Intex Swim Centre Family Pool 56483 — 262 x 175 x 56cm

Room Enough for the Whole Gang

When one child's paddling pool turns into three cousins and a neighbour over for the afternoon, this is the family pool that copes. The rectangular Swim Centre stretches 262cm long and 175cm wide, with soft, extra-wide sidewalls you can perch on. Fill it to the line and it holds around 770 litres — a genuine family pool rather than a glorified puddle.

Why it works for a busy garden:

• Wide 262 x 175cm footprint — space for several kids at once
• Two large air chambers, each with a combo valve for quick inflation and deflation
• Extra-wide I-beam sidewalls that hold their shape and give somewhere to sit
• Drain plug at the base for easy emptying
• Hardwearing pre-tested vinyl
• Repair patch included

Specs at a glance

• Inflated size: 262cm x 175cm x 56cm (103 x 69 x 22in)
• Water capacity: 770 litres at 36cm wall height
• Material: 12-gauge PVC vinyl
• Age grade: 6+ years

It is a firm favourite in our swimming pools range, and works a treat next to a few garden games for a birthday or a bank-holiday afternoon. Setting up the garden for summer? The outdoor living collection has the seating and shade. Pop into Beattys of Loughrea to see it — here is the map.

Q: How many children fit?
A: Comfortably a handful of young children, or a couple of kids with an adult sitting in on the wide sidewall.

Q: How do I inflate it?
A: The two air chambers take an ordinary hand or foot pump, or an electric pump if you would rather. Each has a combo valve so it deflates quickly too.

Q: Is it hard to empty?
A: No — there is a drain plug at the base you can open to run the water off.