Parklands Leisure Centre in Okehampton, UK shows 4 from 13 reviews, and its five written reviews, spanning 2018 to 2019, reveal several specific, itemized facility complaints alongside genuinely warm accounts of the gym environment and named instructors.
A Detailed, Itemized Complaint About Lockers, the Pool Floor, and Closures
Peter Preston's review is by far the most detailed here: "Most of the lockers still don't take the new pound coins, some do, but if you put a new pound coin and it gets stuck, you have to wait while the receptionist goes and releases it with a pair of scissors! Some of the lockers have keys in but broken or missing wrist bands, what are we supposed to do with the key while we swim? The movable floor has been stuck in a shallow position for months, it got even shallower last week as swimmers unexpectedly banged their knees. The pool is sometimes unexpectedly closed in the school holidays." I'd flag that stuck-shallow movable floor detail directly, since swimmers unexpectedly hitting their knees is a specific, physical safety concern, not just an inconvenience, and it's worth confirming has been resolved before assuming standard pool depth.
A Specific Complaint About Air Quality Affecting Pool Access
Deborah P's review, from August 2019, describes a related but distinct issue: "The air in the swimming pool area was too warm to breathe properly, so we had to leave without swimming, which was disappointing." I'd note that this specific account of leaving without swimming at all, rather than swimming with mild discomfort, suggests a more significant ventilation problem than a minor complaint.
A Specific Complaint About Limited Male Swimming Access
Cliff Porter's review raises a scheduling concern: "Tuesday's swimming is limited if you're a male, ladies' sessions take over, which is fine, but there should also be male-only sessions unless we get a discounted membership due to less sessions." I'd treat this as a specific, structural scheduling complaint worth confirming directly if you're planning regular Tuesday swims as a male member.
A Detailed Account of a Positive Open Day Experience
Zoe D's review offers a contrasting, upbeat account: "Great open day on Sat 13th, taster sessions in the new Intencity Suite were hard work but great fun! With new, quality equipment already in the main gym, and 3 knowledgeable, enthusiastic instructors available, there is something suitable for anyone, at any level of fitness."
A Detailed Account of a Welcoming Environment for a Later-in-Life Beginner
Helen Gibbings's review describes a specific, personal turning point: "What a lovely, friendly, helpful place. I'm not used to the gym environment. Now in my late fifties I wanted to feel fitter. I needn't have worried, I have been made to feel very welcome, and the workouts are doing just the job. James and Jeanna are fantastic, and we always manage a laugh. I'm so pleased I joined." I'd note those two named instructors directly, since specific staff being credited for both competence and genuine warmth is a stronger signal than general friendliness praise alone.
What's Missing
Nothing here confirms whether the locker, movable floor, or scheduling issues described in 2018 and 2019 have since been resolved. No review states exact membership pricing.
Who It's Not For
Anyone relying on the pool being at a consistent depth, given at least one specific, safety-relevant complaint about a movable floor stuck in an unexpectedly shallow position. Anyone planning regular Tuesday swims as a male member without confirming current scheduling, given at least one specific complaint about limited access during that day.
Simmons Park, Simmons Park, Okehampton EX20 1EP, UK. The phone number is +44 1837 659154, and the website is parklandsleisurecentre.com.
FAQ
Is the pool floor depth consistent?
Not reliably, according to at least one detailed reviewer specifically, who describes it stuck in a shallow position for months, causing swimmers to unexpectedly hit their knees.
Is swimming access limited by gender on certain days?
According to at least one reviewer specifically, yes - he describes Tuesday sessions being dominated by ladies-only swimming with no equivalent male-only option.
Are the instructors well regarded?
Yes, according to multiple reviewers, including one who names two specific instructors, James and Jeanna, as fantastic and genuinely fun to work with.
Is the pool area well ventilated?
Not always, according to at least one reviewer specifically, who describes air too warm to breathe properly during one visit, resulting in leaving without swimming.