Crazy idea: I've got a 7 hour layover in Heathrow on two occasions. As much as I like the new T5, 7 hours is a bit much. I want to get out of Heathrow and find a pool in which to grab a swim, ideally making use of public transit and ideally with generous mid-day lap swimming hours. I know of pools out in Reading area, but that's too far.
Anyone with any recommendations?
Thanks for the advice.
Heston / Hounslow pool looks like the most convenient choice, but I'm also going to check more into Isleworth
If I can figure out a cost & time efficient way to make it, I read about a recent upgrade to one of the few 50M pools in the greater London area, the Crystal Palace National Sports Center. It sounds wonderful, but is probably 1.5 hour ride one way by various forms of public transit. Not sure I want to risk missing my flight for a swim. I contemplated renting a car as that would be cheaper than a taxi, but $80 for a ~5 hour car rental for a ~1 hour swim is too insane even for me.
Chaos -- I considered training with the Serps last summer as I spent 3 weeks working between London and Reading, but I wimped out for fear of the cold. When I get enough guts to pursue my English Channel bucket list item, I'll definitely need to do that!
Has anyone swum at the Gurnell Leisure Center -- looks like another 50M pool (tho likely set up as 2 x 25 SCM) that's only a little more of a trek than Heston.
Thanks for the advice.
Heston / Hounslow pool looks like the most convenient choice, but I'm also going to check more into Isleworth
If I can figure out a cost & time efficient way to make it, I read about a recent upgrade to one of the few 50M pools in the greater London area, the Crystal Palace National Sports Center. It sounds wonderful, but is probably 1.5 hour ride one way by various forms of public transit. Not sure I want to risk missing my flight for a swim. I contemplated renting a car as that would be cheaper than a taxi, but $80 for a ~5 hour car rental for a ~1 hour swim is too insane even for me.
Chaos -- I considered training with the Serps last summer as I spent 3 weeks working between London and Reading, but I wimped out for fear of the cold. When I get enough guts to pursue my English Channel bucket list item, I'll definitely need to do that!
Has anyone swum at the Gurnell Leisure Center -- looks like another 50M pool (tho likely set up as 2 x 25 SCM) that's only a little more of a trek than Heston.
