York Hall update
Earlier this year, York Hall closed for works to the building’s water system. As investigations and remedial works progressed, additional issues were identified within the building’s ageing infrastructure, requiring more extensive improvements than originally anticipated.
As a result, York Hall, including the spa, is now expected to reopen in January 2027.
As one of the borough’s most iconic and historic buildings, York Hall is almost 100 years old. Rather than carrying out only essential repairs, we have taken the opportunity to invest in a broader programme of improvements that will help secure the long-term future of the Grade II listed building while enhancing facilities for customers.
Alongside essential infrastructure upgrades, planned improvements include refreshed customer areas, new equipment and more.
While we appreciate this extended closure will be disappointing, the additional works will help deliver a better experience for customers when the centre reopens. We remain fully committed to York Hall’s future as a community leisure centre and look forward to welcoming customers back once the works are complete.
What this means for members
To support members while York Hall remains closed, all customers with York Hall as their home site have been moved onto a complimentary active membership. Under this arrangement, memberships will remain frozen and customers will pay no membership fees until three months after York Hall reopens.
Whilst payments remain frozen, members can continue to access other Be Well leisure centres across the borough during this time.
Swim school members
The same membership arrangements apply to swim school members. Alternative lessons may be available at other pools across the borough, subject to availability for your preferred day, time and stage.
To discuss your options, please email be-well@towerhamlets.gov.uk.
York Hall fitness classes
While York Hall remains closed, the following classes have been relocated:
Classes moved to Whitechapel Sports Centre
- Pilates, Tuesday, 8pm
- Women’s Only BoxFit, Thursday, 5pm
- Yoga, Sunday, 10am
- Tai Chi, Sunday, 12pm
Classes moved to Poplar Baths Leisure Centre
- Pilates, Wednesday, 11.15am
- Aqua Aerobics, Wednesday, 12.30pm
We hope these arrangements help minimise disruption and provide alternative options while York Hall remains closed.
We are committed to providing more regular updates as work progresses and will continue to keep members informed leading up to the reopening.
Thank you again for your continued support and patience. If you have any questions, please contact be-well@towerhamlets.gov.uk.
Summer Holiday Activities 2026
Family fun starts here!
Join us this summer across our six centres for swimming, sports, play and more.
From toddlers to teens, we have something for everyone. Book today and make the most of your summer!
Check out all our activities and courses below, with activities as little as £4.99!
Book by selecting the relevant centre and select ‘Summer activities’
John Orwell Sports Centre
Multi Sports Camp (Ages 8+)
A high energy camp offering a variety of sports and activities.
Monday to Wednesday
9.30am – 12.30pm (session 1)
2pm – 5pm (session 2)
£15 per session
Mile End Park Leisure Centre and Stadium
Parent and child pool time with soft play (under 2s)
Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9.30am – 12pm
Sundays 12.30pm – 3pm
£4.99 per session
SEND sensory play sessions
Inclusive sessions designed to support children in a calm welcoming environment.
Under 8s: Tuesdays 10.30am – 11.30am and Saturdays 2pm-3pm
Over 8s: Thursdays 10.30am – 11.30am
£4.99 per session
Poplar Baths Leisure Centre
Soft & Wet Play
Bouncy castle, tumble and wet play sessions
Wednesday
9:30-10.15am (2-5 years)
10:45 – 11:30am (6-8 years)
12.00 – 12:45 (2-5 years)
Thursday
9:30-10.15am (2-5 years)
10:45 – 11:30am (6-8 years)
12.00 – 12:45 (2-5 years)
£10.50 per session.
Tiller Leisure Centre
Parent and child pool time with soft play (Under 2s)
Tuesday, Wednesday and Fridays 10am-12pm
£10.50 per session
Pool inflatable sessions
Family friendly sessions packed with fun and play
Sundays 1-2pm
£10.50 per session
Please note, children must be able to swim and will have to do a short swim test before starting the session.
Whitechapel Sports Centre
Badminton Course (3 week programme)
Structured sessions focused on skill development and teamwork
Monday, Wednesday and Friday 10am-11am, and 11am-12pm
Course dates: 10 – 28 August
£45 per course
Football course (3 week programme)
Structured sessions focused on skill development and teamwork
Tuesday and Thursday 10am-1pm
Course dates: 11 August – 27 August
£35 per course
Cricket club (2 week programme)
Structured sessions focused on skill development and teamwork
Tuesday and Thursday 10am-12pm
Course dates: 11 August – 27 August
Price per course £35
York Hall Leisure Centre
Parent and child pool time (under 2s)
Currently not running due to York Hall closure
A calm, supportive space to help little ones build confidence in the water.
Monday: 10.30am – 11.30am
Tuesday: 1.30pm – 2.30pm
Wednesday: 10.30am –11.30am
Thursday: 1.30pm – 2.30pm
Friday: 10.30am – 11.30am
£4.99 per session
Summer 3 for 2 Offer 2026
Feel good this summer with a Be Well membership
Looking for a way to stay active, feel your best and make the most of the summer months? This summer we’re making it easier than ever to prioritise your health and wellbeing.
Join by 30 August and get 3 months membership for the price of 2 with our Be Well Student Membership.
Be Well Student Membership : great value fitness
Stay active for less with:
- Unlimited gym access
- Swimming
- Group exercise classes
- Health suite access (excludes Be Well The Spa access)
- Access across 6 Be Well centres
Designed to fit around student life and budgets, it’s a flexible and affordable way to keep moving all summer, whether you are home for the holidays or staying local.
With the 3 for 2 offer, you’ll save £32.90.
Join this summer.
From yoga, self defence classes, swimming sessions to saunas and steam rooms, there’s something for everyone.
Join by 30 August 2026 to take advantage of this limited time offer.
Live well with Be Well.
Offers available for Be Well Student Memberships only.
*Terms and conditions apply. Offer available until 30 August 2026 only.
Watch the biggest matches live at York Hall ⚽
Watch the World Cup live on our giant screen at York Hall Leisure Centre
Join fellow fans and experience the World Cup live on the big screen at the iconic York Hall. A welcoming space for fans, families and friends to enjoy the biggest matches together.
What’s on
⚽ Kids activities
⚽ Games before kick-off
🏆 Prize draw
🍾 Drinks available for purchase
Your first drink is on us!*
We’ll be showing the following matches
Quarter finals – Thursday 9 July at 9pm, Friday 10 July at 8pm, Saturday 11th July at 10pm
Semi finals – Tuesday 14 July at 8pm, Wednesday 15 July at 8pm
Final – Sunday 19 July at 8pm
How to get involved
Just £5 entry. Free entry for kids!
Entry includes a FREE drink*
Book online or turn up on the day!
You can book a table for up to 10 people for £40 (save 10% on entry if you bring 10 people!)
No food, drink or liquids to be brought into the venue. Security checks including searches prior to entry. Entry subject to venue admission rules. *Free drink options include 1 soft drink, 1 bottle of beer, 1 draft beer or 1 x 187ml of wine. Free drink does not include spirits.
Bookings
Semi finals
Summer 2026 swimming crash courses
🏊♀️ Summer swimming crash courses – Build skills and confidence in just 5 days!
Looking for a fun and effective way to boost your child’s swimming skills this summer?
Our Summer 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 holidays.
💧 What’s Included:
- A 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:
|
Week |
Start Date |
Centre |
Time |
|
1 |
20/07/2026 |
Mile End |
9am – 12pm |
|
2 |
27/07/2026 |
*No course* |
*No course* |
|
3 |
03/08/2026 |
Poplar |
9am – 12pm |
|
4 |
10/08/2026 |
Mile End |
9am – 12pm |
|
5 |
17/08/2026 |
Tiller |
9am – 12pm |
| 6 | 24/08/26 | *No course* | *No course* |
🖱️ How to Book:
Click the button below to view available sessions and secure your child’s place. Just select the centre you’d like to book for and select ‘Junior group swimming lessons.’
🧒 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 summer!
More fitness classes added across Be Well centres
We’re excited to share that even more classes are being added across Be Well, giving you more opportunities to stay active across our centres.
Whether you’re looking to boost your cardio, build strength, improve flexibility, or try something new, these additional sessions are now running across Mile End, John Orwell, York Hall, and Whitechapel.
Mile End Park Leisure Centre
🏊♀️ Aqua Aerobics: Saturdays | 1-2pm | Starting 11 April
John Orwell
👣Step Aerobics: Thursdays | 6-7pm | Starting 16 April
💪 Core Conditioning: Thursdays | 7-7:45pm | Starting 16 April
🧘🏽♀️Pilates: Sundays | 9:45-10:45am | Starting 19 April
York Hall
💃 Dance Fitness: Thursdays | 5:30-6:30pm | Starting 16 April
🥊Boxfit: Thursdays | 6:30-7:30pm | Starting 16 April
Whitechapel
🧘 Pilates: Sundays | 11:15am-12:15pm | Starting 19 April
Join a class!
Check the full timetable, book your place, and get involved at your local centre. We look forward to seeing you in class!
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
12