The 7 best swimming instructors in London who’ll keep you from drowning

Ever had that sinking feeling when you’re the only one at a pool party who can’t swim? At the last such party I went to, I was a lot less like Rose and more like Jack in Titanic, clinging to the edge of the pool like it was a door on the water.

That’s why I decided to dive into the deep end (figuratively and literally) and find the absolute best swimming instructors in London. Coaches from these swim schools won’t just teach you to swim – they’ll make sure you never do that awful dogpaddle again in front of your pals! 

How much do swimming lessons cost in London? Swimming instructors in London typically charge between £30 to £65 per hour for one-on-one private lessons. There are usually packages for multiple sessions as well, which can range anywhere from £125 to £350. This depends on the type of program and the number of sessions required.

How we chose

• Expertise and Qualifications: We chose swimming instructors who have solid credentials and plenty of experience.

• Teaching Style: We looked for instructors who are patient and approachable. Learning to swim can be intimidating, so having someone who makes you feel comfortable and at ease is crucial.

• Locations and Facilities: We considered how easy it is to get to the lessons and the quality of the facilities. Instructors who teach at clean, well-maintained pools in accessible locations made the cut.

• Value for Money: We made sure to find instructors who offer great value for their services, especially as measured against the city average for fees. 

• Packages and Programs: We chose swimming instructors who offer a range of packages and programs to suit different needs. This can include one-on-one courses, regular weekly sessions, or specialised programs like open water swimming or triathlon training.

1. London Baby Swim

Location: 

• Osterley Centre: 178 Wood Lane Osterley Isleworth Middlesex TW7 5EH
• Wandsworth Centre: 18 Hardwicks Square Wandsworth London SW18 4JS

Contact: 

• Call: 020 8400 9091
• Email: [email protected]

Opening hours: 9am to 4pm Monday to Friday

Website

We recently enrolled our child at London Baby Swim and couldn’t be happier with the experience. Founded by Phil Shaw in 2007, London Baby Swim aims to instil a love for water in babies and toddlers while ensuring their safety and confidence. Phil’s extensive background in teaching water sports, especially Scuba Diving, has driven the creation of this exceptional programme.

The classes are perfectly sized, allowing each child to receive individual attention. This not only helps in developing swimming skills but also creates a wonderful social environment for both children and parents. The instructors, with years of experience, are fantastic at ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience. They are adept at boosting parents’ confidence in the water, making the lessons something we all look forward to each week.

One of the standout features of London Baby Swim is its state-of-the-art facilities. Unlike other swim schools that use rented pools, London Baby Swim has private, purpose-built pools designed specifically for babies and toddlers. These pools maintain a constant 33°C water temperature and have very low chlorine levels thanks to their unique UV water sanitation systems, making them perfect for newborns.

London Baby Swim also excels in creating a great social environment. For mums, it’s a wonderful way to meet and share precious moments, while dads get to enjoy special bonding time with their babies. The shared experience not only makes swimming fun for the little ones but also strengthens the parent-child bond.

Overall, London Baby Swim offers a well-rounded, fun, and safe swimming programme that we highly recommend to any parent looking to give their child the gift of water confidence and lifelong swimming skills.

“We took our daughter to the Wandsworth pool for the underwater photoshoot. The experience was fantastic, they were calm, relaxed and put us all at ease. The photos came through two weeks later and we are so happy with them, we are going to print one AO size but are finding it hard to choose which one as so many of them are brilliant we can’t choose one!!! We have 27 amazing photos. I highly recommend the photo shoot for pictures of your little ones that you will keep forever.” — Emma Turner

“Both of our children have learnt to swim here with Emma and we have loved the experience throughout. It’s entirely designed for baby and toddler swimming so all requirements are taken into consideration – arrival and space to feed, changing mats for all children, pools at an appropriate temp / depth / size – and a viewing area for other family members to see. Friendly and warm staff as well make it a very happy environment for the kids.” — Lynsey Verillo

2. NeoSwim

Location: https://neo-swim.co.uk/locations-1

Contact: +44 7423 774612

Opening hours: 24/7

Website

NeoSwim stands out as a premier provider of at-home swimming lessons across London and the United Kingdom. Their unique approach allows students to learn in the comfort and convenience of their own pools, catering to a wide range of ages and abilities. NeoSwim’s services include adult, child, and infant swimming lessons, along with specialized sessions such as prenatal and SEN/disability swimming classes. The company emphasizes personalized attention and bespoke programs, ensuring each individual’s needs are met.

One of the major advantages of NeoSwim is the personalized attention each student receives. With experienced instructors who bring a minimum of five years of teaching experience, students can expect high-quality, tailored lessons that focus on individual progress. Additionally, NeoSwim’s mobile service eliminates the need for travel, making it highly convenient for clients to fit swimming lessons into their schedules. The comfort of learning in one’s own pool also enhances the overall experience, providing a familiar and private environment conducive to learning.

Another significant benefit is NeoSwim’s commitment to inclusivity and specialized coaching. They offer a variety of sessions that cater to unique needs, such as prenatal swimming and lessons for individuals with disabilities. This ensures that swimming is accessible to everyone, regardless of their circumstances. Moreover, the instructors at NeoSwim are well-trained in dealing with a range of challenges, from overcoming aquaphobia to enhancing performance for competitive swimmers. The company’s focus on creating a supportive and nurturing environment fosters confidence and enjoyment in the water.

However, there are some potential drawbacks to consider. The cost of private at-home swimming lessons can be higher compared to group lessons at local pools, which might not be feasible for everyone.

Another think to take note of is that NeoSwim is a company that only sends highly experienced instructors to private clients’ residences to deliver lessons in home pools. They do not have their own pool space or hire out pool space for people who do not have home pools. This reliance on having a private pool means that this service is not accessible to those without such facilities, limiting its reach to a broader audience.

Though the lessons might be on the higher end of the price scale, you certainly get what you pay for in regards to quality and professionalism of teaching. Their positive Google reviews are certainly a testament to this.

In conclusion, NeoSwim offers a highly personalized and convenient solution for swimming education, making it a top choice for those with access to private pools. Their extensive range of lessons and commitment to inclusivity ensure that they cater to a diverse clientele. While the cost and availability might be limiting factors, the quality of instruction and the comfort of learning at home make NeoSwim a valuable option for those looking to enhance their swimming skills.

3. Going Swimmingly London 

Location: 100 Friars Ave, London SW15 3DU, United Kingdom

Contact: +44 7873 178154

Opening hours: Monday – Saturday: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM | Sunday: 6:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Website

Adam at Going Swimmingly offers various swimming lessons, including private swimming lessons for kids, adults, and athletes training for triathlons. However, seeing his track record, we see him as a great choice for kids in particular.

This is because he is calm, patient, and reliable – three major things we’re looking for in a swimming instructor. He’s also flexible as he offers both residential and private lessons, which most parents appreciate.

On the downside, his services are more on the expensive side. But seeing that he is a fully qualified instructor who has been teaching since he was young, his experience makes the fees worth it.

Adam is also a personal trainer, which is why his inclusive approach focuses on the stress-relieving and health aspects of swimming. Plus, he makes the entire process enjoyable. 

Adam is a brilliant swim coach, truly the best. We’ve known him many years and he has always been so patient and calm with our son, who has additional needs and struggles to walk… however he can now swim well thanks to Adam. Adam brings lots of energy and fun to his lessons and he is a genuinely lovely guy who is great with kids. I would highly recommend his lessons!

Justine Shih | Google Reviews 

Adam has been teaching my 6 year old son for over 7 months now. He has been amazing with him. My son wasn’t a fan of water, and didn’t want to go into the pool the first lesson, but now cannot wait for his weekly class with Adam. He has progressed so much, and it’s thanks to Adam’s patience and playful ways of teaching him. Highly recommended!

Shirley Turnheim | Google Reviews

4. Strictly Swimming Moorgate

Location: Nuffield Health Moorgate Fitness & Wellbeing Gym, 1 Ropemaker St, London EC2Y 9AW, United Kingdom

Contact: +44 7876 743656

Opening hours: Monday – Friday: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM | Saturday – Sunday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Website

Strictly Swimming Moorgate focuses on top-level adult swimming lessons led by competitive swimmers and sports science graduates. Their private one-to-one lessons cater to adults of all abilities, from beginners to competitive swimmers and triathletes.

One standout feature of Strictly Swimming Moorgate is their focus on individualised learning. With private teaching lanes and tailored lessons, swimmers receive personalised attention.

Another thing worth noting is their amazing rates – they’re not only affordable, but they’re also transparent. For instance, lessons start at £25 and there are even flexible packages available depending on how many lessons you need in one course.

Unfortunately, some instructors can be rough on hard-selling these packages. On the good side, they have gift voucher options which is a nice touch for non-members.

Really enjoying my swim lessons with Strictly Swimming, the coaches Arvids and Lillie have both been amazing! Paul, the head coach, has been extremely flexible with my constant travel plans and has offered more than once for me to join a different session during the week because I couldn’t make the one I originally booked! Really appreciated, will definitely recommend and book again! Thanks!

Irina Liechti | Google Reviews 

I can’t recommend strictly swimming enough for all your swimming needs, it was extremely easy to organise lessons via the owner Paul who was super responsive and helpful, and fees are extremely reasonable. As someone who has spent their life petrified of water and unable to swim, I’m finally overcoming my fear and am learning fairly quickly because of the support from my brilliant coach Layth. If you’re thinking of taking the plunge GO FOR IT! And if you’re nervous in the water, ask for Layth, he’s hugely supportive and even though I’m still sometimes scared he manages to make lessons fun and enjoyable!

Daniela Haydar | Google Reviews 

5. Swim for Tri

Location: Nuffield Shoreditch, 6 Bateman’s Row, London EC2A 3HH, United Kingdom

Contact: +44 20 7247 2998 

Opening hours: Monda: 8:30 AM – 9:30 PM | Tuesday – Wednesday: 2:00 PM – 9:30 PM | Thursday – Friday: 7:15 AM – 9:30 PM | Saturday – Sunday: Open 24 hours 

Website

Swim for Tri is a great place to learn if you want to have a comprehensive swimming experience. Their classes cater to all levels, from beginners to Ironman, plus they have workshops both locally and abroad.

One notable perk of choosing Swim for Tri is their diverse range of courses and sessions, from one-to-one coaching to technique master classes – they even open water skills workshops where students can swim freely in lakes. 

Additionally, their team of coaches has over 50 years of combined experience, which is the kind of expertise we’re looking for. 

The admin team was also fantastic as they make the entire booking process easy – we just wish they responded more promptly to queries. Once you get on board with them though, communication is pretty much seamless. 

I’ve known Dan, Keeley and the gang for well over fifteen years now and I still use tips that Dan gave me when I began Openwater swimming! To say their help and advice has absolutely pushed me onwards is an understatement. My husband did a swim session with Keeley to help him with an intro into Openwater swimming and really enjoyed it. If you’re unsure, give these guys a go, they’ve got the knowledge and vast experience to help everyone from beginners to those who think they’ve learnt all there is to know!

Shannon Pearce | Google Reviews

I had a session with Cedric to improve my technique for triathlon. He very quickly identified the weaknesses in my stroke, and set me off on some drills to improve form and timing, using fins so that I didn’t need to worry about propulsion. He took video of me swimming, and emailed that to me afterwards with instructions for the drills so that I can practise myself in training. It was great, and I feel like I now know the right direction to start aiming for my stroke technique.

Chris Burt | Google Reviews

6. Turner Swim 

Location: The Dilly Hotel Spa (formerly Le Méridien, 21 Piccadilly, London W1J 0BH, United Kingdom

Contact: +44 20 7157 9902

Website

One of the things we loved about Turner Swim is that they operate in luxury hotel facilities, which makes the lessons feel more premium. However, that feeling doesn’t exactly translate to price as they’re still a pretty competitive option. 

Their programs are diverse, offering everything from adult one-on-one sessions to overcoming water phobia. They also have programs focused on open water skills for triathletes, as well as Olympic breaststroke programs. 

We also found it convenient that clients can book sessions online up to 4 weeks in advance. However, there were instances where clients felt like they were pressured into getting larger packages unnecessarily. It didn’t happen to us… but it would have annoyed us too if it had.

Still, with highly qualified and experienced instructors, we still have confidence in their skills. Plus, they offer gift vouchers, which is a nice present to a friend or family who also wants to learn. 

I booked a few lessons with Alejandro to overcome my water phobia and I exceeded my own expectations by becoming a swimmer and actually learning different swimming techniques. The swimming instructor was very professional, calm and patient with me which I needed to overcome my anxiety. He made sure to provide constructive feedback and a step by step solution to address any issues I had at the time with my swimming. If you have some sort of water phobia or looking to improve your technique, I definitely recommend taking the 1 to 1 lessons with Alejandro.

Ella Yusufzai | Google Reviews

Huge thanks to Josh for getting me through the head-up breast stroke to front crawl course! I’ve always found front crawl really difficult and felt like I was struggling and flailing around in the water, totally exhausted after one length. After five lessons I understand how fluid and efficient it can feel when you’re doing it properly, and it’s extremely satisfying! Josh has plenty of patience, enthusiasm and knows what he’s talking about, and I’ve really enjoyed my lessons. Excited to practise what I’ve learned and I expect to go back for more lessons in the future.

Virginia Clark | Google Reviews 

7. LearnToSwim

Location: Fitness First Cottons Cottons Centre, Tooley St, Bridge, London SE1 2QN, United Kingdom

Contact: +44 7508 178499 

Opening hours: Monday – Thursday: 6:35 AM – 9:35 PM |  Friday: 6:35 AM -8:35 PM | Saturday – Sunday: 8:35 AM – 7:35 PM

Website

LearnToSwim, led by Mark, offers swimming instruction tailored to beginners and experienced swimmers alike. As students often note, Mark is patient and humorous, which actually makes the lessons more casual and enjoyable than strictly methodical.

Apart from this approach, we also liked that students get exclusive use of a 20m lane. We found this helpful for various practical demonstrations, which speed up the learning progress.

Another thing we loved is the set of perks that a lot of schools don’t have. For instance, students can get a 10% discount on all swimming-related products (Nabaji and Olaian by Decathlon).

Booking is also easy thanks to the LearnToSwim which interested students can easily sign up for. It can also be done via the web through Mindbody online.

 Mark is a great instructor and the lessons are tailored to you. You essentially drive the lessons. He provides a variety to the lesson so it’s not swimming all the time, he gives you the theory which helps you better understand how it works. I’d recommend to anyone who is thinking of doing lessons – regardless of competency, his lessons are suitable for all!

Sindy C | Google Reviews 

I feel very fortunate that I came across Mark as my relationship with swimming has already changed drastically, with only four lessons. Mark is really knowledgeable and enthusiastic about swimming, and really patient. The lessons are all tailored to your goals and needs. It’s super easy to book classes on the dedicated app, and venue itself is great and having a lane to yourself is really helpful. Looking forward to many more lessons and to learning more, and would highly recommend Mark to anyone.

Victoria Stepanova | Google Reviews