Image © Cambridge 2000
The Parkside complex has three pools.
The largest, an eight-lane competition-standard swimming pool, is 25 metres long.
There is also a teaching and diving pool with a movable floor, and a children's leisure pool.
Parkside also has two flume rides, one single and one suitable for two people.
The main pool is used by a number of clubs and competitions, so there are times when it is closed to the public.
Contact details
Gonville Place
Cambridge CB1 1LY
Email parksideinfo@everyoneactive.com
Telephone 01223 446100
Opening times and admission prices
For timetables and prices for Parkside Pools, visit the Everyone Active website.
Getting to the pools
The pools are located next to the Kelsey Kerridge sports centre opposite Parkers Piece.
Buses stop nearby on Mill Road and the Drummer Street bus station is a short walk away.
The county council provides bus timetable information, or you can plan your journey to the pool with Transport Direct.
The Queen Anne terrace car park, which also has cycle parking spaces, is very close by.
Free swimming
The table provides details of free swimming sessions at Parkside.
| Who is eligible? | Information |
|---|---|
| Over 60s | This will not be available from 1 August 2010. Before then it is available during public-swimming sessions. Proof of age required (eg driving licence, birth certificate or passport) |
| Under 3s | During public-swimming sessions. Must be accompanied at all times by a person over 17 years of age. Please notify receptionist |
| Cambridge Card holders aged 17 or under | Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays, 4-6pm. Cambridge Card leisure upgrade subscription required (available from Abbey Pools, Parkside Pools or the Local Secrets website) |
| Anybody enrolled on SLM swimming lessons who pays by Direct Debit | Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays during public-swimming sessions, 4-6pm |
| All Cambridgeshire education authority curriculum school groups | Various slots available for group swimming lessons. Email stephen.everett@cambridgeshire.gov.uk or telephone 01480 375857 to arrange lessons |
Disabled access
Parkside Pool is one of the most accessible leisure buildings in Cambridge.
The building is equipped with specialist changing and shower facilities. It also has specialist mobile and fixed hoist arrangements, along with hydraulically operated benches, to assist with ease of transition between the toilets and showering facilities to the changing rooms.
Access to the main pool and diving pool is assisted by the provision of a manual hoist and sling. For hygiene reasons, please bring your own sling when you visit if possible.
Alternatively, access to the water can be made via wet chairs and other hoisting arrangements.
A thriving disabled swimming club exists at the pool, and there are swimming and health suite sessions for the over 50s.
Specialist changing arrangements are also provided in the fully equipped health suite.
More information
The University of Cambridge, City of Cambridge Swimming Club, Cambridge Dive Team and City of Cambridge Water Polo club use the pools regularly.
The complex has a separate, fully equipped health suite with dedicated male, female and disabled changing rooms.
The suite contains a sauna, a steam room, a sanarium (a combination of steam and sauna), a jacuzzi and more.
Other facilities include:
- two springboards and three fixed diving platforms
- two flumes
- an exercise studio with a sprung floor
- a café
- a meeting room
In a special David Urwin Awards competition in 2001, the Parkside Pools building was voted Building of the Century.
