Highlight photo grid
Highlight is set to become one of Hartlepool’s most exciting destinations for health, fitness, and community activity. With Mill House Leisure Centre reaching the end of its life, this brand‑new facility has been designed as a modern, accessible, and inspiring space that truly puts people first.
Perfectly located to connect with the wider waterfront, Highlight will be surrounded by informal outdoor event and activity spaces to support walking, cycling, running, outdoor fitness, with connections for water-sports, utilising Hartlepool Marina. It’s more than a leisure centre - it’s an active wellbeing hub for everyone.
Designed for Hartlepool
Designed by GT3 Architects, Highlight’s strong linear lines are inspired by the railway tracks which ran from local timber and coal yards into the former dockland site during the 19th and early 20th centuries. As the structure rises from west to east, visitors will enjoy stunning views across the waterfront, marina, and coastline.
Venue details
Venue address and parking
Highlight Active Wellbeing Hub,
The Highlight, Hartlepool, TS24 0XN
Free wi-fi and free parking for up to three hours is available on site
Opening hours
Our brand new hub is due to open early 2026. The opening hours will be as follows:
- Monday to Thursday: 6:30am to 10:00pm
- Friday: 6:30am to 9:00pm
- Saturday and Sunday: 8:00am to 6:00pm
Contact us
What you’ll find inside
Highlight will offer a fantastic mix of state‑of‑the‑art facilities, including:
- 25m, 8‑lane main swimming pool
- 25m, 4‑lane learner pool with moveable floor
- Leisure pool with race slide and water play features
- Spectator seating
- 100‑station gym
- Two interconnected fitness studios
- Dedicated indoor cycling (“spinning”) studio
- Active and soft play areas
- Party room
- Café
- NHS consultation suite
- Outdoor terraces at ground and first floor
- Direct access to water‑sports opportunities at the Marina
Gym equiptment and machines
We’re excited to share that we’ll be partnering with Technogym to equip the gym and indoor cycling studio at the new Highlight Active Wellbeing Hub. This will include their latest range of high‑quality fitness equipment and state‑of‑the‑art spinning bikes.
Technogym is a global leader in premium sports equipment and digital wellness technology, recognised for its commitment to inclusive, sustainable design and improving health and wellbeing for all. Their expertise will help us create accessible, connected fitness spaces that support every level of ability.
Keep an eye out for updates on the new gym layouts and installation dates - we can’t wait to share the next steps with you!
Accessibility at Highlight Active Wellbeing Hub
Highlight has been designed to be fully accessible for wheelchair users and people with mobility impairments, ensuring everyone can enjoy the facilities with confidence and independence.
To support this, the building will include:
- Dedicated accessible parking bays
- Level or ramped access into the building
- Accessible toilets on all appropriate levels
- Accessible changing cubicles, including in wet‑side changing areas
- Lift access to all first‑floor facilities
- Specialist accessible gym equipment to support a wide range of physical needs
- Pool pods - state‑of‑the‑art hoists that allow wheelchair users to independently enter both the 25m, 8‑lane pool and the 25m, 4‑lane pool
In addition, the 4‑lane pool will feature a moveable floor, allowing the depth to be adjusted to improve access and meet a variety of user needs.
Make a Splash at Highlight Active Wellbeing Hub
Dive into Hartlepool’s brand‑new swimming experience at Highlight, home to three amazing pools designed for every age and ability:
- A 25m, 8‑lane main pool perfect for lane swimming, training, and club sessions
- A 25m, 4‑lane learner pool with a moveable floor to support beginners, rehabilitation, and accessible swimming
- A leisure pool with a race slide and fun water play features ideal for families and younger swimmers
Please note: Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
Whether you’re swimming to boost fitness, build confidence, enjoy family time, or learn essential water skills, Highlight’s pools offer a safe, modern, and exciting place to get active.
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