Crosby Beach
A hundred cast-iron men stare out to sea along two miles of sand - Antony Gormley's Another Place, and the strangest, most memorable free afternoon on this coast. Sand, statues, ships from the port gliding past.
Crosby Leisure Centre
Crosby, Merseyside
Two pools on Mariners Road, 25 metres and 12 metres, the smaller one shallow enough for children who are not swimming yet, with public swim on both most weekday mornings. Prices are up front: adults £7.30, children £4.80, and a family of four for £20.
Tuesday is the day. That is when Atlantis Splash goes in, an inflatable assault course running the length of the main pool. Sessions last 50 minutes including the safety briefing, and buoyancy aids are supplied and must be worn. The rules are strict and sensible: five and over, confident over 25 metres, and under eights need a fully paying adult in the water alongside them. Wear a t shirt under the buoyancy aid. They suggest it for a reason. One thing to hold in mind on a Saturday, the whole place closes at 4pm.
Know before you go
- Weekends run 8am to 4pm. Plan Saturday swimming for the morning or you will walk in as they start clearing the pool.
- Atlantis Splash has hard rules: five and over, and every participant must swim 25 metres confidently. Under eights need a paying adult in the water with them. Do not book it for a nervous swimmer and hope.
- It is a two minute walk from the iron men on Crosby Beach. Beach first, warm shower after, which is the right order when the wind is up.
Worth knowing: Atlantis Splash is 5 and over, and everyone taking part must swim 25 metres confidently.
Looking for more water & swimming near Crosby?
Also in Crosby
Crosby Lakeside Adventure Centre
Sefton's watersports centre on Crosby Marine Lake, with pay and play paddle sessions in season and the Gormley iron men on the beach over the road. More of a booked-session place than a turn-up attraction, so plan before you drive.