Inside Southampton swimming pool where generations learned to swim

For generations of Southampton families, those moments are tied to Shirley Swimming Pool, a place where learning to swim has become a rite of passage.

The pool’s story starts not in Shirley, but in the garden of a West End home in 1969, where Frank and Val Perry began teaching children to swim.

Beforehand, Mr Perry, worked as a secondary school maths teacher, serving as Head of Maths at Bitterne Park Secondary School before leaving the profession in 1974 to run the new Shirley pool full-time.

The county-level water polo player, and part-time coach at Southampton Swimming Club, saw the need for more swimming lessons in the city.

Swimming pool at Shirley Swimming Pool. (Image: Echo)

At the time, Southampton’s Central Baths reportedly had a two-year waiting list.

To meet this demand, Mr Perry built a small pool in his garden with the help of friends from Trojans Rugby Club.

On the first day of lessons, the pool’s heating failed, and the family carried kettles of hot water from the house to warm it up.

Swimmers changed in the family bathroom.

Despite these humble beginnings, word spread, and demand grew.

The Perrys expanded by hiring the LSU Pool on The Avenue, building a pool in Horndean, and using other facilities across Southampton.

In 1974, they opened the purpose-built Shirley Swimming Pool on Kentish Road.

The pool has remained privately owned and now features a 20-metre main pool and a smaller teaching pool.

For many in Southampton, Shirley Pool is remembered not just for its facilities but for the life skills and confidence gained there.

The pool’s approach to teaching—placing instructors in the water with the children—set it apart.

9 year old boys, Shirley Pool Swimming championships, The Quays (Image: Echo)

Progression was based on ability, with children moving up as soon as they were ready

Many former pupils remember the instructor who encouraged them to put their face in the water, let go of the side, or try a distance they didn’t think they could achieve.

Shirley Pool has also hosted annual galas and competitive events.

By 2014, it was celebrating 40 years at its Shirley site and 45 years since the Perrys began their swimming school.

The 37th annual Shirley Swimming Pool Championships took place that year, with children competing in races across age groups.

A newsletter from the time emphasised that the event was about more than competition—it was about celebrating the courage of every child who took part.

The Perry family’s involvement has continued through three generations.

Luke Perry now leads the pool alongside a dedicated management team.

In late August 2009, the pool underwent a £700,000 major structural redevelopment, carried out during the summer break to modernise the ageing 1974 building

Walls were rebuilt, systems rewired, and new showers, changing rooms, and a reception area were installed.

Callum Cook won his heat, Shirley Swimming Pool club championships, The Quays Saturday 19th May 2012 (Image: Echo)

Remarkably, the pool reopened just one month later, on September 1.

By February 2014, Shirley Pool was celebrating its busiest month to date, with 1,800 babies, children, and adults taking part in lessons.

Numbers have even grown since.

Every swimmer brought their own story—some anxious, others excited, all supported by instructors and cheered on by parents.

The pool has changed over the years, but its purpose remains the same.

It’s a place where children arrive unable to swim, learn to let go of the side, and eventually swim unaided.

Years later, many remember the teachers who supported them, the badges they earned, and the mixture of fear and excitement that came with those first strokes.

For countless people in Southampton, those memories were made at Shirley Pool.

The Echo would like to hear from readers who have memories of Shirley Swimming Pool, whether as swimmers, parents, instructors, or staff.

Your stories and photographs could help us tell the full story of a Southampton institution - simply email ian.crump@dailyecho.co.uk .