Published: Friday 26 June 2026
An almost-120-year-old Chelsea swimming pool is to get a £1.3 million makeover thanks to investment from Kensington and Chelsea Council.
The works to the pool, which was opened in April 1907, will include replacing the pool plant and roof, refurbishing the swimming pools’ surfaces and reshaping the main pool to allow for more flexible use, while also reducing water and energy demand.
The pool will be closed from Sunday 12 July to allow the works to begin and are expected to be complete in November this year.
Where else can I swim while the pool is closed?
Chelsea Sports Centre members are able to swim at GLL pools across the UK during the closure, including Kensington Leisure Centre, located approximately four miles away.
The designs will preserve the building’s historic character while improving the quality and efficiency of the facility for residents. Works will include changing the depth of the pool to a more standardised 1 to 1.8 metre gradient, facilitating swimming lessons for all.
Cllr Josh Rendall, lead member with responsibility for leisure facilities, said: "This historic pool has been in use for 119 years, making it an important part of the borough’s history as well as a vital health and fitness facility for Chelsea.
“This investment protects a valued heritage asset, suiting it to the needs of residents in 2026, and boosting its energy efficiency so that it can be enjoyed for decades to come.”
The work is being delivered by the Council in partnership with GLL. The scheme is being funded by s106 funding and grant funding to an amount of £1.3 million.
The improvements will support the Council’s priorities around active, healthy communities, efficient public buildings and the careful stewardship of the borough’s historic environment.