Aquatics Centre In Pictures

 
 
 
Previous image

Inside the Aquatics Centre

Next image
Inside the Aquatics Centre
Olympic Diving
The venue
The venue
The venue
Under construction
From an aerial perspective
Synchronised Diving
 

 

Designed by Iraq-born architect Zaha Hadid, the iconic wave-shaped Aquatics Centre will be the first thing most spectators see when they arrive at the Olympic Park. The centre features a striking state-of-the-art sweeping 160m roof that has a longer single span than the roof at Heathrow's Terminal 5.

Filter by category:
 
 

The venue

 
Previous image Next image
The venue

The venue

Underneath the staggering edifice are a 50m competition pool, 25m competition diving pool and a 50m warm-up pool. Former world record-holding swimmer Mark Foster laid the first of 180,000 pool tiles in September 2010 - two years after work started - while British diver Tom Daley opened the pool in July 2011 with one of the dives Team GB hopes will deliver gold in 2012.

 
 
 

Under construction

 
Under construction

Under construction

 

The state-of-the-art sweeping 160m long roof, which is made from steel and glass on the outside and 37,000 individual strips of treated hardwood within, has a longer single span than the roof at Heathrow's Terminal 5. Complications with the elaborate roof design and the complex heating system meant that the initial £73m budget for the Aquatics Centre - the fifth and final permanent venue to be completed - skyrocketed to £268m.

 
 
 

From an aerial perspective

 
From an aerial perspective

From an aerial perspective

 

Specialising in aerial photography since 1991, Jason Hawkes has produced over 40 aerial photographic books for the likes of the BBC, Random House and Harper Collins. Taking to the sky in a helicopter, he snapped these impressive photos of the Aquatics Centre. The Centre has a 2,500-seat permanent faculty, but will be able to house 17,500 spectators during the games. To do this, however, the eye-catching stingray-style structure has had to be flanked by two unsightly temporary stands that unfortunately diminish the Centre's architectural excellence.

 
 
 

Sporting events

 
Previous image Next image
Olympic Diving

Olympic Diving

The Aquatics Centre will host all Olympic and Paralympic swimming, diving and synchronised swimming events, as well as the modern pentathlon.

Olympic Events

29th July - 12th August

Swimming

  • 50m freestyle
  • 100m freestyle
  • 200m freestyle
  • 400m freestyle
  • 800m freestyle
  • 100m backstroke
  • 200m backstroke
  • 100m breaststroke
  • 200m breaststroke
  • 100m butterfly
  • 200m butterfly
  • 200m individual medley
  • 400m individual medley
  • 4x100m freestyle relay
  • 4x200m freestyle relay
  • 4x100m medley relay
Diving
  • 3m springboard
  • 10m platform
  • Synchronised 3m springboard
  • Synchronised 10m platform
Synchronised Swimming
  • Duets
  • Teams
Modern Pentathlon

Paralympic Events

30th August - 8th September

Swimming

  • 50m freestyle
  • 100m freestyle
  • 200m freestyle
  • 400m freestyle
  • 50m backstroke
  • 100m backstroke
  • 50m breaststroke
  • 100m breaststroke
  • 50m butterfly
  • 100m butterfly
  • 150m individual medley
  • 200m individual medley
  • 4x100m medley relay

     
     
     

    Nearby

     
    Westfield Stratford Centre

    Westfield Stratford Centre

     

    The Aquatics Centre is located within the Olympic Park, Stratford. Even though the park isn't located within central London, there are numerous shops, restaurants and entertainment venues nearby:

    Westfield Stratford City Shopping Centre

    • 10 minute walk
    • This 1.9 million square foot shopping mall has been billed as the 'gateway' to London's Olympic Park. With 300 high street shops, 50 or so restaurants, a 14-screen cinema, a bowling alley and the UK's largest casino, it's an impressive entertainment venue that's located just minutes away from the Olympic Park.
    Restaurants


     Forman's Fish Island  

    • 7 minute walk
    • Best of British menu devised by Lloyd Hardwick
    Bistrotheque  
    • Bethnal Green - 2 tube stops from Stratford, via the Central line
    • Minimalist warehouse chic restaurant with a great brunch menu
    King Eddie's  
    • 20 minute walk
    • An east-end style gastropub with a traditional and affordable menu
    Nightlife/Pubs


     The Britannia  

    • 24 minute walk
    • Large pub garden, jukebox and laidback atmosphere
    Pub on the Park  
    • London Fields station - 1 stop from Stratford, via National Rail
    • Large garden and extensive beer menu, with traditional bitters and run-of-the-mill lagers
    Shopping


     Roman Road Market  

    • Mile End Tube - 1 stop from Stratford, via London Overground
    • Situated on the oldest known trade route in Britain, this market offers crafts, antiques, food, clothing and more
     Hackney PictureHouse  
    • Hackney Central - 1 stop from Stratford, via London Overground
    • Seven-screen cinema with three bars - including Hackney Attic which hosts music and comedy evenings
    Theatre Royal Stratford East  
    • 18 minute walk
    • 450-seat theatre that showcases new writing and ethnically diverse plays
    Leisure


     The Greenway  

    • 7 minute walk
    • A flat, almost continuous and straight traffic-free walking and cycling route that carves through East London at a high level  
    All Star Lanes  
    • 10 minute walk
    • Bowling alley located within Westfield Stratford Centre
    Victoria Park  
    • Mile End Tube - 1 stop from Stratford, via the Central Line
    • The city's first public park boasts picturesque lakes and an Old English Garden

     
     
     
     

    Travel

     

    There are numerous options when travelling to the Aquatics Centre. Driving is not advised due to high levels of traffic and restricted parking - limited, pre-booked parking will be available for disabled spectators. Public transport options include:

    Javelin Train

    Delivering passengers from St Pancras to Stratford International in just seven minutes, the Olympic Javelin high-speed train shuttle service will take up to an estimated 25,000 travellers per hour.

    Overground Stations

    National Rail, Docklands Light Railway and London Overground will run trains to the following stations: 

    London Underground

    • Stratford - Jubilee and Central Lines
    • West Ham - District, Hammersmith & City, and Jubilee Lines
    Walking and Cycling

    Greenway walking and cycling routes will connect the Olympic Park with numerous locations - including Victoria Path, Lee Valley North and Epping Forest. The walking routes are step free and there will be free cycle parking provided at the Eton Manor Transport Hub, Greenway Transport Hub and Victoria Park

     
     
     

    Time lapse video

     

    Watch the three-year building of the Aquatics Centre in just one minute.

     
     
     
     

    IN THIS ARTICLE

     

    RELATED ARTICLES

     

    DOWNLOADS

     
     
     
    SALE London Hotels

    From cheap budget places to stay to luxury 5 star hotels see our special offers for hotels, including from 0% off.

     
     
     
    Call now: hotel deals 0207 420 4960