Baby & infant
Parent and baby swimming sessions that introduce water confidence from an early age.
Learn moreSince 2004
About Swims Away
Join the Swims Away swimming family. We are a professional Swim England swimming school delivering high-quality lessons for babies, children and adults across Bolton and Greater Manchester.
Who we are
We're Swims Away, helping families learn to swim
Founded in 2004, Swims Away helps swimmers of all ages build confidence, technique and water safety in a supportive environment. Our qualified instructors include teachers with county and national competitive backgrounds.
Who we teach
Swimming lessons for the whole family
Programmes from babies through to adults, plus private and advanced pathways.
Our programmes suit swimmers from 6 months to adults. Parent and baby classes introduce little ones from 3 months with a guardian in the water. Children's learn-to-swim classes typically start from around 3 years.
Children's lessons
Structured learn-to-swim programmes that progress technique, stamina and water safety.
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Adult lessons
Friendly adult classes for beginners through to improvers looking to refine their stroke.
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Private & 1-to-1
Personal tuition tailored to your goals, schedule and learning pace.
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Advanced coaching
Coaching for confident swimmers who want competitive technique and performance gains.
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Swim England Learn to Swim Framework
We follow the Swim England Learn to Swim Framework (Stages 1–10). Children progress through structured stages that build water confidence, technique and safety, earning stage badges and distance awards as they improve.
Children are grouped by ability, not age, so every swimmer learns at the right pace in a class where they feel confident.
See Beginner stagesLocations
Our pools and areas we serve
We teach at named pool venues in Bolton and Chorley, plus residents-only pools at Deansgate Square The Towers and Crown Street in Manchester. See our pool locations for addresses and lesson types at each pool.
Families travel to us from across Greater Manchester, including Bolton, Leigh, Wigan, Chorley, Atherton, Manchester, Westhoughton, Horwich, Lowton and Tyldesley. Listing these areas helps local parents find swimming lessons near them. Your nearest option may be a public pool in Bolton or Chorley, or a residents-only Manchester development if you live there.
Meet our swimming instructors or send an enquiry and we will suggest the best pool and class for you.
Families
What parents say
from 143 Google reviews
My daughter has been swimming with swims away for years. Fantastic instructors.
My son has been coming to swims away now for over a year. He’s come on so so much and g...
Brilliant :) my son enjoys and was very confident 100% recommended
We have had 2 children taught by Swims Away 1 of which still swimming. Both have always...
My daughter learned to swim with Swims Away and attended lessons for about three years....
Reviews from Google
Advice and guidance
View all guidesWhen should my baby start swimming lessons?
Many parents want their baby in the water early, but age, health and venue type all matter. This guide explains typical…
Swim England Learn to Swim Stages explained
Swim England’s Learn to Swim framework gives children a clear pathway from water confidence to strong foundation…
Group vs private swimming lessons
Both group and private lessons can produce strong swimmers. The better choice depends on personality, goals, budget and…
Ready to join Swims Away?
Book swimming lessons across Bolton and Greater Manchester today. New to the options locally? How to choose a swimming school in Bolton.