Downham Health & Leisure Centre

Fantastic experience: Yannik, amazing support setting up my app and advising on how to use.

Fantastic experience: Just registered and had a very efficient staff (yannic) help us through the process. He even stayed later than his closing time to ensure our registration was complete... will definitely recommend.

Fantastic experience: Such a hidden gem. lots of high quality equipment, fun activities and helpful staff that are great to have a chat with. Very motivatioal environment to thrive in and keep active. i throughly enjoy every visit :)

Fantastic experience: Yannic sales and reception manager - helped me to sign up to the app and showed me all the discounts available. Very friendly and knowledgeable. Happy customer

Negative experience: This place is full of people including staff who don’t know about respecting each other and elementary hygiene and safety. They don’t care who is going to the swimming pool. Some “parents” bring their grown up kids ( who of course is not attending to swimming classes) these kids sitting in changing rooms with their dirty shoes and keeping changing rooms for their parents ( of course also never heard about no shoes at swimming pool) today I was trying to find free changing rooms for my 3 yo son who was freezing after swimming. All of the changing rooms were full of someone’s clothes and the biggest one when I’ve tried to open the door there was a adult man who told me it’s mine and pull me off ( of course he was in shoes) then I’ve tried another one and here was about 14 old boy in shoes reading book I told him can I come in I need to change my son it will take about 5 minutes he told me no I’m waiting for my family I was saying okay I’ll call someone because it’s not your own changing room and he was gone. And yes I was extremely angry. It took about 3 minutes to change my son and suddenly some crazy women come in to the changing room and screaming that I am disgusting and it was place for her child ( of course her child still was swimming) she started to call manager and screaming that I was rude with her son ( again he wasn’t allowed to be there at all) and manager was in her side. This manager let strangers in to the swimming pool and protected them. Not their customers. Manager told me to wait at reception. I was waiting for her and she came out in 20 minutes after me so I could 10 times change my son. And she started screaming at me again and some awful guy from reception supported her. ( bth her husband didn’t say anything) ad she was saying that I’m lazy and I’m lying. I’m pregnant women with 3 yo son and I can bring change shoes and can use changing room after my son swimming class. Nobody can just bring all his family and friends and said to them keeping rooms with staff support.

Fantastic experience: I’m really pleased with Eloise (customer service and sales manager) she’s really nice, kind and polite with great customer service skills. She really listens to all our questions and concerns and finds resolutions. Always a service with a smile and there’s never a dull moment. Keep up the good work Eloise

Fantastic experience: Thanks to Eloise we had all the previous is have been taken care of , she is very good with listening to our needs and always has a smile on her face

Positive experience: Introduced to the gym by Yannic, who is possibly the friendliest and most congenial manager known. The gym is full of good spec stuff. Great pool, good range of classes. The only issue is most people seem unable to put weights back so you have to go looking for them, and on my only visit so far 4 young kids running around the gym. not the worst issue known to man but both irritating.

Fantastic experience: Love this gym! It's recently been refurbished and looks incredibly modern, clean, and is equipped with everything you could want/need to kickstart or continue your fitness journey. The atmosphere is welcoming, and the staff are friendly. Highly recommend!

Fantastic experience: Really nice first experience,Yannic was very helpful and professional! Thank you!

Fantastic experience: Very excited to join, Yannic extremely helpful !

Negative experience: This gym used to feel more welcoming to the local community but it’s now a total shambles. Parking is always overcrowded, spaces are overall quite dirty and not generally taken care of. And the staff got really bad. Except of a few old staff, they have no common sense or know about customer service. Most of them are rude and have a superior attitude like us, the customers have no rights in the gym while we pay to be there. The gym and studios are constantly filthy and nobody seems to care. I must have seen one person only who is not even a full employee there using a hoover and putting in some effort. Classes aren’t so good anymore and the very few good ones you can never access as they are always full on the app. The only reason I am giving it a star is for the price otherwise nothing is as it used to be and it’s such a pity for what could have been a great community centre.

Fantastic experience: Yannic customer service was top notch and appreciated. Thank you Yannic

Positive experience: From initial sig up right through to general enquires and advice on how to use the app, Yannic is amazing . With his welcoming smile and professionalism he is an asset to the centre .

Fantastic experience: Very good first impression. The manager, Yannic, very professionally showed me around and took the time to describe all the facilities and answer all my questions. I hope the overall service keeps up with the good start.

Fantastic experience: Yannic, Eloise,and Cherelle, are very helpful staff, and always pleasant to talk to

Fantastic experience: Yannic ,Eloise & cherelle are brilliant staff and helpful

Fantastic experience: Yannic, Sale and Reception Manager was brilliant! I have signed up for 3 day free pass and he called me immediately and offered a membership at the discounted rate: £10 till the end of the month and a Lewisham Council staff membership plus a college student membership for my daughter. We came down 30 min later to sign up. He showed us around, treated us with some freebies. Showed us how to use the app. He even gave me a £1 so I could use the locker. Very efficient, quick and professional. Looking forward to use my membership.

Fantastic experience: Take ya was very helpful kins ans sympathetic andresolved my problem with family excellent service abov her duties

Fantastic experience: I had a very pleasant and supportive experience with new staff member, Yannic, who support a client I am working with to enrol at the gym and swim and gave us a personal tour of all the facilities. All the staff at the leisure centre have been exceptionally helpful, patient and proactive. I would really recommend them! Thank you.

Negative experience: Avoid the gym here. Joined on open day. Booked a gym induction for the following week. When I arrived on the day no welcome at reception, staff standing around having a casual chat. Completely ignored. Got to the locker room and no locks on any lockers. Asked staff at reception and they said I have to bring my own padlock or use the swimming pool lockers. Waited for my induction in the gym for 15 mins, no-one showed up, no staff in the gym to ask. Went back to reception to ask and was told the member of staff doing the induction called in sick. No-one informed me. I asked if anyone else could do the induction and the was told “no, you’ll have to come back another day”. The person I spoke was completely disinterested. When I asked if I could feedback to the manager he told me he was the manager but didn’t take any responsibility for putting it right or carrying out the induction himself. Just went back to having a casual chat with other staff. Staff here have no customer service training here. Such a poor experience for welcoming new members. I’ll be asking for a refund to join a gym that cares about its members. *update I’ve since tried to call to complain and no-one ever picks up the phone. Just awful service all round

Fantastic experience: Yannic and another lovely staff member were so helpful in getting me set up with a membership. They took the time to explain everything clearly and made the process easy. Fantastic customer service.

Fantastic experience: Great gym nice members yannic is the manager and he’s calm

Fantastic experience: Just went to the gym to start my new resolutions and Yannic was so helpful with showing me the gym amd making sure I knew the facilities they offered, he offered wonderful help and support 10/10 customer service

Negative experience: Pick phone up and put it down to cut you off. Must have plenty of clients

Fantastic experience: Amazing center, lovely staff, can train in peace, love it

Positive experience: November 2924 A letter sent to the centre……. Manager Downham Leisure Centre Moorside Road Bromley, BR1 Dear madam l am writing to express my concern and disappointment regarding the recent issues with swimming slot availability at Downham Leisure Centre. As a paying member, I value the amenities and the convenience your centre offers. However, I have recently encountered a issue where the scheduled swim slots are delayed because the life guard is late also you have removed the general swim at 9.30 and replace them with lane swim with different times and these have now started to have been removed. And are disappearing more frequently without any warning via a message, or email, even the receptionist doesn’t know what is happening . When l have been using for the past seven years also the amount of people who no longer attend these sessions. I feel my swimming membership is costing me more than I can enjoy the swim. The booking system is also wrong , due to the fact of today it was booked up and only 8 people attended. Once again no lifeguard and was on over 5 minutes into the session before he showed luckily enough a life guard called Sara stepped in to allowed to attend the session. While I understand the importance of accommodating various programs and age groups, this shift has impacted my access to the service I subscribed to, particularly the reserved swimming times. Given that I pay a membership fee specifically for adult swim access, I believe it is only fair that the center honours these reservations or provides an alternative that meets my needs. The standard of cleaning has also gone down hill and for the past month we have notified the reception with these concerns, we was informed that there has been a deep clean. I feel this is untrue due to fact nothing has changed. To resolve this issue, I kindly request the following: A clear schedule that designates adult swim times and remains consistently available. Advanced communication if there are changes to scheduled swim slots so that I can plan accordingly. A potential adjustment or refund for the sessions I have missed due to these changes. Thank you for your attention to this matter. I trust that you will address these concerns promptly to improve the experience for all members. Please feel free to contact me at ……to discuss this

Fantastic experience: Well organised, clean and friendly. Very affordable. Kids swimming is great. The new gym is fantastic. Plenty of parking spaces

Negative experience: Too noisy. Too many people occupying machines without using them. Too many machines out of order for months. Inbody machine disappeared months ago.

Fantastic experience: Great selection of equipment.

Negative experience: Lot of five star reviews on here, pulling up the average. They MUST be written by Leisure Centre employees under false names or their desperate relatives! Lot of personal praise for somebody called Yannic. I have never met this man, though I feel confident he is a living saint, judging by the reviews... Brutal truth is there are long queues for parking, booking, swimming, equipment. And indifferent staff/experience when you finally get to the front. Reception staff mantra appears to be "am I bovvered? Do I look bovvered?" Only go if you have lots of time to spare and as much patience as Yannic...

Positive experience: Swimming lessons are great, we love taking our baby. So we would like to have a safer space to change our baby's clothes.

Negative experience: Booked a trampoline course for my grandaughter but she did not want to continue after 1 lesson. They have a cooling off period so I cancelled and asked for a refund £43. Its nearly a month ago and have still not received it .

Negative experience: Staff at the swimming centre are useless, I enquired today about SEN swimming lessons, not one of them had a clue whether they did or not. First the man told me to wait for someone, while I was waiting he disappeared and two young girls came. One was alright, the other had an attitude and I caught her just staring at me (which I don't know why) when I clocked, she smiled at me. They are inconsiderate as I was with my child who is autistic and she don't like waiting around. They made me qait for nothing because no one even came to tell me in the end so I just wasted my flipping time. What a joke

Positive experience: I find the gym and fitness classes here are excellent, especially for the price. The new gym refurb should hopefully resolve issues with broken equipment mentioned in some other reviews. There's a great selection of classes and I have found the teachers and gym-goers all very friendly. I haven't used the pool but it's mostly for kids swimming lessons and anything involving that volume of kids is going to be grim isn't it.

Negative experience: Signed up 10 months ago for a full membership. Gym goers and most patrons are friendly enough, but its been pointless paying for a membership. Most people who use the gym can just walk through the open gates and "security" door that is constantly switched off or broken. Also no membership card issued, photo taken or any paperwork given when signing up. Was told to download the app and use the QR code, this QR code often fails to load or doesnt work on the scanners. I've also been asked on several occasions to vacate gym equipment for group/gp sessions. Maybe post the times of these sessions so people can avoid attending? Walked in tonight to find teenagers running wild (yet again) through the entrance and cafe with no staff to be found, this a week after the centre being shut due to vandalism? Trying to book classes or swimming sessions has been excruciating as they are always fully booked or the app isnt working, swimming sessions are also reduced or cancelled at the last minute. Gym throughout has been disgusting, equipment is often broken or out of use. In the 10 months of attending Ive witnessed one PT using a hoover. Its being refurbished now but no mention or app update from anyone at the centre that you needed to book a session to use the temporary gym? Fingers crossed it gets better.

Negative experience: This is a review of the adult swimming lessons at Downham. Swimming lessons have been a very frustrating experience for me and I do not think the centre is up to scratch. For context, I first learnt to swim here about 12 years ago and found the facilities and teaching fantastic. I have been learning here again for about 7 months. The lessons are certainly not fantastic anymore. The facilities are often grubby (big clumps of hair in the drains, drain flies in the showers etc), there are never any working hairdryers and often barely any working toilets - I've had to use the men's twice before after being told all of the women's toilets were blocked and was told to use the women's near the entrance, meaning walking through the lobby in my swimming costume? No thanks. The staff, whilst well meaning and trying their best, are often clueless and very critical of management (I was told no one would read my emails). Over the time I've done the lessons, three have been cancelled due to the teacher being ill, the pool being cleaned etc and I never got these lessons back - when I asked multiple times to book replacement lessons, the staff never seem to know how. I have some slight disabilities (nerve damage) which makes some techniques difficult - my teacher was never understanding of this. I do think I'm not the best skilled swimmer, and I certainly don't think I'm easy to teach, but I was often ignored by the teacher (who often commented that I was "ignoring" her pointers, despite me trying to explain I was physically incapable of doing some actions). In addition, we weren't given enough space to swim in. We'd often have 6, 7 or 8 of us and given two HALF lanes to swim in (because of other classes, and because the lifeguards just HAD to do their training during the class). This is not enough space for 7 or so non swimmers to learn in. It's barely enough space for one good swimmer to swim properly. As much as I've been critical of the teaching, I also don't think the teachers are given the tools nor space to teach properly - management seemed to always be breathing down their necks, and they never had proper time to get a drink, go to the loo etc, which meant they finished every lesson 5 mins early, which I guess is fair enough because everyone needs to drink/go to the loo at work. I complained 4 times and nothing was ever done. I also cancelled my direct debit due to frustration, and was told I had breached my contract (even though I was barely able to locate the terms and conditions). When I told them they had also breached their contract in multiple ways, they stopped replying. I've awarded one star for price, because £34 or so a month is very reasonable, and another star because the desk staff are always polite. I haven't much else nice to say about the lessons. Ultimately, I'd recommend going elsewhere if you're an adult considering swimming lessons here.

Negative experience: Hygiene standard beyond bad. There is something around swimming pool stairs what it looks like rat poo droplets, urine smell in the toilet, female sanitary pads opened and used near the bin, changing rooms to small to get comfortably dressed. Swimming lanes overcrowded, with slow swimmers in all lanes. Not sure what they have staff there for if they aren't able to maintain clean facilities and regulate the flow of swimmers and put them in appropriate lanes. I also spoke about this with a few ladies in there and they saw rats browsing around as well as developing rash. I know it is for people on budget but cleanliness is the basic requirement.

Negative experience: Customer service is bad. Every time I have asked reception for information or an action to be taken, the member of staff has been rude, ignored me, or has been no help at all. Swimming teachers are nice, but the also seem to be changing quite often. The facilities themselves are average at best. The library is a really nice space. Cafe inside is nice.

Positive experience: This place is really a hidden jewel. It has had a bad reputation in the last but under new management it is really taking shape. Charelle on the reception desk could not have been more helpful. She was able to answer all of my detailed questions and took time to answer them fully. The swim school teaching team are of the highest level. Entrust them with your children's swimming education and they will really progress. Special mentions for Andrew, Matthew and Callum. Well done to all and keep it up.

Fantastic experience: Had a fantastic experience when signing up. Eloise was amazing. Helped me get sorted and explained my membership and got my induction sorted. Really happy with the service received

Fantastic experience: Popped into the centre just to see what it was like before I booked lessons for my granddaughter I was very surprised how much it had changed the sales lady eloise was so lovely and welcoming the place has changed for the better definitely will be going back.

Negative experience: Filthy & over priced, swimming teachers are absolutely amazing, everything else terrible never ever can get hold of anyone, trying to get a swimming certificate which is never ever in stock

Fantastic experience: I went there to have my feet done wad excellent

Negative experience: Arrived for a pre-booked swimming session only to be told it was cancelled. Not sure why the leisure centre couldn't make contact as they asked for ALL my contact details in order to book. Plus I "might get a refund". I will return thought and hope for a better service

Negative experience: 05.03.2023, time 14:30 , went to Downham Leisure centre to explore what exercise classes available at the centre . very poor /shocking experience i.e no one on the front desk, 3 staff member huddle in a back office busy in conversation, I caught the attention of one of the staff member and gestured to him and the same time asking if anyone was at the front desk . after some minutes he seems dragged himself to the front desk body language gave the impression I was of less important that the conversation he was engaged in. During our brief discussion he was not helpful and appears to put barriers in the way what I enquired about Pilates session at the centre , with no enthusiasm to help ,stated that I needed to load down the app to book Pilates session , there was no other way to access the said session. from the above experience I would not be going back

Fantastic experience: Great place to exercise or work out. Nice friendly sessions and fairly pleasant attendants. A busy place which is usually a sign of good customer experiences. Pre-booking is preferred. I recommend downloading the app.

Positive experience: Great leisure centre and so much more than I expected. There is a doctors surgery, cafe, library, gym and 2 swimming pools. Along side the gym is a viewing area where you sit and watch the swimming,or see people exercising in the gym. The place was very clean and very warm and the staff are helpful. This place is quite busy and looks like a good place to learn to swim.

Negative experience: I've been swimming here for two years and although it wasn''t perfect before, the service has seriously nosedived under the new management. The changing rooms are filthy and not getting cleaned regularly, you can make a mental note of the same stains on the floor for multiple days. Also, the booking app for the lane swimming rarely works and the staff at the front desk have no idea what's going on. They seem to love sending push notifications on the app to sell you things, but not spend any time addressing the real issues. A real shame, as it could be a great community pool.

Positive experience: Nice pleasant non threatening good customer service

Negative experience: Very disappointed! The website stated the swimming pool as open and when I arrived, I was told swimming stops at 6:30. There is no mention of that on the site and according to reception “the website and google business info is out of date”!

Negative experience: Disgusting company. Don’t bother using them for swimming lessons, they will cancel 6 weeks in a row with no explanation yet will still take payment from you. They are pathetic.

Negative experience: Swimming pool available only for those who don't work. Nothing in the evenings. Joke.

Negative experience: The family pool times are a joke and so is the pool personnel. Twice I tried to call before the family pool times, to make sure the pool was open, and after 30 mins of trying, nobody answered the phone. Once at the pool, the staff claimed they were busy with customers... On a Saturday afternoon. Abysmal service

Negative experience: Awful experience. Swim lessons cancelled for 7 weeks in a row, probably more before we left and horrendous customer service trying to get hold of someone to explain what was happening (Weeks!) All whilst being expected to pay your full monthly fees. AVOID

Negative experience: The worst management ever, small swimming pool never open "not enough lifeguard "they are very busy talking and laughing between them. Send plenty emails to book swimming lessons for my daughter, neverrrrrr any reply,such a shame.

Negative experience: The pool has a lot of potential to be a great place for swimming, however it lacks basic hygiene inside the pool which is very poor. The grout in-between the tiles has visible dark dirt especially in the deep end of the pool. I’ve been using the pool for months and it’s evident that it hasn’t been cleaned for a very long time as it’s consistently getting worse. The blow dryers in the changing area are old and have been broken for a while showing the lack of care by the management of this facility.

Negative experience: URGENT ATTENTION NEEDED PLEASE KEEP CHILDREN IN SIGHT!!! Please be aware especially with young children as safe guarding is non existent. INAPPROPRIATE approach by another customer towards my daughter whom had gone to the toilet alone whilst attending a class reported to so called manager. Situation dealt with with no empathy or compassion. Told cameras can’t be look at without permission from senior management (none on premises) finally got to see cameras to find some don’t work none In important areas and some pointing where persons can’t be seen. Asked for senior management to call me first thing following morning and still waiting. Have informed the police but thought in publics interest to share.

Negative experience: Should be no stars! Swim school is a shambles since new management have taken over! My son has been cancelled the last 3 wks by an email when im already there! Other children cancelled at pool side Staff at reception are rude with with no customer service skills what so ever.

Fantastic experience: I attended a rollerskating jam class, absolutely loved it, the space was great. We were well looked after by EMPWR team x

Fantastic experience: I would like to thank Jake and he’s colleague not sure what her name was, for patiently helping me with the printing service. Excellent service by Jake !!

Negative experience: General hygiene is poor in this gym. Hasn't been any soap In women's toilets for over 3 weeks, despite me telling staff at the reception who are always too busy talking in the back. Also if you want help from reception, the very young and inexperienced staff will ensure they finish their conversations first before tending to the customers. There should be better training for staff as the work ethic is not there.

Fantastic experience: Loving my new gym. The facilities and clean and staff is friendly. I still have loads to try out and experience;)

Negative experience: Most rude staff. I paid money for one o one swimming lessons. Already been 3 times now but no instructors show up. At reception they can see my slot but have no clue on swimming management. Didn’t take them any time to cut money but for lessons, no clue. Asking for refunds but no response

Negative experience: Abysmal booking system. A new group has taken over management of the leisure centre and sadly the changes have been for the (significantly) worse. Swimming classes are overbooked and poorly administered, with the staff impossible to reach by phone. When you speak with someone in person, they have no idea how to add children to the waiting lists, just redirect you to the extremely confounding app. When you are offered a spot on the waitlist via email, it’s disappeared within an hour. Total shambles. My kid has been in the same class for nearly a year and a half and literally stands head and shoulders above the other students in her class. But as there’s no space in the next stage and getting onto the waiting list is a gnomic mystery, she’s stuck. The cafe by the library has a sweet little children’s area. Unfortunately, the nice coffee bar with homemade treats and good espresso drinks has been replaced with an awful corporate food service and only offers machine produced coffee which tastes of plastic tubing, and the type of mass produced sweets whose mile-long ingredients list make any mum shudder. At least they haven’t taken down the play area (yet) We’re here by necessity but wouldn’t recommend any new family taking up lessons here, certainly not until they sort out their administration issues.

Negative experience: CAFE review Very disappointed with the cafe recently. They now have a push button coffee machine. They have increased their prices by £0.50 per coffee but they are still advertising the old prices. They don't inform you about the price difference. It's just a very unpleasant surprise when you look at your bank statement. When I approached them about it, they said they know about it. And...that's it. No refund, no apology. Very disappointing.

Negative experience: Twice now tried taking our grandson to the small pool on a Saturday when it’s meant to be open 2-3pm, only day we see him, small pool wasn’t open on a Saturday when advertised it is, tried again today tried phoning first to see if it was open, voice message gives an excuse they will not be answering phone as dealing with people, even though staff scrolling on their phone behind reception, took a chance of driving up there to find out small pool is not open again. It’s only meant to be for an hour 2-3pm on a Saturday. Excuse not enough lifeguards, employ enough lifeguards then! Waste of time and disappointed 4 year old.

Fantastic experience: Been coming to downham leisure for years and the service is always been horrid (especially at the doctors department) however today i fancied a hot drink and I had brilliant service from the young gentleman at the cafe called Isaac, he was very polite and patience because I am very picky with how I like my hot drinks made. The leisure centre as a whole needs more staff like Isaac.

Positive experience: Quite a bit of traffic since the morning. Equipment not well maintained , a little dirty. Few barbells. Pool slightly crowded. Service nice

Negative experience: Useless website, not contactable by phone. Virtually impossible to swim with small child. Staff on reception not really the full ticket.

Negative experience: The lane swimming timetable is a joke, the only times available in the evenings are Monday at 18.30 pm or Friday at 20.00 pm both only one hour slots, every other day only has availability before 3pm. Also at the weekends you have a choice of either 7am or 8am.. that's it. So basically if you work or you like to sleep in past 7am on a weekend you can't swim. Or at least this is what the new Parkwood app is showing (terrible app compared to the old 1life app). The car park never has any spaces and the staff are all young and gather round like they're in a school playground while there's weights scattered all over the place. Really disappointing, I only have a couple more months of my 1 life contract and I'll be finding a new gym as soon as its up

Negative experience: Me and my girlfriend got a bacterial injection after swimming here

Negative experience: Me and my boyfriend visited a couple of days ago, we got a bacterial infection sickness as the pool is clearly not being clean. Do not recommend

Negative experience: Very rude staff and not helpful. Was literally ignored by a group of staff members in there. Would not recommend.

Fantastic experience: A lovely gym, helpful staff!!

Fantastic experience: Visited over the weekend with my son, and picked up my friend's daughter from her lesson - lovely facilities (they have a library and a café within) and fantastic staff. Matthew is the best swimming teacher in the world!!

Fantastic experience: Very happy and lucky that we have this centre at our doorstep. Excellent swimming and gym facility and lovely staff too!

Negative experience: The gym is good but the opening times it's very bad. Mon to Fri the gym is closed at 9pm. It should be at least closed at 10pm. And on weekends it's worst the gym is closed at 3pm at least should be closed at 5pm . Not even the shops closed at that time 3pm on weekend . People they got work and they Finnish late and after they need to go gym but its CLOSED that's why we moved to the other gyms to Grove Park to catford... because of their opening times is very good. But the time of this gym it's bad not good at all.. I hope the managers to work on it to sort out this problem then they can get more customers. Mon to Fri gym close at 10 pm instead of 9pm Sut and sun gym close at 5pm instead of 3pm.

Positive experience: Lots of space in the gym and in the morning not very busy.

Negative experience: It's convenient for the price and the position for me because it's close. However, it should need a bit of improvement. The swimming pool lockers aren't the most secure places as they stole twice since I started going (I know it says to not bring in valuables but at least I should need a phone on me in case anything happens, where shall I leave valuables that are mandatorily needed?). The changing rooms in the swimming pool aren't cleaned thoroughly. I go there first thing in the morning so I assume the place should be cleaner from rubbish than later in the day but I still find, for instance, a dirty tissue stuck in one of the benches, in one of the rooms in front of the showers, every single day. Shall I guess that it's always the same person every day going into exact the same place and leave he tissue? I think it needs a bit of more attention from the managers. I wish I could bring my baby for swimming some time but I'm seriously worried to expose her to some illnesses.

Negative experience: Pool surround and changing facilities floor are dirty. The floor is being mopped half-heartedly but grime is just pushed towards gullies where hair and fluff accumulates in revolting clumps. I also really dislike shared changing facilities. To get from locker to shower to locker to changing cubicle covered at all times is just annoying.

Fantastic experience: Brilliant swimming lessons, great coffee shop, lovely library. Some staff are of the can't be bothered teenage type, but that's the same in every leisure centre. Some great staff though.

Fantastic experience: Delighted to find this leisure centre, plenty of FREE parking, a lovely little cafe, a quiet and spotless swimming pool, and friendly staff, definitely recommend!!

Fantastic experience: Great ,everything up and running, clean and tidy, not alot of people in waiting room, lots of activities

Positive experience: I moved to the area 2 months ago and after several branded gyms were too far away I decided to try here. It’s a fantastic space with all the equipment you could need in the gym. It has a fantastic pool and the opening times work really well for me. It can get a little crowded in the pool but it’s become part of my weekly routine and I love it. It’s a little rough around the edges and the showers can be temperamental but nowhere is perfect. Staff have been friendly and helpful, and I’d highly recommend checking it out.

Positive experience: Had a great game of badminton with my friends. The session was an 1hr long for £15 not as cheap as other places but overall a good time, would recommend. Note that only the net was provided by the leisure centre.

Fantastic experience: Has really everything you need and for a great price. Great view when you are in the gym, clean light and airy swimming pool. Coffee shop for those early mornings and a library to pick up a book on the way home. Suits me down to the ground.

Fantastic experience: Very friendly and helpful staff. Clean showers and toilets. Nice vibe in the gym.

Negative experience: Would be a half decent place if they’d answer the phone.

Positive experience: Perfect for me . - Don't have to go separate places to swim and workout because it's all offered in this centre. - Have parking. Always found a space even when busy. - Big swimming pool and gym overlooks a hill with nice scenery, so it is inspirational and motivating when on the treadmill. Downsides: - Lacking hygiene in gym showers and swimming pool showers. Mould and flies can be seen in the pool showers. A deep clean is needed. - Booking for lane swimming is also disorganised. I never call the support like because they never answer.

Positive experience: This place has a 3 star only because Andrew is a fab swim teacher or else I would rate it lower. There are too many kids per class and unfortunately each child receives less attention per class. Several parents have complained it's been months and the kids have not progressed in their learning. Besides swim, it has a library and a coffee shop with beautiful green space at the rear.

Positive experience: Downham Health & Leisure has the closest and most convenient swimming pool for me, it's a good size, 25 meters, and is perfectly fine for lane swimming. However, the changing facilities are often not very clean (especially if going in the evenings) and the temperature (in the changing area) is far too hot, they could definitely do with dropping the changing room temperature a few degrees.

Positive experience: I enjoy the yoga class, wishing there were more classes

Positive experience: Great pool and staff, open till 8pm for swimming which is great

Positive experience: We visited the Hilltop Café situated in the Leisure Centre, delicious coffee and pastries, friendly service, fantastic views over SE London

Negative experience: Impossible to get someone on the phone. Access to the small swimming pool is complicated : timetables are changing during summer holidays on a weekly basis. Lack of staff to supervise and lack of punctuality regarding swimming pool opening times. Was told to come back next week for new timetables...3 weeks in a row. After securing a date, I was told on the day that due to a problem of staff the small pool was closed. Come back tomorrow. We did, to find out that it was a mistake because a new timetable will be available next week again...We just decided to go to a private club instead. The best decision ever made.

Fantastic experience: Lovely to see Janet doing the Tuesday aqua aerobics, she's brilliant her classes are fun and most enjoyable we have a good singalong, love it! 5

Positive experience: Not overly impressed with waiting over 20 minutes for a scheduled blood test and how the clinic was organised - seemed to lack effective support. The person I saw was, however, lovely and helpful. Seems like issues with management / organisational level. Can't comment on the leisure side but the premises look like a valuable resource for the local community.

Negative experience: Went again for nostalgia and had a swim it was empty which was nice however there were big blobs of snot everywhere I lifted my head just floating around the pool as soon as I saw it and realised it was everywhere I got out and went home and I haven’t been back since

Positive experience: Well I am wondering when are they going to replace the only scale available in the gym it has never worked for at least the last 3 years!!! Sometimes I feel I should purchase one for them