Ive recently been using the facilities at our national aquatic centre (Crystal Palace) after enjoying summer swimming at the fantastic Brockwell Lido, and compared with the facilites at Ladywell which is what I had to endure before this for winter swimming, it is a dream. Large clean changing rooms, not crowded or full of teenages standing at each end and good showers and of course a 50m pool - and off peak its more than a quid cheaper per person. (and its only 5kms/3mi away if you fancy running there too Brockly_Babe)

The new pools will be far handier for me, but it is imperative that they have clear timetables, a website that is actually updated (Crystal Palace is great for that) and staff that know what is happening. So many times Ive got on the bus to Ladywell only to find that the staff member who told me lane swimming was supposed to be on over the phone, was wrong and there are no lanes and 1000 kids splashing each other in the shallow end.