Last Updated on 6 May 2026 by Dave King
Swimming pools in Brighton have changed significantly in the last few years. Sea Lanes opened a 50-metre outdoor heated pool on the seafront in 2023. Saltdean Lido has completed a major renovation and now opens year-round rather than just in summer. King Alfred Leisure Centre in Hove is being redeveloped, so you should check before visiting.
This guide covers what is actually open and what to expect from each venue.
Table of Contents
Swimming pools in Brighton at a glance
| Venue | Type | Key facts | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prince Regent Swimming Complex | Indoor leisure centre | 25m pool, slides, gym, sauna | Families, fitness, lessons |
| Sea Lanes | Outdoor 50m heated pool | Heated to around 19°C year-round, Madeira Drive | Fitness, lap swimming, open-water training |
| Saltdean Lido | Outdoor lido | Grade II* listed, year-round, heated 40m pool | Families, outdoor swimming |
| King Alfred Leisure Centre | Indoor leisure centre | Redevelopment underway, check before visiting | Check current status before travelling |
Prince Regent Swimming Complex
Prince Regent Swimming Complex, Church Street, Brighton BN1 1YA. Operated by Freedom Leisure on behalf of Brighton & Hove City Council.
The main pool is 25 metres with six lanes. There is also a teaching pool for lessons, an Aqua Run inflatable course that runs at weekends, and a 60-metre flume slide. Gym, sauna and steam room facilities are also on site.
Swimming lessons for children and adults are run by Freedom Leisure. Learn-to-swim courses start from babies and follow the Swim England syllabus. Slow, medium and fast lanes are available for public lane swimming.
Free swimming is available for children and young people through the Brighton & Hove City Council free swimming scheme. To use it, you need to register with Freedom Leisure. Under-8s must be accompanied in the water by an adult, and supervision ratios apply.
Sea Lanes Brighton
Sea Lanes, Madeira Drive. Opened in 2023. A 50-metre outdoor pool heated to around 19°C year-round, with six lanes and a seafront setting between Brighton Marina and Brighton Palace Pier.
Sessions should be booked in advance, especially for mornings and weekends. Changing rooms are functional rather than luxurious. Fika Beach café is on site for post-swim food and coffee, and Luna Wave Yoga also operates from the Sea Lanes site.
The pool is cool enough that you know you are swimming outdoors, but warm enough not to be a shock for regular swimmers. It is primarily used by lap swimmers, fitness swimmers and open-water training groups.
It is not a splash-around leisure pool. It is a proper swimming facility.
Saltdean Lido
Saltdean Lido, Saltdean Park Road, BN2 8SP. Six miles east of Brighton along the coast. This Grade II* listed lido was built in 1938 and has reopened year-round following major renovation.
The main pool is 40 metres and heated. There is also a children’s splash pool, changing rooms with warm showers, lockable cubicles, a café, a restaurant and grassed areas for relaxing.
There are two large free car parks nearby, which makes Saltdean Lido easier than central Brighton if you are driving.
Adult admission is usually around the £8 mark, but prices and session types can change, so check the Saltdean Lido website before booking. Season tickets are available.
Free swimming for children and young people may be available through the Brighton & Hove City Council scheme, but check current terms before travelling.
Dogs are not allowed except for specific dog swim events. Guide dogs are welcome.
Getting there without a car is manageable. Buses from Brighton stop close to the Lido, and the Undercliff Walk and cycle route run along the coast towards Saltdean.
King Alfred Leisure Centre: check before visiting
King Alfred Leisure Centre, Kingsway, Hove. A major redevelopment is underway, with the existing centre due to be replaced by a new leisure facility.
Brighton & Hove City Council approved further progress on the King Alfred regeneration project in April 2026, including enabling works and demolition of the disused bowling alley area. Main construction is scheduled to begin in November 2026, with the new facility not expected to open before spring 2028.
The existing centre may remain open for as long as possible during the project, but do not assume it is open. Check the Freedom Leisure website or call ahead before making a trip.
Sea swimming at Brighton Beach
Sea swimming from Brighton Beach is free and popular year-round. Water temperature usually ranges from cold in winter to milder in late summer, and Brighton has an active cold water swimming community.
One important note: always check water quality before swimming in the sea, particularly after heavy rainfall. The Surfers Against Sewage Safer Seas & Rivers Service app provides pollution alerts for UK swim spots.
Avoid swimming if there is a pollution alert in place, and be cautious after storms or heavy rain.
Lifeguarded areas and swim zones operate seasonally. Outside lifeguarded times, swim with others, wear a bright swim cap, and consider using a tow float so you are easier to see.
Free swimming for children and young people
Brighton & Hove City Council supports free swimming for children and young people aged 18 and under at participating venues.
Freedom Leisure lists Prince Regent Swimming Complex, King Alfred Leisure Centre and St Luke’s Community Swimming Pool as part of the scheme. Brighton & Hove City Council also lists Saltdean Lido as included during its season or under current scheme terms.
Registration is required before swimming for free. Check the council or Freedom Leisure website for the latest eligibility, venue list and conditions.
Frequently asked questions
Is King Alfred Leisure Centre open in 2026?
King Alfred Leisure Centre is being redeveloped, so check before visiting. Brighton & Hove City Council approved further progress on the redevelopment in April 2026, with main construction scheduled to begin in November 2026 and the new facility not expected before spring 2028.
The existing centre may remain open for as long as possible, but its status can change during the project.
Is Sea Lanes Brighton heated?
Yes. Sea Lanes has a 50-metre, six-lane outdoor pool heated to around 19°C year-round. Sessions should be booked in advance.
Is Saltdean Lido open all year?
Yes, Saltdean Lido says its pool and buildings are now open year-round after renovation. The main pool is heated and 40 metres long. Check the Saltdean Lido website for current session times and booking.
Is swimming free for children in Brighton?
Yes, Brighton & Hove City Council supports free swimming for children and young people aged 18 and under at participating venues. Registration is required, and the venue list can change, so check current details before going.
Is it safe to swim in the sea at Brighton?
Yes, but use common sense. Swim in designated swim areas when available, avoid swimming during pollution alerts, and check the Surfers Against Sewage app before getting in, especially after heavy rain.
If you are swimming outside lifeguarded periods, go with others, wear a bright swim cap and consider a tow float.
Where can I do lane swimming in Brighton?
Prince Regent Swimming Complex offers indoor lane swimming in central Brighton. Sea Lanes offers a 50-metre outdoor lane swimming option on Madeira Drive. Both have regular lane swimming sessions, but Sea Lanes should be booked in advance.
Final thoughts
The swimming picture in Brighton has changed. Sea Lanes is the most significant addition, giving the city a proper 50-metre outdoor heated pool on the seafront. Saltdean Lido is now year-round rather than just seasonal, which makes it a much more practical option than it used to be.
King Alfred is in the middle of a major redevelopment period, so check before visiting. Prince Regent remains the most accessible central indoor option.
For sea swimming, Brighton has an active year-round community, but always check water quality before you go in.
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