BETTER Gosling Sports Park

Positive experience: Very nice sports park. Requires some more disabled spaces. As the paid spaces do not allow enough space for possible disability requirements. Seems money generation is more important.

Positive experience: Good fun, but slopes look tired and need a refurb

Negative experience: I’m sorry but there are way too many weirdos at this place, especially the spa area. I would not recommend if you’re a woman going alone or want peace. I’ve been followed on my way home, followed into a shower block, had my personal space invaded multiple times and even had my right of way blocked by an older man once when I tried to leave the spa area. Staff didn’t do much when I told them after. I had too many weird experiences and just cancelled my membership. If you’re not driving you have to use a secluded country lane path to and from the gym which was my main safety worry.

Fantastic experience: All I can say is that u HAVE to come here

Negative experience: Very poor service at the golden goose cafe located inside the centre, staff member appeared to be disinterested, he had no hand hygiene touching the food then the till in his phone etc. Won’t be spending my money on here again!!!!

Negative experience: We were looking for a new venue to try some trampolining and soft play. Two adults and two kids aged 3 and 4 years. I was absolutely flabbergasted to learn that the cost for 1 hour of trampolining and 1 hour of soft play (for 2 adults and 2 kids) was coming to £72.80. Yes you read that right, £72.80 for 2 hours of fun in Welwyn Garden City. Screenshot attached for proof. (I had to zoom out to show all items in the basket totalling £72.80 hence the smaller text). I thought it might've been a mistake so phoned the centre and was told that the ratio is ONE adult to ONE child under 5 years. I asked how that would work for a single parent with more than one child and was told that they would need to find a 2nd full price paying adult to cover the 2nd child OR wait until one of the children turns 5 years old as the ratios change slightly. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I was told it is a 'safety measure' but no other trampolining venues have this 1 to 1 ratio. It's clearly a way to gain more money from the local community. 'Better' is supposed to be a 'community' place and I thought the prices were usually somewhat subsidised but clearly not. These prices make Central London look cheap! Of course, we chose not to visit this site. Instead we went to Better in Hatfield and had a great day for half the price quoted above. Trampolining prices for 1 hour at Gosling Sports Park, WGC £12.95 adult (allowed to bring ONE child age 5 years or under) £12.95 child No spectator option Plus the cost of the Better brand socks needed.

Positive experience: very nice place to go with with your family, went here with my mum and brother and we went onto the trampoline park. there is a nice cafe we ate at, too

Fantastic experience: Indoors and outdoors fascilities for athletics and gym. No swimming pool.

Fantastic experience: Great place to play squash. Lots of active club players.

Negative experience: Lovely facilities. Used for the trampoline park, 2 kids having a play date BUT if you go, be prepared to get a parking fine. I paid at the machine. Got the payment confirmation from banking app. A week later get parking fine. Payment transaction cancelled by merchant behind the scenes. Currently appealing. Absolute joke

Fantastic experience: This is the only place I've done tennis tournaments in Hertfordshire so far, with great facilities. and run really well by Jamie Broomfield!! First time I was here, got to the final!! :)

Negative experience: Visited the trampoline park after its refurbishment. As soon as you enter you are met with a concierge desk, where the young staff members are chatting and are disinterested in your bookings. When you enter the trampoline park the staff are also chatting in groups which means that the parents are helping the kids with the equipment (trapeze) and intervening when there are conflicts. There is no free parking and if you don’t register you have Gemini issuing a fine (Concierge will not remind you nor will the trampoline front desk-even after complaint/feedback I was informed that visitors need to look at the signs). All in all, we wont be going back. Will stick with Urban limitz (Harlow) and gravity (Stevenage)-both better facilities and free parking.

Fantastic experience: Awesome gym punching well above it's weight in terms of cost Vs value delivered.

Negative experience: Trampoline park great, but be weary of the parking system. I’ve had it crash on me while trying to process and now I’ve been fined although it was afault of the system. It’s not worth a 60 quid fine. Will go else where.

Negative experience: £60 parking fine! Booked and paid for a tennis court between 9-10 pm. Was dark when we got there even spoke to reception saying we just parked and asked if there is anything we need to do and where we go. No mention that we have to register our car. Next thing you know £60 fine. Luckily head office gave us an email to contact but such a hassle. Will not be returning. Read other emails and you will find many similar reviews to this. I would recommend just finding a different sports center as this is not worth the hassle

Negative experience: An helpful, Don’t offer a good experience, Wi-Fi is not good to help with exercise equipment or videos when working, Worst location if you ask me.

Positive experience: Love the Gym, not used it enough and I really like the Spa. great place. parking is amazing but it is costly

Fantastic experience: Went to a birthday party here and my 7 year old really enjoyed herself. Location was easy to get to. Plenty of parking only downside is one ticket machine near the entrance which got very busy. I had managed to scan the QR code and paid for parking which was quick and efficient. I did hear other customers say to hold onto my receipt as the parking company tends to send out fines even though you paid for a ticket so I have kept my receipt if any issues arise. The actual trampoline park was good and plenty for the kids to do. The rooms where they had the parties are a bit small but was clean and nice. Overall my daughter really enjoyed herself will definitely go back again.

Negative experience: I am putting one star because of the car parking. Never found such a bad and convoluted one. It's the first time I had to pay a fine for wrong car parking, I felt like they stole me 60 quid.

Fantastic experience: Good amount of activities and clean changing rooms. Good value for money if you are a member.

Negative experience: Football pitches are very poor. There's no way to retrieve the footballs if they go over the fence on the pitches at the back. Also, no action is taken when you complain to reception about the state of the pitches. Finally, the car parking charges are ridiculous and unnecessary.

Positive experience: Lovely sports facility. Lots of sports and a number of courts etc. poor toilets. Parking charge even for users! Some sports facilities are poorly maintained

Negative experience: Rip off parking even though you're already paying to use sports facilities there...?

Positive experience: Tennis coaching is excellent but they need to fix the indoor clay courts.

Fantastic experience: Very accommodating to my child + friends who wanted to attend the trampoline Park without an adult. Really enjoyed themselves!

Negative experience: Was attending ITF tournament on 8th April went to buy my opponent a coffee after match 6pm ONLY TO FIND COFFEE BAR CAFE AREA CLOSED NOT IMPRESSED

Fantastic experience: My local gym to my work place. Go in the evenings and it has good changing rooms, and shower facilities. The gym is well equiped with a good vsriety of workout machines, cables and free wieghts as well as plenty of cardio. The SPA is amazing. It has a SPA pool, two steam rooms, a suana. The gym also has other sports facilities but I havent used those as well as the onsite cafe.

Fantastic experience: Great activity for all the family. Kids love it!! Arrange the birthday party for son lately -well organized all staff was super helpful!!

Positive experience: Went to drop off for an event. Parking fine. 30 minutes free so OK for dropping off or picking up. Centre looked clean and well presented. Café normally open but closed on our visit.

Positive experience: It’s fine. Gym is very busy so I always go very late in the evening but it has everything and feel comfortable working out. The pool and showers can do with some refurbishing as they are old and kinda broken. It’s fine

Negative experience: Attended a kids party here and we were pleasantly surprised - so much so we were about to book our own child's party here in June. Unfortunately I won't return here on principal - car park fees are more in-line with a central London attraction and I can't knowingly place that responsibility on other parents for such a mediocre venue. AVOID.

Positive experience: Very accessible, with a lovely therapy pool for those recovering from injury, or just after a small pool with no kids. Plenty of spaces to sit with bubble jets, including a horizontal "bubble bed". No lifeguard, and not suitable for lane swimming.

Negative experience: BE WARNED THIEFS OPERATE IN THIS ESTABLISHMENT!!! MY SON's CAR KEYS GOT STOLEN WHILST HE WAS USING THE GYM AND THE STAFF WERE ABOUT AS HELPFUL AS A CHOCOLATE TEAPOT. COST A FORTUNE GETTING CAR LIFTED HOME SO THE THIEVES WERE UNABLE TO STEEL IT THAT NIGHT.

Negative experience: Gym is old, falling apart, so many missing vital machines but the staff are amazing, especially Tibor, he's a really genuine nice guy. Spa is ok, not the cleanest but sufficient. The swimming shorts drying spinner thing broke and instead of just buying a new one it's being fixed (apparently) even though it's 20 years old and has been missing for months now. Everything is just a bit old and falling apart. Had to change gyms, shame because it could have potential if they put a bit of money into it but that seems too much to ask for. 2 stars. Haven't used any other parts of the complex so it may not be a fair review on other elements.

Positive experience: Very large sports park with so many activities we’ve yet to try. So far we have been to the driving range, cafe and spa. All reasonably priced and you get 30 mins free parking, which is handy if you are dropping or picking children up from various activities. Looking forward to trying more things in the warmer weather so will update in due course. Could do with a little tidying up, some pot holes filled in and giving some of the buildings a wash would make it more presentable.

Fantastic experience: Went for the spa with my date. She loved it!

Negative experience: Went there for a spa day, it was disappointing from word go. When booking online they never stated 3 of 4 steam/saunas were out of action due to a service and the changing rooms were not up to scratch. The best they offered a another day, we were not allowed our money back. When we arrived we gave our car reg details to the receptionist ( as per their website, I believe the parking charge is within the fee). 2 weeks later we got fine and now I have to appeal it , what a hassle (thankfully the head office gave me an email to send onwards). I just hope they accept it or I'll be furious.

Negative experience: Sadly visited the centre earlier this month on a pitch black evening to okay squash. Didn't see any parking signs and had no idea there were charges at 19.30 at night. Enjoy your share of the £60.00 Gosling Activity centre because it's the last time I will ever use your facilities again

Positive experience: Only visited the hand car wash which I travel from Stevenage for due to service. Highly recommend

Fantastic experience: Wonderful spa day. Has multiple steam rooms and great facilities including a gym

Fantastic experience: Absolutely brilliant. Clean and the gymnastics facilities and coaching is much improved and Better.... Pardon the pun. The car park area has been referbished and new cafe owners. Cleaning and maintenance is regular and on going to keep the company in accordance with what the public wish. Over the last few months they have refurbished the main toilets and the small ones. Improved and modernised the party rooms. There are now new aerobic areas The newest plans for the summer is to remove the dodge ball area in the trampoline park and replace it with a fantastic activity area... It looks exciting.

Positive experience: Better than pure trampoline parks with the addition of the more gymnastics focused areas (high platform jump, gladiator style pit, slackline and dodge ball area)

Negative experience: The place is wonderful, lots of spaces for all ages. Various options for practicing sports in a quiet environment. However, what left me disappointed was the dirt at the reception and in the cafe areas. The worst is in the bathroom...notice that it hasn't been cleaned for weeks as it is very dingy...worrying as the lights don't tell you where they are......I haven't visited the spa and pools so I imagine they shouldn't either be cleaned....I lost the desire to enroll today....I'll come at other times to visit....

Negative experience: Their parking policy it's ridiculous. Better made agreement with Gemini Parking Solutions and already got 2 tickets. Had to cancel my membership and stay away from them.

Positive experience: Very nice Spa. A bit outdated and needs some repair work (like coming off paint in the showers). Overall nice place. Sometimes too loud as for Spa which should be improved

Positive experience: Parking payment system has caused myself and my friend to go elsewhere now, system doesn’t work well and my friend got two fines even when he paid. Tennis and badminton facilities are good though, just parking let’s it down

Positive experience: It's safe place for kid .Good environment, soft play ticket bit over priced but we enjoyed.

Negative experience: If I could give less than 1 star I would . My son has been left distraught .He received bullying behaviour from coaches who in turn created lies to cover up their incompetence . I would Not recommend this centre.

Negative experience: Treated a student appealing with bullying and poor teaching practices avoid sending your kids here.

Negative experience: Tried to book onto a class here to try it out before becoming a member. The booking system and app are useless and wouldn't process my payment (after trying on multiple cards) and when I phoned I was met by a very unhelpful, condescending lady in the regional office - after waiting through ten minutes of options - who didn't listen to a word I said.

Positive experience: Decent selection of gym equipment and a really good breakout area. Could do with more toilet facilities however, as only one in the gym changing room. They support many different sports areas and I think it’s good value. Tennis membership seems expensive.

Negative experience: Unless you are a member, you pay to use parking after 30 minutes. They have a range of activities from soft play to fitness classes - given that other nearby leisure centres have free parking to attend these activities, this is not for me.

Positive experience: Spa treatment area is very nice and the staff are lovely, but the park's spa pool and steam rooms are looking very tired and in need of maintenance - I remember when it was new and how great it all looked/smelt, but sadly it seems those days are long gone...

Negative experience: Great facilities let down by stressful parking payment. When you pay £16 for a toddler activity and then spend 20 minutes trying to sort out parking on a worse than useless app. Missed the start of the activity session. Staff and facilities are great but I won’t be coming back as I thought it was too expensive for what ended up being about 35 minutes activity.

Fantastic experience: I took 8 teenagers to the park last Saturday afternoon. They had great fun. Park staff were polite and overall experience was nice. I was however bit upset to find out that the bar was shut just after 5pm even though it state that should be open till 6pm as I was hoping to have a coffee while they enjoy trampolining.

Negative experience: Have always appreciated these facilities but the parking charge signs are written in very small text and the parking app is terrible.

Fantastic experience: Great facilities, polite and helpful staff and ample parking.

Positive experience: Not bad facilities but could do with a paint looks a bit grubb6 and its cold inside!

Positive experience: Lovely place , the only thing that’s letting this place down is that it is due a little refurbishment , around the shower / sauna area with the ceiling , also the shower and changing areas of the mens have noticed chewing gum that has been there over several days,(atleast) it’s not on. Little things that have been there over the course of a couple of weeks , hair, chewing gum wrappers - need to sort that out for your paying customers !, does anybody even come through the changing rooms? Such minor issues that have been left over hanging . Look after your members . Talk to your staff

Positive experience: Good facilities and great for kids parties too. But I'm not happy that they've started charging for parking (after over a decade!). Their parking website doesn't accept Google Pay and I didn't have a physical card on me - just my phone and some emergency cash. The pay machine near the entrance was broken so I had to drive to the very end of the car park to use another one. It was an older style machine which wasn't intuitive to use so I had to drive back and ask for help. Apparently you have to press the '+' button to then estimate how long you want to park and type in the hours. There is no automatic number plate recognition that would ideally know how long you've parked for if it allowed you to pay on leaving. I dread going back there so will avoid if possible. But I don't want to detract from their excellent facilities and very nice staff. 5 stars for the staff.

Positive experience: Nice place, friendly staff. Seems a little used and small. But for its location, one I had no idea about until I got there, its a great place to learn how to ski, or even go down in a doughnut. Perfect for little ones.

Negative experience: Food terrible. Plates and cutlery we were given with our lunch were filthy. Also waited almost 30 mins for chicken nuggets - which were horrible. Apple juice was served warm in a cup.

Positive experience: Went with girlfriends for a thermal spa birthday celebration. The spa on the outside looks great. Unfortunately, the shower area is in need of refurbishment, paint peeling of the ceiling. The two showers near the steam rooms, only one was working properly. The Salt room was an ace experience. The steam room was at a great temperature. The jacuzzi was cool but at the jets were working quite well. I would come viist again if I'm in the area.

Fantastic experience: Had my nails done for holiday, they look amazing! Staff are warm and friendly, salon is beautiful and clean, will be returning

Positive experience: TA Mixed Bag at Gosling Sports Centre in Welwyn Garden City Rating: ★★★☆☆ My recent experience at Gosling Sports Centre in Welwyn Garden City left me with a mixture of positive and negative impressions. While the facility offers a range of amenities and activities, there were certain issues that detracted from an otherwise enjoyable visit. One major concern was the filming that took place in the spa area. It seems that the spa area is frequently used for filming by some, causing discomfort among other guests. This intrusion compromised the relaxing atmosphere that one would expect in a spa. Another recurring issue I observed was the misuse of disabled parking bays. It was disheartening to witness non-eligible customers, as well as site contractors, utilising these designated spaces, leaving those who genuinely require them struggling to find accessible parking. This not only showed a lack of enforcement and monitoring but also displayed a disregard for the needs of disabled individuals. It is imperative that Gosling Sports Centre takes immediate action to ensure that these bays are reserved exclusively for those who genuinely require them. On a more positive note, the range of activities available at the sports centre is commendable. From the well-equipped gym to the swimming pool and tennis courts, there are plenty of options for fitness enthusiasts. The staff members were generally helpful and friendly, and the overall cleanliness of the facility was satisfactory. While Gosling Sports Centre has several positive aspects, the issues I encountered during my visit cannot be overlooked. Filming in the spa area and the misuse of disabled parking bays are significant concerns that need to be addressed promptly. By taking corrective measures and improving the overall customer experience, Gosling Sports Centre has the potential to become a truly outstanding recreational facility in Welwyn Garden City.

Positive experience: Easy to get to, and lovely facilities, was here for a tennis tournament. However... The cafe, and changing rooms were not clean at all, there was a spillage that was there for 2 hours and the floor of the cafe was appalling with food and drink on the floor. The menu for the cafe has a decent kids menu, but the rest of the menu had nothing for me, mostly just healthy eating focussed sandwiches. It would have been ok, if there was a cheap, healthy eating section, to encourage healthy eating, but it was the entire menu. Thankfully I didn't need to spend much time in the cafe, simply passed through to go to the loo and sat to use the WiFi.

Positive experience: Visited children's soft play area. The room was very humid with no air conditioning or suitable ventilation

Negative experience: The gym equipment is adequate, however the booking system and incompetent staff unfortunately made it impossible for me to stay a member at this gym. If you fail to attend a class you are banned from all access to the facilities until you pay a £3 fine. Due to an instructor mistaking my name as my husband (also a member), I got signed off as a non-attendee and banned from the gym. I spent 3 days explaining to a receptionist and after pure refusal for them to rectify their mistake, I joined another gym which is half the price and doesn't penalise it's customers for amateur staff who don't know how to take a register properly. The spa is always dirty and not worth the gym membership cost in the slightest.

Positive experience: The spa seems to have had some things improved but there's still parts that look a bit manky. The changing rooms are a bit tragic now.

Positive experience: Nice area for kids and clean . I bring my son on soft play every time I can. But needs a different foot print , for 3 years is the same. Maybe change the layout a bit

Positive experience: We used the spa for the 2nd time around there currently having work done. It would of been 5 stars if when booking it had told me work was being done. But it was very unhygienic with it being carpeted near the saunas and cold showers opposite closed. Hopefully works will be done before our next visit and I can put 5 stars

Negative experience: Absolute joke. Went for relaxing spa but no chance. Demolition work going on outside the only one working steam room to remove flooring. Impossible to relax. Complained to supposed manager with no customer skills whatsoever.

Fantastic experience: Great hour spent with friends. Lots of fun and a good way for kids to burn off energy!

Positive experience: My daughter loves the place. However the online booking system is terrible and your may lose the will to live. If you can navigate the booking system give it a go. You can't book by turning up. They have terminals to buy the tickets that takes you to the same terrible portal

Positive experience: We were here for the Trampoline Park. It is getting more and more expensive per session lately. Other than the prices, we are happy about the Park.

Positive experience: Ok once in but paying for parking a nightmare. Machine not working, ypay wouldnt accept my card. Managed on way out. Pool busy, nice place though.

Positive experience: Review of the kids trampoline park. The equipment itself is clean and the kids have the variety of swings, foam pits etc. However there is minimal seating available for parents, only 2 benches. The staff there clearly aren't bothered by the rules which is a shame. Older children were kicking balls outside of the netted area and were hitting both younger children and even parents. Kids whose time was up simply ignored all announcements and stayed. Kids were climbing up the walls and were watched by staff but no intervention. Staff were just stood around looking bored and not acting on anything. I'm more likely to take mine to another local trampoline park next time.

Positive experience: It's ok. Fairly average trampoline park, there are better ones in Stevenage and Cheshunt.

Negative experience: The spa, once a wonderful place, now has filthy changing rooms that are not cleaned regularly. Door and lockers are broken. They now charge you to park there (which was once included in the price, which has also been increased). The staff do not help or improve the customer experience.

Positive experience: Trampoline would, the children loved it! 1 hour of bouncy madness. Don't forget your trampoline socks £2.50 a pair. Parking is pay and display. Bring water!

Negative experience: I play here football on weekly basis and now on top of paying for the pitch you have to pay for parking!! Ground condition is not the best when raining and the fence of the bigger pitch could be higher behind the goal where the train track is.

Negative experience: Beware new parking charges applicable from Jan 2023. Having paid £32 for an hour's trampolining for myself and two kids, I thought paying for parking was a bit much. There appears to be only one payment machine in the carpark so there was a queue. And then, to add insult to injury, I requested a ticket for £2 (2 hours) but £10 was charged to my card. The Gosling/Better staff apparently cannot issue a refund so I have to take it up with a completely separate company that manages the carpark.

Fantastic experience: Went trampolining, kids had a great time. They have sponge cube pits which you can jump into off rope swings and the like as well as the trampolines, our favourite one in the local area by far.

Fantastic experience: Clean and very welcomed car park is a good size but needs road sign improvements and repair squash court area now a police training area !

Negative experience: Absolutely awful place. Weights are so rusty you can’t even see the weight you’re lifting. The very far gym section was like a crèche last night groups of young children all standing around asking each other how old they are. Embarrassing gym!!

Negative experience: the milkshake was just full of ice and when i ordered 2 coffee the lady didnt even no what was a coffee

Fantastic experience: Nice sports park. The gym looks okay, tbh tried it once so far but there is a wide range of machines to choose from. The pool is a little bit small but clean. There are four different saunas, they are fine. The changing rooms are okay but they look a bit dated. You need to bring your own padlock, towel and shower gel. The soft play area is also small but the little ones really enjoy it.

Negative experience: Awful parking, you have to now pay. Machines don't work & you have to download an App and store your details. Not staff fault (and they tried to be helpful) but you should not be forced to download & input your details when their machines don't work

Fantastic experience: Very kind, polite and helpful staff! They made four children very happy. Big Thank You from all of us!

Positive experience: Came here for the spa experience not long ago and had a lovely time. The hydro pool and the sauna was really great! The only reason I haven't given it a 5 star is because the showers had no hot water, it was ice cold

Negative experience: Toilets (Gents) are filthy. Parking requirements are confusing, and you are liable to get a penalty if you don't get a ticket from the machine, despite what the reception desk staff tell you.

Negative experience: Cafe area is extremely over priced, £3.50 for a thin slice of cake is ridiculous, food and service doesn’t warrant the cost. Venue is very clean and has very good facilities to use. The complex is card only which can be a little in convenient, lockers to the trampoline park are coins only and there’s nowhere to get change, so bring the right money. Staff are very pleasant which makes up for the feeling of being ripped off at the cafeteria

Negative experience: Good gym with nice equipment, the spa experience is great. But overall is too expensive and you can do just one hour in the gym and need to book it, make no sense. By the way the old blond woman with glasses at the reception is so rude!

Negative experience: I found the trampoline Park to be a great place for children to spend an hour or so. It's a shame that the air conditioning/fans were not working (not switched on) when we visited. It was a very hot day outside which made it very uncomfortable inside too...

Positive experience: We went here for a girls spa. There is parking and you will need to bring your own robe and padlock for the locker. The large changing room is decent, however, they could do with more toilet cubicles. They have a choice of 4 steam/sauna rooms. The swimming pool has several areas with bubbles or if its a sunny day you can lay down on the loungers by the windows and soak up some some. Its good value for money and I'll be visiting again.

Positive experience: The gym is well equipped. I visited the sauna pool and the range of saunas was impressive but the changing rooms definitely need some care.

Positive experience: Great value compared to other trampoline places. No air con or heating though so in summer you'll be super hot and in winter super cold. Not that the kids mind! Staff friendly and clean too.

Positive experience: Excellent facilities all round, including a great selection of foods and drinks at the CAFE, though a little pricey, they do serve excellent coffee and hot food. changing facilities are also good, and the shower is clean, and have hot water, and in the men’s, each shower has its own cubicle.

Fantastic experience: Soft play is soft. No risk of hit . Didactic puzzles, pillows , toys. Is a good place to enjoy and your children share with others .

Positive experience: I took my granddaughter to the trampoline park this morning and was unhappy that for most of the 11.00-12.00 session the attendants paid no attention to the children, but instead were chatting to one another and playing ball. It also concerns me that the foam balls beneath landing areas do not get replaced when they inevitably move away with use. I see these as safety issues that should be addressed to improve this excellent facility.