Ladywood Leisure Centre
BEST FOR
Ages 0-11
SETTING
Indoors
WHERE
Birmingham
What it’s like
Swimming lessons, RISE gymnastics and a Gymfants class for 0-3s with a grown-up in the water or on the mats.
Swimming is the main event, with lessons for all ages in pools that have graduated steps rather than ladders, which makes a difference if your four-year-old is still finding their feet in the water. Alongside that runs the British Gymnastics RISE programme: Gymfants for 0-3s with a parent or carer on the mats, Explore Transition for 3 and 4 year olds, then beams, bars, vaults and floor apparatus for ages 4 to 11, all at the child's own pace rather than by age group alone.
Grown-ups aren't left out. There's a sauna and steam room in the spa, which is the bit I'd save for last if you've got someone to take over with the kids, plus an air-conditioned gym and classes. The membership for a parent of a child on swimming lessons comes in at £25.25, which reads like decent value if you're already there twice a week anyway and less so if you're just dropping in.
Hours are long through the week, 5am to 10pm Monday to Wednesday and Friday until 9pm, with Thursday starting at 6am. Weekends shorten sharply to 7am-5pm, so a Sunday afternoon swim needs a bit of planning. If you want the pool without the noise, quieter hours run Thursday 7.30am to 9.30am. Bank holidays are 7am to 8pm, and there's a Big Open Weekend on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th October with free activities on.
Step-free access runs through the building, with lifts to every floor, disabled toilets and a shower area, and graduated steps in both pools. There's food on site and a reception area where you can sit with a drink while a lesson finishes.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- 0 to 11; swimming lessons and RISE gymnastics split by age
- Quieter Hours are Thursday 7.30am-9.30am if you want the pool calm
- Weekends close at 5pm, so a late Sunday swim isn't on
- Gymfants for 0-3s expects a parent or carer on the mats with them
- The RISE programme runs Discover, Explore and Excel, so children move at their own pace
- The parent membership is £25.25 if your child's already on swimming lessons
Plan your visit
What can my child actually do here?
Swimming lessons for all ages, or gymnastics through the RISE programme. Gymfants is for 0-3s with a parent or carer joining in, Explore Transition is for 3 and 4 year olds, and ages 4 to 11 get beams, bars, vaults and floor apparatus.
How much does it cost?
The health and fitness membership for a parent of a child on swimming lessons is £25.25. Session prices aren't something I can quote.
Do we need to book?
The lessons run as courses through the RISE programme, so they're arranged rather than turned up to. If you're coming to swim, the centre is open the hours listed.
When's the quietest time?
Thursday 7.30am to 9.30am, which they call Quieter Hours. Weekends are 7am to 5pm, so a morning slot beats an afternoon one.
Is it OK for a baby or toddler?
Gymfants takes 0-3s with a parent or carer involved, and the pools have graduated steps rather than ladders. Quieter Hours on Thursday morning suit a small one better than a busy Saturday.
What are the opening hours?
Monday to Wednesday 5am to 10pm, Thursday 6am to 10pm, Friday 5am to 9pm, and Saturday and Sunday 7am to 5pm. Bank holidays run 7am to 8pm.
Is it accessible?
Lifts reach every floor and both pools have graduated steps. There are disabled toilets and a shower area, and the building is step-free.
Can you get food there?
There's food on site, and a reception area where you can sit with a drink while a lesson wraps up.
Anything free coming up?
The Big Open Weekend on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th October has free activities on both days.
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