Riverside Fitness Centre

The Riverside Fitness Centre sits right on the edge of Belper, a working mill town that's seen better days but still has character. It's a proper local sports facility - gym equipment, swimming pools, and exercise classes - the kind of place where you'll spot genuine regulars rather than Instagram influencers. Nothing fancy, nothing pretentious. Just straightforward fitness kit and staff who know what they're doing.

If you're staying at one of the caravan parks nearby - The Firs is closest at just over three miles away - this is handy for breaking up a holiday rather than a destination in itself. Families with teenagers might appreciate the pools, especially Poplars Farm or Golden Valley if you've got kids who need tiring out. Adults who want to keep up their gym routine while on holiday won't feel out of place here either.

The real draw for Belper though is the Derwent Valley Mills, a UNESCO site that actually means something - historic textile mills you can properly explore. Combine that with a morning swim at Riverside and you've got a solid half-day sorted. Check their opening hours and current pricing before you turn up, as local sports centres can be a bit variable with their timetables. Worth a detour if you're in the area, but not worth planning a trip around.