Leisure World Colchester

Fantastic experience: Great swimming pool and huge improvements on the flumes ride quality!

Negative experience: Very disappointed with the new membership options. I had been hoping to restart my membership in the new year. However they now force you to get a pricier membership with multi-site access. I do not want multi-site access. I live in Colchester town and never visit the other facilities. I have no need or desire to. Hence the membership price increase would be a waste ... Really disappointed I won't be able to restart my membership but this is ridiculous and not worth it. Bring back single facility memberships ...

Negative experience: The changing rooms for the fitness and teaching pool are vile

Fantastic experience: Great time in the leisure pool with my nearly 4yr old he loved the flumes so much I think it will be a regular go to for swimming ‍♀️

Fantastic experience: went there to watch elf it was absolutely amazing , much better than I had expected and well worth the money had a great time

Negative experience: The changing rooms in the swimming school smelled urine. So disgusting. I would say the cleanliness is not their priority. Leisure pool was fun for my 8 year old daughter.

Negative experience: I am writing to express my extreme dissatisfaction and concern regarding the recent events and ongoing issues at Colchester Leisure World, particularly concerning the fitness pool and the overall standard of service. Incident on December 9, 2024: On December 9, 2024, I was swimming in the fitness pool when I became entangled in the flag cords. This incident caused me significant distress and could have had serious consequences. Furthermore, I witnessed several children also experience similar frightening situations with the flag cords. This is completely unacceptable and poses a serious safety hazard to all pool users. General Deterioration of Facilities and Service: * Staff Cuts and Service Decline: I have observed a significant decline in the quality of service at Colchester Leisure World, which I believe is directly linked to recent staff cuts. This is particularly evident in the frequent late arrival of lifeguards, resulting in delayed pool openings and a generally poor customer experience. * Unsanitary Conditions: The poolside area is consistently dirty and unhygienic. The changing facilities are in a deplorable state, with an overwhelming and persistent odor of urine and excrement. These conditions are not only unpleasant but also pose a significant health risk to users. * Safety Hazards: The missing section of the swimming pool rail in the deep end has been an ongoing issue since August 27, 2024. This creates a potential safety hazard for all swimmers, particularly children. Staff Attitude: Many staff members appear disengaged and lack enthusiasm. This creates a negative and unwelcoming atmosphere for customers. Call to Action: I urge Colchester Leisure World to take immediate action to address these serious concerns. I demand: * Immediate removal of the hazardous flag cords. * Thorough cleaning and sanitation of all poolside areas and changing facilities. * Urgent repair or replacement of the missing pool rail section. * An investigation into the impact of staff cuts on service delivery and the implementation of measures to improve staff morale and customer service. * A commitment to maintaining a safe and hygienic environment for all users. I have been a loyal member of Colchester Leisure World since 2010. I am deeply disappointed with the current state of the facility and sincerely hope that these issues will be addressed promptly and effectively.

Negative experience: Fun pool and flume facilities but very grubby, showers often not working and pool temperature fluctuates between visit. Changing rooms are very grubby and dates.

Positive experience: Took a little while to get out of the carpark

Positive experience: This time I away from home with work i staying around Colchester area and before work I have decided have some exercise found this place leisure centre and I say why not to visit different gym try to see what's different where I go usually. And take day ticket to this gym session apparently I was bit to late to use swimming pool do to was booked for private session from 1530 Saturday this sad but other way pay 20£ extra just for swimming pool not really worth only gym coat me 10.5£ I get free parking up to 4h which is gives 1 start on this review that saves you about 4£ not bad . Then changing room clean spacious alot lockers just you need to bring padlock with you otherwise you need to rent 1 from them . Shower is spacious have hanger for your towel but no shower gel and no where to hand you brush or place you bottle of shower gel pay 10.5£ leisure centre and no shower gel ? Camon. . But is this not end you use shower swimming pool and is no swim suit dryer ? How i need to dry it ? No hair dryer . Is not effective me I'm bold but other . Poor . Gym is ok most machine are working some of them was out of order but only couple machine are good quality was not to much people and you can use any machine you like no waiting on any machine .don't see any staff in area or atleast they don't have representatives ppe leisure centre . Free Refillable water tap delivers cold water .do I recommend? Qhonlive around i guess this is only option they have no other swimming pool nearby I guess is ok not best but not worst . I don't come back but who is live local they don't have option .if you like it please press like and fallow for me for more . Thank to all

Positive experience: Haven't been for 2 years due to a misunderstanding on the description of 6 lanes in the fitness which made swimming nigh on impossible! Just to be clear there is 3 lanes in the fitness pool bit Leisure world describes them as 6... slightly confusing right lol

Positive experience: Been a really long time coming here and was pleasantly surprised to see how things had renovated itself. Pool very much the same. New additions make it more enjoyable for the younger visitors. Sadly on this occasions the flumes and rapids were out. But otherwise a pleasant trip.

Negative experience: The changing rooms were absolutely disgusting, mud and dirt all over the floor. The pool was dirty aswell. The wheel is the kids area is mouldy. Just everything seemed all grimey on horrible. The slides were closed even though it said they would be open. Not really much to do and not room to actually swim anywhere. All the water shooting things were broken, one had just got yellow and black tape holding it together.

Negative experience: Going downhill unfortunately, massive disappointment noboday in authority seems to care. Equipment not being repaired or put away. Cleanliness an issue

Positive experience: Visted the leisure pool, I think it's over priced, little discount for children, both sets of flumes closed and not reflected in price, changing area dirty and muddy. Reception staff friendly but overall experience pretty bad. Would recommend elsewhere if convenient.

Positive experience: Temperature of the water is not quite right. My 2 year old was shivering and we could not stay for the full time paid for due to the temperature of the water.

Negative experience: Been coming here for the leisure pool for years but in all these years I think the rapids and flumes have only been operating a small handful of times because they are always broken! They still charge full admission despite these top two features being out of order and there are no signs saying they are out of order in reception and the staff only tell you they are out of order if you ask. Why are the flumes and rapids never available? The only thing there is to do is bob around the lazy river.

Positive experience: the water slides dont always work but both of the hot tubs were on. bring a floatie because they sell out really quickly. sometimes people are very rude. people push in so more people working there should watch that (sienna 9 years old)

Negative experience: Pool was nice and clean and fun stuff to do there. However, it was freezing cold. I had a 2 & 3 year old playing in the children’s pool and they were shivering and blue, had to leave after just an hour when we paid for an hour and a half. The pricing is so expensive as well.

Fantastic experience: Friendly helpful staff. Changing rooms clean. Shower temperature and strength variable, and one third of fitness pool lockers too high for anyone to reach - top row are almost never used but no space left in other ones, sometimes.

Negative experience: There was not a lot to do and staff was judging my friend

Fantastic experience: When I get the feeling to go gym I lay down for a bit till the feeling passes. So for this I'd say mc Donald's first then pass the gym going home.

Positive experience: First visit in over 2 years in school holidays with my 2 boys. I had seen all the bad comments online with part of the venue being closed due to maintenance required. Last Thursday i was here for 90mins thought it may of been busy but it was very quiet at 1pm. Which made the visit more enjoyable. Staff were very very good, friendly polite and helpful. We even had photos taken by there photographer. Yes it needs maintenance the pleasure pool seemed very grubby. But regardless my boys loved it and i actually found it relaxing and a enjoyable day.

Negative experience: I took my kids the other day and the changing rooms were filthy, and one of the flumes wasn't working. On top of this, the rapids have been out of action for years (maybe decades) and the flumes still feel like razor blades on your back when you go down. it's all looking very tired and run down. It's shocking for the cost really. It hasn't been upgraded since the early 90's. The place needs some serious investment and a deep clean.

Negative experience: Dirty changing rooms dirty crisp packets and used nappies on the floor. Crisps in the swimming pool and pool ledge (who does that?) and brown object resembling fecal matter in pool which was fished out and public returned to water 5 minutes later. The facilities are outdated and need refreshing but the whole experience is made 10 times worse with the lack of regular and propper cleaning and the indifferent cretinious heathens that appear to frequent the faculty leaving their rubbish everywhere. Put up more signs reminding the visitors of common sense and pool etiquette. Unfornunately it appears to be necessary.You get 2 starts because the staff are nice.

Positive experience: Fun for a bit, very unhygienic and dirty in lots of parts, flumes were closed

Fantastic experience: I went to Leisure World Colchester a few weeks ago to watch an MMA event and it was awesome! Great facilities and very friendly staff. Good amount of close parking. Other local food facilities available although all needs met in Leisure World. Great to be there, looking forward to the next time.

Negative experience: Review for Leisure pool only: changing rooms filthy dirty need to increase cleaning 10 times more than now. Pool itself is looking tatty in places, paint coming of the concrete in the pool. Water temperature pretty cold. For the money charged (expensive) should be a lot better.

Negative experience: I must say, I was not impressed at all by the hygiene. A lot of grime, algae and mank in the pool. But I was very impressed by the rapids. Also, the queues on the flumes we’re not that bad. Also, the professional photographer was nice too, It wasn’t that bad just absolutely filthy.

Negative experience: The changing rooms were so dirty ! nappy on the floor, nobody comes to clean ! staffs rude, disgraceful

Negative experience: Used this pool for the first time last week. The receptionist was helpful and friendly. It’s also got free parking too which is good. But the changing rooms were so dirty, doesn’t help that people walk through the changing rooms in their shoes! There was a lot of swimming lessons going on, resulting in half of the pool being in use for lessons. The water in the pool was freezing. The side of the swimming pool had black like mould on it. It just feels very dated and dirty. I also asked to use a float as heavily pregnant and was struggling to swim properly, they were being used, but still lots spare on the floor. I was told no as they are only for people doing the lessons. Also unisex changing rooms and no private showers. I won’t be coming here again. It needs to be fully refurbished, high cleaned or just reduce the amount of lessons going on or be more strict with people coming in with their shoes!! Wouldn’t recommend.

Negative experience: Probably the filthiest changing rooms and pool I have ever been to! won’t be taking my kids back and wouldn’t advise anyone else to either. Revolting

Negative experience: Don't bother if you're an able-bodied adult male and serious about swimming - you're given the least amount of priority. Private lessons are now being booked, taking up half the pool in what little availability we had left. Best go to a different facility

Positive experience: The staff here are amazing. The problem is the horrendous smell in the changing rooms that are dirty with showers and lockers that are faulty. At certain times, they are so busy with lessons and public swims that it's like piccadilly circus and impossible to get anything done. The cafe serves good food, and the milkshakes are a favourite.

Negative experience: My daughter was attending swimming classes from September 2023 up to May 2024. Very little improvement, the instructors look like they don’t want to be there, like they couldn’t be bothered. Very little time was actually spent trying to teach the kids something. The worst part was the smelly , filthy changing rooms, disgusting. Have signed up elsewhere

Positive experience: Have used the gym for the past few years, plus some yoga classes and aqua springs. Looking good with the refurbishment and there's lots of equipment in the gym - cardio machines, barbells and dumbells, resistance machines, TRX, sled push, commercial equivalent to tyres. I'd love if they could get a hack squat machine...? It would be very popular as a safer alternative to barbell squats and also gives more of a quad focus. It would also be good if there could be some signs or something to tell people to rerack their weights, though the fault mostly lies with certain gym users. Gym is good value, not too busy, and opening hours are pretty good outside of the 24 hour commercial gyms - feel sorry for the chap in the review below turning up at 7pm on the weekend, but the leisure centre actual website for the activa gym (not google, which the leisure centre doesn't control) says the accurate opening times which is up to 7pm on weekends. 10pm weekdays. Reception area is nice and glad the coffee shop is still open. I do wish the leisure centre would stop cutting staff and their hours, placing more workload on them. Though this costcutting may be outside of their hands and perhaps more on the part of the council...

Fantastic experience: Great facilities. Lovely fun activity pool for the kids.

Negative experience: I decided to go for a gym session on Sunday at Leisure World, Colchester. I checked the website and could see that it closed at 8pm (screenshot attached.) I arrived at just gone 7pm. On arrival I came through reception but when I arrived at the gym door it was locked. When I came back to reception, a gentleman there appeared delighted to tell me that the gym closed at 7pm on Saturdays and Sundays. ‘But the website says 8pm?’ ‘Yeah, that’s the centre. The gym closes at 7’ he repeated as if I hadn’t understood. I promise you I’m not an idiot! But if a web page says ‘closes at 8pm’ I don’t think it’s unreasonable for a customer to expect the facilities within to close at the same time.

Negative experience: They told me it was open until 20:00, I went to the road for an hour, when I got there they said it was closed again and it was earlier, they didn't even give me my travel money, they are liars, I do not recommend them.

Positive experience: Nice pool and lots to do for kids especially. Changing rooms are disgusting though

Negative experience: Cleanliness needs to be addressed immediately - I understand that part of this is poor behaviour by those who use the facilities but this needs to be managed better and today I can’t believe that the changing rooms had been tended to once - the floor was covered in grime and rubbish, including a dirty nappy. We walked in and straight back out, there wasn’t a chance I was going to let me child or even myself anywhere near the pool after seeing the changing room. Appreciated the refund but the Duty Manager apologised but blamed lack of staff on the issue and clearly had little patience for the complaint.

Fantastic experience: At scare park with kids with The Dry Skate Project. Kids had brilliant time. Everyone extremely helpful and supportive Would recommend The Dry Skate Project to everyone

Fantastic experience: I use this for the fitness pool and gym but there are lots more facilities I could use. Some pool times and gym times are quite busy but I manage to find plenty of less busy times throughout the week

Negative experience: it’s overpriced for what it is and i can’t even think back to when the rapids were open they’ve been under ‘maintenance’ for what feels like years now. its not particularly clean either.

Negative experience: Staff who works on reception has no manners how to communicate with customers. Everything is online, everything is online then why you are there bro. Unfriendly staff.

Positive experience: Honest review. Reception area lovely. Toilets total opposite they were grim. I know thats down to those that use them. But they definitely need some tlc. The pool it's self our boys absolutely loved it which is the most important part. However you definitely need to invest in giving the place a clean up. There are parts that have tape on them. Run down looking. It really could do with deep clean. Then having a rota to wipe down the floor.

Positive experience: Nice afternoon. We had afternoon tea as well. Note you now need to register with the lesiure centre which takes a few mins and I'm not sure if they offer towels any more. You also get 6 free hours parking which is nice and gives you time to wonder into the city through the park which is lovely on a sunny day.

Positive experience: For a first visit I cannot complain. We took our 4-month old to the teaching pool and it is warm, big enough and we think she enjoyed herself. It’s certainly no thrills, but our baby got in for free and I paid £12.00 for myself and my partner. Lockers are a decent size and the £1.00 usage fee is returned upon opening the door. Free parking is provided if you input the vehicle’s registration into their iPads behind the entry gates. The fitness/teaching pools changing rooms aren’t gender separated, so we managed to go in and get changed together, which helped one parent or other having to deal with the baby alone. Only real criticisms despite being slightly dated in some aspects is the sewer smell within the changing rooms, also that you cannot adjust the shower’s temperature when washing the chlorine off.

Negative experience: This place has great great potential but is not being run correctly. Main issues, the water is 2/3 degrees lower than what is appropriate for babies and toddlers. No private shower cubicle available, only showers are in the public area by the pool. The hairdryers are 20p, cheap enough-however if you haven’t got change you’re leaving with wet/damp hair. For me this is poor duty of care from the Leisure World. The changing areas are limited and simply not enough of them, creates queues in wet areas unsafe for me. The pool, slides and other play areas are good and operational and plenty of lifeguards on duty. Overall, fix the basic needs of customers with children in a wet environment and customer satisfaction will be much higher.

Fantastic experience: It was nice! They were very helpful as we got stuck in M25/A12 traffic so we couldn't get there for our alloted time, they managed to fit us in for a later slot. The babies had a great time in the baby pools, the older children enjoyed the lazy river, the adults were able to relax a wee bit, the only downside side is there were not enough family changing rooms and they expect you to buy a combination lock for the lockers at £5 a lock. It's not the cheapest of swims but not overly expensive at £32 for a family ticket for an hour and half ( 2 children, 2 adults and a baby)

Positive experience: Lovely place, leisure pools amazing and the flumes are great but in quite a lot of the places the paint is gone and the pools are quite small.

Fantastic experience: Becoming part of our lives to come here: great big gym for parents, awesome swimming lessons for kids, fitness pool for weekend swimming and then the leisure pool with family and friends to have fun. Always friendly and helpful staff at reception. The coffee shop needs attention as never open when we there just after 5 and when open, the service is not great.

Fantastic experience: Well equipped gym, wide range of group fitness classes, lovely spa area, yet reasonably priced. My family love it!

Fantastic experience: Should be your go to place for all your fitness needs. Free and spacious parking, Nice gym, lovely pools, adequately designed facilities, indoor sports. Can’t wait to get there. Go!!!!!

Negative experience: I'm giving up on the leisure pool . Things have just got steadily worse. The whole area is dirty and run down , the rapids have been closed for maintenance for well over 12 months with no sign of anything being done. The earliest session is now 10 am so no chance to avoid the overcrowding. It's literally standing room only in the wave pool. Today the slide between pools was closed also. If things are broken then either get them repaired or stop charging full price.

Negative experience: Terrible coffee and terrible service in the cafe. They made a flat white without foamed milk. When I asked them to make it with foamed milk they told me “flat white is made with flat milk.” They did not offer to replace it.

Negative experience: Properly the rudest receptionist I’ve ever come across. If you hate your job / life go get a new one.

Negative experience: My daughter has been going to swimming lessons here for one year. She still cannot swim. The trainers hardly ever give her any guidance, just seem happy for her to go up and down and pay the money every month. They put so many children in the pool that none of them have any room to swim and bump into eachother. The teachers all look like they’re confused all the time and would rather be at home. Furious that I have spent all this money for nothing. Don’t waste your money like I did

Positive experience: We went to the water world part and it was amazing , great for all ages. Loved how the lazy river changed to a wave magine every 15 minutes or so, so much fun. Queue times were great we had to queue once and that was to buy googles and that was only 5 minutes. Fumes were so much fun specialy the blue one which was super fast, green was still fun even though it was quite slow . Life guards friendly. Some paint came of the sides but not big deal. 9/10

Fantastic experience: Our first visit to the pool and our 10yo daughter loved it wave machine flumes and rapids brilliant definitely be going again

Fantastic experience: Love it here, kids always wanna come back...few lairy 12 ish years olds doing bombs in the jacuzzi every now and then but the the pool and staff are great

Negative experience: I will be pulling my son out of the swimming lessons here. We paid same price at rhs ipswich two people one at the side one in the pool. Today is the first time I saw someone in the pool with the kids in another group as a result the kids knew what they were doing and were corrected if not. All I ever see is disorganised, poor practice from staff. How can children hear the trainer if they're not in the pool, the kids always bang into each other or they don't go far enough or don't swim how the ur told. It is rare to see the trainer try and correct them just gets the next child to go. I used this pool for location however swim for me in greenstead was amazing in comparison and I will be returning there once the pool is refurbished. The week before the girl was staring into space not watching the kids I actually had to ask her to show my son what to do. Another mum said all of a sudden a lot more kids have come. So why can you not pay to have two workers training the kids. I'd rather pay double what I'm paying now and my son get better support and would most likely learn in half the time. I have no clue hw more people do not complain, clearly not used other good centres. Oh and the changing rooms absolutely stink of urine.

Fantastic experience: Thank you to this amazing pool. I prefer you much more to the one that is supposed to be my catchment. I can only come once a week but you make it affordable and inclusive. The reception staff and life guards are always lovely and friendly. If your concessions were not available I would not be able to swim at all at the moment and I need to to benefit my health and conditions. So a massive massive thank you for being something I make happen for myself all your hard work how nice the staff are and how clean etc everything always is.

Positive experience: When we visited it felt quite crowded, you always felt you were in someone's way. There were occasions where children were jumping into the pool from the side which is fine (we all like a good bomb), but in some cases they were going over your heads - all quite frenetic. The Palm plunge pool was nice and warm, and the slides were good. My little boy enjoyed himself, maybe I am getting too old!

Negative experience: Very poor managed. The time table for the fitness pool isn’t updated. I went there couple of times following the time table but I was told the time table is not updated so I can’t swim! What is the point of having something not updated showing on the website?

Positive experience: Was a good day out shame its only limited to 1hrs 30mins longer would have been nice for the excessive price that they charge kids enjoyed their selves that's what counts .

Positive experience: It's been years since our last visit, and when we booked, we thought the place got really expensive, but this is definitely not the case. There's a limited number of people per session now, which makes the place really fun and enjoyable. No more 15 minutes queues for the flumes. You can enjoy the spas and crazy river. Shame the rapids are out of order. Overall, big thumbs up

Negative experience: Upon arrival with my 10 year old son,we got to the check in desk at 14:13 and was told very rudly by a member of staff come back In 2 minutes as we was to early,our time was 14:15 then she went on as we walked away to serve another family for swimming which we was doing aswell,when we got served I was greeted with NAME and that was it then she threw our wrist bands on the counter and walked away.i think that particular staff member would benefit from some customer service training.

Fantastic experience: We've been here before and my child and their friends have always had a great time. I don't normally write reviews, but wanted to give a thank you to Dan on reception. I had a problem with my booking that was made online (my own fault).... He was able to sort it out quickly and politely to save my embarrassment. Good customer service is hard to find!

Positive experience: Great fun. Kids loved it. Abit overpriced for what it is as outside rapids still closed. Changing rooms could do with more cleaning. Some staff came across a bit rude. Would come back at a quiter time as it's really busy.

Negative experience: Prebooked a meal deal in the cafe for me and the kids, it was the worst meal I have ever paid for in my life. It was like eating cardboard. I deeply regret not sending it back and getting a refund. McDonalds would have been a much better and cheaper option, but I thought I was opting for a more healthier option. Never eating there again.

Negative experience: Went today with my 2 grandsons and was shocked at the price to use the Leisure pool….£27.00 and the pool is crumbling away on the sides of the walls. It was only a third full and cannot justify that sort of price. We won’t be rushing back as other priorities are more important than being ripped off by our local Council yet again

Positive experience: Nive close parking friendly service. Outdoor rapids still not working. We had the chicken goujons meal deal. It was very dry and tasteless the chips were soggy. I would not deem it value for money. No hand soap in disabled toilets but, had foam sanitizer. The visit was fun and it was not crowded. Plenty of changing rooms. Friendly helpful life guard as well.

Negative experience: We used the leisure pool... It was terrible.. overpriced... Dirty changing rooms, toilets stunk of old urine... Only 1 flume was working, outside rapids looked like they hadn't been used for years.. annoying siren kept going off an miserable staff....

Positive experience: Fantastic pool for kids with loads to entertain them. Shallow area for the little ones and flumes/lazy river for the bigger ones. Plenty of lifeguards keeping an eye on everything. My only slight negative is the outdoor rapids aren't always open when we visit but to be honest there's no shortage of other things to do!

Fantastic experience: Excellent place took my granddaughter for the first time she is 5 and loved it. The only negative was parking i tried to pay through an app but struggled, so when I went to say we were here the guy said it's free parking you just put your car reg number in a pad as you go through the turn style.

Negative experience: Not ware you have to book this online, the reception guy wasn't very helpfull just said you have to do it online you can't book through the reception desk, We booked it one in the end and found out they have got rid of the pound lockers, so you have to buy a padlock which you can either pay the £5 for a padlock from them or while you wait for your session nip to pound land and costs a £1 for a padlock never know this think absolutely stupid policy this place has implemented. In certain areas the maintance needs to be address, especially on the slides as the green ide you have bits that have dipped down and the silicon sealant is coming out. The corners and steps were grimey and dirty going up to the slide area and there was dirt on the floors in the changing rooms so the place needs a deep clean, The actual pool could of been bigger but for the amount of people in the pool just not big enough, the temperature of the water was not the best but understanble with the cost of gas these days. The hot tub spar were slightly warmer but still not a hot tub, they were been used by other families to warm there little ones up after they had Been in the colder pools, Lifeguards not very talkative just sit there but fair enough.

Negative experience: What a disappointment the fitness pool has become. Having left Colchester many years ago and visiting the other week, I was shocked by the standard of the fitness pool (the blue stuff is messy) especially for the price. Lane management is poor, supposed to be 6 lanes, was 3 large ones. I expect better for a city compared to what I'm used to. Clearly stripping costs and maximising profit rather than wellbeing of users. Wouldn't come back.

Fantastic experience: Went to the swimming part of the leisure centre and had a blast, it’s mostly online bookings with time slots most likely due to its busyness. Polite and friendly staff, clean and tidy centre and good value for money. Car park will be busy, so be prepared to hunt for a spot midday! Parking is set to 4 hours stay if you use the iPads and put in your number plate in. Overall a superb day out and will defiantly be visiting again

Fantastic experience: Have been a few times recently and is now my weekly go to place. Having tried other pools in the Chelmsford/Braintree/Witham area this is by far the best for my 3yr old and myself. Good mix and size of swimming pools, shallow & deep. Plenty of interaction that gets my daughter interested in swimming. Good to have a large slide that young children are allowed on whilst wearing inflatables. Crazy river is good fun and great for teaching about water currents. Unlike previous comments I think underwater cameras are great idea for safety in the water.

Positive experience: A mixed bag. Been for a member for a few months. Reception staff are lovely, management seem utterly incompetent. Overall Aqua Springs is managed well, the spa pools could do with being a bit warmer and the changing rooms floors are a disaster. The fitness pool (what I mainly joined for). Needs a massive clean, the skirting of the pool is disgusting. No one wears over-shoes (even I have given up, most regulars have resorted to buying sliders). Parents from swimming lessons, walk through the showers with their boots on and no-one cares. Sometimes there's about 3 tight lanes on in some sessions and its chaos. As a previous member of Tendring leisure centres, these are much better run (and the centres were actually built before Colchester Leisure World). The worst of all, the changing rooms in the fitness pool can often smell of urine, which is concerning considering your about to get in a swimming pool. I can't believe as Colchester's only 25 metre swimming pool is in such a state like this. Aren't we suppose to be a city? The gym 10/10 managed well, induction was well thought-out and always clean.

Negative experience: Water temperature not what expected in the jacuzzi and Spa. The price for a family ticket I would expect alot longer time slot 90 mins!! especially that you have to queue for the slide at least 15 mins a time. Our time slot we managed 4 slides and once around the wave machine part. Cleft feeling ripped off and very disappointed children will not be returning for this fact. Time length really need to be addressed if we were to return.

Positive experience: First visit, reception staff not ve4y friendly but the pool is very good lots to do the hour and a half we had went so quick. There is something for all ages and abilities. Just remember to hook a locker key when making a reservation

Positive experience: I've brought my 2yo here twice now to use the pool and after 15 minutes he is shivering and wanting to get out. Its a shame as its a lovely pool, but I doubt I will be going back becuase the water is just not warm enough for young children(or even me!)

Negative experience: Rapids not working for a long time now, cameras now under the water?! what is that about!?!?!?!?!?!? disgusting not going back for that reason why are they filming in the water disgusting privacy violation also padlock lockers?! what a con happy to sell you one for £5 tho don't worry. Slides are good but need a good sand down or some kind of smoothing/wax because it's like sliding down on sand paper all the way

Negative experience: Never answer the phone or reply to emails/messages 3 days later or doesn't at all. Swimming pools are sooo cold! The water is freezing not talking about getting out of them. It's just a big NO for the money they charge. Go in your garden and dip into paddling pool you'll get more out if it seriously.

Negative experience: £26.80 for 1 adult and 2 young children. For that price you'd expect a chauffeur to park your car for you and a glass of champagne on arrival. Instead you get an hour and a half slot that you have to book online in advance, a cold jacuzzi, and you don't even have access to a pool to actually swim. It's just way too expensive for what you get. The only positive is that there's about 20 lifeguards on duty so it does feel reassuring when you have young children with you.

Fantastic experience: Fitness pool is perfect for me . Clean and if your a power swimmer as I am go in the far left . Its perfect for anyone who is building there fitness back up after a long ill health its been 4 years and I'm coming back I'm excited

Negative experience: Absolutely awful! Went today as we phoned up a couple of days ago about the toddler swimming as been in the past and the lady said “yes it is still on everyday Monday - Friday” just turn up. So we did today after travelling and getting a baby all ready to then be told we should have booked it and refused it. My husband explained what we had done and that someone had told us to turn up. We have been in the past and there was never a booking system. They said there was nothing they could do for now after travelling 45 minutes! We were furious!! Won’t be visiting there again. We were not told you had to book and it had changed otherwise we would have! Such a shame as had many great times there but they couldn’t do anything and kept saying sorry.

Fantastic experience: Reasonably priced with lots to do! The booking system helps with planning and means less queuing during busy times. Staff are so friendly and helpful. I definitely recommend visiting! Just make sure you bring a padlock for the lockers (though they do sell them at reception if needed).

Negative experience: Went as a family of four, 2 adults and 2 children. Changing rooms and bathrooms were in need of a deep clean, it wasn’t pleasant to be in there for more than a few minutes. The place is a little dated and for us a little too busy for the size of it. Viewing area could be bigger as well. I’d say good for families with younger children, if you don’t mind a crowded space.

Negative experience: This place is just getting worse and worse. Moved to an online system so can't book on day and was turned away, now they have removed the pound coins so you have to pay a £5 fee for a locker. Wouldn't mind but the doors on the changing rooms are damaged so unsure where this exta money is going. Its very expensive compared to everyone active

Negative experience: The reason I'm giving it a 1 star is because of the changing rooms for the fitness/teaching pool. My children have lessons here each week and the changing rooms smell like someone has sprayed urine all over the place. It honestly smells cleaner in the toilets themselves. It's revolting and has been the same way for months. They need to get the whole changing area deep cleaned

Negative experience: Pool was cold, changing rooms were disgusting they kept the door open for the rapids outside so whole place was freezing not great for young kids my daughter was shivering the whole time. Also the toilets and changing areas were dirty and unkept. Wave pool and little slides were good but other than that pretty grimey.

Negative experience: Need to tell people it's book only for lesuire swimming as it wasn't the time before we went, wasted a load of money getting up here just to tell us that. And to mention their was not many people in there.

Negative experience: Really expensive for what there is, and incredibly crowded. The lifeguards are seemingly useless, and all appear to be barely out of their teens. At the top of the flumes one lifeguard was sat doing literally nothing, giving no instruction or supervision to the flume riders, leaving them to decide for themselves when was safe to go as the safety lights weren't working. This lead to people either going too early to be safe or waiting too long and leaving a giant queue to form. Lifeguards were also happy watching people dive and leap into the wave pool from the sides onto other swimmers with no intervention. The changing rooms are cramped and unsanitary, the facilities are poor, the water appeared murky and discoloured. Huge health and safety issues that will result in accidents. Cannot recommend.

Negative experience: Slow service at reception despite prebooking online. Leisure pool rapids not operational despite confirming online less than 24hrs prior to booking. Queues for flumes eat into your 90min slot. Spectator area is unclean and poorly equipped. Lucky to get a seat due to people using chairs to place their bags instead of using lockers. Generally disappointing!

Positive experience: Went in the leisure pool. Staff have the timings all sorted very well, reception staff all helpful and friendly. Must book if you want to go though and take your own combination padlock for lockers.

Negative experience: Rang this morning to ask about times for swimming, was told no booking needed!! Drove my excited son and nephews from Ipswich only to arrive and be told we had to pre book a slot!!! Girl on the desk was very unhelpful and said no one would of told me that on phone… so basically was called a lier!! Manager was meant to come out to speak to me but took ages so we left!!!! Not a pleasant experience and what a waste of fuel and car park money!!!! Especially when we are hitting a fuel crisis !!

Negative experience: That have taken away the £1 refundable lockers and now want to charge you £5 for a 50p padlock. Apparently it’s booking in advance only now via an app . Visited 3 weeks before and you just paid and went in. The person on the counter informed me that I should have read the local paper as the charges were advertised there , very in helpful. In the end the reluctantly took my money and gave me a wrist band and said I had an hour and a half slot , was asked to leave after 40 mins as apparently our time was up . Tried to speak to a manager or supervisor but no one answers the phone or seems to care . Shame as use to be good .