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Make a splash at Abbey Meadow Pool

Published 11 July 2024

Summer in the Vale is well underway and there is great news for families and swimmers with the Abbey Meadow outdoor pool in Abingdon set to reopen on Saturday 20 July in plenty of time for the school summer holidays.

The council’s leisure provider GLL has been focussed on all the hard work required to get the pool and the surrounding area ready and raring to go for the summer season.

The open-air pool on the banks of the River Thames will open daily from:

  • 6.30am to 7.30pm Monday to Thursday
  • 6.30am to 6.30pm Friday
  • 7.30am to 4.00pm Weekends

As well as family swimming, the pool also offers fitness swimming, aqua classes and swimming lessons for both adults and children.

Peckish visitors will be able to get ice-creams, cold drinks and snacks from the kiosk and local families will love the splash pad. All three will be available for visitors to use every day over the summer holidays through to early September.

Find out more at www.better.org.uk/leisure-centre/vale-of-white-horse/abbey-meadows-outdoor-pool and follow the new Abbey Meadow Pool Facebook page.

Cllr Sue Caul, Vale of White Horse Cabinet member for leisure facilities, said:

“Everything is on schedule ready for the big public opening on 20 July. There has been a lot going on behind the scenes over the last six weeks to get the site ship shape and ready to go!

“It’s always great to see how much enjoyment children and families get from the pool at Abbey Meadow. Combined with the splash pad and the kiosk, we’re proud that we can provide local residents with such a fantastic way to spend their summer holidays.”

This summer there are many other family-friendly free and low-cost activities and destinations to visit in the Vale.

The splash pad at Wantage Memorial Gardens is available to use daily from 10.30am to 7pm.

Over the summer months, the council’s Active Communities Team will be offering a range of activities to get involved in, including family fun days, girls’ football, skateboarding.  For more information and to make a booking more, visit the council’s summer holiday activities page.

At leisure centres there are plenty of fun activities during over the summer, including tennis, family fun swims and soft play.

There will be classes, shows and entertainment to look forward to at the Beacon Community and Arts Centre in Wantage – with something for all ages, including the Let’s All Dance Ballet: Goldilocks on 20 July.

For families looking to get out and about, there are many free to visit beautiful parks and gardens in the Vale with great play areas and space to play games.

Cllr Caul added: “There is so much to enjoy in our beautiful district! With the financial pressures facing many councils at the moment and the pressures many families experience, especially over the holidays, I’m so pleased we’re able to continue to offer such a wide range of free and low-cost facilities and activities. Summer in the Vale is well and truly on its way!”