Birmingham Travel Forum

Me again - I've now been in Brum for two months and have been trying in vain to find swimming pools and samba dance classes.

First, swimming - I would like to go every evening but the closest pool to my Edgbaston flat seems to be Harborne and that is quite a walk - I already have a 45 minute walk back from Moor Street Station every evening and don't fancy walking to Harborne and back as well!! Anyone know of any pools that I can reach between Moor Street station and Edgbaston (near the reservoir) Any without going too far out of my way?? (I don't drive). I asked at tourist information and they said there were no pools near the city centre, which seems wierd...

Also, I have found lots of salsa dance classes but no samba, and I want to learn samba (dancing not percussion). I am a complete beginner, can anyone help??

Swimming pools are in scarce supply near the city centre but you have Moseley, harborne and Newtown Public baths within 1- 2 miles. If you ant to join a gym however the Virgin Active Gym is at the Leisure park near Five Ways Island (top of broad street opposite Tescos). Membership is £50 per month (unless you work for NHS then there is a small reduction)and they have a nice pool + usual gym extras. Hope this helps but there are no public pools any nearer.

Thanks Lyndra - I really am baffled by this lack of pools!! I was a member at Virgin Active but then had to cancel my contract (long, long story) after a lot of wrangling so it's not really an option to join again!!

There's a gym in Birmingham City Centre aswell, but that would probably be quite expensive. I think the one that was mentioned at five ways would be best. you can get the bus to Selly Oak (61, 62, 63, if you don't drive of course) and go to the baths on Tiverton Road. Don't know what they are like, but my ex used to go there.

Lots of places offer salsal lessons. Samba tends to be offered as part of Latin and Ballroom lessons. Look for your local dance centres and phone them. You probably won't find an individual samba class anywhere outside of a ballroom dance school.

hiya....I know the MAC (Edgbaston Road) does Flamenco and Afro Latin dance don't know if you'd fancy that....

http://www.macarts.co.uk/?page=courses/byType.html&id=4

Sarah

Hey Sarah,

Thanks for the tip, I'll check it out!

Lucy

Swimming thats easy - If you live in edgbaston the nearest swimming pool to you is five ways. If you know where tescos is then look on the opposite side of the carriageway -there is a plaza and they have a massive swimming pool - you can swim there until your heart is content ...

your paddling VT friend

Chavez

Ah, Chavez I wish I had known this earlier!! I was in Birmingham four months and had to walk all the way over to Harborne when I wanted to swim...now I am back in Manchester and off back to live in Brazil in September - and I still can't samba!

Thanks for the tip though...

Doh.