A leisure centre, so the gym is only part of the story
This London Colney site is a Cotlandswick, an Everyone Active leisure centre, and that shapes how you should read its 4.1 across 299 reviews. It's not just a gym. Reviewers describe a swimming pool, a fitness suite, all-weather football pitches, and a soft play area for kids. So the average blends people rating a weights session, a family swim, a five-a-side booking, and a toddler's afternoon, all into one number. That's worth knowing before you weigh it. A large, mixed-use score like this tells you the place is broadly liked, not that any single facility is excellent.
What the reviews say about the gym and pool
The workout-focused reviews are warm. A May 2026 five-star review describes the core appeal: "Cotlandswick Leisure Centre is superb for a proper workout. I use it after work for a swift swim and weights session, and the kit is well kept, the staff are friendly, and the whole place has a calm, tidy feel." That combination, swim plus weights in one visit, is the practical draw of a leisure centre over a standalone gym. Staff friendliness comes up again and again across the reviews, which for a council-style facility is a genuine strength.
Where a real gripe surfaces
The most concrete complaint isn't about the gym at all, it's about the football pitches. A May 2026 four-star review lays it out: "Both the gym and footy pitches are very good but the prices for the football pitches are a bit too expensive for people. So I would suggest that the leisure centre lowers the prices... and accept cash so you get more business." That's a specific, actionable piece of feedback, and it points to where the value equation strains: pitch hire, not membership. If you're coming for the gym or pool, it may not touch you.
A small logistics tip buried in the reviews
Here's a detail I'd have wanted before turning up. A December 2022 review notes, "didn't need to book online. Call before going there," and describes the soft play area as "not very big" across three modest floors. Another reviewer, oddly touching, thanked staff for finding lost keyring bears, which tells you something about how the front desk treats regulars. So the operational advice is simple: for anything beyond the gym floor, phone ahead rather than assuming you can just walk in.
What the 4.1 measures
A 4.1 across 299 reviews is a large, credible sample, and the spread makes sense for a multi-use centre. The gym and pool draw praise, the pitch pricing draws grumbles, and the soft play is described as small. None of that is a red flag. It's the normal texture of a busy community facility trying to serve swimmers, lifters, footballers, and families at once.
What's missing
No review states gym membership prices or day-pass rates, though Everyone Active runs the site, so its standard pricing likely applies (confirm on everyoneactive.com). No one details the size or equipment of the fitness suite specifically. Pool timetables and lane availability aren't covered either.
Who it's not for
If you want a dedicated, kit-heavy gym with no shared space, a leisure centre split across swimmers and footballers may feel less focused. And if regular pitch hire is your main use, budget for pricing that at least one reviewer found steep.
FAQ
Is Cotlandswick just a gym?
No. It's an Everyone Active leisure centre with a fitness suite, swimming pool, football pitches, and a soft play area. The 4.1 rating blends feedback across all of them.
Do I need to book ahead?
For the gym, check Everyone Active's system, but one reviewer advised calling before visiting for other facilities like soft play rather than assuming online booking.
Are the football pitches worth it?
Reviewers rate the pitches highly for quality but one flagged the hire prices as too expensive. Confirm current rates before booking.