Abbey Leisure Complex - Cambridge

Donna M.

Overall, this is a good place to work out. Staff are friendly and professional and they make the most of the facilities they have at this centre. They close the pool for half an hour numerous times a day to clean and this positively shows - pool area, toilets and changing rooms, gym equipment all seem to get freshened up numerous times a day.
This absolutely feels like a facility for the community. Wheelchair users can be lifted into the slow lane to swim and the medium speed lane is extra wide to compensate. The small learners pool always seems animated with youngsters and accompanying adults. The gym is popular and has a lot of equipment. The music is the right volume and not annoying. Steven took great care to design a workout programme for me and it's excellent.
This facility hosts the local kayak club, who practice rolls in the pool during dedicated sessions. There are tunnel slides open sometimes by the pool and a little sauna at poolside. There are often swimming lessons in one lane.Tables next to the lobby provide a place to eat snacks. There are some fitness classes that seem popular.
Just be sure to check the pool times so you don't turn up to swim when it's closed for cleaning.
Good work everyone, making this a vibrant fitness centre for the community.

Bloodclart B. B.

The leisure centre as a whole is quite decent , considering it isn't that big, they've managed to pack everything in there.
The pool is alright to, a bit chilly sometimes, but that's to be expected. The changing rooms can be a bit grim, but that depends on what day you go there, I've noticed anyway. The sauna is nice, but a bit small. The same goes for the gym upstairs, though it does have a fair bit of equipment in there, so I guess that kind of makes up for it. They do host different exercise classes every week day, which look exciting, and they have an outdoor exercise area for those that want a bit more peace, the place could do with a lick of paint, and maybe some modernising but overall it's good.

David S.

The learner pool itself is a decent size. We have experienced similar problems to others on these reviews where the pool has been cold, but the staff have usually at least warned us of this before getting in.

The biggest disappointment for me/my children is the slide. It seems to very rarely be open. My wife and children attended today for a homeschooling slot and the slide was advertised as being open for this. On arrival the slide was closed. When my wife asked the staff behind the desk for a reason she was told "there aren't enough people to make it worthwhile opening". Worthwhile for whom? If one family turn up and pay to use the advertised facilities then they should be opened. The member of staff said "about 15 people" need to be using the pool for it to be opened. As far as I'm aware there was no mention of this on the website.

Overall I would describe this place as very average.

Laura C.

The only reason I go is that it is near me. Usually not many people but on a couple of occasions, I had to wait to find a treadmill free. The gym area is quite small, and in the dumbells' area, there is ONE bench and not much space to exercise. It would benefit from some restructuring works. I haven't tried the pool, but reading the reviews of cold water put me off. The staff is not friendly and at times borderline rude. They don't reply when I say hello or goodbye either because they are busy on their phones, headphones on, being completely oblivious to themselves, or because they are talking between them and simply ignore you.

Steven L.

This is a really nice pool for young children learning to swim. Unfortunately on our visit the floors of the changing rooms were dirty with huge clumps of hair and there was no toilet paper to be found anywhere. It would be have been a great visit if it was clean and well serviced

Nevil J.

Great for wheelchair users, wishing to use the pool. Great staff and attentive life guards. We love it!

Ruth S.

Actually wanted to see their overflow parking to see about the walk in PCR facilities..RIGHT...well the security guard at the gate was very helpful, offered a mask and the Team inside we really helpful...quick and easy and got my results in less than 24hrs

Kerry C.

We only use the pool, on an ad hoc basis and for kids swim lessons, so no idea what the gym etc is like. The little pool is good for kids (ours are 4&2), and usually warm enough - we go pretty much weekly.. There's a little waterfall, and usually a lot of floats, noodles and toys to play with. Big steps to get in and out, not ladders. There's also a separate water slide, though we've never used it.
Lockers in the changing room take a £1 coin, returnable. There are loads of standard changing rooms, plus a handful of family changing rooms with fold down chair (presumably for overactive little toddlers while parents are dressing), and a fold down table bit for changing babies/little ones. There are hair dryers and mirrors etc. Ladies showers are cubicles, but according to my husband, the men's is a big open space! Toilets are near the showers, and there's a larger, accessible toilet near the lifeguard station, adjacent to the pool.
The swim teachers are excellent - just the right balance of friendly and encouraging, with enough of a teacher vibe to get the kids to do what they're told!

Some minor downsides:
There's often a bit of a sewage smell near the toilets, which is a bit yuck, but otherwise everything is fine.
Trying to make adjustments to swim lesson details is infuriating, everytime I've needed help the front desk staff have spent ages tapping away on the computer, only to tell me that they can't help and I have to do it online. I try online and there's no option for it, it tells you to contact the help desk. I ended up emailing the central team, who, in fairness, sorted it very quickly and efficiently. Just wish we were told the right pathway in the first place each time!