This is a wonderfully old-school and sophisicated London members club - perfect for a game of lawn…read moretennis or just hanging out drinking tea and reading a book in one of the beautiful conservatories or on the terrace (I did the latter!) You can only get in here with a member - and most people are either married into or born into membership at Hurlingham because the wait is around 15 years - but luckily members can bring a bunch of people at a time. The grounds are gorgeous and with a perfect weather weekend you can spend hours wandering around and taking in the beautiful scenery. If you decide to opt for a membership, by the time your name is at the top of the list 15 or so years down the track, you may just be about nearing the right age to fit in with the clientele here. Yes, I'm talking OAPs. This club is a million miles away from the media crowd you find in most well known members club, this really is a place for the old-school English gentleman in his suit - which gives it a special vibe. Oh and don't forget your crisp whites on the tennis courts, no other gear allowed here!

This private club is a wonderful sanctuary in the middle of busy London…read more Its grounds are simply divine and the view onto the Thames is really gorgeous. You feel like you've stepped into some alternate universe where everyone is friendly and nice. There's a great playground for children, an outdoor swimming pool and jacuzzi i think, tennis courts, croquet lawns etc. There are the usual rules regarding wearing only white. The restaurant is also quite yummy though I wouldn't say it's mind-blowing. The BBQ in the summer is delicious though! Obviously the down-sides are that it's ridiculously expensive to become a member and the waiting list is close to almost a century.

Nestled beside the Thames between Richmond and Bushy you'll have a lovely time at The Lensbury,…read more Ours was a company meeting, and the venue served that purpose nicely as well. The rooms were "cosy" so plan on spending more time in the common spaces or nearby in town. Breakfast was varied although some colleagues wanted more. What're you gonna do? The other meals were apparently good, as I talked to others who enjoyed dinner immensely. The proximity to town is nice for the perfect-length pre/post-dinner walks, and Thames Path being just behind the hotel ok allows for runs or strolls as far as you want to go. A little farther north or south will put you in two of Greater London's best parks. If you want to stay on-grounds to raise your heart rate, the exercise facility is one people pay high monthly rates to join. The pool is perfect and spacious, and you'll have all manner of what you'd expect to workout otherwise. I'm sure the grounds would be lovely in summer months, but you'll still have space to spread out indoors. The staff was friendly and helpful, and we'd enjoy our rumored return next year if it materializes.

I just love this place, they made the room availble by 11am, was upgraded to one of their superior…read moresuites, spent a relaxing 3 hours in their very well equipped fitness centre, finishing off with swim in their very clean and warm pool, followed by a sauna and steam session. Energy replacement courtesy of fresh fruit juices and home-made yoghurt, honey and granola. PS: did I say I loved this place!

Virgin Active has been the worst customer experience I've ever had. After I complained about a rude…read morestaff member (at Strand), he retaliated by getting my brand new membership at Chiswick Riverside cancelled behind my back. I was never told -- I only found out when I was blocked at the door. They kept my £125 joining fee, left me without access for a week, and have dragged me through over a month of back-and-forth lies and contradictions. They're now even emailing me from Mill Hill saying I "haven't cancelled" when I clearly have. As a disabled person, I find this not only retaliatory but also discriminatory. For a company charging nearly £300/month, to treat members this way -- silencing complaints, cancelling memberships without notice, keeping money, and refusing accountability -- is beyond disgraceful. Avoid at all costs.

The sports' club on the grounds of the National Physical Laboratories in Teddington (for that's…read morewhat NPL stands for) isn't just for sports. It's also a live music venue, and a real ale establishment besides. If you don't know where it is, you might struggle to find it, especially with the extensive works currently taking place on the NPL campus (which is large). It's right at the back - if you're walking in, you'll walk a good half mile from the entrance to the campus and the door of the club (at the moment, anyway). There is a small car park in front of the club. Once you're there, though, especially if you're there for a gig, you'll be glad you made the effort. There are several ales available, and as you might expect from a sports club, the prices are very reasonable. Food is normally available, but often not on party or gig nights. There is a function room and a gig room, complete with stage. They do charge for their gigs, but not a fortune (I've seen the Strawbs and friends there). Service is efficient and quick, and the ale is kept well. The staff are friendly, and the décor is far nicer (and cleaner) than you often find in sports' clubs - this is partly because the roof is raked, not flat, so the room has a much roomier feel. There is a pool room as well (though this is often used a green room for performers on gig nights). The loos are clean and large. I like coming here for gigs - and it's local to me, and I can soak up the genius coming from the NPL campus.

I used to play quite a bit of tennis when I was younger but then I got older. A while back I…read moredecided that maybe I'd quite like to take it up again but on a smaller court, where I could have a few drinks either before or after and not be completely and utterly destroyed for days. Things had got bad with the fitness and the tennis. So that's when I decided that badminton might be the answer. After considering the options in the local area I dragged a friend down to one of their open sessions on a Sunday evening. It's £10 for about two hours and if you're new you get lessons in with that. Not cheap really but it's good to see if you like it enough to continue. After that you can either join or try table tennis, an even smaller court. I didn't end up continuing the badminton for very long but actually did really enjoy it here. It's an ultra friendly club, very neighbourhoodly, a little bit suburban and most members are either older or very young. Good indoor racquet sport options though for cold weather adverse. Gym too.

A brief study of previous clubs I've been to…read more Nearly all of the badminton clubs I've had the pleasure of gracing tend to subscribe to various extremes. These can be applied to the temperaments of the people, the quality of the play, the poise and precision of post-play banter, height, width and length of the hall, and the quantity of shuttle cocks. Because without enough shuttle cocks we might as well be swatting flies as a form of sweaty recreation. I recall two clubs in particular in Maidstone in Kent. I can't remember what they're called. I forgot them successfully. The first one interested me, because even the worst of players acted in a godlike manner. I left this club. The second abomination had a hall so small, and a ceiling so low that I'm convinced the dwarfs stranded outside wanted their wedding reception back. Why the Wimbledon Racquet & Fitness Centre is a 'keeper' in my view? Beyond expectations frankly. Lockers (which require only £1 deposit) and have enough room to keep all you groceries, a child of average height, a jacket, a brief case, and anything else associated with a burdensome modern lifestyle. The halls (playing space) is huge, immensely well kept and there is ample space allocated for those who wish to watch including (can you believe) more locker space near the court. But never fear, there aren't endless opportunities for the humble and nimble to spectate gormlessly at the sidelines. Whatever skill level you happen to be; whatever your racquet wielding disposition; you'll get regular on-court action. And advice to improve your game. The opportunities for improving your technique are constant, and the trainer's timekeeping sharp. For example on Sundays from 5 to 7pm the Beginners & Improvers Session takes place. This is £6 to members and £12 to non-members. The coaching sessions and playing sessions mix in perfectly. Either you can train (the coaching is excellent) or play mixed (or non-mixed) doubles games. There is also the Open Session on Friday which cost me, as a non-member, £12.50. But that's for over three hours of solid badminton and half time snacks (often delicious Chelsea Buns, doughnuts and Apple Turnovers). And hot tea. This is all thrown in to the price. If you haven't got a racquet they always have a good quality piece of equipment to hand - no extra charge or renting fee etc. Excellent stock of badminton goods to buy. I purchased my court shoes from the club for roughly 30 quid (excellent quality - superb in usage). Sublime cushioning. They're good. There are gym facilities. Full membership includes unlimited use of a fully equipped air-conditioned gym, unlimited use of saunas and changing-room facilities, and a free gym induction/training programme. Massive bonus: they're not (I repeat not) cliquey like a great many clubs. Anyhow I could go on and on. And you (doubtless) want your evening to yourself. I recommend the place. You can find out more here: http://www.wimbledonclub.co.uk Words: Phillip J Cogger

Canoeing or Rowing down the river you get a completely different aspect of this beautiful area of…read moreLondon. It is really relaxing and fun, as long as you don't fall in. That does't happen too often though- a group of 15 of us went canoeing every week for 3 months and I was the only one to end upm swimming. It was freezing and dirty but I suppose the experience is fun to look back on and was very funny for everyone else at the time. This canoe centre imakes it very easy to hire equipment and also offers good courses and tuition. The location is aso in a really nice part of the river.