Xcel Leisure Centre

The Xcel Leisure Centre sits right on Walton-on-Thames' doorstep and does exactly what it says on the tin - a proper working leisure facility with a swimming pool that pulls in locals year-round. It's not a themed water park or anything fancy. You get a pool, changing facilities, and a straightforward place to do lengths or splash about with the kids.

For families camping at Walton on Thames Camping and Caravanning Club Site just down the road, this is genuinely useful. Rainy afternoon? Pool. Too hot to walk? Jump in. The proximity - barely ten minutes from the campsite - makes it a natural fit when you've had enough of the outdoors or need to burn off some energy indoors.

It works best for swimmers who want continuity while they're away, not as a destination in itself. Young children enjoy the shallow end, though whether they'll stay entertained for hours depends on the child. Water slides and diving boards make it more engaging for older kids.

Chertsey, Weybridge, and Laleham all have their own camping spots within a few miles, so the leisure centre serves the whole cluster of caravan parks in the area. If you're based at any of them - particularly Chertsey Camping and Caravanning Club Site - it's worth checking their opening hours beforehand. Admission fees and times vary, so a quick call ahead beats turning up and finding it shut for maintenance or a private hire.

It's a convenient add-on rather than a reason to book your holiday, but for families already camping nearby, dead useful.