Freedom Leisure Newent

The leisure centre on Newent's outskirts is one of those proper functional facilities that locals actually use rather than a destination you'd drive hours for on its own. That said, if you're based at any of the caravan parks within a couple of miles - Pelerine or Haywood Farm are practically on the doorstep - it's genuinely handy to know about.

Inside you'll find a swimming pool, gym equipment, and various sports halls where they run classes and activities throughout the week. It's the sort of place where families can burn off energy on a rainy afternoon, or where you can grab a swim before heading out to explore the Forest of Dean, which sits just north of here. The pool isn't Olympic-sized or anything fancy, but it does the job.

This is absolutely a facility geared toward residents and holiday-makers staying locally rather than a standalone attraction. Kids will get an hour or two's worth of entertainment, especially in the pool, and if you've got teenagers who need to work off energy during a park holiday, it's worth knowing the opening times before you arrive. The gym appeals mainly to those staying longer than a weekend.

Your best bet is calling ahead or checking their website to confirm current opening hours and whether you need to book swimming slots - leisure centres have been fairly variable on that since reopening. It's free or paid depending on what you're doing, but expect modest entry fees if you're not a member.