Latest reviews for Sports & Leisure in London, United Kingdom

Kieser Training - by carl007

carl007 — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 20:40:24 +0000

Review by carl007

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7391 9980

Website: http://www.kieser-training.com

excellent staff, very compentent - and they fixed my back problem!excellent staff, very compentent - and they fixed my back problem!

Oasis Sports Centre - Hidden oasis by Alsation

Alsation — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 15:23:52 +0000

Review by Alsation

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7831 1804

Tags: cool, outdoor, fitness

The Oasis is one of the few places that makes it worth living in Covent Garden. Having a local, heated, outdoor pool within walking distance is great. The Oasis is more than just a swimming pool, with gym, sauna, squash courts, physio and sports injury treatment rooms and more.
But it will always be the magnificent outdoor pool, that is open year round, that makes this place so special. On a damp, cold, winterâ¬"s morning the steam gently rises off the water when youâ¬"re speeding through it. In summer it tends to get extremely busy and crowded during the day, but the early morning lane swimming doesnâ¬"t suffer from this.
There is also a decent indoor pool, but this tends to be used for school swimming and for special groups. On top of the building is a large sun deck with picnic benches and lots of space to soak up a few rays.
The place is managed by Camden Council, who invest just enough money to keep the facilities in an acceptable condition. It is not luxurious or posh, but decent enough to make it one of Londonâ¬"s best leisure gems.The Oasis is one of the few places that makes it worth living in Covent Garden. Having a local, heated, outdoor pool within walking distance is great. The Oasis is more than just a swimming pool, with gym, sauna, squash courts, physio and sports injury treatment rooms and more.
But it will always be the magnificent outdoor pool, that is open year round, that makes this place so special. On a damp, cold, winterâ¬"s morning the steam gently rises off the water when youâ¬"re speeding through it. In summer it tends to get extremely busy and crowded during the day, but the early morning lane swimming doesnâ¬"t suffer from this.
There is also a decent indoor pool, but this tends to be used for school swimming and for special groups. On top of the building is a large sun deck with picnic benches and lots of space to soak up a few rays.
The place is managed by Camden Council, who invest just enough money to keep the facilities in an acceptable condition. It is not luxurious or posh, but decent enough to make it one of Londonâ¬"s best leisure gems.

Brent Lodge Park - An amazing gem! by radioheadkiduk

radioheadkiduk — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 23:25:23 +0000

Review by radioheadkiduk

Rating: 4.00

Tags: park

As a local park this has it all. Firstly, it is placed near the villagy part of Hanwell. If your image of Hanwell is the Uxbridge Road, try this amazing little corner by St, Mary's Church: you'll be amazed you are in London.

Next there is the park itself. I am amazed that a small zoo is not recieving greater publicity. This place has monkeys, Maras (Google them - they are splendid!), peacocks and small household pets. Small children will be enchanted. There is the golf park earby and some lovely walks. Something for all the family in a lovely setting.As a local park this has it all. Firstly, it is placed near the villagy part of Hanwell. If your image of Hanwell is the Uxbridge Road, try this amazing little corner by St, Mary's Church: you'll be amazed you are in London.

Next there is the park itself. I am amazed that a small zoo is not recieving greater publicity. This place has monkeys, Maras (Google them - they are splendid!), peacocks and small household pets. Small children will be enchanted. There is the golf park earby and some lovely walks. Something for all the family in a lovely setting.

Tottenham Green Leisure Centre - Tottenham Green Leisure Centre by blackstar

blackstar — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 21:09:13 +0000

Review by blackstar

Rating: 4.00A good centre considering its in tottenham (sorry!). You've got two large pools with a range of classes - beginners, family classes, fun 'n' waves. There's a sauna, the Marcus garvey Library, a cafe & full size gym.

centre staff are friendly and helpful. the car park is quite big, but make sure you have a valid ticket else you WILL get clamped!A good centre considering its in tottenham (sorry!). You've got two large pools with a range of classes - beginners, family classes, fun 'n' waves. There's a sauna, the Marcus garvey Library, a cafe & full size gym.

centre staff are friendly and helpful. the car park is quite big, but make sure you have a valid ticket else you WILL get clamped!

Gurnell Swimming Pool - Gurnell Swimming Pool by xxdeebeexx

xxdeebeexx — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 21:26:08 +0000

Review by xxdeebeexx

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 8998 3241

Gurnell is a leisure pool that is run by the borough. There are 3 main pools. The leisure pool is shallow and warm and is meant for young children and people that are unable to swim. The next pool is quite deep from about 4â¬" to about 6â¬" and the 3rd pool is for lane swimming. There are family changing rooms which make it easy for people with young children, and single sex changing rooms which will suit others.
The changing rooms and pools are usually quite clean.
If you drive to the pool you need to make sure that you pay for parking as lot of people have receive parking fines for going over their time.
Gurnell is a leisure pool that is run by the borough. There are 3 main pools. The leisure pool is shallow and warm and is meant for young children and people that are unable to swim. The next pool is quite deep from about 4â¬" to about 6â¬" and the 3rd pool is for lane swimming. There are family changing rooms which make it easy for people with young children, and single sex changing rooms which will suit others.
The changing rooms and pools are usually quite clean.
If you drive to the pool you need to make sure that you pay for parking as lot of people have receive parking fines for going over their time.

David Lloyd Leisure Club - David Lloyds Health Club, Finchley N12 by V1971

V1971 — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 21:59:01 +0000

Review by V1971

Rating: 3.00

Website: http://www.davidlloyd.co.uk/

I joined this club recently and while I am impressed with the wide range of activities, classes and events, I am unimpressed with the lack of customer service. People at reception are useless and can never answe questions, they always tell you to speak to one of the sales people who are never around. The saleswoman that sold me the membership was pushy and cocky, I only joined because of the wide range of activities and because it is a family friendly club where I can take my son during the holiday sor during a cold winter day. The ideas are there, but the staff needs more training and the receptionists need to learn how to smile, they always look miserable. Having said that, it is very clean adn the gym has all the latest equipment, the pool is also very nice and clean so it if you can put up with poor customer service, you will like this club as much as I do.I joined this club recently and while I am impressed with the wide range of activities, classes and events, I am unimpressed with the lack of customer service. People at reception are useless and can never answe questions, they always tell you to speak to one of the sales people who are never around. The saleswoman that sold me the membership was pushy and cocky, I only joined because of the wide range of activities and because it is a family friendly club where I can take my son during the holiday sor during a cold winter day. The ideas are there, but the staff needs more training and the receptionists need to learn how to smile, they always look miserable. Having said that, it is very clean adn the gym has all the latest equipment, the pool is also very nice and clean so it if you can put up with poor customer service, you will like this club as much as I do.

Emirates Stadium - The home of football by ram1992

ram1992 — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 17:04:42 +0000

Review by ram1992

Rating: 5.00

Website: www.arsenal.com

Having gone to the emirates stadium twice now i can now say that it is one of the best football stadiums in the world and the most modern football ground in the premiership and it belongs to the wonderful Arsenal FC.

Built near to highbury , The emirates stadium looks like a spaceship which has just landed in the middle of a resedential area . Surrounded by houses and takeaways , the stadium is equipped with 2 massive tvs so you can have a closer look at chances which you can have just seen metres in front of you . We sat in the centre middle tier and it was the best view and a football stadium i have ever seen . I felt so close and involved in the action it was unbelievable !

Outside the stadium , people were giving away free bottles of water to everyone and everybody enjoyed themselves. Inside the stadium are pubs and restaurants so you can have a drink before seeing the beautiful game in front of your very eyes

Its such a fantastic stadium that it is almost unbelievable that it is located in such a resedential area. It is just minutes away from the tube station as well which even though is two years old and has like 30,000 people use it at weekends is amazingly clean !
Having gone to the emirates stadium twice now i can now say that it is one of the best football stadiums in the world and the most modern football ground in the premiership and it belongs to the wonderful Arsenal FC.

Built near to highbury , The emirates stadium looks like a spaceship which has just landed in the middle of a resedential area . Surrounded by houses and takeaways , the stadium is equipped with 2 massive tvs so you can have a closer look at chances which you can have just seen metres in front of you . We sat in the centre middle tier and it was the best view and a football stadium i have ever seen . I felt so close and involved in the action it was unbelievable !

Outside the stadium , people were giving away free bottles of water to everyone and everybody enjoyed themselves. Inside the stadium are pubs and restaurants so you can have a drink before seeing the beautiful game in front of your very eyes

Its such a fantastic stadium that it is almost unbelievable that it is located in such a resedential area. It is just minutes away from the tube station as well which even though is two years old and has like 30,000 people use it at weekends is amazingly clean !

London Rowing Club - Not not nice! by abbyflo

abbyflo — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 18:35:11 +0000

Review by abbyflo

Rating: 2.00

Phone: 020 8788 0666

Website: http://www.londonrc.org.uk

As a venue the London Rowing Club is great, it is in a stunning location and the long room is beautiful.

However, having recently held our wedding reception here I would strongly advise others to be cautious about booking this place. The in-house caterers bill suddenly increased from what was originally quoted and on the day things did not go to plan. Our drinks bill was also ridiculously excessive (they reckon that each wedding guest had a bottle of wine each + bubbly!).

It's a shame as it is truly a great wedding/party venue, I'm not sure why they feel the need to rip people off. Frankly it is not a very nice way of running a business!

As a venue the London Rowing Club is great, it is in a stunning location and the long room is beautiful.

However, having recently held our wedding reception here I would strongly advise others to be cautious about booking this place. The in-house caterers bill suddenly increased from what was originally quoted and on the day things did not go to plan. Our drinks bill was also ridiculously excessive (they reckon that each wedding guest had a bottle of wine each + bubbly!).

It's a shame as it is truly a great wedding/party venue, I'm not sure why they feel the need to rip people off. Frankly it is not a very nice way of running a business!

Richmond Park Public Golf Course - Great course by cricketer

cricketer — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 21:25:53 +0000

Review by cricketer

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 8876 1795

This public course is ideal for low-mid and high handicappers. The course is challenging yet it has several rather easy holes to test out mid handicappers.
The course is in good condition throughout the summer with the fairways being like some courses greens!
During the winter many temporary tees are used but this does not detract from your game at all!
There is a great restaurant and bar ideal after a tough 18 holes. The bar serves many beers and other drinks at reasonable prices.
This course has great greens which are looked after by the greenkeeper throughout the year. The grass is very green and short which makes the game run very smoothly.This public course is ideal for low-mid and high handicappers. The course is challenging yet it has several rather easy holes to test out mid handicappers.
The course is in good condition throughout the summer with the fairways being like some courses greens!
During the winter many temporary tees are used but this does not detract from your game at all!
There is a great restaurant and bar ideal after a tough 18 holes. The bar serves many beers and other drinks at reasonable prices.
This course has great greens which are looked after by the greenkeeper throughout the year. The grass is very green and short which makes the game run very smoothly.

Lea Valley Riding Centre - Staff could be more friendly by kad

kad — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 19:28:21 +0000

Review by kad

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 8556 2629

I felt the staff were a bit stand-offish but aside from that enjoyed my first ridng lesson. Give it a go. Horses were well trained.I felt the staff were a bit stand-offish but aside from that enjoyed my first ridng lesson. Give it a go. Horses were well trained.

The Oval - Certainly not over by traveladdict

traveladdict — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 22:25:25 +0000

Review by traveladdict

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7820 5755

Website: http://www.surreyccc.co.uk/

Tags: fun, outdoors, sports

The Oval - a place to marvel at the tradition that is British cricket!

The Oval often takes a back seat to Lords as the Country's main cricket ground however having seen a test match recently the Oval was superb. All stands give a great view of the action and it is so easy to get to

The Oval is not overThe Oval - a place to marvel at the tradition that is British cricket!

The Oval often takes a back seat to Lords as the Country's main cricket ground however having seen a test match recently the Oval was superb. All stands give a great view of the action and it is so easy to get to

The Oval is not over

Tower Paintball - Sewer Paintball by nopstar

nopstar — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 09:43:36 +0000

Review by nopstar

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 0845 643 9568

Website: http://www.towerpaintball.com/

Tags: paintball

As much as I enjoy paintballing, I donâ¬"t think I could recommend this place to anyone. Itâ¬"s quite simply foul... granted there arenâ¬"t any windows, ventilation and it is under a bridge. The first thing you notice when you walk into the place is how dank and mouldy the place smells.

The place is massive, and they have 3 main settings... (main arena, rural village, and apocalyptic London) the place was completely drenched with standing water everywhere. In itself that doesnâ¬"t sound so bad, but the water smelled like toilet water. It makes you wonder what water is seeping in from the top of the tunnel?

As we left, my friend commented that we could have stepped in dog $hit and smelled better than we did.
As much as I enjoy paintballing, I donâ¬"t think I could recommend this place to anyone. Itâ¬"s quite simply foul... granted there arenâ¬"t any windows, ventilation and it is under a bridge. The first thing you notice when you walk into the place is how dank and mouldy the place smells.

The place is massive, and they have 3 main settings... (main arena, rural village, and apocalyptic London) the place was completely drenched with standing water everywhere. In itself that doesnâ¬"t sound so bad, but the water smelled like toilet water. It makes you wonder what water is seeping in from the top of the tunnel?

As we left, my friend commented that we could have stepped in dog $hit and smelled better than we did.

The Real Fight Club - The Real Fight Club by diego1976

diego1976 — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 14:01:34 +0000

Review by diego1976

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7247 2358

Website: www.trfc.tv

Tags: boxing gym, white collar boxing, white-collar boxing

When Brad Pitt began slugging it out with bored executives in the movie Fight Club, some critics thought the plot so ridiculous that they suggested the director might have been punch drunk. But in a bizarre case of life imitating art, Britain's flabby office types are taking to the ring in their hundreds in a new phenomenon called white-collar boxing.

When Brad Pitt began slugging it out with bored executives in the movie Fight Club, some critics thought the plot so ridiculous that they suggested the director might have been punch drunk. But in a bizarre case of life imitating art, Britain's flabby office types are taking to the ring in their hundreds in a new phenomenon called white-collar boxing.

London "fight nights", where a barrister might go toe-to-toe with a judge, or a broker might square up to a doctor, are attracting thousands of spectators and a small army of virgin competitors.

So successful has the new executive sport become that its innovators in the UK are in talks with partners to build a Â£2m-plus boxing complex for white-collar workers in the City of London.

As in the film, City workers talk of recognising a fellow boxer by the occasional black eye, and they claim to feel fitter, happier and more in control as a result of their pugilistic enterprises.

White-collar boxing has been growing steadily in popularity in the US for about 15 years, since one fabled night when two wealthy insurance tycoons decided to fight out their differences in the ring instead of breaking each other's companies in the market-place.

It was introduced into the UK in a small way about two years ago by a company called The Real Fight Club (www.trfc.tv) but has taken off in a big way over the past 12 months.

The company hosts evenings on almost every month basis at hotel venues in the capital, with dinner, entertainment and about eight bouts costing in the region of Â£150 a ticket. Office workers who fancy their chances in the ring must let the promoters know in advance and undergo training for anything from one to six months before they are allowed to box. But when they do, their friends, family and colleagues are there to see them either live out their dream or face up to their demons.

With an emphasis on safety, the fight nights are often designed to produce no winners. Simply competing is considered brave enough to elicit respect from an audience baying more for camaraderie than blood.

"In this society, certain people are afraid of becoming a desk jockey with no visceral output for their aggression," said Adrian King, the chief executive officer of The Real Fight Club. "We have become passive consumers under the influence of ubiquitous brands, so people are screaming for the kind of individuality it is difficult to attain in a corporate environment, where there are 1,000 lemmings pushing a corporation vehicle forward.

"In a way, this is where the film got it right because, when you get into that ring, there are no certainties. It is just you, and for a few minutes you feel like Muhammad Ali."

Mr King says 400 Real Fight Club boxers are now active in London, a small army that is stretching the numbers of boxing gyms available. Some of them train at the Kronk gym in Kentish Town, north London, where, for just Â£10 a session, they can benefit from the advice of experienced boxers including Spencer Fearon and Errol Christie.

But facilities are still scarce so The Real Fight Club is working on plans for a 24,000 square foot boxing complex and fitness club in Holborn, on the edge of the Square Mile.

During the day, Michael Field, 53, who has two sons and two step daughters, sits behind a desk dishing out advice on corporate investments. As a founding partner of Hamilton Field, based in the City, he has to be mentally agile. But white-collar boxing has made him fast on his feet, too. "I had a personal trainer who was interested in boxing, so I was doing a few work-outs with him before I heard about the Real Fight Club," he said.

"I've had three bouts now, and I've done ok. I was really nervous before my first fight, but it went well. It's incredibly exciting. While you're in the ring, it's like being a child on a helter-skelter. There is an unknown aspect of uncertainty and overcoming the fear factor.

"But the camaraderie is fantastic. There is no question of trying to hurt anyone unnecessarily. Everyone is properly trained, well-matched and assessed by a doctor. The main thing is to acquit yourself well."

Alex Mehta, 32, a doctor in law and qualified barrister, spends his days providing legal services to companies and individuals. But at night he trains at the gym and has had five white-collar fights in the past year.

"I used to do a little amateur boxing at university, but nothing as regular as this," he said. "It's wonderful. In the past, the most exciting things I did were having a cappucino for breakfast and a croissant for lunch.

"Like most people, I could tell you what my house is worth, what my ISAs are worth and what my pension will bring in. It's boring; but then you get in the ring and your corporate existence just disappears. I was never born to sit behind a desk. I'd like to have been an 18th-century explorer or a conquistador. Fight Club is the next best thing."

When Brad Pitt began slugging it out with bored executives in the movie Fight Club, some critics thought the plot so ridiculous that they suggested the director might have been punch drunk. But in a bizarre case of life imitating art, Britain's flabby office types are taking to the ring in their hundreds in a new phenomenon called white-collar boxing.

When Brad Pitt began slugging it out with bored executives in the movie Fight Club, some critics thought the plot so ridiculous that they suggested the director might have been punch drunk. But in a bizarre case of life imitating art, Britain's flabby office types are taking to the ring in their hundreds in a new phenomenon called white-collar boxing.

London "fight nights", where a barrister might go toe-to-toe with a judge, or a broker might square up to a doctor, are attracting thousands of spectators and a small army of virgin competitors.

So successful has the new executive sport become that its innovators in the UK are in talks with partners to build a Â£2m-plus boxing complex for white-collar workers in the City of London.

As in the film, City workers talk of recognising a fellow boxer by the occasional black eye, and they claim to feel fitter, happier and more in control as a result of their pugilistic enterprises.

White-collar boxing has been growing steadily in popularity in the US for about 15 years, since one fabled night when two wealthy insurance tycoons decided to fight out their differences in the ring instead of breaking each other's companies in the market-place.

It was introduced into the UK in a small way about two years ago by a company called The Real Fight Club (www.trfc.tv) but has taken off in a big way over the past 12 months.

The company hosts evenings on almost every month basis at hotel venues in the capital, with dinner, entertainment and about eight bouts costing in the region of Â£150 a ticket. Office workers who fancy their chances in the ring must let the promoters know in advance and undergo training for anything from one to six months before they are allowed to box. But when they do, their friends, family and colleagues are there to see them either live out their dream or face up to their demons.

With an emphasis on safety, the fight nights are often designed to produce no winners. Simply competing is considered brave enough to elicit respect from an audience baying more for camaraderie than blood.

"In this society, certain people are afraid of becoming a desk jockey with no visceral output for their aggression," said Adrian King, the chief executive officer of The Real Fight Club. "We have become passive consumers under the influence of ubiquitous brands, so people are screaming for the kind of individuality it is difficult to attain in a corporate environment, where there are 1,000 lemmings pushing a corporation vehicle forward.

"In a way, this is where the film got it right because, when you get into that ring, there are no certainties. It is just you, and for a few minutes you feel like Muhammad Ali."

Mr King says 400 Real Fight Club boxers are now active in London, a small army that is stretching the numbers of boxing gyms available. Some of them train at the Kronk gym in Kentish Town, north London, where, for just Â£10 a session, they can benefit from the advice of experienced boxers including Spencer Fearon and Errol Christie.

But facilities are still scarce so The Real Fight Club is working on plans for a 24,000 square foot boxing complex and fitness club in Holborn, on the edge of the Square Mile.

During the day, Michael Field, 53, who has two sons and two step daughters, sits behind a desk dishing out advice on corporate investments. As a founding partner of Hamilton Field, based in the City, he has to be mentally agile. But white-collar boxing has made him fast on his feet, too. "I had a personal trainer who was interested in boxing, so I was doing a few work-outs with him before I heard about the Real Fight Club," he said.

"I've had three bouts now, and I've done ok. I was really nervous before my first fight, but it went well. It's incredibly exciting. While you're in the ring, it's like being a child on a helter-skelter. There is an unknown aspect of uncertainty and overcoming the fear factor.

"But the camaraderie is fantastic. There is no question of trying to hurt anyone unnecessarily. Everyone is properly trained, well-matched and assessed by a doctor. The main thing is to acquit yourself well."

Alex Mehta, 32, a doctor in law and qualified barrister, spends his days providing legal services to companies and individuals. But at night he trains at the gym and has had five white-collar fights in the past year.

"I used to do a little amateur boxing at university, but nothing as regular as this," he said. "It's wonderful. In the past, the most exciting things I did were having a cappucino for breakfast and a croissant for lunch.

"Like most people, I could tell you what my house is worth, what my ISAs are worth and what my pension will bring in. It's boring; but then you get in the ring and your corporate existence just disappears. I was never born to sit behind a desk. I'd like to have been an 18th-century explorer or a conquistador. Fight Club is the next best thing."

Westway Sports Centre - Westway Climbing Wall by Plewcock

Plewcock — Sun, 24 Jun 2007 21:19:41 +0000

Review by Plewcock

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 8969 0992

Website: http://www.westway.org

Tags: sports, tennis

Went to the centre purely for the climbing wall - have no real intention to use it for anything else, but for the walls alone, this place is great. There are plenty of different routes (50+??) to rope climb, a wall for traversing and another for free climbing etc. And on sunny days, there's a interesting concrete shape/wall outside. Highly recommended.Went to the centre purely for the climbing wall - have no real intention to use it for anything else, but for the walls alone, this place is great. There are plenty of different routes (50+??) to rope climb, a wall for traversing and another for free climbing etc. And on sunny days, there's a interesting concrete shape/wall outside. Highly recommended.

Queens Club - Tennis, second only to Wimbledon by NikoTheFinn

NikoTheFinn — Wed, 27 Sep 2006 13:23:20 +0000

Review by NikoTheFinn

Rating: 4.00

Tags: fun, family-friendly, sports

The Queens Club at Barons Court claims to be the first-ever multipurpose sports complex built anywhere in the world, but to me it is best known for its tennis. The week before Wimbledon the Queens Club hosts the Stella Artois Championships, a handy training ground for would-be Wimbledon contenders. Much cheaper than Wimbledon, and with better ticket availabilty (i managed to get tickets for the final 2 years running, for only GBP40 per ticket), this is a great day out. The venue is compact, serves good food and drinks for slightly less than extortionate prices, and gets you as close to the players and the action as you'd want to be.

if you are very rich and very posh and know multiple members of the royal family then you can probably become a playing member of their rackets club for the price of a small duchy.The Queens Club at Barons Court claims to be the first-ever multipurpose sports complex built anywhere in the world, but to me it is best known for its tennis. The week before Wimbledon the Queens Club hosts the Stella Artois Championships, a handy training ground for would-be Wimbledon contenders. Much cheaper than Wimbledon, and with better ticket availabilty (i managed to get tickets for the final 2 years running, for only GBP40 per ticket), this is a great day out. The venue is compact, serves good food and drinks for slightly less than extortionate prices, and gets you as close to the players and the action as you'd want to be.

if you are very rich and very posh and know multiple members of the royal family then you can probably become a playing member of their rackets club for the price of a small duchy.