It is really worth a trip to see and swim in this lovely aquatic centre . I went with my husband daughter and 2 grand daughters aged 6 and 9 who are both capable swimmers for their age . We booked our half hour session on line and were able to have a whole lane for ourselves ,in the training pool, it is 1.2 metres deep which is ideal for the 6 year old to swim a length , also noodles were available to use for a bit of fun. (There is a minimum age of 8 for the completion pool)

Although it was still school holidays it was quite quiet , plenty of changing facilities and it was amazing to be able to walk up into the viewing area and look down on where we saw those
fantastic races of the Olympics , and see the real height of those diving platforms!
While we were there we walked through the park to the Velodrome , again quite an amazing sight with those steep sides , how do they stay on the bikes ?!
We drove up and parked right at the Aquatic Centre - very reasonable at £1.50 for 2 hours . The swimming too was reasonable - £3.50 for adults and £2 for children
My only negative comment (hence the 4stars ) is that signage to get there is non - existent ! If you drive put in Marshgate Rd and you should find it easier .

The competition pool is a marvel,and the sense of space is truly breathtaking. I've never booked in advance but it's wise to check there's not some special event taking place.

It's perhaps churlish to pick holes when the entrance price is so reasonable.However:
To my mind hygiene standards are slack compared with continental pools which are often insistent that people shower naked before swimming. Here (as with all facilities run by 'Better') it is non compulsory and never enforced by lifeguards. Outdoor shoes ideally should be left outside the changing facilities. Pools I've been to in Czech and Denmark are good models for operating this.
Showers and changing is mostly in cubicles which is tediously English and prudish and in the case of showers entails getting your towel soaked in water.
An open plan,along the lines of the Oasis pool is more desirable . Male/Female/Family sections

So you need to book online and choose the correct session for you. Despite living reasonably near and wanting to swim here seeing as I've been lucky enough to do the same at Sydney and Beijing the whole online thing had put me off.
However it was very easy and hassle free. I got there early on purpose and they allowed me in so I could look around. It was definitely worth doing as I went up to the seating and watched a diving session as well as generally wandering about and taking photos.
I chose a session for the main pool which I recommend as the training pools are in a different area and the atmosphere seems quite different there. In the pool itself it was swimming all the time as it was a fitness session there was no where to just relax in the pool. It was hard work but worth it as the pool is spectacular in design and great in atmosphere. I had already been in the building for the Olympics and Paralympics and I could really sense that atmosphere all over again.
As I have said already I've swum in Sydney and Beijing pools but they do not compare in any way.
Also if you have the time I suggest you walk over to the Velodrome and look inside while you're here. It amazed me.