The Castle Centre

Public leisure centre with a 25m pool, teaching pool, gym, sauna, and steam room. Southwark residents swim free on Fridays and weekend afternoons.

The local leisure centre, right next to the station. A 25-metre, six-lane swimming pool plus a smaller teaching pool for kids and learners. Upstairs there is a gym, indoor cycling studio, and a sauna and steam room by the pool. The building got a 20 million pound redevelopment in 2016, so it does not feel like your typical council leisure centre.

The deal for Southwark residents is good: free swimming all day Friday and Saturday/Sunday afternoons. Gym membership is reasonable too. Check the Southwark Leisure website for the current timetable and swim lane bookings.

Two minutes walk from Elephant & Castle station. Hard to beat for convenience.