Based in Coventry, The Orme School of Dancing is a dance school teaching a wide range of styles, including ballet and pointework, tap, contemporary, modern, jazz, musical theatre and gymnastic dance. There are classes for pre-school children through to adults, and students can perform in shows at professional theatres or work towards dance examinations and awards.

The school teaches nearly 200 students each week, with sessions led by qualified, experienced teachers. Dance schools like this generally suit anyone wanting to build confidence, coordination and fitness, whether that means a first class for a young child or a return to dancing later in life.

Wide range of styles

Pre-school dance

Adult classes

Exams and awards

Theatre performances

Nearly 200 students

Dance school in Coventry offering ballet, tap, contemporary, jazz, musical theatre and more for pre-schoolers, children and adults.

The Orme School of Dancing

Set on James Street in Plymouth, Mount Wise Pools is an outdoor swimming complex run as part of the Plymouth Active network of centres. The site has three pools: a 25-metre main pool, a fun pool with fountains, stepping stones, a whirlpool and a bubble pool, and a paddling pool where younger children can grow their confidence in the water. It opens seasonally over the summer months.

Outdoor pools like this generally suit families looking for a day out in the sun as well as swimmers who simply enjoy lengths in the open air. Because opening is seasonal, it is worth checking the current timetable before you visit.

Three outdoor pools

25-metre main pool

Fun pool features

Family friendly

Seasonal summer opening

Part of Plymouth Active

Mount Wise Pools in Plymouth is a seasonal outdoor swimming complex with a 25m main pool, a fun pool and a children's paddling pool.

Mount Wise Pools

Rock Up – Climbing centre & soft play – Meadowhall

Westway Climbing

Based in Liverpool, Merseyside, Liverpool FC Academy is the youth football setup of Liverpool Football Club. It sits alongside the club's men's and women's teams, and its squad is listed on the club's official website, where updates about the academy can also be found.

Football academies generally focus on developing young players over a number of years, combining regular coaching with competitive matches. Places in professional club academies are typically offered through scouting and invitation rather than open sign-up, so families interested in getting involved are best advised to check the club's own channels for current information.

Part of Liverpool FC

Academy squad

Liverpool FC Academy is the youth football setup of Liverpool Football Club in Liverpool, Merseyside, alongside its men's and women's teams.

Liverpool FC Academy

University of Derby Sports Centre

Sitting on Deansgate in the centre of Manchester, this Ellis Brigham store is a specialist outdoor sports shop stocking gear for camping, trail running, climbing, hiking and skiing. It is described as the largest outdoor specialist in the city centre, and staff are on hand to help you get kitted out for your next trip.

Alongside the shop floor, the store offers free services such as backpack fittings and one-to-one personal shopping, which can be booked in advance. Events are also run from the store from time to time in collaboration with others.

City centre location

Outdoor gear specialist

Expert fittings

Free services

In-store events

Ellis Brigham on Deansgate, Manchester, a specialist outdoor store for camping, climbing, hiking, running and skiing gear.

Ellis Brigham - Manchester

Listers Health (Ladies only Gym) (Women only Fitness)

Crow Wood Leisure

Pavilion Dance South West

Superbowl UK Wolverhampton

Located at Headington Retail Park in Oxford, this branch of The Gym Group offers a straightforward, low-cost way to keep active. It is open 24 hours a day, so you can fit workouts around shifts, study or family life, and memberships run without a long-term contract.

Gyms like this suit people who want to train on their own schedule, whether that is cardio, weights or group classes. With flexible monthly and saver plans, it is an easy option for both regulars and those returning to exercise.

Open 24/7

No contract

Free classes

Free parking

Flexible plans

Student memberships

The Gym Group Oxford Headington is a 24/7, no-contract gym at Headington Retail Park in Oxford with free classes and parking.

The Gym Group Oxford Headington

Wimbledon Qualifying and Roehampton Community Sports Centre

Woodmill Outdoor Centre

6fit gyms

Penn Bowling & Social Club

Allam Sport Centre

Rugby union is the game at this Redcar club, listed here under football (rugby union football, to give it its full name). Redcar Rugby Union Football Club is home to a 1st XV and a 2nd XV, and also runs a ladies team, so there is men's and women's rugby on offer in Redcar and Cleveland. The clubhouse can also be booked for functions and events.

A community rugby club like this generally offers a mix of competitive league matches, regular training and a social side off the pitch. Supporters and volunteers often play a big part too, and newcomers are usually welcome whether they want to play, help out or simply watch on match days.

Two men's sides

Ladies team

Function hire

Club lottery

Redcar Rugby Union Football Club in Redcar, home of the 1st and 2nd XV plus a ladies team, with the club available to book for functions and events.

Redcar Rugby Union Football Club

In the Colin area of West Belfast, Brook Leisure Centre is a community focused sport and leisure facility with a swimming pool at its heart. The pool includes sensory features, and alongside it the centre has a gym, fitness classes, a sports hall and outdoor 3G pitches, so there is plenty on offer under one roof.

A leisure centre pool in Belfast is generally a good place for lane swimming, building water confidence or a relaxed family session. Centres like this often suit people who want to combine swimming with other activities, such as gym workouts or team sports, as part of a regular routine.

Pool with sensory features

Gym and fitness classes

Outdoor 3G pitches

Sports hall

Community focused

Colin, West Belfast

Swimming pool with sensory features at Brook Leisure Centre in Colin, West Belfast, plus a gym, fitness classes, sports hall and 3G pitches.

Brook Leisure Centre

Based in Salford, Greater Manchester, the Manchester Academy of Community Gymnastics offers coached gymnastics for children of all abilities. Its programme runs from play gym and pre-school sessions through foundation, intermediate and advanced classes, with women's and men's artistic gymnastics, parkour and adult gymnastics also on offer.

Gymnastics clubs like this are generally a good place for children to build strength, coordination and confidence, often starting with simple skills such as a handstand and progressing steadily over time. Many families also find that regular sessions give young gymnasts familiar coaches and friendly faces to look forward to each week.

All abilities welcome

Pre-school and play gym

Artistic gymnastics

Adult gymnastics

Parkour classes

Coached sessions

Gymnastics club in Salford, Greater Manchester, with coached classes for children of all abilities, plus artistic, parkour and adult sessions.

Manchester Academy of Community Gymnastics

Ravenscraig Activity Centre

Located in Coventry, West Midlands, Simply Gym Coventry is a fitness facility open around the clock for members wanting to train on their own schedule. Being open 24/7 suits those with shifts, early starts or late finishes.

Gyms like this generally give you the flexibility to work out whenever it suits you, whether that is cardio, weights or a quick session between other commitments. If you are looking for a gym in the Coventry area, it is worth checking the current membership options and facilities directly before you join.

Simply Gym Coventry is a 24/7 gym in Coventry, West Midlands, open around the clock for flexible training.

Simply Gym Coventry | Open 24/7

Set in the Meadway Shopping Centre in Reading, 365 Gym is a large gym spanning more than 18,000 square feet. It is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and comes fully equipped with strength and free weights areas, a dedicated leg zone and a booty builder zone.

As well as the training floor, members have access to spa facilities including a sauna, steam room and aromatherapy, plus a sunbed on site and an in club kitchen. Unlimited classes are included and personal trainers are available, so there is scope to train independently or with some coaching. Free parking is available.

Open 24 hours

Spa facilities

Well equipped

Unlimited classes

Personal trainers

365 Gym is a 24 hour gym in Reading, Berkshire, with high spec equipment, spa facilities and unlimited classes.

365 Gym

Set within Loughborough University's sport offering in Loughborough, Leicestershire, this swimming pool sits alongside a wide range of university sports. The university's sport pages list dozens of activities, including lifesaving, and cover facilities, para and disability sport, coaching and physiotherapy, so the pool forms part of a broad sporting setup.

A swimming pool is generally a good choice for low-impact exercise, building stamina and improving technique, whether you prefer steady lane swimming or more structured training. Visitors to university sports facilities can usually expect a mix of students, staff and members of the wider community, so it is worth checking memberships, timetables and booking options before you go.

Part of university sport

Lifesaving on offer

Para and disability sport

Online bookings available

Physiotherapy clinic on site

Swimming pool at Loughborough University in Loughborough, Leicestershire, part of the university's wide-ranging sport and facilities offering.

Clubs