New Epping Leisure Centre
Opening 12th January 2026!
New Epping Leisure Centre
Epping Leisure Centre has been designed to be your new home away from home – your local activity and fitness hub, with an exceptional range of activities, thoughtfully developed and strategically designed to accommodate all age groups and abilities. Join online today and get no joining fee!
Frequently asked questions
General Information
When is Epping Leisure Centre due to open?
The new leisure centre will have a ribbon cutting at 9.00am on Monday 12th January, with the centre opening shortly after at 9.15am!
What is the Centre address?
Epping Leisure Centre
Bakers Lane
Epping
Essex
CM16 5BD
What are the opening hours?
Monday – Friday: 6.00am – 10.00pm
Saturday: 7.00am - 6.00pm
Sunday: 8.00am – 6.00pm
Bank Holidays: reduced hours
What facilities will be in the new centre?
- 25m Main Pool
- Teaching Pool
- Health and Fitness Gym
- Group Work Out Studios
- Group Cycling Studio
- 4 Court Sports Hall
- 2 Squash Courts (including interactive Squash)
Does Epping Leisure Centre have parking?
There are 6 disabled parking bays on site and 2 of those are Electric Vehicle (EV) disabled bays. A valid Blue Badge must be clearly displayed when parked in these bays, as they will be enforced.
For general parking, users can use the nearby Cottis Yard multi-storey car park at Cottis Lane, Epping, CM16 4BL.
Whilst car park tariffs apply from 7am to midnight in the Cottis Yard car park, Epping Leisure Centre users will have access to free evening/overnight parking every day from 6pm to 8am. Outside of these times (8am to 6pm every day), standard parking charges will apply.
To access the free evening/overnight parking in Cottis Yard car park, Epping Leisure Centre users must display a parking card on the vehicle dashboard. Cards can be obtained from the reception desk at Epping Leisure Centre and must be retained by the members for future use. Failure to display the card during free times may result in a Penalty Charge Notice.
The standard parking charges in Cottis Yard car park are:
|
Duration |
Tariff |
|
Up to 1 hour |
£1.20 |
|
Up to 2 hours |
£2.20 |
|
Up to 3 hours |
£3.20 |
|
Up to 4 hours |
£4.20 |
|
Up to 5 hours |
£5.20 |
|
Above 5 hours (all day) |
£11.00 |
Free parking on Bank and public holidays.
Blue Badge holders park for free in Cottis Yard car park when displaying a valid Blue Badge while parked.
There are 330 spaces in the Cottis Yard multi-storey car park, which includes 17 EV charging stations and several disabled bays.
The centre has designated cycle parking on site. There are also walking and public transport options nearby (please see Journey Planning Tools and Useful Links below).
How do I contact the new leisure centre by phone?
The best telephone number is Epping Sports Centre which is 01992 565670.
Who is managing the new centre?
The centre will be managed by Places Leisure in partnership with Epping Forest District Council.
When will Epping Sports Centre close?
Epping Sports Centre’s last day of opening will be Sunday 11th January, it will close at 3.00pm
Memberships
Will my membership price increase at the new leisure centre?
All members will be written to in advance of the Centre opening with detailed information.
I am currently a member at Epping Sports Centre; will I need to do anything to transfer to the new centre?
If you are already a member your membership will transfer to the new site.
I am currently not a member, how do I sign up?
You can sign up for a membership online.
Can I still book through the current Places Leisure App?
Yes, you will need to search for the new centre ‘Epping Leisure Centre’.
If you don’t have the Places Leisure App then simply download from the App store and log in using the email address registered to your account.
What is included in a Premium membership?
- Unlimited gym use
- Unlimited access to extensive group workout programme, including over 45 classes each week! As well as the classes and instructors you know and love.
- Pool use for Just Swim, lane swimming and fun sessions
- Add junior bolt ons to your membership for £5 (0-10 years) and £10 (11-15 years)
- Free one-to-one support session to help familiarise you with the gym, to get to know your goals and build a bespoke digital programme using state-of-the-art equipment
- EGYM Fitness Hub and Tanita Body Composition scales. We offer a free one-to-one support session for our members to help familiarise them with the gym, to get to know their goals and build a bespoke digital programme using state-of-the-art EGYM Fitness Hub and Tanita Body Composition scales. You are also welcome to book one free 15-minute programme review a month, just speak to a member of our team
- Ongoing support and advice from members of our fitness team
- Places Leisure app for easy access to your membership card, making and managing bookings, digital fitness and hundreds of free virtual workouts
- 15 days' advanced booking from the start time of your session
- Regular news updates, specialist blog content on health and wellbeing, as well as periodic referral offers
Premium Plus membership includes all the benefits above plus access to all Places Leisure centres in the UK and Health Suite membership (available at selected centres). Facilities available at each centre will vary and you should contact their team beforehand to find out more.
How much does a Premium membership cost?
Premium Flexi membership is £60.00 per month
What is a Premium concessions membership?
Our Premium Concessions membership provides all the benefits of our Premium membership, but at a discounted rate available to the following groups of individuals;
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Full-time students aged 26 or over
-
Over 60s
-
Selected corporate groups (NHS, Emergency Services, MOD - including military veterans, RNLI and those working in education)
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Those in receipt of one of the following; Housing Benefit, Income Support, Job Seekers Allowance, Working Family Tax Credit, Disability Allowance, Carers Allowance or Universal Credit
-
Current tenants of a Places for People property
Proof of eligibility is required for this membership and should be presented to your centre within 14 days of joining.
How much does a Premium Concessions membership cost?
Premium Concessions flexi membership is £51 per month.
What is included in a Swim membership?
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Pool use for Just Swim and Lane swimming sessions
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Places Leisure app for easy access to your membership card, making and managing bookings, digital fitness and hundreds of free virtual workouts
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15 days' advanced booking - from the start time of your session
-
News and referral offer
How much does Swim membership cost?
Swim membership flexi is £32 per month.
What is an Inclusive membership?
Our Inclusive membership offers a 50% discount on selected membership rates for members with disabilities.
The discount is available on our direct debit payment options on our Premium, Swim, and Junior membership types.
Our Inclusive membership is available for those in receipt of one or more of the following;
-
Personal Independence Payments (PIP)
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Attendance Allowance
-
Children's Disability Living Allowance
-
Continuing Healthcare funding
Everyone who takes out an Inclusive membership is eligible to be accompanied by up to two support workers/carers to their chosen session free of charge.
If you are a carer that needs to support an Inclusive member in the pool, then please let the General manager at the leisure centre know so they can organise the support required.
If you are a carer and want to use the facilities yourself, you are eligible for our discounted Concessions membership. Alternatively, you can pay the Pay as you go rate for each session. Please speak to a member of the team for more information.
This membership is not available to be purchased online. To enquire, please contact one of the team at the leisure centre.
Do you offer Junior Memberships?
Yes, individual Junior memberships are available at £27.00 per month for 11–15-year-olds. Speak to a member of our team at the centre to arrange this.
If you have a Premium membership you can add up to four juniors 11-15 years old to your membership for £10 per junior. Speak to a member of our team at the centre to arrange this.
What do I do if I want to change my membership?
We want you to be happy and enjoy a membership that’s best for you! Please know that you always have options, and we will work with you to find the best fit for you. Our main goal is to keep you active and healthy. If you have any questions about your membership, please contact us online.
I am a member at either Loughton Leisure Centre, Ongar Leisure Centre or Waltham Abbey Leisure Centre, can I use the new Epping Leisure Centre?
Yes, providing you have signed up to our contract wide membership option.
Will there be more Group Exercise Classes on offer?
Yes, there will be an additional 10 classes per week, including Body Balance, Body Combat and Aqua Fit.
Activity Bookings
As a member when can I book sessions at Epping Leisure Centre?
We aim to have bookings live on the Places Leisure app, and the website for Sunday 28th December, allowing you to book your sessions.
We will contact all members to confirm that bookings are live along with instructions of how to access your account and how to make a booking.
As a member, how far ahead can I book sessions?
Members will be able to book any sessions up to 15 days in advance
Pay as you go customers can book 7 days in advance.
To ensure a smooth and effortless entry into the leisure centre we highly recommend you book in advance.
Can you ‘pay as you go’ for activities?
Yes, all activities are ‘pay as you go’, please check the website for details. Please note: the centre will be cashless.
How can I pay for ‘pay as you go’ activities?
All ‘pay as you go’ payments can be made via our Places Leisure App.
What type of lockers are provided in the changing areas?
All changing area lockers require a padlock. These can either be purchased at Epping Sports Centre / Leisure Centre or you can bring your own.
Do you run Swimming Lessons?
Places Leisure deliver swimming in line with the Swim England's Learn to Swim framework.
We operate Course Hub to track your child’s progress and to make movements. This is also where you will find your barcode to access the centre. You will need to create a Course hub account with us to use these services.
Will swimming hats be provided?
All children that attend our Learn to Swim programme will receive a free Places Leisure swimming hat.
At each stage of the programme you will be issued with a coloured hat that matches the lesson stage that your child is in. The colours are listed below. When your child moves up to the next stage, simply collect your new coloured hat at reception.
Accessibility
Is the centre accessible for people with disabilities?
Yes, the centre is fully accessible. Amenities include:
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6 car parking spaces outside the centre
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Lift to all floors
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Pool hoist
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Changing Places (located in the changing village)
Journey planning tools and useful website links
Online websites and apps to generate your best journey options across all modes and ability levels are available, such as: