Main Pool

The Main Pool in Nottingham is exactly what it says on the tin - a proper public swimming facility right in the city centre. It's a functional, no-nonsense affair: lap lanes for serious swimmers, a shallow end for kids learning their strokes, and the kind of chlorine smell that takes you straight back to school swimming lessons. On weekday mornings it's quiet enough that you can actually get a decent swim in without dodging half the local primary school. Weekends are bedlam, mind you.

This is really for families with young children who want a reliable place to practice their swimming, or adults after a straightforward workout. Don't come expecting fancy slides or a wave machine - that's not what this place is about. It does the job well, and does it cheaply, which is why locals keep coming back.

If you're staying at Birdholme Glamping or Wolds Wine Estate - both just over five miles away - the Main Pool makes a rainy-day backup plan rather than a planned outing. The glamping spots are genuinely lovely, and you'll find the pool more useful if you've got restless kids on a grey afternoon than as a destination in itself. Check ahead for opening hours and admission fees before you head over, as these can shift seasonally. Half an hour is plenty of time if you're just after a quick dip; allow ninety minutes if anyone's serious about laps.