Hinksey Outdoor Pool

Absolutely Horrendous Experience — Avoid at All Costs! If I could give this place zero stars, I absolutely would. This was by far the worst experience I’ve ever had at any leisure facility — not only in Oxford, but anywhere. First of all, there are NO clear signs or verbal warnings at the reception informing guests about the strict and frankly ridiculous rules: no drinking (not even a light, low-alcohol beverage), no eating, no jumping, no swimming unless someone gives you some kind of unspoken green light. Apparently, you’re expected to be psychic. My friend had a mild alcoholic drink — we’re talking about something barely stronger than juice — and the moment we were told it wasn’t allowed (for the first time, mind you!), she respectfully and immediately put it away. No attitude, no argument. But somehow, that wasn’t good enough. Instead of a polite reminder or even a written notice, we were treated like criminals. And then, as if that wasn’t enough — we weren’t even allowed to swim. Yes, you heard that right. Despite paying for the time slot, for the sun loungers, and for the access, we never got to enjoy the pool. The moment I stepped into the water, an ALARM was triggered. A literal siren. Staff came rushing over and actually threatened to call the police. It was humiliating, aggressive, and completely disproportionate. What kind of hospitality is that? You sell people a service and then punish them for using it? There was no kindness, no understanding, and absolutely no customer service. Just cold faces, zero communication, and unnecessary drama. We paid full price for what ended up being a deeply unpleasant, hostile encounter. No swimming. No relaxation. Just rules that nobody bothered to explain, and treatment that made us feel like criminals for simply existing. Save your money. Save your dignity. Go literally anywhere else in Oxford. This place is a joke — and not a funny one. I can understand everything, but no one warned me personally that you can't drink. There are no signs. And my friend immediately cleaned everything up after the first remark. To tell the truth, I realized that the employee of this complex simply EXCEEDS all authority!!! They have no right to turn on the siren and kick you out of the pool. If you have any strict rules! Write down who and talk about it before you sell tickets and sun loungers! a Recommendations and Not Rules!!! Talking in advance or about alternatives, for example, you can go swimming in an hour!

Absolutely Horrendous Experience — Avoid at All Costs! If I could give this place zero stars, I absolutely would. This was by far the worst experience I’ve ever had at any leisure facility — not only in Oxford, but anywhere. First of all, there are NO clear signs or verbal warnings at the reception informing guests about the strict and frankly ridiculous rules: no drinking (not even a light, low-alcohol beverage), no eating, no jumping, no swimming unless someone gives you some kind of unspoken green light. Apparently, you’re expected to be psychic. My friend had a mild alcoholic drink — we’re talking about something barely stronger than juice — and the moment we were told it wasn’t allowed (for the first time, mind you!), she respectfully and immediately put it away. No attitude, no argument. But somehow, that wasn’t good enough. Instead of a polite reminder or even a written notice, we were treated like criminals. And then, as if that wasn’t enough — we weren’t even allowed to swim. Yes, you heard that right. Despite paying for the time slot, for the sun loungers, and for the access, we never got to enjoy the pool. The moment I stepped into the water, an ALARM was triggered. A literal siren. Staff came rushing over and actually threatened to call the police. It was humiliating, aggressive, and completely disproportionate. What kind of hospitality is that? You sell people a service and then punish them for using it? There was no kindness, no understanding, and absolutely no customer service. Just cold faces, zero communication, and unnecessary drama. We paid full price for what ended up being a deeply unpleasant, hostile encounter. No swimming. No relaxation. Just rules that nobody bothered to explain, and treatment that made us feel like criminals for simply existing. Save your money. Save your dignity. Go literally anywhere else in Oxford. This place is a joke — and not a funny one. I can understand everything, but no one warned me personally that you can't drink. There are no signs. And my friend immediately cleaned everything up after the first remark. To tell the truth, I realized that the employee of this complex simply EXCEEDS all authority!!! They have no right to turn on the siren and kick you out of the pool. If you have any strict rules! Write down who and talk about it before you sell tickets and sun loungers! a Recommendations and Not Rules!!! Talking in advance or about alternatives, for example, you can go swimming in an hour!

A very tranquil and picturesque outdoor pool. The water is heated to a very toasty temperature (around 28° I'd say). The pool is an unusual shape - like a figure 8, with a deep/laned in one half of the 8, and a shallow pool for little ones in the other. The pool has been updated over the years but it's nice to see one of the old fountains (now being used as a giant planter) and the retro outdoor changing cubicles. At £5.70 a swim session (around 50 minutes) was good value. No lockers on site. Showers were warm, toilets were clean, as was the pool (even with the ducks swimming in it between sessions). The attendants/ lifeguards are quite strict on session start and end times - not a problem for lane swimmers, but I dread to imagine the fallout of the end of session whistle for family sessions!