The 10 best swimming pools in Newcastle for lazy floats or power laps
The sun comes out rarely, and suddenly everyone’s hunting for ways to cool off. When the beaches feel too far or too packed, swimming pools in Newcastle become the next best splashy escape.
From indoor pools for rainy days to outdoor ones for soaking up every drop of sunshine, there’s something for every water baby. Some even come with slides and waves for maximum fun, minus the sandy mess.
Whether you’re swimming laps or just floating around pretending you’re on holiday, pools offer beach-level vibes, without the seagulls stealing your snacks.
1. East End Pool
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Website: https://www.better.org.uk/leisure-centre/newcastle/east-end-pool
Location: Hadrian Square, Byker, NE6 1AL
Hours: Monday to Friday: 6:30 AM – 9 PM | Saturday: 8 AM – 4 PM | Sunday: 8 AM – 3 PM
Pricing: ££
The East End Pool in Byker stands out for its dual-pool setup, featuring one pool for learners and another for lap swimmers. It’s run by Better Leisure, and we appreciated how clean and well-organised the space felt during our visit.
Their popular aqua aerobics and women-only swims are consistent crowd-pleasers. We also like how their lane availability is listed on the website, eliminating the need to guess when you arrive.
Their “Swim Doctor” programme is also a cool standout here, where adults can get technique coaching in small group sessions. During weekends, you’ll also find family fun sessions with floats and toys.
There’s free parking on site, and it’s only a 5-minute walk from Byker Metro Station. The poolside viewing gallery is great if you’re tagging along but not planning to swim.
Pro Tip:
For a more relaxed swim during school holidays, book the mid-morning Adult Swim Fit session. It’s quieter and includes access to training gear.
2. Dunston Leisure Centre
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Website: https://www.better.org.uk/leisure-centre/gateshead/dunston-leisure-centre
Location: 6 Dunston Bank, Dunston, NE11 9PY
Hours: Monday to Friday: 7 AM – 9 PM | Saturday and Sunday: 8 AM – 7 PM
Pricing: £
Dunston Leisure Centre stands out for its accessible setup. It offers a pool hoist, changing beds, and disability-friendly swim sessions. Located just off the A1, it’s easily reachable for both locals and visitors on the move.
Their 25-metre pool runs popular lane swims, gentle aquafit, and synchronised swimming classes. What we love most is how much effort they put into creating a welcoming space for older adults and low-mobility users.
And instead of just general sessions, they offer targeted programmes like “Get Active” mornings and school swim clubs, making it a dynamic weekly hub. The centre also collaborates with community health groups to host water-based rehab and recovery classes.
Pro Tip:
Bring a £1 coin for the locker. Unlike other Go Gateshead sites, this one doesn’t offer contactless locker options.
3. The City Baths
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Website: https://www.city-baths.co.uk/
Location: Northumberland Rd, NE1 8SG
Contact: 0191 261 7207
Hours: Monday to Friday: 6:30 AM – 9 PM | Saturday and Sunday: 8:30 AM – 4 PM
Pricing: ££
City Baths is hands-down the most beautiful place to swim in Newcastle. It blends Art Deco elegance with modern wellness vibes, feeling more like a boutique spa than a local pool.
Their 25m pool is lined with pale tiles, high ceilings, and mood lighting that changes the swim atmosphere. We genuinely forgot we were in a city centre facility—it’s that calming.
Aside from the pool, they offer sauna sessions, massage therapy, and yoga classes in restored vintage studios. It’s one of the few places where swimming feels like self-care rather than just cardio.
You can book one-off swims or sign up for flexible short-term passes if you’re in town for a while. Towels and robes are also available.
Pro Tip:
Pack non-slip pool shoes or flip-flops. There’s no rental option, and going barefoot increases your risk of slipping (especially after using a sauna).
4. Concordia Leisure Centre
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Website: https://www.placesleisure.org/centres/concordia-leisure-centre/
Location: Concordia Leisure Centre, Forum Way, Manor Walks Shopping Centre, Cramlington NE23 6YB
Hours: Monday to Friday: 6:15 AM – 10 PM | Saturday: 7 AM – 7 PM | Sunday: 7 AM – 6 PM
Pricing: £
Concordia is one of the only spots in the region where you can pair your swim with a game of ten-pin bowling or a bouldering wall session. It’s in the heart of Cramlington, right inside the shopping centre complex.
The leisure pool is known for its bubbly water jets, fun mini-current channel, and mushroom-style fountains. There’s also a baby beach zone, which most city pools don’t have.
Rather than squeezing swimmers into mixed sessions, they’ve created “family bubbles,” sensory swims for neurodiverse visitors, and toddler-only splash zones. We were impressed by how marked and well-managed the water zones were.
The building also features a massive soft play area, allowing families to plan an all-day visit even on rainy days. Everything is under one roof and within walking distance of various food options, as well as free parking.
Pro Tip:
If you’re planning to use both the pool and the Clip ‘n Climb wall, book a Multi-Activity Day Pass at reception instead of separately online. It can save you over £10 and includes access to soft play too.
5. Blyth Sports Centre
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Website: https://www.placesleisure.org/centres/blyth-sports-centre/
Location: Sports Centre, Blyth NE24 5BT
Hours: Monday to Friday: 6:15 AM – 10 PM | Saturday: 7 AM – 5 PM | Sunday: 7 AM – 10 PM
Pricing: £
This one’s a favourite among swim clubs and fitness-focused swimmers thanks to its 6-lane, 25-metre competition-standard pool. Located near the town centre, it’s easy to reach and usually not packed with families.
The real draw here is the swim coaching programme. Certified instructors run both adult technique workshops and kids’ progression classes. During our visit, we even saw a few triathletes using resistance bands by the pool.
They’ve also installed an adjustable-depth learner pool, which is used heavily for preschool and SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) swim sessions. We like how inclusive the space feels without being overly busy.
Pro Tip:
Ask about the “Swim Fit” waterproof training cards at the front desk. They’re completely free and guide you through pre-designed swim workouts tailored to your ability level.
6. Jesmond Pool & Gym
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Website: https://jesmondpool.online/
Location: St George’s Terrace, Jesmond, NE2 2DL
Hours: Monday to Friday: 7 AM – 10 PM | Saturday and Sunday: 8 AM – 7 PM
Pricing: ££
Jesmond Pool is one of the few community-owned pools in the region. It is run by a charity trust that prioritises sustainability. They’ve installed solar panels, and the vibe inside feels warm.
The 25m pool is ideal for fitness-focused swims, but we were also impressed by their wide timetable of aquafit, lifeguard training, and even water yoga. The latter isn’t something you find often outside of spas.
Their separate steam room and sauna areas are a bonus, and they are great if you want a post-swim wind-down. And since it’s in Jesmond, there are indie cafés just down the road.
The centre also hosts annual community events and swimathons, which are fun to watch or join.
Pro Tip:
If you’re catching the Metro, exit at West Jesmond Station, not Jesmond. It’s closer and flatter if you’re walking with kids or gear.
7. Tynemouth Pool
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Website: https://my.northtyneside.gov.uk/category/260/tynemouth-pool
Location: Preston Rd N, North Shields NE29 9PX
Hours: Monday: 7:15 AM – 6 PM and 8:30 PM – 9:45 AM | Tuesday to Thursday: 7:15 AM – 5:30 PM | Friday: 7:15 AM – 8:30 PM
Pricing: ££
Although technically just outside Newcastle, Tynemouth Pool is the go-to coastal swim spot for many city locals. It’s perfect to pair a swim with a seaside stroll or fish-and-chips lunch.
The pool’s standout feature is its panoramic window, which lets in loads of natural light. On a sunny day, it almost feels like an open-air pool, and we love the sense of space it creates.
And with Tynemouth Station Market only 10 minutes away on foot, you can easily turn this into a half-day outing. Changing rooms and lockers are basic but clean.
Pro Tip:
If you’re heading from the beach, bring a plastic bag or a towel wrap to protect your sandy clothes. There’s no sand rinse-off station outside, and wet sand tends to clog the changing room drains.
8. Hadrian Leisure Centre
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Website: https://my.northtyneside.gov.uk/category/258/hadrian-leisure-centre
Location: St Peter’s Rd, Wallsend, NE28 7LQ
Hours: Monday to Thursday: 7:15 AM – 10 PM | Friday: 7:15 AM – 9 PM | Saturday and Sunday: 8:15 AM – 6 PM
Pricing: £
Hadrian Leisure Centre in Wallsend features a cool twist with its movable floor pool. This technology allows them to adjust the water depth according to the session, so you might find deep lanes one hour and toddler splash the next.
The 25-metre pool is bright and spacious, making it ideal for anyone engaging in structured workouts. There are marked pace lanes during fitness swims too. The lifeguards are also attentive.
They also offer adult-only aquacise, parent-and-baby sessions, inclusive swims for carers, and support groups. A staff member told us they frequently partner with NHS-backed wellbeing projects.
Pro Tip:
Call ahead and ask for the learner pool depth setting. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, it’s usually set to 0.9m (waist-deep), ideal for anxiety-friendly swims.
9. Heworth Leisure Centre
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Website: https://www.better.org.uk/leisure-centre/gateshead/heworth-leisure-centre
Location: High Lanes, Gateshead NE10 0PD
Hours: Monday to Friday: 6:30 AM – 9 PM | Saturday and Sunday: 8 AM – 7 PM
Pricing: £
If you want a quieter swim without leaving the urban edge, we really recommend you try the Heworth Leisure Centre. It’s part of the Go Gateshead network, which offers great member perks across five venues.
The pool offers a full range of public swims, but what stood out to us were the targeted age group sessions, ranging from gentle dips for seniors over 60 to youth fitness swims.
The centre is also attached to a modest gym and squash courts, so that you can mix up your workout. There’s also a family seating area at the poolside, which not all centres offer.
However, it’s not the fanciest pool spot, but it’s consistent, and the staff are incredibly accommodating, especially for those with accessibility needs. You won’t find queues here.
Pro Tip:
You can save on parking by using the rear entrance from Bottle Bank. It’s free and often empty, while the front car park is shared with other venues and fills up quickly.
10. Blaydon Leisure Centre
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Website: https://www.better.org.uk/leisure-centre/gateshead/blaydon-leisure-centre
Location: Shibdon Rd, Blaydon-on-Tyne NE21 5NW
Hours: Monday to Friday: 6:30 AM – 9 PM | Saturday and Sunday: 8 AM – 7 PM
Pricing: £
Blaydon’s pool is just across the Tyne. It’s especially good for families, with well-timed toddler sessions and warm learning areas.
We liked how personal the service felt. Lifeguards greeted swimmers by name, and the staff even helped a mum with pram storage.
There’s a strong local focus here as well. The pool hosts swim clubs, water safety classes, and confidence-building sessions for kids with learning needs. It’s built around helping the community thrive.
Pro Tip:
The Friday (9 AM –10 AM) session is their quietest and warmest, often used by older swimmers. Staff dim the lights slightly, making it the safest and calmest time to swim if you’re pregnant or recovering from an injury.