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Stay fit in a way that works for you with inclusive access to our gyms, swimming pools and fitness classes across the UK, plus discounts on a range of other activities.
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At Better, our flexible, no-contract Student Membership provides you with inclusive access* to our gyms, swimming pools and fitness classes across England, Cardiff and Belfast.
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GLL is a Charitable Social Enterprise owned by our staff and founded on our purpose and values to provide a different, fairer and better way of doing business.
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Home:

  1. Leisure Centres Breadcrumb Separator
  2. London Breadcrumb Separator
  3. Lewisham Breadcrumb Separator
  4. Forest Hill Pools Breadcrumb Separator
  5. Swimming
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  • MYWELLNESS

Swimming

Swimming is a great way to have fun and get healthy, whatever your age or level of ability.


Whether it’s a casual swim, swimming lessons for Children & Adults or a way to keep healthy and active during the day, our 25m 6 lane Main Pool and our 16.7m Learner Pool are perfect for all of the family to get involved and maintain a healthy lifestyle.


If you’re honing your swimming technique, or introducing your little one to the pool, you’re in great hands. Forest Hill Pools hosts a range of swimming lessons and courses for all ages and abilities, with expert guidance from qualified swimming instructors.

Swim For All

No matter your fitness ability, our Swim for All sessions are perfect if you're looking to build your confidence, work on your strokes, float away any stress, or just simple want to enjoy a more casual swim with your family and friends.

Check out our available sessions

Swim For Under 5's

Have fun familiarising your little ones to the water in our dedicated Swim for under 5's sessions.

Taking place in our Learner Pool, it's a great way to build your toddler's confidence in the water whilst having a splash around.

Sessions:

Monday-Friday 8am-8.50am.

Swim Safety ratios still apply to this session.

View available sessions

Swim For Fitness

If you’re looking for a low-impact way to get fit and healthy, swimming could be the perfect choice. Our Swim for Fitness sessions take place in slow, medium and fast lanes, so you can take things at your own pace.

Book Online

Swimming Lessons

Swimming is a vital life skill and it is accessible for anyone. That's why Better offers swimming lessons for all ages and abilities, at affordable prices. Our Learn to Swim Framework is designed by industry experts to ensure the lessons are of the highest quality, progressive and make our pupil’s journey fun and hassle free. All our teachers are professional, passionate and pupil-focused; and will ensure you’re in safe hands in the water. We offer Lessons for Children & Adults.

Find out more

Aqua Aerobics

Get your body moving to the beat whilst giving yourself an energising workout in the water. Our fun and friendly water workout classes give you all the benefits of cardiovascular exercise and provide natural levels of low-impact resistance that’s gentle on the joints.

 

Book Online

Adult Beginner Swimming Lessons

WHAT ARE ADULT BEGINNER SWIMMING LESSONS?

Whether you want to learn to swim, improve your technique or fitness or train for an event, our peogramme will help you make the most of your time in the pool in a friendly and welcoming atmosphere.
At Forest Hill we currently have 2 ways off booking, if swimming lessons are all you want then book via our website or in centre on our self sign-up tablets. Lessons are £40 per month. This ensures you have a guaranteed space each week.

Book Adult Beginner Swimming Lessons - Monthly Direct Debit

Alternatively drop in sessions are free of charge to BETTER Health UK Members and there is a minimal charge of £3 for any other prepaid monthly or prepaid annual members. Alternatively, you can pay as you go for £10 per session if you are not a prepaid member or have a free Be-Active Membership.

These sessions are Bookable via the Better UK App.

 

Book a Beginner Swimming Lesson drop in session


WHICH SWIM LESSON SHOULD I BOOK?

Adult Beginner Swimming Lessons - learn
An adult swimming class for learners and improvers. Whether you are getting in for the first time or refreshing and improving your swimming skills, come and learn with our resident Swim Doctor.

Adult Improver Swimming Lessons – train
An adult swimming fitness class focused on fitness and technique. Whether you are training for an event or wanting to improve your technique and fitness, come and train with our resident Swim Doctor.

 

 

DISCOUNTED SWIMMING FOR OVER 60'S & DISABLED CUSTOMERS

Discounted swimming is available for all over 60's in London Borough of Lewisham leisure centres if you Live in Lewisham. To gain access, users are required to have a valid Be Active Pay as you Go membership for the London Borough of Lewisham leisure centres operated by Better.

Discover a membership for you

Lewisham Be Active Membership

We want everyone in the London Borough of Lewisham to get active, which is why we offer the Be Active membership to all eligible Lewisham residents.

Whether it is access to our gyms offering dedicated cardio, resistance, functional, strength and stretch zones, or taking a dip in one of Lewisham’s swimming pools; Be Active members benefit from reduced rates and some memberships even offer free pool and gym access.

Find out more

Swim Safety

Swim Safety Rules apply to all swimming sessions:

Please comply with the following rules:

  • Under 8’s and non swimmers 11-17 must be accompanied by a competent adult swimmer
  • Over 8's wishing to swim without an adult need to complete a Swim test, this consists of strongly swimming 25meters in a recognised stroke e.g. front crawl
  • A non swimmer is considered as someone unable to pass a Swim Test
  • No more than two under 8’s or non swimmers 11-17 to each  competent adult swimmer
  • The competent adult swimmer must actively supervise under 8’s and non swimmers 11-17
  • Under 8’s and all non swimmers must remain in shallow water accompanied by a competent adult swimmer
  • We strongly recommend under 8’s and all non swimmers use armbands and/or an appropriate buoyancy aid

Advice to adult non swimmers

  • It is recommended that non swimmers over the age of 16 are accompanied in the water by a competent adult swimmer

for more information please click on the button below.

 

Swim Safety Rules

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What We Offer keyboard_arrow_down
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What We Offer keyboard_arrow_down
  • Leisure Centres
  • Lessons and Courses
  • Libraries
  • Spa Experience
  • Venue Hire
  • Children's Centres
Contact & Support keyboard_arrow_down
  • Help Centre
  • Contact Us
  • Media Enquiries
  • Terms and Policies
  • Sitemap
About Us keyboard_arrow_down
  • Our Story
  • Being a Charitable Social Enterprise
  • News
  • Careers
  • GLL Corporate Website
  • GLL Sport Foundation

Better is a registered trademark and trading name of GLL (Greenwich Leisure Limited), a charitable social enterprise and registered society under the Co-operative & Community Benefit & Societies Act 2014 registration no. 27793R. Registered office: Middlegate House, The Royal Arsenal, London, SE18 6SX. Inland Revenue Charity no: XR43398.

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