Took a BLOKSCULPT class that I booked off of ClassPass. Really didn't know what to expect because…read morethey have a million class options and the online descriptions are a bit vague I found. This class ended up being a combination HIIT/barre I would say. It was all women in the class and the instructor was lovely and very high-energy. The props they had were in good shape and we incorporated light weights, ankle weights, bands and sliders into our workout. The front desk people were very pleasant and the main area doubles up as a cafe with coffee type beverages and smoothies. There were people in there with laptops working as I was going to my class. It seems to be more of a lifestyle facility than just a straight-up gym. It was cheaper on ClassPass than most other studios and for that reason I'd book again. I think I would try a different class concept next time though, maybe yoga.

I love to swim and I love going to Highbury Pool and Fitness Centre. When you are walking to the…read morecentre there are so many trees and overgrowth it feels like you are trying to find shelter in a jungle. As you walk along the path you can barely see the building and then the entrance pops almost out of nowhere. The centre offers more than a pool, there is also a fitness centre. This is a full service facility and if you don't belong to a gym it's not a bad place to join. I go the Highbury Pool strictly to swim. They do have adult lap times if you want to avoid screaming kids. They also have water aerobics which is great for people with knee problems. Since I only use the pool a few times a month for swimming I pay the standard £3.70 fee. If I lived a bit closer I would problem go ahead and join, especially since a month membership with pool access is about £42.

Good toddler pool makes this an OK family pool. The toddler pool has a small slide, not that…read moreexciting for older kids, but then it's not aimed at them. It's warmer than Archway's Fun pool but much less fun. If you want a safe swimming environment for small kids it's fine, but the changing rooms are a bit tatty and cold at times.

This is a small riding establishment with a full size indoor arena available for lessons. The…read morelessons can be in a group or one on one and are taken by a full qualified teacher. There are treks outside of the school into local fields but this school is problably best used for lessons rather than treks. They cater for all ages and abilities and are open all week and flexible with times for bookings.

It takes a special kind of soul to teach ZOOM-buh!…read more Through trying various classes and instructors, I've learned that being highly skilled in something doesn't automatically make you a suitable teacher. I've been in one too many sessions where the instructor gets so carried away with how good they are at dancing, they momentarily forget that there's a class of 30 wheezing, sweaty novices struggling to keep up. My love for Zumba has blown hot and cold over the years, as I'm a strong believer that it's really the instructor that makes the class. I was pleasantly surprised by my session at the Bedford Pub in Balham. Held in a private function room on the top floor, it's a good way to meet the locals if you're new to an area. Ashley is a darling. He took us through the motions and ran a session challenging enough for a good workout, but easy enough to follow and get the absolute most out of the hour. (He even had one of those hands-free mics, which is when I knew he meant business!) I would say it was a tad steep at £8, so to really get your money's worth I would suggest getting there early and bagging a spot at the front. There is a lot of foot-work, which is easy to miss when it's packed. Overall, it's a rather decent way to spend a Wednesday evening, or any other, as the Bedford hosts 4 Zumba classes a week. Not that I need to remind you for a workout, but a large, ice cold bottle water is highly recommended, as it gets quite hot and sweaty. But hey, you might like that...whatever floats your boat ;)

We took our 2 children (2 and 4) to Rascals for the first time yesterday. Entry fee was about £4.50…read moreper child so as per the earlier comment, if you see yourselves going back then take out a membership. The play area is really compact, as everything is in a self contained cube, covered in strong netting that goes up to 3 levels in height (almost to the ceiling). So whilst its a good use of space, it doesnt leave much room around the edges for parents to sit and have a rest (there was a private party that had most of the tables reserved). At the same time its the only area where children can run from one area to the next so at times it can also get very crowded. When we went we didnt really relax as the only seats were next to a very noisey football game (yes we expected it to be noisey but not to struggle to speak to each other!). There were also trays of food on tables which hadnt been cleared away, so that didn't leave a great first impression either. When you go it might be quieter and cleaner, but at least our children seemed to enjoy it, and its near to where we live so we might go again. But only if we cant find anywhere better!

This is a great soft play centre - real value for money - make sure you become a member if you…read moredecide to come more than once as it's only £4.55 for 2 children (sibling discount). The rig is great - big slides - and there are 2 areas for under 2's. The food is good, I've had 2 birthday parties there and the staff are really wonderful (especially Geri who also painted the murals on the walls). So many places like this are run down and filthy or over-priced. Rascals is the best in the area.

Roos Academy of Performing Arts is an excellent dancing school. My…read more daughter's progress and achievements over the last 3 years have been amazing, but more importantly, she absolutely loves her dancing lessons and the friends she has made there. I cannot praise Helen and the other teachers highly enough, they are very enthusiastic and patient with all the children, enabling them to achieve their very best, whilst having fun. There is a wide range of lessons to choose from including Ballet, Tap, Modern, Singing and Drama and lots of opportunities to perform if your child wants to, including festivals, competitions, shows and school fairs, together with a large number of children who have appeared in West End shows. If you are looking for dancing lessons for your child, I would highly recommend Roos Academy of Peforming Arts.

A modern fully equipped equestrian centre, approved by the BHS, ABRS, and The London Borough of…read moreBexley. I attended a private lesson here and found it very professional and the intstructor was knowledgeable - the facilities are also very comprehensive. It seems like a great place to go to work on form in a structured manner and really improve your skills. I haven't tried any group lessons or outdoor hacks, but it seems like it's in a nice area and outdoor riding would be very pleasant here.

this place is adorable! there's sheep, horses, bunnies, birds, pigs (except they were missing when…read morei was there and none of the staff knew where they were, which was slightly disturbing) cows, chickens, roosters, and other cute little animals you can look at and make loving kissy faces at. there's a little cafe in the farm area, but it was a bit scary, so i'd recommend walking back to merton abbey mills where there's lots more places to eat instead of trying the food here. there's also a little gift shop, and they have an area for lost and found clothes, which is really great cause some kid left their jacket behind and i took it and it's the coolest jacket ever and it's mine now! gift shop has some cute farm themed goodies, but nothing you really need.. anyways - check this place out! the animals are adorable and it's free to get in so you won't waste any money

This urban farm is great. It holds a dear place in my heart. I remember before it moved to Bunce's…read moreMeadows, as part of Morden Hall Park. Morden Hall Park is separatly reviewed here and is a National Trust Parkland. Back in the day.anyway fast forward to today and this is a quaint bit of the countryside in the city. Ideal for adults to take children of all ages to see ducks, horses, geese, pigs, sheep and more. The location is a little bit hidden away next to the Phipps Bridge, but is walkable from Phipps Bridge or Morden Road tramstops. Colliers Wood tube is nearby and this is good for a family day out when combined with Merton Abbey Mills. These guys also have a riding school and educational programs, but it is the look on very small children's faces when they see and say 'Ram' or 'orse'