yes – you can book a table at Draughts online at draughtslondon.com. We are at 5 Aquatics Walk, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, on the same street as the Aquatics Centre. Walk-ins are also welcome subject to availability, but booking is recommended if you are visiting at a weekend or during a busy evening.
