The Dolphin

Reviews

• SM

  Stephen Mason

  May 7, 2026
  5.0
  Good gym and really nice staff
• PR

  Paul Reeve-Hughes

  Apr 26, 2026
  4.0
  Visited on a couple of occasions within the past week as I was staying locally, on both occasions for a lane swim. I booked on the app and on my first visit I gave my name to the receptionist to check me off the list; on the second occasion I was able to walk straight in. The pool itself is a six-lane 25-metre affair. On my first visit, double-width slow and medium lanes were available on the outside of the pool, with two single lanes for faster swimmers on the inside. I used the medium lane, which felt about right for my pace, but at least a couple of other swimmers would have been better suited to the slow lane. On my second visit, confusingly, the lanes changed after I got in: one of the single central lanes was marked medium when I got in, and at some point thereafter it was changed to fast and the outer double-width lane was changed to medium. I moved, no big deal - but a bit odd. Perfectly decent and clean pool. The changing rooms were also clean. It is a "village" set up and, on arrival, I saw there was a female changing room within it, so naturally I set out looking for the male equivalent. As far as I can tell, there isn't one! I did find a group changing room, which I did use (alone), but obviously not ideal that it isn't marked as being for males. There are no showers in it. The showers are open plan, between the changing village and the pool, but are single sex so you can get your trunks off for a proper shower - but be warned, the towel hooks are in view of the (mixed) village area, which seems to be a design flaw! Aside from the numerous cubicles, there are a couple of mixed open changing benches - unusual in this country - but obviously for use with discretion! A good facility with a few oddities.
• IM

  Ingrid Marson

  Apr 4, 2026
  3.0
  I have used this leisure centre regularly on an ad hoc basis and find the staff are friendly and helpful. The centre is generally fairly clean and in good order (the swimming pool isn't immaculate, but no public pools are). My main issue is the Junior gym membership - my kids were keen to use the gym, but there are only 2 junior gym sessions every day (including in school holidays) and its a nightmare to book them - the only way to book is to go on the Places Leisure app exactly 15 days and the exact time the session is (eg 430pm 15 days before the session you want) - they usually sell out within a minute of being released. If you're lucky enough to book a gym session, chances are there are only one or two other kids in the gym, so obviously the majority of kids are booking sessions and not using them with no penalty from Places Leisure. Badminton courts can also be hard to book as they're often used for holiday clubs during school holidays so unavailable at off peak times (junior gym membership only includes off peak court bookings). Overall, I would recommend this centre, but not a Junior Membership!
• MS

  Magdalen Steele

  Mar 24, 2026
  4.0
  I visit on a regular basis and enjoy the strength and balance class. Very friendly and would recommend.
• AA

  Alex

  Mar 9, 2026
  1.0
  Prices going through the roof! Been playing badminton occasionally with family and it was free with my membership as of 15th Feb '26. Now it's £7.25 and their app is telling me I'm getting a 'discounted' rate, some now have to pay £14.50! How can such a price hike be acceptable with no facility improvements?

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