Fullwell Cross Swimming Pool

The leisure centre itself is a functional 1970s affair in Walthamstow, all brutalist lines and that particular shade of municipal beige that takes you straight back to school swimming lessons. It's the sort of place where you go to do laps rather than lounge about - proper old-school, which is either refreshing or depressing depending on your mood.

The pools are decent enough for serious swimmers and families after a straightforward dip. There's nothing fancy here - no slides, no spa facilities, none of that modern nonsense. Just water, lanes, and the occasional echo of a whistle. Kids will get what they came for, though they won't be entertained for hours. Adults serious about fitness will appreciate the no-frills approach.

It's free or very cheap - typical council pool pricing - though I'd check their current opening hours before heading over as they tend to shift seasonally. Allow an hour or two depending on whether you're doing lengths or splashing about with the kids. Summer mornings get busy; early weekday afternoons are quieter.

Not really a destination in itself, but useful if you're camping at Lee Valley just a few miles north. The Lee Valley parks are marginally better bets for a holiday base, though the facilities there aren't exactly luxury either. Fullwell Cross does the job if you want a proper swim rather than a theme park experience. No frills, no fuss.