Free swimming is a local, council supported scheme designed to extend opportunities to swim and maximise the health benefits of swimming.
The scheme is for Portsmouth residents, 12 years old and under and gives free access to the following council-run pools in the city.
Find out more about swimming pools, splash pools and watersports in Portsmouth.
You can apply to join the free swimming scheme at any of the two swimming centres:
To be eligible, you must:
If you application is successful, you’ll receive a free swimming membership card (a one-off administration charge of £3.50 applies). For any replacement cards, a £3.50 fee applies.
The scheme enables residents 12 years old and under to apply for a card giving free access to swim at 2 council run pools in the city.
Free swimming will only be available during public swimming sessions. Children between the ages of 5 and 12 years will not be permitted access to any free swimming during the hours of 9am and 3pm during local authority school term terms.
In accordance with Health and Safety Executive guidance all children aged 8 and under to 5 years, must be accompanied in the pool by a fee-paying adult at all times to the ratio of 1 parent to 3 children. For children aged 4 and under a ratio of 1 fee paying adult to 2 children applies.
For children aged 9-12 there is not a requirement for the children to be accompanied in the pool, but the children must be accompanied by an adult who must remain at the centre during the visit. There is no fee for general adult entrance to the centre.
Admission to the swimming sessions will be subject to the pool’s capacity.
The Free Swimming Scheme does not include swimming lessons although these can be booked directly with our partner BH Live.
