Plymouth Life Centre
ENTRY
from £4.60
WHERE
Plymouth
What it’s like
A big sports centre with pools, a climbing wall, diving boards and an inflatable jungle assault course all under one roof.
This is less a swimming pool and more a whole building of things to try. There's a main pool and a toddler pool, springboards and platforms for diving, a climbing wall that goes up to 16 metres with a bouldering room alongside it, and a 12-court sports hall where badminton, five-a-side, basketball, netball, volleyball and table tennis all happen depending on the day. For younger kids there's an inflatable jungle-themed assault course, soft play, and Didi cars for the 4 to 12s, plus an indoor bowls rink if anyone in your group fancies something gentler.
Pay-as-you-go is the easy way in: £6.15 for an adult swim, £4.60 for a junior. If someone gets keen on diving or climbing there are monthly lesson packages, and diving in particular is tiered, from £35.80 a month at the early stages up to £64.50 once you're at Stage 7, with adult lessons at £50. A squash court for 45 minutes is £8 for an adult, £6.80 for a junior. None of it's pocket change, but you're paying for a lot of different things to do in one visit rather than just a swim.
There's a crèche for under-8s on term-time mornings, Monday to Wednesday 9 to 1, handy if you've got a younger one and want an hour to yourself in the sports hall or pool. Birthday parties run around inflatable and soft play (ages 4 to 12, 90 minutes), diving (ages 8 to 15) or climbing (ages 5 and up), with a host and invitations included and catering added on at £5-£6 a head if you don't fancy bringing your own food. The café's on the ground floor by the main entrance for whoever's not in the water.
Access is properly thought through: step-free throughout, lifts to every floor, pool hoists, Changing Places, hearing loops and Blue Badge parking. Pram parking exists too, though it's a £10 deposit and prams aren't allowed poolside, so plan for that if you're coming straight from the car with a buggy in tow.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- Crèche covers under 8s; Didi cars and soft play suit 4 to 12s
- Parking
- Ample on-site parking available
- Food
- Café on site on the ground floor
- Pushchairs
- Designated pram parking area. £10.00 fully refundable deposit
- Wheelchairs
- Step-free access throughout building, lifts to all floors, designated Blue Badge spaces, accessible toilets, Changing Places facility
- Parties
- Inflatable & Soft Play (ages 4-12, 90 min), Diving (ages 8-15, 1 hour), Climbing (ages 5+, 70 min)
- Diving lesson prices step up through the stages, so check which stage before budgeting
- Squash courts are pay-as-you-go too, £8 adult or £6.80 junior for 45 minutes
- Pram parking needs a £10 refundable deposit and prams aren't allowed poolside
- Climbing wall hours are shorter than the main centre, especially at weekends
- Free wifi is available if you're settling in for a long session
Plan your visit
How much does it cost to swim?
£6.15 for an adult pay-as-you-go, £4.60 for a junior. Monthly lesson packages cost more but work out cheaper if you're going weekly.
What about diving and climbing lessons?
Diving lessons are tiered, £35.80 a month at Stages 1&2 rising to £64.50 at Stage 7, with adult diving lessons at £50. Climbing membership for adults is £33.50 a month.
Is there parking?
There's ample on-site parking, but watch for pay and display or pay on exit charges depending on the day.
Do you need to book ahead?
The listing doesn't give a booking link, so it's worth turning up prepared to pay-as-you-go for swims and courts.
Is it accessible for wheelchairs and buggies?
Step-free access throughout with lifts to every floor, pool hoists, a Changing Places facility and Blue Badge parking. Pram parking is available too, though it needs a £10 refundable deposit and prams can't go poolside.
Is there a crèche?
Yes, for under-8s, term-time only, Monday to Wednesday 9am to 1pm.
What's there for younger children?
An inflatable jungle-themed assault course, soft play and Didi cars for the 4 to 12s, alongside the toddler pool.
Do you do birthday parties?
Inflatable and soft play parties for ages 4 to 12 (90 minutes), diving parties for ages 8 to 15, and climbing parties for ages 5 and up. A host and invitations are included, and catering is £5-£6 a head extra.
Is there food on site?
There's a café on the ground floor to the left of the main entrance. Party catering can be added for £5-£6 a person, or you can bring your own food.
What time is the centre open?
6am to 10pm Monday to Friday, 7am to 10pm on weekends, though the climbing wall keeps slightly shorter hours, especially at weekends.
How much are the lockers?
£6.50 deposit, fully refundable when you return the band.
What sports can you play in the sports hall?
The 12-court sports hall covers badminton, table tennis, five-a-side football, basketball, netball, volleyball and trampolining.
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