Complete guide to leisure centre prices, hours and facilities

A concise breakdown of leisure centre fees, membership options and facility opening times to help you choose sessions and book services with confidence

What to expect from community leisure centres

Community leisure centres are where neighbours swim, sweat, play and meet. They range from compact neighbourhood pools with a gym corner to larger hubs offering courts, studios, health suites and soft‑play zones.

This guide walks you through typical prices, membership options, opening hours and the common services you’ll find — with practical tips to help you plan visits, compare value and avoid surprise charges.

How centres usually charge

Most centres divide customers into simple groups: adults, juniors and members.

Prices are presented as single-session tickets, day passes, block bookings or memberships. Expect peak and off‑peak pricing, occasional booking fees, and extra charges for specialist services (personal training, dedicated studios, equipment hire, etc.). Concession schemes — such as local Passport to Leisure programmes — provide reduced rates for students, seniors and low‑income households, but you’ll usually need proof to qualify.

Typical fees by activity

• – Aquatics: Pools typically use tiered pricing. Casual swimmers buy single-entry tickets, while regular users can save with block passes or seasonal courses. Swim lessons are often sold in blocks and usually need advance booking; private or small‑group lessons carry higher fees reflecting instructor time. Off‑peak and junior sessions tend to be cheaper.
• Gym and fitness: Gyms offer pay-as-you-go options, day passes and monthly or annual memberships. Memberships lower the per-visit cost for frequent users and sometimes include perks like a free induction. Specialist studios, small-group PT or premium equipment may be charged extra.
• Group classes and programmes: Classes can be paid per session or via multi-class passes. Term-length courses for kids are usually billed as one fee covering the whole block. Cancellation and transfer rules can influence your final cost, so check those up front.
• Racket sports and courts: Courts (badminton, tennis, squash, table tennis) are normally hired by the hour, with peak slots costing more. Some centres offer membership packages that include booking priorities or reduced hourly rates. Expect surcharges for lighting and equipment hire.
• Venue hire and events: Rooms and halls are usually quoted per hour. The price depends on room size, set-up needs and any extras (cleaning, tech support). Local groups and charities sometimes qualify for discounted rates.
• Soft play and parties: Family sessions are often priced per child and may be time-limited. Party packages bundle space, supervision and staff but often require deposits and minimum numbers.

How to compare prices (and not be fooled by headlines)

Don’t judge by the headline price alone. Work out the effective cost per visit by including joining fees, peak surcharges, booking charges, locker or equipment fees, and any mandatory extras (health‑suite supplements, instructor levies). Ask whether members still need to book lanes, courts or classes — extra bookings can add hidden costs. Trial passes or short‑term memberships are a good way to test a centre before committing.

Quick checklist when evaluating centres
– Opening hours and travel time
– What’s included (towels, lockers, class access)
– Booking rules and cancellation policy
– Ancillary costs (parking, equipment hire, premium areas)
– Accessibility features (step‑free access, pool hoists, changing facilities)

Booking, hire and family activities

Most centres let you book online or by phone. Booking in advance often secures lower rates and guarantees spaces at popular times. Facility hire (lanes, halls, studios) is almost always hourly and prices vary by size and time of day.

Family activities and parties can offer good value if you compare per‑head costs and check minimum numbers and extra staffing fees. Swim lessons and coaching commonly come with block‑book discounts; expect one‑to‑one or very small group lessons to cost more because of the dedicated instructor time.

Remember to factor in cancellation and transfer rules: pay‑as‑you‑go sessions sometimes have stricter refund policies than member bookings or prepaid courses. Before you book, contact the centre to confirm current tariffs, lesson ratios and any special promotions.

Opening times and getting there

Centres typically operate from early morning to late evening on weekdays, with reduced hours at weekends. Pools may open early for lane swimming; gyms often stay open later. Because different areas (pool, studio, junior gym, health suite) can run separate timetables, check the specific schedule for the part of the centre you plan to use.

Travel tips
– Check public transport links and frequencies, especially outside rush hours.
– Confirm parking availability and charges; some centres offer free parking, others have paid lots.
– Look for cycle storage and EV charging if you use those options.

Accessibility and entry procedures

If mobility or sensory access matters, check for step‑free routes, accessible changing rooms, pool hoists and hearing loops. Many centres list these details online — if you can’t find them, ring ahead. Some areas require waivers, age checks or advance bookings, so arrive with any necessary documents and leave time for check‑in.

Choosing the right option for you

Most centres divide customers into simple groups: adults, juniors and members. Prices are presented as single-session tickets, day passes, block bookings or memberships. Expect peak and off‑peak pricing, occasional booking fees, and extra charges for specialist services (personal training, dedicated studios, equipment hire, etc.). Concession schemes — such as local Passport to Leisure programmes — provide reduced rates for students, seniors and low‑income households, but you’ll usually need proof to qualify.0

Most centres divide customers into simple groups: adults, juniors and members. Prices are presented as single-session tickets, day passes, block bookings or memberships. Expect peak and off‑peak pricing, occasional booking fees, and extra charges for specialist services (personal training, dedicated studios, equipment hire, etc.). Concession schemes — such as local Passport to Leisure programmes — provide reduced rates for students, seniors and low‑income households, but you’ll usually need proof to qualify.1

Final practical tip

Most centres divide customers into simple groups: adults, juniors and members. Prices are presented as single-session tickets, day passes, block bookings or memberships. Expect peak and off‑peak pricing, occasional booking fees, and extra charges for specialist services (personal training, dedicated studios, equipment hire, etc.). Concession schemes — such as local Passport to Leisure programmes — provide reduced rates for students, seniors and low‑income households, but you’ll usually need proof to qualify.2