London Aquatics Centre
Stadium 2012 Olympic swimming venue in Stratford
The London Aquatics Centre in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, designed by Zaha Hadid, stages international meets and public sessions; visitors book swim slots or attend competitions in the wave-shaped pool hall.
The London Aquatics Centre is a purpose-built aquatic venue located in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford, East London. It was created for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and is noted for its sculpted, wave-like roof.
The centre contains long-course competition pools and a diving pool, and during the Games it hosted swimming, diving and synchronized swimming events. After the Olympics the hall was reconfigured with permanent public seating and reopened for community and elite use.
The building was designed by Zaha Hadid Architects to combine competition facilities with a public sports offer after 2012. Its interior layout allows for national-level competitions, diving events and public swimming programmes.
The centre sits within the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford, adjacent to transport hubs such as Stratford station and the shopping and leisure complex known as Westfield Stratford City.
- Architectural origin: Designed by Zaha Hadid Architects for the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games and later adapted for public use as a community aquatics centre.
- Post-Games use: Temporary seating significantly increased capacity during the Games; the venue now operates with a smaller, permanent public seating configuration and offers public swim sessions alongside elite training.
What to See #
- Competition pools: The main competition hall contains two 50-metre competition pools and a separate diving pool, arranged under the building's distinctive undulating roof.
- Spectator seating: Spectator seating was configured to hold up to 17,500 during the 2012 Games using temporary tiers; the permanent seating capacity for public use is around 2,800.
- Wave roof: The building's engineered wave-like roof is its most recognisable architectural feature and was designed to enclose the aquatic spaces with a single sweeping form.
How to Get to London Aquatics Centre #
The London Aquatics Centre is in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford, east London. The nearest major rail/Tube hub is Stratford station (served by the Central line, Jubilee line, London Overground, DLR, and Elizabeth line/Greater Anglia services); from Stratford station it is an approximately 10-15 minute walk across the Olympic Park (about 800-1,200 m) to the Aquatics Centre.
Stratford International and Stratford bus station are also within walking distance; numerous London bus routes and local taxis stop around the park.
Tips for Visiting London Aquatics Centre #
- Book public swim sessions or any spectator/event tickets in advance on the Centre's website-lane swims and public sessions fill up, especially evenings and weekends.
- Arrive via Stratford station (mainline and Underground) or on foot through Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and Westfield Stratford City to avoid traffic and limited parking near the venue.
- Check the events calendar before visiting; the Aquatics Centre closes for competitions and major events, so non-event visitors should plan around scheduled meets to guarantee access.
- If you're interested in the architecture, visit outside peak swim times to view the Hans Scharoun-inspired roof and central gallery when the pool deck is less crowded.
Best Time to Visit London Aquatics Centre #
Visit on weekday mornings or outside school holidays for the quietest experience; evenings, weekends and holidays are busiest.
Weather & Climate near London Aquatics Centre #
London Aquatics Centre's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 2°C to 23°C. Moderate rainfall (618 mm/year), distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 8°C and lows of 2°C. The wettest month with 61 mm of rain and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is the coolest month with highs of 8°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (38 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (47 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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April
April is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (45 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (47 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (53 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 23°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (42 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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August
August is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (49 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (57 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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October
October is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (60 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 4°C. The wettest month with 61 mm of rain and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (58 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
