A landmark public swimming facility, originally built for the 1970 Commonwealth Games and recently refurbished. Its distinctive brutalist architecture houses an Olympic-length pool and diving facilities, representing a commitment to public sport and modernist civic design in Edinburgh.
The pool is fine and probably one of the better ones for public swimming in Edinburgh. Still find the custom that you have to take your shoes off outside pretty weird (instead of having the changing rooms set up so there is a 'dry' and a 'wet' side). There are cubicles for changing and showers both at the poolside as well as a few individual cubicles. You can punch your car reg plate in on a tablet at the desk so you get the 3 h free parking. The pool is halved to give 25 m long laps. There is a cafe and seating area upstairs. Didn't check out the gym. Die to all this being very acceptable I'm able to give 2 stars, but the experience of customer service I had was not great at all. I booked in for the advanced adult swimming lessons. Firstly, entirely unclear on the website that you pay a monthly fee that just rolls over if you don't cancel it. That's fine, I phones in about it beforehand and that was explained. However, while my breaststroke was deemed better than beginners by the coach on the day, I wanted to learn front crawl. After the 50 min were up we hadn't made much progress with this and I felt my couch was a bit out of ideas as he suggested I should join a beginners class for this, which I was willing to do. However, what was not explained to me was that a) as he deemed the level of class not appropriate for me, I could not return to the class and b) there wouldn't be a refund (I was pointed towards the TS&C's) but c) there were also no places left in the beginners class that I would be able to attend (the only one not during working hours). So I was basically supposed to accept to not get anything for my money this month. After a lot of emailing back and forth it was agreed that I could get 2 free entries to the normal public swimming instead. But this was not offered voluntarily, I had to literally bargain for it. As a side note due to a 'event' and the Xmas closure I would have not been able to attend even the adult lessons every week. Apparently also something that I should have just accepted, and that would have been calculated in would my next direct debit come round in January. And what if I had decided to only do this for one month??? Overall while I accept it is my duty to read the small print I find that a rather uncaring approach to customer care and service and while I will take the 2 opportunities to swim (for more money than I would have to pay for single entries), I will after that not return.
This pool is so amazing for young and old swimmers, inexperienced and experienced. I’ve heard that the Aquadash is really really good too, and is amazing to hold birthday parties at. Every time I’m taking my son to the swimming lessons, I’m seeing a birthday party table with someone!s name on it, suggesting that Aquadash is popular. Their swimming lessons are at a reasonable price with good teaching. Personal swimming is also fun, but I personally didn’t enjoy it too much,
the commonwealth pool is a very fancy nice place with a well stocked cafe and olympic sized with great aquadash, I've only been there once for a gala event but intend to come back soon it's just really nice
We went there midweek in the daytime and had to cancel our swim as the whole pool was lane swimming only. Very disappointing. Telephone before going to ask how the pool is being used, and if the diving boards are open...
Signed up for unlimited use of pool and gym for one week at £20 while on a visit, which I think is good value for what you get. 50m pool is good, no real problems although I don’t like the “changing village” concept at all. The whole place could also do with better cleaning. However, the gym is the real standout - great area for free weights, friendly and knowledgeable staff, full range of ancillary machines, and a very welcome atmosphere for all users.
Visited with the kids for the aquadash extreme. Kids had a great time, facilities were good and the tickets were reasonably priced
Great leisure centre. Have only ever used the gym but it's well equipped, never too busy (but avoid going in the late afternoon if you want to skip the post-school rush), and the changing rooms are clean. The staff are friendly and helpful should you need any advice. Reasonable prices as well seeing as it's council run!
Brilliant experience swimming in a 50m pool with so much history. Arthur's Seat in the background as you enter, nice modern changing rooms and easy to book online with 25m pool also available. We did the £7 for 7 days offer as only visiting for a weekend but would definitely be a member if I lived in the city.
Royal Commonwealth Pool is located at Royal Commonwealth Pool, 21 Dalkeith Rd, Edinburgh EH16 5BB, UK
You can contact Royal Commonwealth Pool at +44 131 458 2100
You can find directions to Royal Commonwealth Pool by following this map link