Wester Hailes Education Centre

The leisure centre sits on the outskirts of Edinburgh, a proper working facility rather than a showpiece. It's got a swimming pool that actually serves the local community - no fancy frills, just water, lanes, and changing rooms that do the job. If you're staying at Linwater Caravan Park nearby, it's worth knowing about for a rainy afternoon or if the kids need to burn off energy indoors.

You'll find it's decent for families with younger swimmers. The pool isn't Olympic-sized, and there's not much to write home about in terms of architecture or atmosphere, but that's rather the point. It's functional and accessible, which means you won't spend ages finding a parking space or queuing for ages just to get in.

Best to ring ahead or check their website before you go - opening hours and prices do shift. Allow maybe an hour to two hours depending on whether you're just doing a quick splash or settling in for proper swimming lessons. It's not a destination in itself, but if you're based at the caravan park for a few days and the weather turns, it beats sitting under canvas. Don't expect thrills or water slides. Do expect a clean pool and reasonable facilities for a fraction of what you'd pay at a tourist attraction.