This is an easy review as this is my ‘home’ swimming pool. The Arlington Baths Club is a private swimming club in the Westend of Glasgow. It was opened in 1870 and while extensively modernised, it still retains many of the original features such as a trapeze above the swimming pool (you can only use it if there is no one swimming in the pool lane below); a Turkish suite, which is a medium heat sauna; and, a feature not often seen in swimming pools outside of hotels: a 21 metre pool.

The funny thing about the 21 metre pool is that the other private club in the Westend (The Western) is 27 metres. Together they are almost an average 25 metre pool length. But the Arlington has an advantage of the Western – it restricts swimming to one person per lane. So, if you’re swimming in the Arlington you are guaranteed a lane to yourself for your entire swim. You might think this leads to queues at the side of the pool as only 7 people can swim at a time, but, in the several years of being a member, I can only think of a handful of times I’ve had to queue. In the Western, it may be 27 metres, but it’s a free for all.

The reason the Arlington is quieter is that it’s a private member club. As the Arlington is club it has a limit on the number of members it admits. That means, at times, there may be a waiting list to join, even if there isn’t a waiting list at the pool. The Western is the same but, currently the Western is not admitting people until 2027 (!), the Arlington is much faster.

Swimming in the Arlington is relaxed and always a pleasure. It has several saunas and steam rooms along with a gym. The only annoying thing about it is that if you drive there the Council has extended the city centre parking zone to the streets surrounding the Arlington. Parking is expensive and, with street works going on over the last year, not an easy drive either to navigate the works and the queues of traffic. Hopefully that is easing as works complete.

Cost: £670 for an adult membership (monthly and concessions available)

Facilities: Clean and tidy with a free towel when you arrive. You can also keep your swimming costume at the club and it will be washed overnight after you use it so it’s ready for you to use again the next day.

Swimming pool: Warm but slightly choppy as the pool has high sides around the edge.

Other facilities? Steam rooms, sauna and gym.

Busy? As you get a lane to yourself, you never notice if it’s busy or not. .

Recommended? Yes!