Seven Islands swimming pool in Rotherhithe is due to close later in 2025 to make way for a new swimming pool/leisure centre at Canada Water. The new centre will no doubt have more up to date facilities than its predecessor but lets spare a moment for the fading grandeur of this 1960s classic.
Opened in 1965, it takes its name from a previous series of ponds on/near to its current site. The pool itself is an unusual 33 metres long, so a bit more of a stretch than the standard 25m and very welcome if you are training. Southwark Aquatics Swimming Club have been based there for years.
There is a perspective on any pool that only the swimmer really sees underwater. In this case there is a sudden drop at the deep end, almost a cliff ledge, presumably at one time this depth would have enabled high board diving but no sign of that today
