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High Street, Hampton, Middlesex, TW12 2ST
Swimming
Fitness
For bookings, news & updates
For general enquiries.
High Street, Hampton, Middlesex, TW12 2ST
Swimming
Fitness
If you love swimming at Hampton Pool, you’re already part of something special.
Nestled on the edge of Royal Bushy Park, this much-loved outdoor swimming pool isn’t just a place to swim – it’s a charity run community asset with a remarkable history and an exciting future.
What many visitors don’t realise is that Hampton Pool receives no regular public funding. Its survival and continued success is thanks to local people who care deeply about keeping this unique swimming pool open for generations to come. That’s where Hampton Pool Trust comes in.
This blog takes you behind the scenes of the charity that has protected Hampton Pool for more than 40 years and shows how you can play a part in its future.
Hampton Pool has been shaped by community action from the very beginning. After years of campaigning by local residents, the open-air swimming pool officially opened on 24 June 1922, with the original aim of teaching children to swim safely following concerns about accidents in the nearby River Thames.
For much of the 20th century, the pool was operated by local government, and over time it expanded to become the much-loved facility we recognise today. The main building on site was constructed in 1960.
But in the 1980s, like many outdoor pools across the UK, Hampton Pool faced closure. Councils were under financial pressure, and open-air swimming pools were seen as unviable. Rather than accept its loss, the local community stepped up.
The now-legendary “Sink or Swim” campaign was launched, driven by residents who believed Hampton Pool was worth saving. Their determination paid off. The pool was handed over to the community and, following major remedial works, reopened in June 1985.
That moment changed everything.
In the years that followed, volunteers worked tirelessly to keep the pool open – fundraising, maintaining the site and delivering major upgrades. These efforts were led by a community organisation which evolved into what is now Hampton Pool Trust.
Today, the Trust is a small, independent charity and not-for-profit company limited by guarantee. Its purpose is simple but vital: to secure Hampton Pool for the long term.
Whilst the pool is professionally operated day to day by South Downs Leisure, the Trust focuses on the bigger picture – safeguarding the future of the site, raising funds for major infrastructure projects, and ensuring the pool continues to support community health, wellbeing and accessibility.
What Does Hampton Pool Trust Do?
Hampton Pool Trust exists to make sure the pool doesn’t just survive ….but thrives.
Our key aims as a charity are to:
Hampton Pool exists today because people cared enough to get involved. Becoming a member of Hampton Pool Trust means helping to shape its future. As a member, you can:
There are currently 12 dedicated Trustees leading the work of the Trust, supported by almost 400 members who share a passion for Hampton Pool.
No fees …. just commitment.
Membership is open to anyone over 18. There are no subscription or application fees. Members are simply asked to guarantee a £25 contribution if the Trust were ever to close – a safeguard that has never been called upon.
Joining is easy. You simply complete a short application form explaining:
Securing the Future of Hampton Pool – Together
Join Hampton Pool Trust today and help keep this unique community pool thriving for generations to come.
