Fairfield Leisure

Fantastic experience: Enough parking spots for everyone

Positive experience: The leisure centre is well run with helpful staff, mostly well kept and clean as far as they are able to do so.

Negative experience: Every time I come there is very dirty, smelly and cold. The lockers need a padlock to be locked, like a have a spare one in my bag….Only went there mainly for the sauna, which is quite small, at least something. Won’t be coming in again, filthy place, probably needs a better management, and cleaning to be under control.

Negative experience: The gym smells horrible, very few low quality machines 0.5/10

Positive experience: Good Pool and above average facilities.. Excellent centre

Fantastic experience: We have been attending since moving here 6 years ago. The children enjoyed the tumble tots free play, the gymnastics and now are learning to swim. We love that it’s next to the park as well! I have attended the gym and classes and I have always had a positive experience.

Fantastic experience: I've been a member since 2016. My son finished his swimming lessons here without a hitch. I just love the place and my daughter loves her swimming teacher, Mark from level one. He seems so calm and friendly with kids. His compassion is extra level. Thank you Fairfield and all the staff.

Negative experience: Attended a party today, host clearly doesn’t like her job! And the way the kids were spoke to about not playing while being stuck in a room with 3 table and nothing else to do, maybe they should get less time in there and more in the pool! After managing children’s parties in various venues around Kent for many years, I’d say your staff need basic training, starting with how to smile and reframe from the dirty looks being passed at children attending a party, for having fun. 3 weeks ago my daughter was asking to have a party here, on the way out she said she doesn’t want it there anymore, she’s 8, and see how rude the girl was!

Negative experience: I'm disappointed to be contacting you regarding your Dartford branch. I turned up today for my children to attend the home ed swim and for the first time i was asked their age, which is 5 and 7 , then we were told the children can not go without an adults as their age was under 8. The receptionist checked with her manager over the radio, and they also confirmed and said they would need an accompanying adult. I also have my 9-month-old baby with me, so I was also told i wouldn't be able to go in with 3 children. The lady said this was due to health and safety. A number of managers also came down to confirm this. The staff and managers were lacking basic customer service skills this day, from a simple smile to a little empathy. Recalling all of our visits in general the staff at reception are consistently misrable. We have attended a few times before and no one on reception had made any inquirers regarding the childrens age or stopped them from attending the sessions. The two children go in, and i sit with the baby by the side of the pool. The fact that the children have been allowed previously a number of times with no adult when that's against health and safety is very worrying. It was also very disheartening for the children to be turned away as they really do enjoy these sessions. As well as the inconvenience and time wasted travelling to Fairfield's, and now having to find another activity to replace this hours activity.

Negative experience: Just received an email from Fairfield stating an increase in price for a membership.. I don’t understand how they can increase the value of the product when the quality of it is dramatically being reduced because of leaks everywhere in the building, the car park constantly being packed, children being able to use the gym as a place for a social or photography shoots for instagram. Nothing short of a joke. I went here when it first opened and though it was brilliant m, I rejoined a year ago and it’s slowly going to what Fairfield used to be.. completely useless. Stop letting kids in after 5 when adults have finished work and want to use the gym without a bench being taken up for 30 minutes because teenagers are too busy showing each other memes. Get a kiddy weights area where they’re not going to hurt themselves by lifting things they shouldn’t or get the PT’s to actually do their job and keep an eye on the kids and how they’re lifting weights. Getting a maintenance guy or team that actually know how to fix a problem and not just put a bucket under it. Do something about the idiotic parking in the car park or lessen the amount of classes you have because you don’t have the infrastructure to deal with that amount of cars. People working on reception should try a coffee or something in the morning to liven themselves up, anything and everything they do seems to take a year to do. This is far from helpful when they also fail to communicate with members about changes to checking in so everyone needs to queue and reception and wait for the sloths to realise they’re at work and not on their sofa at home. Whoever is in charge of running this place either needs to have someone to answer to or needs replacing because they’re clearly about as capable as a chocolate teapot.

Negative experience: I’m really disappointed with the lack of communication from Fairfield regarding recent changes to the workout classes registration process. Apparently, I now need to register myself on the screens before heading to the gate to scan my membership —something I only found out by talking to another member of the gym. If you don’t register you might get a charge. No one bothered to inform members about this change beforehand—no email, no notification in the app, nothing posted at the entrance. It’s incredibly frustrating to feel blindsided by policies that could easily be communicated in advance. To make matters worse, I had an awful experience with one of the receptionists at the gym today. As usual, the gate didn’t read my membership when I scanned it—a recurring issue that often requires staff assistance. I politely asked her to let me in, but instead of simply helping, she told me I needed to register at the screens first and then scan my membership. I explained that I had already done so, but the gate still wouldn’t work. Her response was not only unhelpful but borderline rude. She explained, in an irritated tone that made it clear she was losing patience, that I needed to hold the barcode facing down for a couple of seconds to make it work—something no one had ever told me before. When I followed her instructions, it finally worked, but as I passed through, she sarcastically asked, “Did it work?” in a tone that felt deliberately mocking. This kind of dismissive and unprofessional behavior is unacceptable. If the gate regularly malfunctions, staff should be prepared to assist members without attitude or sarcasm. This experience has left me questioning whether this place values its members or trains its staff to provide even basic courtesy. The only positive aspect are the group exercise classes, and most likely because they are managed by personal trainers not employed by the gym.

Negative experience: You should be more sensitive with the issue of cameras and mobile phones Some people around are making videos and pictures of the kids, which are almost nudes Where is the control ? Who is the supervisor there?

Positive experience: Good leisure centre with most common facilities like gym, swimming pool, sauna, exercise classes, badminton courts, cycling studio etc. The fitness instructors are really good and help wherever they can. My only gripe is that the cleanliness level could be better. The changing rooms need to be cleaned regularly not just once or twice a day. Cleaning should be timed with after a peak usage ie school swimming lessons so that when other patrons come in, the rooms are in good state of use which is not the case at the moment. The exercise studio also needs to be cleaned regularly as I always find debris on the floor. These suggestions are so that the centre could improve and not a criticism.

Fantastic experience: A good place for children gymnastic with experienced coaches. And good pool for everyone

Positive experience: The facilities are reasonably well managed considering it's a busy leisure centre. Really helpful staff at the reception! Nice clean pool with diving facilities.

Negative experience: One of the teacher's on stage 4 being very unprofessional with my son, raised the issue but the only option it was to cancel

Positive experience: Changing rooms can be quite dirty but overall good. Plenty of parking.

Negative experience: This place has so much potential to be great. The location is convenient, the pool is clean and in good condition and has great classes. The only thing that has really deteriorated is the staff. The only people who are nice there right now are the bounce and play attendants. The front desk staff seems very stressed and overwhelmed most of the time. The swimming lessons for kids were just awful. We cancelled it after I could not explain to my toddler why she was being shouted at by the instructors for 30 minutes. She was nothing but scared of the teachers, who were not at all engaging, and learned nothing. The teachers either had a lot of attitude or showed no respect towards the children at all shouting orders at them (I never once heard, Thank you? Well done? Please? No explanation of the rules at all! ), they should really check who is working with children there, maybe some additional teaching training would be beneficial?

Negative experience: The pool is always very dirty with all sorts of stuff floating in it, it's awful. The swimtag watches are never working especially at early morning swims. The showers smell too. It needs a lot of work.

Positive experience: Nice pool and good sauna

Negative experience: In all the times that I have tried to call this leisure centre, never once has anyone answered. Honestly, it feels like they actively avoid answering the phone.

Negative experience: Great pool, but filthy changing rooms and the toilets stink of urination. Thats in the viewing area near cafe as for the ones in the changing rooms they are awful. The viewing area is stuffy they need to keep air con on when its hot rather than make excuses. Wish We could rate the pool ot would be a 5 and a zero for hygiene in centre.

Fantastic experience: Great place,nice people,gym staff are amazing

Negative experience: No one ever answers the phone

Negative experience: Front desk customer service is not great. I pay monthly dd for my swim. each time i tell them my name but sometimes they forget to enrol and system block me to rebook again. Same mistake done many times in last few years. Direct debit has been reduced by email but no action has been taken actually yet. dd should be 23 instead of 27. When i said to front desk they could not sort it but i have evidance that my dd should be 23 not 27. front desk dont treat customer fairly or they dont know how to operate system

Fantastic experience: Lovely clean pool area and changing areas. I am enjoying the classes. Recommended.

Positive experience: Seems nice, staff are nice and welcoming

Fantastic experience: Nice facilities now it's been refurbed, pool is colder than the temperature says, easy to book, not used them but the gym looks nice, fitness studios nice, cha going rooms continually being cleaned, we have also booked a child's birthday party in their hall and the team were easy to deal with

Negative experience: Very frustrating trying to move child up a level with no spaces with leaves them treading water In expensive lessons - very inflexible staff with poor excuses and solution “I’m just a receptionist” need to improve this service and remember who the customer is !!!!!!!

Negative experience: Rude staff today. I had a very bad experience with someone whose name I did not get. I had booked a Just Swim session for my daughter, but due to an app issue, I was unable to book for my son and myself. The pool was empty, even though all three of us have swimming lesson memberships. I showed her the app issue and she said that's not my problem; you can contact Harlands.

Positive experience: Good centre. Sports are expensive. Gym ok quality and good value

Negative experience: Rude and full of themselves. They will shout at you like if you were their dogs at the first occasion. Do not expect any smile there, instead they will harass you as you get closer to the end of you slot, not after! Yet they will not let you in at the start of your slot ...today I was expelled from the pool by an aggressive, barking agent 1 minute before my slot : that is 1:58 pm . Then 'when I dared' re entry the pool at 2 pm, as per my official slot time, I was expelled again under their yelling and near insults ...in yet another display of contempt for me , my kids, my time .... Never again. Asked for a refund and left before barking wolf pack swimming pool

Negative experience: Rude receptionist, very unbothered and doesn't seem to care. Asked for a tour and was given the response of "why?". Should it even really be a question if I wanted a guided tour around the centre?

Negative experience: One of the Dirtiest and most disgusting places I’ve been. It’s shocking. The state of the floors is just behind acceptable. Dirty and smelly pool. Showers is another story- cold water and spraying in your eyes. I have no idea how this place has nearly 4star average reviews… State of sauna floor… o my goodness… I thought I will threw up… This place should be shut down and scrubbed properly or have all floor replaces and pool cleaned and refilled. I can still smell the odour of this place on my skin, I can’t wait to get home and scrub it all off until the memory of this place disappears. Never again.

Negative experience: Normally great service however my son has been getting a few unpaid charges because people on the front desk are not checking him in. This has happened at least four times and this stops my son from booking future slots because incompetent staff.

Positive experience: Great facilities, ample parking and very well priced.

Fantastic experience: All the staffs are very polite, friendly and helpful. Gym and swimming pools are at the same place.

Fantastic experience: My first time using the centre but with an excellent impression. I went out of the blue. As it is still Easter holidays I took my boy for swimming. Not only was he able to attend a session (an hour) of free swimming but it didn't cost the world (£). 8+ years old could go in by themselves as long as an adult is around. The staff was friendly and professional and sorted us out straight away even though I had no booking. Fairly busy, nice atmosphere, facilities maintained, parking available. Plenty more activities available but check the website. Bottom line my kid had some water fun and I am planning my next visit this week.

Negative experience: Rude reception staff!Bough a pair of googles , as we went to put them on realised that they were the wrong size so went to change them not even 5 min after purchasing them.havent been tried on but opened ,she would not even look at them sounded like a broken record with there is no exchanges or refunds as it touches your eyes!It's okay if that is the policy but this should be highlighted somewhere or advised at the time of purchase and more so the staff need some basic customer service ,I did not mind the policy if it was highlighted it was my mistake for not double checking but she could explained in a nicer manner !

Fantastic experience: Had some great service here! I've been a member before in the past, even before its refurbishment, and I've always kind of liked it. I needed advice as I want to lose weight and tone up, but I have a bad lower back. The information and advice I was given were great. I was also told I could have a referral from the doctors to get the gym membership price down.

Negative experience: I cancelled my membership after two members of staff were quite rude to me in the swimming area. Prior to these exchanges taking place there was a clear lack of communication between staff members which resulted in me deciding to take my eight year old son from the pool (after just a few minutes). Anybody that works in a customer facing capacity should always try to understand the full context of the customers situation before jumping to their own conclusion. Yes, we were a tad early and yes we stepped into the wrong pool area in error (although we didn't know this, as we are brand new members!), but the manner in which I was barked at (by two different members of staff) was totally unacceptable and was by no means warranted given the situation. The above should not reflect on other staff members, as some of the life guards were polite and helpful prior to the incident(s), the receptionist are welcoming and one staff member in particular (Wendy) was very attentive upon listening to my complaint. Wendy issued an apology on behalf of Fairfield and managed my request of a refund and escalation. I now await a senior manager to give me a call to discuss what happened, however I have decided to cancel my membership after just a number of days, especially given the fact that I was informed of the managers name for that day...and it was actually one the staff that was rude to me! The overall facilities seemed good, the cleanliness of the changing rooms are adequate and parking spaces always seem to be available, but unfortunately due to my experience I can only give this review a 1 star rating.

Fantastic experience: The soft play is brilliant, well organised and fun

Positive experience: The staff are very nice and the gym had a large variety of equipment, but the problem is that there is very little space and it is very crowded. There is only one machine for each exercise.

Negative experience: They don't let you cancel your membership even if you are leaving the country. I have 6 months of membership left that's £198 left! No offer to even pause the subscription. Disgusting.

Fantastic experience: Great place to get some work to do for the body. Here is where you can get your favourite drink from along Drink2l.co.uk

Fantastic experience: Nice clean pool. Plenty of changing rooms. Lots of staff and a lifeguard us always on duty. Nice friendy cafeteria area. Reception staff are helpful and approachable. +++++

Positive experience: The gym have a clean espace, but coaches have to pay more attention to the amount of people training wrong, doing crazy exercises and no one says anything.

Fantastic experience: great for the kids!! will deffo bring them back again!! x

Positive experience: During the summer break, the entire atmosphere was great, gym was not as busy, but now it’s packed . I have to wait so long to use the machines and the changing rooms are so humid. Not to mention the showers often smell of pee and feels very dirty overall. Don’t pee in the showers guys, thank you.

Negative experience: Swimming classes for little ones start late. You are paying for a 30 minutes lesson but actually it lasts only 25 min. Also in the afternoon the changing rooms are left unclean.

Fantastic experience: Decently maintained. Can get busy.

Positive experience: All the exercise classes I have attended so far have been excellent. Sessions are well-paced and instructors are mindful of newbies tailoring exercises to support and suit all levels.

Positive experience: Decent pool, not too busy

Fantastic experience: We took our six year old grandson to the inflatables on Saturday afternoon, we had the best fun, we can not wait to go back 100% recommendation

Fantastic experience: Using the swimming service for kid. It 8s amazing. The trainer give the attention to individual kid.

Negative experience: Receptionist was very rude when I was enquiring about swimming. Wouldn't even give me times about swimming and what they have to offer. Never going there again.

Fantastic experience: A good workout in Aquafit. Very clean and welcoming. Friendly staff and helpful.

Fantastic experience: Want to recognise Gordon and Abi for their help and support with my 4.5yr olds swimming. He has quite a fear of water but the change in him in the last couple months is amazing! They provide just the right balance of independence and extra support and can't thank them enough!

Positive experience: Very disappointed … my son in stages 4 lessons at 5:30 pm on Thursday. I don’t know what the teacher teaching but he was in stage 4 for more than a year , not much improving ( 6 month from January to June 2023 his swimming level still 79%-83%) The class always has 12 children but practicing in one lane ( not enough room for kids learning) teacher is always letting one kid does practice in a time and then children had to waiting in the end lane for all the kids finished and then do it again so not much chance to practice in short lesson furthermore Teaching time always late minimum 5 minutes between each lesson.

Negative experience: We stopped going to Fairfield about a year ago as their changing rooms were very dirty and it was putting our daughter of going swimming as she didn't want to get changed there. We were using White Oaks but a friend said they had been to Fairfield recently and it wasn't too bad. I decided to give it another go with our son. Unfortunately their website doesn't show prices. You have to create an account just to see how much it costs to go swimming. I decided to call the pool instead to ask about prices. I gave up after being in hold for over 10 mins. I could understand them being busy during school holidays but 10.45am on a weekday during term time is probably not their peak period. Pretty disappointed that they don't provide easy access to basic info like prices, and you can't speak to anyone. Also, if they're so understaffed that they can't answer the phone then I don't hold much hope for their changing room cleaning regime.

Positive experience: I got athletes foot from there but apart from hygiene its a really good place

Fantastic experience: Had a birthday party for our 5-year old here. The party was well organised, and our host was present and excellent with the kids. Top experience

Positive experience: I do early morning swimming which until a few weeks ago was lane swimming now they have changed it to three wider lanes so it is hit and miss whether you get a good workout as there are people of different speeds in one lane.

Negative experience: Terrible staff , can t even listen and put on the system The right book for gym , happened 3 times to go home because I was not on the system because they are not capable to write a name

Positive experience: It's ok and I can see the attraction with lots of activities. I was meeting my grandkids for a swim but I don't come from area, found it hard to book as they wanted all my details. So gave up and sat in the cafe.

Positive experience: The pool is good. It's the customers that make it not so great. People colliding in the pool as they are in the wrong lanes. Young kids being taught to drive and just chilling in the deep end when it is a lane swim. Life guards not really paying attention of what is going on. They could improve overall.

Positive experience: My local gym, classes and swimming pool. Mature and professional classes instructors-especially Marie- yoga teacher!

Negative experience: Went to a pilates class, it was so full that there wasn't enough equipment nor did the instructor have the resources to instruct and correct positions and posture - not going back

Positive experience: It's a place you can learn to swim like a fish, a nice place

Positive experience: Nice clean pool and the staff are friendly enough, the stars lost are due to your showers in the pool area! In the mens changing area there are 2 enclosed shower cubicles, one of which the shower doesn’t even come on and the other has a broken light so when the door is closed it’s practically pitch black in there! These have been like this since before Christmas! So there are only 3 open showers very close together for the men to use, There are another 4 showers at the entrance to the pool, 3 are freezing cold and the only warm one is the accessible one which is low down for a wheelchair user Could you advise on when this may be sorted?

Positive experience: Nice clean changing area, helpful reception staff,

Fantastic experience: I use only on Sundays but a nice relaxing 2/3 hours in the sauna to de- stress for £6 sets me up for the following week

Fantastic experience: Booked online and everything went smoothly for my 1st visit.

Negative experience: I bought just swim session for myself and my son. My son became unwell and started vomiting. I decided not to go as he can spread the virus. I called fairfield and no one picked up I left a voicemail to request if I can change the date of the session no one returned my phone call.

Positive experience: It's a fairly new centre, so they need to look after it, the ceiling above the pool needs attention. I Had a great work out this morning 9am aqua aerobics, brilliant.!!

Positive experience: i went in there the other day and there was a man hanging off of one of the banisters. jolly good laugh!

Negative experience: Worse gym ever, don't bother, only few equipments and are always "used" even when is not busy by very young staff members chatting all the time with their mates so you can never use the equipments you want, sometimes can wait over 1 hour to use an equipment and maybe then you will be lucky, also very overpriced for the limited options

Negative experience: March 2024 review nothing has changed since last review great staff but no one picks up the phone !! Is this a staffing level issue i wonder June 2024 Helpful friendly staff but no one ever picks up the telephone and I have to book a class via the telephone as I receive a local resident discount. Surely in 2022/23 you can solve this issue on your app which ironically always goes wrong ! At the time of writing this it is down .

Negative experience: Terrible customer services. We went to get some info at the desk Friday morning, the girl who was there was completely disinterested in giving any information . From the beginning she was negative about everything, she basically didn’t want to sell the product . Everything had a but . We decided to go on Saturday to see if there was someone more professional, wow , it was worse. This lady was just with a face as we are bothering her while she is seating in her little chair . Abhorrent customer services . Fairfield’s , don’t take people for granted. Prefer to drive elsewhere rather to go to a place where we feel uninvited.

Negative experience: What a joke, went to a kids party recently and never seen toilets so dirty and disgusting, I had to use the pool changing room toilet’s which is a wet room. So floor was soaking wet. Staff are useless and do absolutely nothing to solve the problem.

Fantastic experience: Great facilities. Clean pool, with different sessions throughout the day, I usually go at 6am or 9pm sessions. Not overly crowded at these times. Very friendly staff and class instructors. Great range of classes, including aerobics, pilates, Kettlebells, bootcamps and so much more. Great place for families and individuals of all ages.

Positive experience: I haven’t used every facility here but everywhere I have used has been clean and tidy. Everything seems to work and the staff are always kind and helpful. Could do with a better coffee shop and that’s the only reason it’s not five stars!

Fantastic experience: I've used the pool and attended a number of kids parties in the sports hall. The party was good value, and the young lady who helps out is fun for the kids. The pool seems clean and so are the changing facilities. Not sure if the lifeguards are intimidating or just bored either way they are always very close, which feels odd. Still, the staff you talk to are great

Negative experience: Website not easy to use. Can't book 2 places on same session so have to phone up. Then can't book as it thinks you've booked online anyway. Can't view whole timetable at once. Can only browse day by day. Not user friendly. Frustrating and complicated. Do better

Negative experience: Awful customer service, double booked our club, never set up properly even though we have an advance block booking. Shocking.

Negative experience: We were very pleased when we join the centre for our baby swim class. Now we are going a holiday and they said they can't freeze the membership alsothey don't give us the lessons that we can't attend and if we cancel we have to pay the entry fee again. When we are joining they use the word YES for everything and when we need their help the only word they use NO. Disappointing!!!!!!!!

Positive experience: Average commodities supplied. Went there to photograph birthday party and was denied to go inside pool facilities to do it because father of child forgot to send Insurance evidence and DBS check two weeks before. With little understanding and flexibility I would be able to email those docs by email straight away!

Fantastic experience: I did a great workout here. Equipment all nice and clean and the building is all up to date. They even tell you about gym myths and other stuff about the gym. Great place for a workout.

Fantastic experience: Great leisure centre. Clean and well kept the pool was a good temperature. Staff were helpful and friendly. Lockers take £1 coin. Nice little cafe with seating area that looks on to the pool

Fantastic experience: Absolutely love Aquafit. The instructor is awsome. Love all 45 minutes of it. Would highly recommend.

Negative experience: Staff are very rude. My daughter left walking away crying.

Fantastic experience: Most friendliest gym I have ever been to . Great classes.

Negative experience: Reception staff are always very unwelcoming and make you wait for them to finish there chat before seeing to customers. Shocking behaviour no customer service skills what so ever, surprised there still open

Positive experience: swimming lessons are fun, and the teachers are nice and polite too. Beautiful view from the entrance of fairfield too!

Fantastic experience: Great facilities, lovely staff members, always smiling

Positive experience: Good gym full of facilities Went to a class and was made to feel welcome and comfortable

Fantastic experience: We had good fun and the staff were great

Negative experience: The prices have been increased but there s obviously a lack of cleanliness which makes a disgusting experience

Fantastic experience: Joined a few months ago for the morning swim, booking system is easy and well organised. Life guards and reception staff are always exceptionally pleasant and polite

Negative experience: Dirty changing rooms full of hairs. Cleaner don't care to much. Overall not bad for UK