London Aquatics Centre

From Olympic Venue to Public Pool

The London Aquatics Centre was conceived in 2004 when Zaha Hadid Architects won the competition to design the centrepiece swimming venue for London's Olympic bid. Construction started in July 2008 on the Stratford site, and the building was completed in July 2011, a year ahead of the Games. During the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics, the venue hosted swimming, diving, synchronised swimming and water polo events in front of 17,500 spectators, with athletes including Michael Phelps, Missy Franklin and Ellie Simmonds competing beneath the wave-shaped roof.

After the Games, a two-year transformation removed the temporary spectator wings and reduced the capacity to 2,500 permanent seats. The centre reopened to the public in March 2014 as a community leisure facility managed by Everyone Active on behalf of the London Legacy Development Corporation. The £269 million building had been designed from the outset with this legacy in mind — Hadid's original concept kept the permanent structure compact and the temporary wings as bolt-on additions.

What to Do Inside

The main competition pool runs to 50 metres with a moveable boom and floor system that allows it to be divided into separate areas for lane swimming, lessons and casual use. Water temperature sits at a consistent 25.5 degrees. The second 50-metre training pool operates alongside, and both are available during public swim sessions that run from early morning until late evening.

The diving pool reaches 5 metres deep and features platforms at 3, 5, 7.5 and 10 metres along with three 3-metre springboards. Diving taster sessions are open to members of the public aged 8 and above, with qualified coaches providing instruction on the lower boards. For those who prefer dry land, a 100-station gym overlooks the pools and a programme of fitness classes runs throughout the week.

The Park and Nearby Attractions

Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park surrounds the Aquatics Centre with 560 acres of parkland, gardens and waterways. The ArcelorMittal Orbit sculpture and observation tower stands a few minutes' walk to the north, offering views across London from its 80-metre platform and the world's longest tunnel slide. The London Stadium, home to West Ham United, sits adjacent, and the Copper Box Arena hosts basketball, handball and community events.

Westfield Stratford City, one of Europe's largest shopping centres, is directly beside Stratford station and has restaurants, a cinema and over 250 shops. For a quieter alternative, the parkland trails run south along the River Lea towards Three Mills and the House Mill, a tidal mill dating from 1776.