This place is only busy because there are so few other options in the area. Unfortunately, the…read morebusiness makes the management arrogant and they offer zero customer service. If they bother to get back to you about any concern you might have about the facilities they will be completely inflexible and unhelpful. They know if you leave they have plenty of other users with little to no other choices. The recent refurbishment has been badly managed with a much smaller choice of equipment spread over 4 floors in 6 different spaces! Even at off-peak times there are queues for equipment because much of it does not even work. Complaints fall on deaf ears and management will not even entertain reducing fees due to the reduction in services. Their only suggestion they can offer is to cancel! They really do not care about the community or their members despite the headlines on their website.

This is a great place to come swimming. After a ridiculous saga, it was finally reopened a couple…read moreof years ago and it is this relative newness that makes it so shiny and nice. You don't worry about verrucas and kids weeing in the pool here, unlike at North London's other, older and therefore grimier public pools. I like to come early on a Saturday morning (provided I haven't been out too heavily the night before) as it's usually pretty quiet and you can get a good pace in the fast lane without hitting too many people's heels. The changing rooms are also big and clean although my favourite thing about the pool is that it's near enough to my house that I can stroll home for a post-swim shower.

When I first signed up for the gym membership here, I was expecting to work out among only the…read moresenior members of the local community - not that that would be a bad thing. But then I was the more surprised that the clientele here is actually very diverse: from the teens, who are posing in front of the mirrors in the locker rooms to show off their muscles, the bus drivers working out during their breaks, the house wives gathering in the morning to do engage in chit-chat on the cross trainers, and the grandma from next door who's the most enthusiastic participant in the tummy session... When you join with a yearly membership - which is really affordable - you get a package of personal training sessions, a gym towel, a T-shirt and a water bottle...all this is nothing fancy, but then again it kind of entices you to continue coming. Also, the trainers here are really great, I have to say. What's best about them is that they engage in ever-so-brief conversations with you; they ask you how you're coming along, or when you haven't been there for a while, they notice you coming back and congratulate you on that. This, I feel is great and it makes me feel as being part of some kind of community. Keep up doing the good work!

I have used this pool a lot over the years as a great place for younger kids to gain pool…read moreconfidence and have fun. Its another beach style pool with a tiled island area - perfect for little ones getting to grips with jumping in the water. Much of this pool is really shallow. It has a reasonable wave machine - with a shelf you can sit on and get battered by the waves. Great fun when the kids were under 8 - we came here after school every 3 weeks over a couple of years (we use to alternate with Britannia in Hoxton and Waterfront in Woolwich) - but we have outgrown it . All the kids swim competitively now and the fun here is too tame for them (even with the youngest at 9). It has a really small swim around the island with no jets - just a waterfall that flows over your head as you swim by. A good shower jet for standing under that is powerful and always catches new visitors out as they desperately try to stop the jet removing their swimsuit. There is one slide which is great for first slide experiences....It snakes directly over the pool and is only half tube so if you go fast enough you get to splash the water over the top onto the pool below (and unsuspecting swimmers). Guess I spent too much time here. Main jacuzzi pool was always out of action and the small version was pretty poor. They do offer lane swimming if you want to train after public sessions - they stretch a few ropes across - so many better places to train, not sure why anyone would use this unless they lived next door.. We got to know most of the staff really well - slide was always open and on quiet nights we would get the waves to order. If you are looking to build water confidence in your toddlers or provide fun for under eights then this is great - otherwise travel there are better places about. Showers hit and miss, changing facilities basic and there is a gym. Never used it so cannot comment.

We got off to a bit of a rocky start, the new Better Kensington Leisure Center and me ... it…read morereplaced a worn out 70s sports centre at the end of my road and I was excited to get fit when it finally reopened. Not sure what made me think they'd give us money off for enduring months of noise and disruptive building works. Oh well, the promise of no joining fee if you signed up before it was ready ... less community than commerce, hey ho. It's taken them a while to get going, the fitness class schedule is still patchy and it's annoying that you can't just turn up and pay as you as like you used to. OK, on to the positives. It's been open for several years now and it still looks fantastic. As I live 2 minutes away I don't normally use their changing rooms - until last night. My heating stopped working in the current cold spell (worst timing ever!) and I decided to make use of their showers. Back to the good old days ... the original pools replaced Victorian baths! I warmed up with a dance aerobics class which was great fun - wish I wasn't always so busy on Thursday nights, more Latin freestyle than strict routines put a smile on everyone's face. ... and the changing rooms were a pleasant surprise, clean and white and spacious with warm showers. Enough lockers to go around (make sure you take a £1 coin!) and decent hair dryers. I am truly impressed - Better deserves its name after all.

Inaccessible gym? Come join the Rainbow Leisure Centre. This is the council owned and managed…read moreleisure centre of Epsom. In terms of payment, there are 2 options pay whenever you come or sign up for a membership card. The gym is above the pool. There is also a sports hall for members to use. There are classes held at the gym and kid activities too. What is not to like?

Fees at your local posh gym too high? Don't need expensive coffee bar? Over-trendy snooty members…read moregetting on your nerves? The Rainbow Centre is what you need! The Rainbow Centre is the council run leisure centre in Epsom. You can either attend and pay as you attend or become a member which reduces your entry fee and allows you to book courts. There's a 25 metre pool with some hot tubs in the swimming area. A large sports hall has different activities at different times but I usually play badminton though you can join things like a 5 a side league. There's a well equipped gym upstairs. All available for a fraction of the price of one of the posh chains. Another cool thing is that they offer discounts to hospital staff. If all you need is a sports facility, the Rainbow Centre will meet your needs

I went to the pools and stood play it was great probably will go again really fun and nice things…read moreto do 5 stars

Great Place. I Swam For My First Time. Trainers Were Awesome:) even i almost drowned but a trainer…read morehelped me. deserves 5 star.

I don't use internet cafes much, but I don't have a printer, so when I need a form on paper or a…read moregold plated tennis racket, I go to this place. It's nearly across the street from my house. In the world of internet cafes, this place is Otis Redding, classy, smooth, calming. You know how internet cafes can, at times, have a nitty-gritty, ultra-urban feel? The living space has none of this. In a sunny circular upper level, computers are arranged, sitting bright in the daylight. A atrium below holds a quaint cafe with surprisingly good (and fair trade) coffee. All this pizazz might lead you to believe that Hugh Grant has decided to become a Spanish guitar player, but as far as I know that's not true. It might also lead you to believe that I am destined for greatness, to which I'd respond, "gee thanks!" Lastly, it might lead you to believe that this place is expensive. Is it? You want to know, don't you. It's not. If ever you need a cafe or the internet or the two rolled into one, this place is a great place to go. If ever you need a face-lift, I don't know what to tell you. If ever you need a comic relief, please read my upcoming novel that's waiting to be written. If ever you think I have a bizarre sense of humor, you're right.

From the owner: We are a charity (Bankside Open Spaces Trust) managing Living Space Community Centre. Here we have…read morehalls for hire, Childrens holiday play scheme and youth clubs happening here in the Adventure Playground. Also as a charity we look after parks and open spaces in the SE1 area, we welcome volunteers to help us with this important work keeping the lungs of SE1 green and thriving!

I kinda wish this were my council community center…read more Friendly staff, and they didn't charge me a deposit to rent a badminton racket when I realised I had shown up with no cash. Lockers are unlocked by a token you get from the front desk, and this frees a key-wristband that you can keep with you while you sweat off some of that Sunday roast. Clean locker room, massive facilities for football, gymnastics, badminton, etc, I'll definitely be back! Close to buses and the Tube as well.

Treetops is one of the best soft play places I've see. I'm fortunate to live nearby. My child…read moreloves it. The prices are reasonable for the soft play and the snack bar as well. The only negatives are that they don't always enforce the no camera rule and it can sometimes get really crowded. Still five stars however.

Solid 4 stars. I really enjoy coming here for a swim as they have 2 pools: one indoor and one…read moreoutdoor pool (both are 25m long). They're part of Better Health and so I use their pay-as-you-go membership. The biggest bonus is that this leisure centre is smack in Soho/Covent Garden and thus I can combine a visit here with lunch in Chinatown or I can meet up with a friend for coffee in Seven Dials.

Let's be honest here, i have not tried the sporting facilities here. I wish i could but instead i'm…read morevisiting the osteopath. I was in pain and one of my colleagues who comes here regularly told me they are great here. The osteopath who is taking care of me (Andrew) is really nice and does listen to you and try to distract you from the pain when manipulating your body. He has also been able to give me thorough advice and even email me further suggestions. Anyway, every time i go there, i am drawn to the big glass wall and stare at the outdoor swimming pool. I realised last week that there is also an indoor swimming pool! Generally speaking, the place looks clean and well maintained and all the members of staff i have spoken to are friendly. Hopefully i'll be able to check the facilities further soon and will update this review

I go walking most days here it's a lovely park with a nice play ground for the kids, My son loves…read moreit. There are eight tennis courts too and also one astro turf football pitch and one concrete pitch for football and basketball ball. They have a really nice ice cream lady who sells awesome ice creams in the summer and a pair of brothers who sell coffee also really nice guys.

You know the weather's been nice when my last few reviews involve parks, offys and fruit stalls!…read more Highbury Fields is no different, a massive open green surrounded by leafy trees for a bit of much needed shade. The BBQs were grilling, frisbees and footballs out in force, blankets, sunglasses, books, summer festival cider, pure happiness. Even the kiddos were in parktopia as the playground equipment is actually pretty cool! And of course, the mandatory Mr. Whippy was parked with his permanent queue. (Ok fine, maybe I had a go at the swings and ice cream myself. But kids are a great diversion!) This, as are most of London's tucked away green spaces, is a pure gem in the neighbourhood.

Works for me! This…read moreLeisure Centre happens to be where I can meet my beloved trainer (PT Lana: http://www.yelp.com/biz/pt-by-lana-london) and thus I find myself here 1-2x per week as availability allows. When the weather is nice it's better to be out in Shoreditch Park but this works for the soggy late fall and winter months. I only really use the gym area for treadmill/row machine and then the mats and a few weights but it's always pretty good. Could use a bit more cleaning on the mats (dirt from outside) but there are always staff running about cleaning here and there so it stays in pretty good shape. The machines are kept in good order, there are plenty of TVs and music and overall its pretty pleasant for a workout. I'd like to check out the group classes as they seem pretty popular and diverse but I am usually in a rush! I like that the clientele is diverse and there's not a judgey air about it. No strutting or posturing around, just people working out and getting on with it. Besides the dudes dropping massive weights and shaking the floor (I shake my head at you!) everything is pretty chill. My leisure centre pass (£54/month) allows me access to any of the Better Centres so I use this one, Clissold and Ironmonger the most frequently. Nice to have some options and keep it varied. This one isn't the newest (Ironmonger) or nicest (Clissold) but it is the most convenient to my home and gets the job done. *Easy parking (pay lot). *Nice enough reception staff. *Right next to Shoreditch Park.

This is our local swimming pool - we have used it on and off (mainly off) for the last 15 years…read more Beach style fun pool without much fun. Despite the recent £400k investment in the Leisure Centre the pool is disappointing. Wave machine is currently out of action (again), the fountain sprays do not work and the slide often does not open because of staff shortages. The changing rooms have had a revamp, are clean and family friendly and the showers are hot. I swim here with my 8 year old daughter and her friend every now and then after school. For practising swimming it is perfect for under 10s - it is the quietest pool I have ever been to in London. Sometimes there are less than 10 people using the pool when we are there. Deeper than Archway but no swimming lanes. Large and recommended swim school (although we have not used it, friends do) in separate small pool. A shame really as this could be so much better - if only the fun bits of this pool were actually available. UPDATE Visited again on 16 Dec 10 and the wave machine has been fixed - one of the better wave machines when it is working so have upped my rating. Lets hope it lasts!