Sports: Free Sports, Gym and Swim Offer

On this page

More Wandsworth people are now eligible for free (off-peak) gym, swimming sessions and other sports activities at council leisure and sports centres.

Times

Off-peak times apply before 5.30pm on weekdays and all day at weekends.

What's on offer

For all Wandsworth children under 8:

  • Free swimming for all under 8s. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian (one adult to two under 8s)

For adults:

  • Free off-peak gym and swim sessions
  • Free padel between 1 and 3pm in King George’s Park (coming soon)
  • 20% discount on recumbent bikes
  • Free NPLQ training for job seekers and those on Universal Credit

For under 18s:

  • Free off peak and all-day swimming aged 8-18 who receive free school meals
  • Use of the junior gym is also available, as well as access to adult off-peak sessions, if accompanied by an adult
  • Free off-peak sports bookings for children receiving free school meals

View the free sports, gym and swim flyer

Free intensive swimming lessons

From April 2024, we are offering free intensive swimming lessons for Wandsworth children in Years 5 to 7 who are yet to meet the Key Stage 2 swimming criteria.

The lessons will run throughout the school holidays and are for beginners. Each child will get five consecutive days of 30-minute intensive swimming lessons.

Register your interest on the Places Leisure website.

Tennis

The following is on offer:

  • Fred Wells Gardens - one free access to tennis court (turn up and play)
  • Roehampton Playing Fields - Free Parks Tennis Programme (equipment provided)

Junior free play

For under 18s between 3 and 5pm on weekdays, when accompanied by a parent or guardian. Equipment is provided, and subject to availability.

There is also free places on camps and courses for refugees

Available at:

  • King George’s Park
  • Wandsworth Common
  • Wandsworth Park
  • Leaders Gardens
  • Tooting Common
  • Furzedown Recreation Ground

WAND/WAND+ card holders

WAND/WAND+ Cards are available to SEND young people across Wandsworth.

  • Places Leisure offer free supervised swimming, gym and playzone access at their sites.
  • Enable run disability programmes.
  • In addition, discounts are offered at Putt in the Park, Battersea Park Zoo, and Go Ape, with some spaces at Go Ape offered for free each calendar year.

Padel - coming soon

Padel courts will be a new addition to King George’s Park. As part of this provision, there will be several additional offerings:

  • Free padel school provision
  • Junior padel free play drop-ins from 3 to 5pm midweek, where padel courts and equipment will be free to children under 18
  • Women-only sessions run during weekday daytimes
  • LGBTQ weekly sessions in a safe and inclusive environment 

Parkrun

An adult parkrun takes place at 9am on Saturdays on Tooting Common.

A junior parkrun also takes place weekly at 9am on Sundays on Tooting Common.

Eligibility

The offer is open to Wandsworth residents only. The following people are eligible for this offer:

  • Children in receipt of free school meals (all ages)
  • Asylum seekers/refugees
  • Looked after children/care leavers

The offer can also be claimed by those in receipt of:

  • Universal Credit
  • Jobseekers Allowance
  • Housing Benefit
  • Council Tax Support
  • Disability Living Allowance
  • Incapacity Benefit/Severe Disablement Allowance
  • Carer's Allowance
  • Child and Working Tax Credit
  • Income Support

Proof of eligibility

You will be required to show proof of eligibility to take advantage of the offer. Visit the relevant operator website for full details, noting that proof of residency will be required.

Locations

This offer can be used in several venues across the borough. Facilities available depend on the venue,

Places Leisure venues

The following venues are run by Places Leisure:

Enable venues

The following venues are run by Enable:

How to access the offer

Visit the relevant website for full details including terms and conditions, eligibility proof required, and how to take advantage of the offer.

Up to Sports and leisure venues

Updated: 17/05/2024