Maurice Chandler Sports Centre

The Maurice Chandler Sports Centre in Telford is a proper working facility rather than a tourist attraction in the traditional sense - it's where locals come to actually do things, not just look around. You'll find indoor courts for badminton and squash, a gym, and swimming pools that pull in everyone from serious swimmers training for competitions to families wanting a casual splash about. If you're staying at Hawk Lake Caravan Park or Westcott Woods Glamping nearby, it's worth knowing about for rainy days or if you fancy a swim that isn't just a paddling pool.

Admission costs and opening hours aren't widely published online, so ring ahead before dragging the family over - nothing worse than turning up somewhere only to find it's closed for a private hire. Most sports centres like this charge per activity rather than entry fees, so a swim might be a few quid, a gym session a bit more.

Honestly, this works best if you're the type of visitor who actually wants to use facilities rather than tick off attractions. Serious swimmers and sports-minded families will get proper value. If you're after something to do for half an hour between other activities in Shropshire, there are better bets. That said, if the weather turns and you need to burn off some energy - particularly during school holidays - it does the job without fuss. Telford's not short of things to do, but having a working sports centre on your doorstep when you're glamping nearby beats most rainy-day options.