Melksham Community Campus

Staying in Bath this evening and since I've already visited all the qualifying pools in the Bath area, I continue another 20 minutes east over the border from Somerset into Wiltshire for an evening swim in Melksham on the River Avon.

I planned to swim at the 33m Melksham Blue Pool before I realise it closed a few years ago! The pool and building are apparently still there, and a community action group are trying to re-open it, potentially in its original outdoor format. Apparently the building constructed over the pool 40+ years ago was not popular with the locals - hopefully a future pool to add to the list!

The new Melksham state-of-the-art leisure and community centre opened in August 2022, so it still has that new-pool look and feel. The leisure centre is billed as a community hub; the reception blends straight into the local library and various sports halls and facilities are all on site. I head through to the communal changing rooms, quick change, then stand at the pool-deck entrance with a dozen or so other swimmers as we wait for the lane ropes to be pulled in.

The design looks familiar. A quick scan back and I realise it's similar to the recent Egham Orbit, slightly smaller, with dark cedar wall panelling.

I'm not usually an evening swimmer, preferring an early night and early morning. I'm feeling tired after a long day but determined to get at least a regular 3.2km.

Jump in and make a start. First thing I notice: the water feels super 'soft' with almost no chemical taste. Perfect.

I planned to open with the usual 1600m, but by the time I check the watch I'm already at 1800m, so I continued on to a nice round 2km, then follow up with some sets to bring the total to 4km for the evening.

Swim done, time to head back over to Somerset, staying at the Hilton Doubletree in Bath tonight. In other news, my Hilton Diamond status is confirmed for 2026. Nearly at that lifetime Diamond mark!