This Gym is great but why? Well I'm confident to say after all my many visits to this place…read more For starters I need to correct myself and say this is not a gym. I repeat this is not a gym this is a private leisure centre. It's fantastic, quite literally everything is an experience quite different from the average, but let me explain. Signing up was nice, simple and smooth as the sales rep takes you around to show off their state of the art facilities such as crèche area where the qualified members of staff looks after your little ones for up to 4 hours while you get your workout on as they boast a range of soft toys, play pen and at times fancy dressed workers for light hearted entertainment. The lounge area is just as good with Wi-Fi access that runs throughout the who building, a lovely selection of food ranging in the hot and cold selections including a selection of flat screen computers that supplement your internet access through the Wi-Fi. This setting is against the wall length windows creating an open plan feel with a consistent summer feel inside the lounge, also there are a couple of deep seated leather sofa that has a TV hanging over head with a selection of Sky TV channels. The Dove Spa area being a partnered business for virgin active provides a range of things at a fee such as beauty therapy treatments like the pedicure, manicure with a range of deep cleansing face masks. There is also a range of cosmetic products on sale such as exfoliating items, creams, brushes etc. it's something I'm sure the female customers surely looks back twice at. Now what we need to establish is that this is just the ground floor at the front reception desk, yes, there is still the back where the separate male and female changing rooms are located each with their large number of showers, lockers and both having their own steam rooms which is amazing as they use scented aromas like eucalyptus inside which is really relaxing. Now this is the whole of down stairs which is considerably large so you can imagine the size of the gym upstairs which mirrors the size of everything downstairs. Oh my, this can be overwhelming if you're not a gym person, but luckily I am. The brilliant sized studio for classes with mirrors all along the sides which will make you feel like you in a ballet studio and yes they do ballet classes to boot. What a spacious functional area for working out, warm ups, stretches and fast classes if you are not keen on the hour long classes in the two studios. These functional areas you can use things from body mats, skipping ropes, kettle bells and even Vipers for those that are in the know. They even have a TRX machine for open use. The free weights area is just as large with all the expected equipment in other gyms but with the all but one remaining difference which is quantity, and yes virgin active Bromley has plenty and their cardiovascular area is the same with all their treadmills, bikes, row machine etc. I also believe the woman's only workout area is a nice touch for privacy for all those who are conscious of it and or even have religious believe that makes this idea a necessity. I must not forget to mention a third studio upstairs that is dedicated to bikes and with over thirty of them for spin classes throughout the day. It just never crosses my mind to go in to that relentless, rigorous class. Well, I mentioned downstairs and upstairs but I need to mention the side of the building dedicated to swimming, saunas, more showers and a Jacuzzi bath for everyone to share. I hope you can see why this place is amazing, but the reason why I don't give it 5 star which it deserves is the monthly fees which ranges from £70 - £90 a month. Lucky for me I pay half that price which I mentioned in the top tips for this place. PS I have my moments when I am an insane gym addict and moments when I'm anything but.

I just wanted to say how disappointed I was when I cancelled my membership with just a month…read moreremaining after telling them that I had not ever used the gym because after I joined I found out I had a 10cm canser tumour on my kidney which had to be removed. They insisted I show proof from my doctor so I did not have to pay the last £69 they must be really hard up for money that was in hayes lane Bromley Jonn smith

I never thought i would love a gym, especially after being a member at another well known gym for…read moreso long, I was accustomed to poor standards, but I love this place! All the staff are friendly, and the check-ups, fitness plans are all included, and there are always staff around to help if something goes wrong, or you just need some help. The place is clean and big, it has a full gym and classes, along with a swimming pool and squash courts (and probably other faciliteis I dont use). I would highly recommend!

Visited here for the first time yesterday & was really impressed. The centre is very modern and…read morelooks great. It's spacious inside and seems very professional. There are a wide range of classes and various levels of membership available. You can also choose to pay as you go which is a great way to try it out. The pool looked good. I tried out the salsa aerobics class which was fun, popular and the instructor was great - full of energy and enthusiasm, and it was a great class. The only downside is that apparently the "spa" bit - jacuzzis etc - is closed indefinitely.

The aqua aerobics here is awesome - I've tried many at local gyms in this area and they're all…read moreawful - Donna is the main teacher and she gives you a dance routine in the water. Really fab. Also the Buzz Zone is amazing -brand new and really nice play area especially for littler ones

A great respite from the London heat. I visited on a weekend and easily found parking on the street…read moreright by the lido. There was no queue and it was relatively painless to get through to the pool. I wasn't able to use a locker however as I only had a £2 coin and reception had no change to provide me with pound coins for the lockers. Luckily I hadn't brought much of value with me so I hopped in and kept an eye on my belongings. It was quite busy with it being a blazing hot day, people had obviously been there sunbathing on the concrete all day! The lanes didn't feel too busy though when I was in the pool swimming. The pool is not heated so it can be a bit chilly when you first get in until you've got used to it. It was a delightful swim, to be swimming outside in England felt very novelty! It was generally clean, but a few things did float by on my swim. The changing facilities aren't the best, with only one small communal female changing area, with just one cubicle for privacy. It would be nice if they had some cubicles by the side of the pool like the Charlton lido, but maybe they didn't feel they had the room. There is a cafe on site, which by the look of it you had to access from outside, but there is a window that serves snacks and drinks. The only seating option when you are pool side is the bare flat concrete, so make sure you have a couple of towels with you so that you can lie out, I also took some flip flops for when I was walking about as opposed to going barefoot. I would definitely recommend this lido and I'm sure I will visit again, although I have now discovered Charlton lido, which is a lot closer to my home. The Art Deco style at Brockwell is much more aesthetically pleasing though!

For someone who's lived down the road from Brockwell lido for 5 years it is a disgrace I've not…read morevisited sooner. During the glimpse of our heat wave I came here with a friend on a Friday. Surprisingly we got a space in the car park (we know this was pure luck!). The parking is (I think) 2 hours free but it's not very clear whether you have to make a note of that when paying, so we just paid everything... hope they are enjoying getting all that free money Mr Parking God. When we got there the queue was way out the door at about 30 people deep we didn't have to wait too long to get in though. Once in we headed for the lockers which are few(!) And are located outside. There's about 40 lockers for the 100 people there. We walked into the changing room...and quickly walked back out it's very open and smelly. Standard. The pool itself is wonderful and fresh and you don't feel like you're swimming on top of people which is nice (especially as half the pool was closed when we visited). There's a cafe/bar (which is slow serving but worth the wait). The flooring isn't great, you're laying on concrete, bring a squishy towel. Apart from that it's a decent day out for some sun and a swim. Be warned sitting near the deep in. The kids jumping in and dive bombing constantly becomes tiresome. The poor lifeguards, is all I felt for the next few days! They deserve a medal.

You can't get into many football grounds in London for £10 (or less with a concession - there are…read moremany available) and when you factor in the rest of the experience, detailed below, I'm sure you'll agree it's great value for a great day out. +Dulwich Hamlet are supported by "The Rabble", an 'infamous' set of left-wing fans who sing throughout the match whilst drinking craft beer and bringing along their dogs +You can get a pint of local brewed craft ale or real ale in the bar, for around £3.50 a pint. Here you can either watch out the big windows if it's cold or take your beer out into the ground if it's warm or you're a northern monkey so don't care about the cold +The matches are generally good quality, with the Hamlet finishing towards the top of their division the past few seasons, narrowly missing out on promotion -Only downer is the current price of the food - £5 for a burger is probably dearer than Wembley. However there is a Sainsbury's next door and you can bring in your own munch.

I didn't go here to use the gym, just had an appointment for a knee check up. The facilities looked…read moregood. Would try it out if it were nearer to where I stay, but as it is not, you could probably try out and let me know here.

A wonderful, holistic, unpretentious and friendly place tucked away in the Crystal Palace Triangle…read more Forget your groupon 'deals' and trendy salons, come here for a local, well priced treatment. My Mrs bought me a deep tissue massage as part of my 25th birthday with Marion who is also a Medical Herbalist. It was really needed after a week of excesses and was a great experience. While this place is called The Little Escape, it feels a bit more of a home away from home with a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. They have such a wide offering of alternative treatments and holistic remedies you would be hard pressed to find something you didn't want to try. I know for sure the Mrs will be back to try some of the other treatments that come highly recommenced. Thank you The Little Escape for a great experience.

The Little Escape is a small, perfectly formed oasis tucked back in the Crystal Palace Triangle…read more I've been there for life coaching, talks, and a chair massage so far. The people there are incredibly nice and welcoming, and they offer a full range of therapies (talking, massage, reflexology, meditation, acupuncture, etc.). You can book online whenever you want, which is a big plus when you decide at 11:30pm that you really want a massage the next day. I've found them to be very accommodating to walk-ins too. Just check the website first for the schedule of when therapies are offered.