Harrow Leisure Centre
BEST FOR
Ages 0-6
SETTING
Indoors
WHERE
Harrow
What it’s like
Soft play for babies and under-sixes, plus two pools, a nine-metre climbing wall and a sports hall, all under one roof.
The soft play is the reason most parents go, and it's strictly for babies and children up to six. There's a separate under-fives area, so a two-year-old isn't dodging bigger kids, and it's all indoors on a floor you can walk straight onto with a buggy. If you've got a six-year-old who's outgrown the soft shapes, the rest of the building picks up the slack: two swimming pools, table tennis in its own area, and a sports hall set up for basketball or badminton.
The bit that surprised me is the climbing wall. Nine metres, and the site says it suits all abilities, so it works for a first-timer as well as someone who's done it before. That's the one to save for last if your child is old enough for it and still has anything left in the tank after swimming.
Opening hours are wide, 6am to 10pm weekdays and 6:30am to 8pm at weekends, so an after-school swim is easy to fit in. There's a café on site serving food and drink, which saves the packed lunch argument, and the changing places and accessible toilet are on the amenities list. The whole place is step-free and wheelchair accessible, and there's parking and public transport if you'd rather not drive.
The catch is the age cap. Once your child passes six, the soft play is over for them, and you're paying for the pool and the wall instead. Membership is available, and they run a free guest pass that gets you a day at the centre, which is a sensible way to try it before committing.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- 0 to 6 in the soft play; older ones get the wall and pools
- Food
- A café on site serving a variety of food and drink
- Worth knowing
- Free guest pass — a free day at the centre
- Soft play stops at six, so older siblings need the pool, the wall or table tennis
- Opening hours run late on weekdays: 6am to 10pm
- There's a free guest pass giving you a day at the centre
- Membership is available if you'll be going often
Plan your visit
What ages is the soft play for?
Babies and children up to six. There's a separate under-fives area so the little ones aren't in with the bigger kids.
Do we need to book?
The site doesn't ask you to book for the centre itself, and you can turn up for the soft play or a swim. Check the timetable for session times before you set off.
How long does a visit take?
As long as you want, within opening hours, 6am to 10pm weekdays and 6:30am to 8pm at weekends. Most families pair the soft play with a swim and make a morning of it.
Is there anything for older children?
Yes, once they're past the soft play age. There's a nine-metre climbing wall the site says suits all abilities, two swimming pools, table tennis and a sports hall for basketball and badminton.
What about food?
There's a café on site serving food and drink. No need to pack unless you'd rather.
Can we park there?
There's parking at the centre, and it's on public transport too if you'd rather leave the car.
Is it suitable if we've got a buggy or a wheelchair?
The centre is step-free and wheelchair accessible, with accessible toilets and changing places. Buggy access into the soft play area is straightforward.
Do you do birthday parties?
They do. Birthday parties are listed among what's on offer, so it's worth asking at the centre about how they run them.
Is it good for a rainy day?
Everything is indoors, so it works in any weather. The pools, the wall and the sports hall are all under the same roof.
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