Really happy with the progress my child has made during their swimming lessons on a Thursday. Brandon is an excellent teacher where my child actually enjoys going to the lessons. Everything seems w... See more
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Location
Switch locationRichfield Avenue, RG1 8EQ Reading, GB
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This is a miserable facility. I showed up three times, and each time there was a software problem which made it impossible for me to simply use the facilities. Ridiculous! I asked to speak to ma... See more
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I've recently joined Rivermead Leisure Centre and I am loving it. Ample car park, lots of classes easy to book, plenty of staff helping members, pool to get back into swimming. All at reasonable price... See more
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I am leaving Reading. One of my greatedt regrets is stopping my membership of Rivermead leisur centre. The facilities are good, the staff friendly and capable. The variety of classes excellent. Only... See more
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Company details
Written by the company
Welcome to Better! We’re a charitable social enterprise, committed to the health and wellbeing of everyone in our community. From gyms, leisure centres and swimming pools to lessons and courses for both adults and juniors - plus libraries and children's centres - we've got it all. So whether you’d like to try something new, keep the kids entertained or have a dip in the pool, discover our inclusive range of activities, suitable for all ages and abilities at your local Better centre today.
Contact info
Richfield Avenue, RG1 8EQ, Reading, United Kingdom
4.0
Great
118 reviews
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This is a miserable facility
This is a miserable facility. I showed up three times, and each time there was a software problem which made it impossible for me to simply use the facilities. Ridiculous!
I asked to speak to management the last time and waited 20 minutes, then gave up and cancelled my membership. My membership clearly existed, as I had to sign in and go down a rabbit hole to request a refund. Oh, my god.
This place is a hot mess. Can only recommend that you run from it.
10 August 2026
Reply from Better - Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym
Hi Cynthia,
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback.
We’re very sorry to hear about the difficulties you experienced on multiple visits and the frustration this caused.
We appreciate how disappointing it must have been to be unable to access the facilities due to software issues, particularly after making three separate visits. We’re also sorry that, when you asked to speak with a member of management, you were left waiting and did not receive the assistance you were looking for.
Your comments regarding the access issues, membership cancellation and refund process have been shared with the relevant management team for review and consideration.
We’re sorry that your experience fell so far short of the standard we aim to provide, and we appreciate you bringing these concerns to our attention.
Kind regards,
Suheera
Brandon is an excellent teacher
Really happy with the progress my child has made during their swimming lessons on a Thursday. Brandon is an excellent teacher where my child actually enjoys going to the lessons. Everything seems well organised and have seen a big difference in my child’s swimming skills, especially whilst we’ve been on holiday!
Would definitely recommend!
30 July 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Better - Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym
Hi Flo,
Thank you for your wonderful feedback!
We're delighted to hear that your child is enjoying their Thursday swimming lessons and making such great progress. It's especially rewarding to know that Brandon has helped create a positive and enjoyable learning experience, and that you've seen a noticeable improvement in your child's swimming skills, even during your holiday.
We're also pleased to hear that you find the lessons well organised. Your kind words and recommendation mean a great deal to the team, and we'll be sure to pass your feedback on to Brandon.
Thank you for your support, and we look forward to seeing your child continue to develop their confidence and skills in the water.
Warm Regards,
Hazal
Excellent deal
I've recently joined Rivermead Leisure Centre and I am loving it. Ample car park, lots of classes easy to book, plenty of staff helping members, pool to get back into swimming. All at reasonable price!
15 July 2026
Reply from Better - Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym
Hi Jacopo,
Thank you so much for your wonderful review.
We're really happy to hear you've settled in well and are enjoying everything Rivermead Leisure Centre offers. It's great to know you're making the most of the classes, swimming pool, and facilities, and that our team has helped make your experience a positive one.
We look forward to welcoming you back soon!
Kind regards,
Suheera
Better hire Gemini Parking Solutions to…
Better hire Gemini Parking Solutions to rob your money. Send you PCN with no good reason. Then you appeal, there is no record or reply, then send the debt collection company said you did not pay. No record of appeal, directly send you double and more penalty.
How can you go to leisure center and deal with such parking company, Gemini ??
Yes you can, Walk or ride there.
Never drive.
13/6 update: Thanks Better to reply here for caring of customers. I will contact Better for the issue.
Gemini Parking does not use email for handling appeal, you have to submit appeal via the web. But Gemini will send you the result of appeal by Email?!
In fact, you never get the results by email. Gemini claimed so. So you did not get the result of appeal and you are charged for double penalty or more.
Let's see Better will really look into the matter, I believe Better will as I had very good customer service experience before from Better.
21/6 update: GLL adviced me to contact the centres directly.
Rob in Meadway Leisure Centre replied in 1 day and settled the case. Very helpful and efficient!
However, NO reply from Rivermead Leisure Centre after 5 days. No information whether it has been received or not .....
6 June 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Better - Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym
Good Afternoon,
Thank you for your review!
We're sorry to hear about the issues you experienced with Gemini Parking.
We always welcome our members reaching out to us if you need assistance with challenging a PCN charge, particularly if you've paid for your parking session.
Please feel free to contact us regarding this if you still require our help.
[Update]
Good Morning,
We're always happy to assist with this, and we recommend appealing this on your side, as well as sending us the information for us to get in contact with Gemini.
We apologise for any inconvenience or frustration this has caused.
Thank you again for raising this!
[Update]
Good Morning,
Thank you for updating us!
We're thrilled that this has been resolved for you.
We'll also pass on your comments about not receiving a response from our centre inbox to the team as feedback.
Wishing you all the best!
Warm Regards,
Kaisha
Easy to book and check in.
Easy to book and check in. Good gym facility, air con, lots of space, new equipment and plenty of it.
27 May 2026
Reply from Better - Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym
Hi Brian
Thank you for your review.
We are very pleased to see that you find the booking and check-in easy and that you are enjoying the gym at Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym.
It is also great to hear that the air conditioning and modern equipment are enhancing your experience with us!
Kind Regards
Amir
Thoroughly enjoyed my swimming lesson…
Thoroughly enjoyed my swimming lesson thank you, the teacher tailored it perfectly to my ability. I can’t wait for my next lesson on Sunday. Thank you!
10 May 2026
Reply from Better - Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym
Hi Sara,
Thanks for your review.
We are so pleased to hear that you enjoyed your swimming lesson at Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym and we can't wait to see you again next week!
Warm Regards
Hazal
Everyone has been so supportive and…
Everyone has been so supportive and helpful.
So big thank you to all.
4 May 2026
Reply from Better - Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym
Hi Peter,
Thank you so much for your kind words!
We’re delighted to hear that the team has been so supportive throughout your experience!
Feedback like this means a great deal to us, and we’ll be sure to share your thanks with everyone involved.
We really appreciate your support and look forward to welcoming you back to Rivermead soon.
Warm regards,
Azaria
Reply from Better - Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym
Hi Narender,
Thank you for your lovely feedback!
We’re delighted to hear that you had such a positive experience with our staff.
Providing a welcoming environment and high-quality instruction is really important to us, so it’s wonderful to know the team made a great impression.
We truly appreciate your review and look forward to welcoming you back to Rivermead soon.
Warm regards,
Azaria
Nice experience
The staff is nice, the facilities are new and very clean and the classes so far have been fun
17 April 2026
Reply from Better - Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym
Hi Andrea
Thank you for your review.
We are very pleased to see that you are enjoying the facilities at Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym and its great to hear the staff are creating a nice atmosphere!
We look forward to seeing you again soon!
Kind Regards
Amir
The lessons are overcrowded and very…
The swimming lessons are overcrowded and very less attention is given to each child. Kids would take months before they can move to another stage which is a waste of time.
Before moving home, our son was having lessons at a different centre which had more space for lessons, different techniques learnt, and was able to swim independently. After joining here, it seems his entire learning is reset to 2 years back when he first started taking swimming lessons. The main reason being that not enough space is given for children to perform as the smaller pool is divided into 3 parts with loads of children in each of the parts. The scenario appears to be like a holiday water park.
15 April 2026
Reply from Better - Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym
Hi Ratnakar,
Thank you for your feedback!
We’re sorry to hear that your experience with our swimming lessons hasn’t met expectations.
We understand how important it is for children to receive enough individual attention and to feel they are progressing at a good pace.
Our lessons are structured to balance group learning with individual development, and we aim to have a ratio of 8 to 10 children per swim teacher.
We also offer private 1-2-1 lessons, which may be more beneficial for your little one and their progression.
We're always happy to discuss this if you want to consider this as an option.
We're more than happy to raise this with the wider team for further review.
Thank you again for sharing your thoughts!
Warm Regards,
Kaisha
Reply from Better - Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym
Hi,
Thanks for your review.
We are so pleased to hear that you are enjoying Rivermead Leisure Complex!
Warm Regards,
Tom
Swimming for fitness (lane swimming)
Swimming for fitness (lane swimming). Very good, continuous life guarding, clean and tidy, not crowded.
25 March 2026
Reply from Better - Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym
Hi David,
Thanks for your review.
We are so pleased to hear that you are enjoying the facilities at Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym, and the staff at Hackney Marshes Centre have been so supportive!
Warm Regards
Azaria
Reply from Better - Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym
Hi Evelyn,
Thank you for your feedback!
We're deeply saddened to hear about the issues your little one has experienced with our pool temperature.
We're more than happy to raise this with the wider team to see if there have been any issues with this recently.
Thank you again for raising this with us!
Warm Regards,
Kaisha
He is really happy to join you
My son always looks forward to go swimming and around there.Thank you
5 March 2026
Reply from Better - Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym
Hi Sam,
Thanks for your review.
We are so pleased to hear that you are enjoying Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym!
Warm Regards
Azaria
Reply from Better - Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym
Hi Shane,
Thanks for your review.
We are so pleased to hear that you are enjoying Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym!
Warm Regards
Hazal
Decent gym and good pools but price is…
Decent gym and good pools but price is abit to much
3 October 2025
Reply from Better - Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym
Hi Mokkey
Thank you for your review.
It is great to see that you are enjoying the facilities at Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym, and we appreciate your feedback regarding the prices.
As a charitable social enterprise, the money is reinvested to enhance the experience for all members and attendees!
We also offer a range of memberships and would be happy to discuss the different options with you.
Kind Regards
Amir
Poor level of customer service
Poor level of customer service. Swim school have been inconsistent in the teaching of my 6 year old twins with their records not updated correctly and achievements not documented.
Assessments completed at a lower level than 5 months prior which to me shows the school is not well managed in the slightest much to the detriment of my children who can swim much better than they are currently being taught at due to the failings of the swim school recording.
15 March 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Better - Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym
Hi Sarah,
Thanks for your review!
I have sent you a find reviewer request so I can look into your complaint.
Please ensure you fill this in within the next 3 days so I can assist you.
[Update]
Hi Sarah,
Thank you for your patience!
We've tried to request further details from you, so we can investigate this further.
However, we have not heard back from you since you submitted your review.
We welcome you to contact us at Customerservices@gll.org to discuss this further.
Warm Regards,
Kaisha
It was great experience for me that…
It was great experience for me that I've learned a lot of informations and ideas that I didn't know before and showed me a future long term plan to be constructed for managing weight control and diet sorting.
18 February 2026
Reply from Better - Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym
Hi Fadi,
Thank you for your kind review!
We're happy to hear that you had a great experience during your visit to our Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym.
It's great to know that you've gained a lot of information regarding your long-term plan for managing weight control and diet.
We can't welcome you back soon and support you on your journey!
Warm Regards,
Kaisha
Health-Wise Gym induction & Swimming
I've had today gym induction with Jemma through Health-Wise: she's very caring, patient, very honest & polite. Really knowledgeable, understanding and helped me after discussing with her colleagues for me to feel more comfortable in new situations environment with my personal/physical health struggles, I feel really safe🌟
After I was in swimming pool which was quieter than when I was there last time, I really appreciate all your help and caring to make me feel more comfortable and safe in difficult situations cause by my personal physical health conditions, thanks very much to all 🌟
25 February 2026
Reply from Better - Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym
Hi Lenka,
Thank you for your wonderful review!
We’re absolutely delighted to hear about your positive experience during your Healthwise gym induction at our Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym.
It's amazing how caring and supportive Jemma was, while ensuring your safety comfortability and building your confidence throughout our session.
We’re also glad that your swim felt more relaxed on this visit and that you continue to feel supported by our team.
Thank you again for your kind words!
Warm Regards,
Kaisha
Really clean and well signposted to…
Really clean and well signposted to different spaces/ activities so easy to find your way around the building. Staff were friendly and helpful. Online booking is simple. Cafe is lovely but needs more seating and tables.
20 February 2026
Reply from Better - Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym
Hi BB,
Thanks for your review.
We are so pleased to hear that you are enjoying Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym and we appreciate your feedback on the Cafe!
Warm Regards
Hazal
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