Quick answer
Ponds Forge is Sheffield’s international sports centre, with a 50 metre competition pool, a 25 metre leisure pool and a diving pit. It works on a rainy day. On 12 November 2026 the timetable listed weekend Family Swimming with Water Features from 11am. Off-peak prices were £5.40 for adults, £4.40 for juniors and £2.20 for under 3s. Peak adult and junior prices were higher. Children under 8 must be supervised by a parent or an adult aged 18 or over. No adult may supervise more than two under 8s in the water.
Is it right for my child?
These session details come from the Everyone Active timetable panels we read on 12 November 2026.
- Family Swimming with Water Features: the leisure pool session has water features and/or a splash pad in use. Floats and fun toys may be available, or bring foam, inflatable or soft balls, noodles or small floats under 1 metre.
- Under 5s: Under 5’s Fun Swimming uses shallow water to build water confidence. Every child must be accompanied and supervised by an adult.
- Diving: the centre describes platforms from 1 metre to 10 metres. On 12 November the diving pool appeared on the timetable for lessons only.
- Age limits: Womens Swimming and LGBTQ+ Swimming were for ages 16 and over. Inclusive Quiet Adult Swimming was adults only.
- Sensory notes: the AccessAble guide notes background noise in some areas. Leisure pool lighting varies because of large glazed walls.
Plan your visit: a parent’s checklist
- Check the timetable before you go. Everyone Active says days and times are subject to change.
- Book with a free Everyone Active account. The swim panels asked that your whole party is included, and the FAQ says juniors and parents each book separately. Reception also takes walk-in bookings, subject to availability.
- Count your adults. Under 8s need a parent or an adult aged 18 or over, with no more than two children per adult in the water.
- Pack swim nappies. On 12 November the timetable panels said children who are not toilet trained must wear them.
- Bring armbands if your child needs them. The facility terms make flotation aids the parent’s responsibility.
- Bring a coin for the lockers. Outdoor shoes must not be worn on poolside or in wet side changing areas.
Prices and tickets
On 12 November 2026 the family swim sessions below each showed a price. These prices appeared in each session’s panel on the Everyone Active timetable on 12 November 2026. The panels do not say which times count as peak.
- Family Swimming with Water Features, off peak: adult £5.40, junior £4.40, under 3s £2.20.
- Family Swimming with Water Features, peak: adult £10.50, junior £6.20, under 3s £2.20.
- Under 5’s Fun Swimming, Public Swimming and Inclusive Family Swimming: adult £5.40, junior £4.40, under 3s £2.20, peak and off peak.
- Senior and concession: the same as the adult price in all four sessions.
The panels say infant ages and prices vary by centre and are shown when you book. Discounts may be available to certain groups or members. The FAQ says paid bookings are non-refundable but can be moved to another day or time through the centre.
Lessons: on 12 November 2026, Pre School Stage 1 (age 3 plus) and Stage 1 cost £37.79 a month. They are paid by Direct Debit, plus a joining fee and a pro rata payment.
Pushchairs, babies and toilets
- Baby changing: the AccessAble guide linked from the centre page lists parent and baby changing in the level 0 changing village. It also lists it in the level 1 accessible toilet.
- Changing: under 8s should change in the changing room of the adult with them, whether male or female.
- Getting around: the centre lists ramp access to the main entrance, automatic doors and a lift to all floors. The official pages do not mention pushchairs.
Food and drink
There is a café serving hot and cold drinks, meals and snacks. The AccessAble guide places it on level 1, ahead from the main entrance. On 12 November the LGBTQ+ Swimming panel said the pool hall has windows, with viewing possible from the café and public footways. Its pool rules recommend not eating within one hour of swimming.
Getting there and parking
- Address: Sheaf Street, Sheffield, S1 2BP. Phone 0114 223 3400.
- Tram and train: the AccessAble guide names Fitzalan Square / Ponds Forge as the nearest tram stop and Sheffield as the nearest step-free station.
- Parking: the guide describes a multi-storey visitor car park below the venue, with a 198cm height barrier. Parking is not free for all users, and no charges are given.
- Blue Badge: the guide says parking is free for Blue Badge holders, with 8 designated bays. There is no designated drop-off point.
When to visit
The centre page gives opening hours of 6am to 9pm Monday to Friday and 8am to 6pm on Saturday and Sunday. Swimming runs only at set times. The timetable listed these family sessions on 12 November 2026, all in the leisure pool.
- Family Swimming with Water Features: Saturday and Sunday, one hour sessions starting every 15 minutes from 11am to 3.45pm.
- Under 5’s Fun Swimming: half hour sessions on Monday 9.30am to 11am and 1pm to 2.30pm, and Tuesday 2pm to 2.30pm.
- Inclusive Family Swimming: Monday 9.45am to 10.30am and Friday 12.15pm to 1pm.
- Public Swimming: Monday 9am to 9.45am.
- Christmas 2026: on 12 November the centre page gave no Christmas or New Year hours, and the timetable listed no school holiday sessions. Phone the centre before a holiday visit.
Additional needs and disability support
Everyone Active lists access facilities on the centre page and links the AccessAble guide for detail.
- Inclusive Family Swimming: on 12 November its panel said these sessions are generally quieter. They may suit children with a disability, SEND, neurodivergence or long term health conditions. Under 8s attend with an adult (18+), one adult for every two under 8s.
- Getting into the water: the centre lists a hoist or pod and steps with handrails. The FAQ says pool hoists are available on request, so ask a colleague on arrival.
- Changing: a changing facility with hoist and changing bed, plus accessible unisex changing and an accessible shower. AccessAble says the Changing Places toilet needs a RADAR key.
- Arrival: accessible parking bays, ramp access, automatic doors and accessible entrance gates. Assistance animals are welcome.
- Not available: AccessAble says there is no hearing assistance system. The official pages do not mention free carer entry or the Max Card.
Frequently asked questions
How much is family swimming at Ponds Forge?
On 12 November 2026, off-peak Family Swimming with Water Features cost £5.40 for adults, £4.40 for juniors and £2.20 for under 3s. Peak prices were £10.50, £6.20 and £2.20.
Do you need to book swimming at Ponds Forge?
Everyone Active encourages booking online or in its app, with a free account. Reception also takes walk-in bookings, subject to availability.
Can I take two young children swimming on my own?
Yes, if you are their parent or an adult aged 18 or over. Under 8s must be supervised, with no more than two children per adult in the water.
Is there a session for toddlers at Ponds Forge?
Under 5’s Fun Swimming ran in shallow water on Monday and Tuesday on the 12 November 2026 timetable. Every child must be accompanied and supervised by an adult.
Is Ponds Forge open at Christmas?
On 12 November 2026 the centre page gave no Christmas or New Year hours. Phone 0114 223 3400 before a holiday visit.
Is Ponds Forge good for disabled or autistic children?
Inclusive Family Swimming sessions are generally quieter and may suit children with SEND or neurodivergence. There is a pool hoist or pod and a changing facility with a hoist and changing bed.
Checked on 12 November 2026 against the official Everyone Active pages for Ponds Forge International Sports Centre, its swimming timetable and prices, the FAQs and the facility terms, plus the linked AccessAble access guide. Prices and times can change, so check before you travel.
