Free swimming just got bigger!
New offer for men aged 35 and over and adults with children
Free swimming in Be Well pools across Tower Hamlets is expanding!
For the first time, men aged 35 and over can join our free swim sessions, designed to boost physical and mental wellbeing.
We’re also launching our new parent and child free swim offer, where any adult resident can bring up to two children for free during designated family swim times, giving families the chance to enjoy time together, build confidence in the water, and introduce little ones to swimming – all at no cost.
Who can take part?
Residents of Tower Hamlets can now access:
- Free swim sessions for men aged 35 and over
- Free parent and child swim sessions, any adult resident can bring up to two children for free
- Ongoing free swimming for women and girls aged 16
Why it matters?
Swimming is one of the most accessible forms of physical activity: gentle on joints, good for mental health, and great for building confidence at any age.
Easter 2026 swimming crash courses
🏊♀️Easter holiday 2026 swimming crash courses – build skills and confidence in just 3/4 days!
Looking for a fun and effective way to boost your child’s swimming skills this Easter break?
Our Easter Swimming Crash Courses are the perfect way to help children aged 4 and above gain confidence in the water, improve technique, and stay active during the Easter break.
Crash courses create a unique learning environment that helps children make faster, more confident progress. Here are some of the key benefits:
Faster skill development
Daily practice allows children to build new skills more quickly. Because they revisit the techniques every day, they retain information better and correct errors before they become habits.
Increased water confidence
Being in the water every day reduces nerves and builds comfort. Even pupils who are initially hesitant usually become more confident within just a few sessions.
Build strength and stamina quickly
Short, frequent practice sessions help develop swimming-specific fitness, improving coordination, strength, stamina, and breath control, which are essential for all strokes.
Consistency leads to progress
Regular repetition helps reinforce key skills such as floating, kicking, breathing, and stroke technique. Without long gaps between sessions, children stay familiar with the skills and progress more steadily.
More focused instruction
Because intensive lessons typically involve small groups, instructors can give more individual feedback. This personalized approach helps children overcome specific challenges more efficiently.
Progress you can see
Many children complete an intensive week having achieved:
- a new distance award
- improved technique
- greater confidence
- a clearer understanding of water safety
Parents often comment on how noticeable the improvement is after just a few consecutive days.
💧 What’s Included:
- A 3/4-day course with a 30-minute lesson each day
- Small group sessions led by qualified, friendly instructors
- A focus on water confidence, safety, and skill development
- Suitable for beginners and improvers alike
With prices starting from just £6.32 per lesson, it’s a cost-effective way to give your child a head start in the pool.
*New* SEND Course info
Our new SEND courses follow the Swim England alpha step awards that are tailored to children who made initial support. Alpha step awards are great for encouraging shy/timid children, nervous individual and individuals with special education needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
Our SEND groups are kept small and teachers teach based around needs and offer guidance to both children and accompanying adults on all aspects of swimming and safety.
Please note our SEND courses require an accompanying adult to be in the water.
📍Available at Mile End Park Leisure Centre and Stadium
📅 Course Dates & Locations:
📍Mile End Park Leisure Centre and Stadium
📆 30/03/26 – 02/04/26 (4 days)
🕤9.00am – 12pm
Stages 1,2,3
Plus *new* SEND crash course
Suitable for children aged 4 and over. Suitable for beginners and improvers. Stages 1 – 3 available.
🖱️ How to Book:
Click the button below to view available sessions and secure your child’s place.
📍Tiller Leisure Centre
📆7/04/26 – 09/04/26 (3 days)
🕤9.00am – 11.30am
Stages 1,2,3,4
📍York Hall Leisure Centre
📆 20/03/26 – 02/04/26 (4 days)
🕤9.00am – 12pm
Stages 1,2,3,4
📆 7/04/26 – 09/04/26 (3 days)
🕤9.00am-11.30am
Stages 1,2,3,4
🧒 Who Can Join?
These courses are open to children aged 4 years and above. Whether your child is just starting out or looking to improve their technique, our crash courses are tailored to support their progress in a fun, safe environment.
Spots are limited and fill up fast—so don’t miss out on this splash-tastic opportunity to make waves this Easter holiday.
Be Well The Spa First Anniversary Celebration
Join us on Thursday 26 March for an exclusive anniversary celebration with complimentary mini treatments, limited time discounts, luxury raffle prizes and demo signature HydraFacials.
How to get involved
Book an anniversary Thermal Spa session at 1pm (men only), 3.30pm (mixed session) or 5.30pm (women only session) and you will also receive:
- Complimentary healthy refreshments
- A complimentary 10 minute mini treatment (choose from a chair massage, mini facial or Theragun session)
- A raffle entry with the chance to win a Platinum HydraFacial (worth £145), a 25-minute massage, guest passes or thermal spa vouchers
- Access to exclusive anniversary discounts: 30% off all spa treatments booked and paid for on the day (valid for same day or future appointments)
- The opportunity to speak to a HydraFacial expert and book a 15 minute demo Signature HydraFacial (additional cost: £25 per treatment)
You can also book the 15 minute demo Signature HydraFacial as a standalone treatment without a Thermal Spa session.
Spaces are limited
Secure your place at our anniversary event.
Event details
Event details:
📆 Thursday 26th March 2026
🕞1-3pm (men only)
🕞3.30pm – 5.30pm (mixed session) SOLD OUT
🕞 5.30pm-7.30pm (women only) SOLD OUT
📍Be Well The Spa, York Hall
Refurbished multi-courts and stadium upgrades at Mile End
More than £230,000 has been invested in recent upgrades at Mile End Park Leisure Centre, including the transformation of the former tennis courts into a new multi-sports court and the creation of a revamped hospitality area at Mile End Park Stadium, bringing total investment across Be Well centres to £6.3 million.
£130,000 has been used to convert the tennis courts into a versatile, new pitch with a 2G surface, new nets, hockey goals and fencing. The upgraded space can be used for tennis, hockey and netball, offering Be Well members and local sports teams improved playing experiences than the previous concrete courts. The multi-use design also increases capacity, supporting a wider range of sporting activity.
Further improvements at Mile End Stadium have been delivered through an investment of over £100,000, supported by part grant funding from the Football Foundation’s Premier League Stadium Support Fund and the council as a majority match funding partner. Enhancements include a new player walkway, perimeter fencing cover, a turnstile and a brand-new hospitality area, created from previously unused changing rooms. This new space will improve matchday experiences for clubs and spectators, while also providing a flexible venue for activities such as school holiday programmes, community sports training and coach education space and the Mayor’s Cup.
Following Sporting Bengal’s promotion in 2024 to Step 4 of the football pyramid – a club that plays its home games at Mile End Stadium – these upgrades ensure the stadium now meets the Football Foundation’s stadium grading requirements. This enables Sporting Bengal, and other local clubs, to continue competing at higher levels without facing penalties for non-compliance grading requirements.
The council continues to prioritise investment in leisure facilities across the borough as part of its commitment to improving service delivery, expanding access to sport and supporting healthier communities.
The council has recently invested in improvements to the football pitches at Mile End, and two new bespoke Aspen saunas at Whitechapel Sports Centre, enhancing leisure facilities for Be Well members.
Work is currently underway to create a women’s-only gym with changing facilities at Poplar Baths, due for completion later this year. Further improvements, including equipment upgrades across leisure centres, are also being planned.
Cllr Kamrul Hussain, Cabinet Member for Culture and Recreation said:
“These investments demonstrate our commitment to providing high-quality, accessible leisure facilities for everyone in Tower Hamlets.
“By improving our centres, expanding the range of activities available and upgrading key sports infrastructure, we are supporting residents to lead healthier, more active lives and helping local clubs thrive.”
To book the multi-courts for tennis, please visit the Be Well website.
For hockey and netball bookings, enquiries can be made directly with Mile End at bewell-mileend@towerhamlets.gov.uk.
Be Well Easter Holiday Club 2026
30 March – 9 April 2026
Mile End Park Leisure Centre and Stadium
Calling all 5-15 year olds! Looking for something to keep the kids active and healthy this Easter holiday? Then look no further than our Easter Holiday Club at Mile End Park Leisure Centre and Stadium.
The Easter holiday is fast approaching so if you’re looking to help your child burn off some energy during the holiday, or help them discover their new favourite sport or hobby, we’re here to help!
Our all-day Easter Holiday Club has plenty of activities to help your children make the most of their free time and will be taking place from 30 March – 9 April (excludes bank holiday Monday on 6 April), every Monday to Thursday, between 9am-5pm.
Each day will be packed with fun activities from sports to arts and crafts, helping your child to make the most of their Easter holidays. Some activities on offer are:
- Swimming
- Athletics
- Gymnastics
- Trampolining
- Football
- Tennis
- Arts & Crafts
- Bouncy Castles
- ……and lots lots more.
We understand how important it is to introduce your child to a healthy and active lifestyle. That’s why our Holiday Club offers a perfect balance of exercise, activity, fun, socialising, interaction and engagement.
Our friendly, qualified staff are on hand to supervise and help make everyone safe and included.
Bookings now open!
To book, click ‘Book now’ and select Mile End as your location and then select ‘Holiday club’.
Your child may be entitled to a free space!
There are funded spaces for children who attend a Tower Hamlets School, are aged between 5-15 years and are in receipt of benefit related free school meals. Spaces are limited and will be allocated on a first come first served basis for applications satisfying the eligibility criteria.
For more information and bookings please visit the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme portal.
Easter Holiday Club terms and conditions and rules/regulations apply. Please check with Mile End Park Leisure Centre and Stadium.
Spring 2026 half term swimming crash courses
🏊♀️Spring Half term 2026 swimming crash courses – build skills and confidence in just 4/5 days!
Looking for a fun and effective way to boost your child’s swimming skills this spring half term?
Our spring half term Swimming Crash Courses are the perfect way to help children aged 4 and above gain confidence in the water, improve technique, and stay active during the half term break.
💧 What’s Included:
- A 4/5-day course with a 30-minute lesson each day
- Small group sessions led by qualified, friendly instructors
- A focus on water confidence, safety, and skill development
- Suitable for beginners and improvers alike
With prices starting from just £6.32 per lesson, it’s a cost-effective way to give your child a head start in the pool.
📅 Course Dates & Locations:
📍York Hall Leisure Centre
📆 16/02/25 – 20/02/26 (5 day course)
🕤9.30am – 12pm
Suitable for children aged 4 and over. Suitable for beginners and improvers. Stages 1 – 3 available.
🖱️ How to Book:
Click the button below to view available sessions and secure your child’s place.
📍Mile End Leisure Centre
📆 16/02/25 – 19/02/26 (4 day course)
🕤9am – 12pm
Suitable for children aged 4 and over. Suitable for beginners and improvers. Stages 1 – 3 available.
🖱️ How to Book:
Click the button below to view available sessions and secure your child’s place.
🧒 Who Can Join?
These courses are open to children aged 4 years and above. Whether your child is just starting out or looking to improve their technique, our crash courses are tailored to support their progress in a fun, safe environment.
Spots are limited and fill up fast—so don’t miss out on this splash-tastic opportunity to make waves this Spring half term.
Ramadan extended hours 2026
Late-night access Monday to Thursday at Whitechapel and Mile End
Throughout Ramadan, Be Well is committed to supporting your physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing with more flexible opening hours.
From 17 February to 19 March, both Whitechapel Sports Centre and Mile End Park Leisure Centre will stay open until 12am (midnight) every Monday to Thursday, giving you extra time to move, restore and prioritise your wellness around fasting and prayer times.
This year continues a long-standing tradition of supporting our community during Ramadan. Mile End has offered extended Ramadan hours since 2010 and we’re proud to keep that commitment going while expanding access to Whitechapel as well.
Whether you’re looking for a peaceful late-night workout, mindful movement after iftar, or time to unwind in our sports spaces, our extended hours are here to help you stay well during the month.
Centres with extended hours:
- Whitechapel Sports Centre
- Mile End Park Leisure Centre
Extended Ramadan hours:
📅 From 17 Feb-19 March
🕛 Monday to Thursday: open until 12am (midnight)
🕛 Friday to Sunday: normal operating hours apply
Late-night access includes
- Gym facilities
- Sports hall sessions
- Multi-functional spaces
- Changing rooms and lockers
- Supportive Be Well staff on site throughout the evening
Wishing all those observing a peaceful, healthy and balanced Ramadan.
New saunas launch at Whitechapel Sports Centre
Tower Hamlets Council has invested a further £80,000 to install two new bespoke Aspen saunas at Whitechapel Sports Centre, continuing its commitment to improving leisure facilities and supporting healthier communities across the borough.
Following the successful refurbishment and upgrade of the historic spa at York Hall, the council has delivered brand-new saunas in both the male and female changing rooms at Whitechapel Sports Centre, enhancing the leisure experience for Be Well members to support health and wellbeing.
Before the leisure service was brought back in-house, the saunas at Whitechapel were closed due to refurbishment needs and longstanding access issues. As part of the new investment, the council has installed controlled access doors to ensure the saunas are safely managed, fully licensed and available to Be Well members.
The saunas are the first project delivered as part of an additional £1.5 million funding allocated in 2024 to tackle health inequalities and expand leisure provision.
This comes alongside Be Well’s New Year offers, designed to make health and wellbeing facilities more accessible and affordable. Current offers include:
- Four months for the price of three on all memberships
- A complimentary treatment with Anytime Plus Spa memberships
- Reduced junior membership prices to encourage active lifestyles
This latest investment builds on more than £4.8 million already invested across centres, including the York Hall spa refurbishment, improvements to Mile End Park Leisure Centre football pitches and essential system upgrades across all six centres.
Further improvements planned for 2026 include:
- New and reconfigured women-only gyms at Poplar Baths and Mile End
- Enhanced health suites at Whitechapel and Mile End
- Upgraded changing village at Mile End
- Inflatable activities across swimming centres
Cllr Kamrul Hussain, Cabinet Member for Culture and Recreation, said:
“At a time when leisure services across the country are under pressure, Tower Hamlets Council is choosing to invest in our community.
“This £80,000 investment at Whitechapel Sports Centre is about more than new saunas – it’s about removing barriers to health and wellbeing and ensuring residents have access to high-quality, affordable facilities close to home.
“By combining these upgrades with our New Year offers, we’re making it easier for people to take that first step – whether that means improving physical health, supporting mental wellbeing, or simply finding time for themselves.
“Bringing leisure services back in-house has allowed us to focus on what matters most: investing in facilities, listening to residents and building a Be Well service that is inclusive, accessible and designed around the needs of our community.”
Sauna usage is included in Be Well memberships and bookings can be made through the Be Well website and app.
Lifeguard training – February 2026
We’re back with another round of lifeguard training!
We’re offering more training opportunities, giving individuals the chance to gain life-saving skills, boost their confidence, and start a rewarding career in leisure.
Don’t miss this chance to develop essential life skills and gain a new qualification!
Course details
Mixed (men and women) lifeguard training
- Course dates: Sunday 15th February – Thursday 19th February 2026
- Location: Mile End Park Leisure Centre and Stadium
- Training is daily from 9am to 5pm at Mile End Park Leisure Centre and Stadium
- Assessment is on Thursday 19th February 2026
- Cost: £200 per person.
Prerequisites:
- 16+ years of age on the date of assessment
- Be able to jump/dive into deep water
- Be able to swim 50 metres in no more than 60 seconds
- Be able to swim 100 metres continuously on front and 100m continuously on back
- Be able to tread water for 30 seconds in deep water
- Be able to surface dive to the floor of the pool
- Be able to climb out of the pool unaided without using a ladder/steps where the pool design permits
Please email Jessica Johnson to register: jessica.johnson@towerhamlets.gov.uk.