Cheam Leisure Centre

Cheam Leisure Centre is the sort of place you'd pop into if you're staying nearby in Chessington rather than planning a day trip specifically for it. It's a proper community sports facility - indoor pool, gym, sports halls - the kind of setup you find in most London suburbs. Nothing fancy, nothing you couldn't find elsewhere, but it does the job.

If you're bunking up at Chessington World of Adventures Resort and the weather turns grim, or you fancy a swim without queuing at the theme park pools, it's worth knowing about. The indoor swimming pool is the main draw for families - miles better than standing in the rain watching your kids get restless. The gym and sports halls host badminton, volleyball, that sort of thing, so if you're the active type, there's a decent range. For casual swimmers and young families, a couple of hours here breaks up the day nicely.

You'll want to check their website for exact opening hours and prices - they vary depending on what you're doing and when. Peak times get rammed with school groups, so aim for off-peak if you can stomach an afternoon visit. It's about a mile south of Chessington town centre, so easy enough to reach if you've got transport.

Honestly though, it's a backup plan rather than a destination. Fine if you need it, but don't reroute your holiday around it.