Crown Pools

Crown Pools sits right in central Ipswich and does exactly what it says on the tin - it's a proper public swimming facility with a 50-metre competition pool, a leisure pool, and a teaching pool for beginners. Nothing fancy, but genuinely well-maintained and busy enough that you know it's doing the job.

You get two distinct experiences here depending on what you're after. The competition pool is lap-swimming territory, so if you're someone who actually swims rather than splashes about, that's your lane. The leisure pool is where families spend their time - shallower, warmer, the whole setup. There's a diving area too, which keeps things interesting if you've got confident swimmers in tow.

Weekday mornings before 9am are your best bet for a proper swim without the chaos. Weekends get rammed, particularly Saturday mornings, so manage expectations accordingly. Closing time on weekends is 16:25, which catches people out if they're not paying attention.

It's the sort of place you'd visit if you're staying at one of the nearby caravan parks - Priory Park is just three miles away, making it handy for rainy days or when the kids need burning off. Not a destination in itself, but reliable and accessible. Swimming sessions require booking online beforehand, so sort that out before you arrive. Cost-wise, it's part of the Ipswich leisure facility network, so prices are reasonable rather than premium.