You might be mistaken for thinking that Harlow Leisurezone is just a leisure centre, but within the unassuming walls there is a brilliant range of entertainment making it the perfect place to head to with children on a rainy day. From toddlers to teens (and adults) Harlow Leisurezone has activities for a great wide age range and inside is modern and spacious. 

Harlow Leisurezone soft play and climbing area

Harlow Leisurezone Review

Why is Harlow Leisurezone A Good Place To Visit With Children?

• There is a large car park so it is easy to park.
• It has a large swimming pool which is usually warm enough for children to be comfortable.
• There are places to get food and drink
• Sports facilities include: Badminton, table tennis and squash
• Other activities include: a soft play, climbing walls, trampolining, virtual golf and football simulation. 
• Located in Essex, but near the border of Hertfordshire it is easy to get to.

What Is There To Do At Harlow Leisurezone?

Kidzz Kingdom Soft Play 

Suitable for children up to age 10

Kidzz Kingdom is a good size space themed soft play which has a separate area on the ground floor for toddlers. The toddler section includes slide, ball pool, light up game, floating balls and more. The older section has zip wires, a battle zone, slides and bouldering wall. 

Prebooking recommended, but if you book online you will still need to check in with Reception on arrival at the leisure centre before heading to Kidzz Kingdom

It is open 9.30 to 5.30 and you get minimum of 50 minutes if you arrive on time. In quieter periods they don’t enforce time limits so you can stay longer.

Like all soft plays make sure children are wearing socks. Kidzz Kingdom also recommend arms and legs are covered, but this isn't enforced.

Prices

• Under 12 months - £3.30
• 1 to 4 years - £6.60 - £6.90 
• 5 to 10 years - £7.60 - £7.90

The higher prices are for peak times (weekends, school holidays and an after school session).

Hanging around in the Kidzz Kingdom soft play

The soft play has activities across 3 levels

VertiGO Climbing Challenge 

Suitable for children from age 6 to adults. Under 8s must be accompanied by a paying adult. Older children can be supervised from outside the climbing area.

Located in the same room as the soft play, but in a fenced off section. There are 19 climbing challenges which are mostly the typical clip and climb climbing walls, but there is also a leap of faith and step tower as optional extras (Weekends and school holidays).

Sessions are 90 minutes, but this includes the briefing session and harness fitting at the start which can take up to 30 minutes.

Closed toe shoes eg trainers must be worn, loose fitting clothing is recommended, long hair must be tied back and jewellery should be avoided.

The climbing walls are open on weekends between 10 and 5.30pm. The weekday opening hours vary between term time and holidays, but it's worth noting they have late night opening term time on Thursday and Fridays which might be good for teens. 

Prices

• Age 6-7 £7.60 (must be accompanied by a paying adult)
• Age 8 to 15 £9.60
• Adults £13 
• Leap of Faith £2.70
• Step Tower £2.70

VertiGo climbing walls at Harlow Leisurezone

Urban Limitz Adventure Trampoline Park

Suitable for children age 6 and upwards. The only exception to this is when Tots sessions are running and they can use the trampoline area only, while the rest of the park is closed.

Urban Limitz is a fun trampoline park with lots of things to rush through, jump off, balance on and jump around. The activities include a ninja assault course, the gauntlet, a tag attack course and the ‘bounce pads’ trampolines. 

It is open 10 to 6pm at weekends and during holidays. In term time it is only open 4pm to 7pm on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday (closed Monday and Tuesday). Sessions last 1 hour. Prebooking is recommended. 

Depending on which page of the website you look at they recommend arriving 15 to 30 minutes in advance, so basically make sure you have plenty of time to park, get to Urban Limitz and check in without missing any of your time slot.  You should also sign the online waiver before you visit (it then remains valid for a year).

Prices

• £9.60 for children
• £11.30 for adults 
• Urban Limitz socks are compulsory, they cost £2.20 a pair.

Children age 6 and 7 must be supervised by a paying adult. For children age 8 to 12 adults can spectate rather than be on the equipment (ie you don’t need to pay).

Urban Limitz is suitable for suitable for children age 6 upwards

There is lots more to do than just jump on trampolines

If children are over 8 parents can watch from the spectators area

Enjoy the ninja assault course and tag active

Trampolines

As well as Urban Limitz there are also "proper" trampolines at Harlow Leisurezone. These are large and allow trampolining and gymnastic skills. Kangaroo club sessions run drop in sessions for under 5s and there are junior trampolining courses for children 5 plus.  

You can also enjoy "proper" trampolining at Harlow Leisurezone

Skratch18

At Skratch18 teens (and adults) will have a great time embracing a world of virtual sports. 

Borrow left, right or even kids size golf clubs to enjoy over 30 of the best courses around the world virtually or play fun and interactive golf games. You can also play virtual reality football games in the booths.

They have AR dart boards as well as special interactive dartboards, but the actual darts are adults only. There is a pool table too. 

While you are waiting to play you can enjoy hot, cold and alcoholic drinks and a limited range of snacks.

Prices start at £35 for 55 minutes in a both for golf or football for up to 4 players. Note that free parking isn’t included if only visiting Skratch18 so you will have to buy a token.

Try out virtual golf at Skratch18

Tots Activity Sessions 

Running on Tuesdays in term time 9.30 to 11.30 the Tots Activity Sessions are worth checking out if you have a toddler or preschooler. You get access to Kidzz Kingdom soft play, an arts & craft room, an Imaginary Play room and the trampolines in Urban Limitz.  The Tots Activity Sessions are for children 5 and under and they cost £10.50 for non members.

If you have a little one you might also be interested in the special toddler splash sessions which run Monday to Thursday at 11am for an hour in term time. These are £6.90 for adults, £4.60 children, free for under 2 years. 

Other Bookable Activities

There are ongoing classes, clubs and coaching sessions running at the centre including Toddler Sensory and Sports Coaching. 

In holidays they have various activities for children so it’s worth checking out the website  or picking up a leaflet for what’s on eg Easter 2024 there is Laser Tag, multi-activities days, introduction to squash sessions and Easter wreath making.

Café

While some of the activities have their own food and drink on sale, the main cafe has good food with lots of options and table. If you go after school, beware the cafe does sometimes close before 5pm so not great for dinner after swimming! 

The café is in the entrance area to Harlow Leisurezone

What age children will enjoy visiting Harlow Leisurezone?

Harlow Leisurezone is brilliant for all ages. With toddler sessions for under 5s, the soft play for under 10s and there are plenty of activities to appeal to teens as well.

Is it suitable for pushchairs?

The leisure centre is spacious and has lifts so it is easy to get around with a pushchair.

What You Need To Know Before Visiting

• Key information about the individual activities are given above. 
• Make sure you check the clothing and footwear requirements with the centre for whichever activity you are booked for. I have highlighted above where possible, but these are subject to change. 
• The price given in this post are currently advertised non-member prices. Member prices for most activities are normally £1 less. 
• The Bronze Pay As You Go Membership is just £7.70 per year for under 18s so if you are likely to go 8 or more times in the year it is worth getting the junior membership. 
• There are plenty of large, clean toilets and changing facilities around the building.
• Swimming lockers and hair dryers are 20p.
• All the different areas have options for parties. We had one at VertiGo and seen lots at the soft play. 

Is it Dog Friendly 

Dogs are not welcome in the leisure centre, but there is a vets next door!

How To Get To Harlow Leisurezone and Where To Park

Address

Second Avenue, Harlow, Essex, CM20 3DT

Getting to Harlow Leisurezone

Harlow Leisurezone is on the other side of a big roundabout from The Water Gardens shopping centre. There are bus stops on the main road outside the Leisurezone with busses including 10, 4, 20, 420, 418b going past. It's also a short walk from the bus station.

If you are driving it's easy to access off Second Avenue.

Parking

The large car park is free if you are doing a paid for activity, make sure you get a validated token from reception. Otherwise you will need to pay at a machine.

What to Do Nearby Harlow Lesiurezone?

There is so much to do in Harlow. A short drive (or walk) from Harlow Leisurezone there are the town centre shops and restaurants. The Water Gardens has Pizza Express, Nando's Five Guys, Wagamama's and more. Further into town there is McDonalds and independent cafes. The Town Centre has lots of great shops, mostly in The Water Gardens and The Harvey Centre. In this area there is also bowling, a cinema, lazer quest and gaming cafes. 

On the otherside of Harlow there is the Queensgate Centre which has some large shops, a cinema and restaurants like Tim Hortons and Pizza Hut. Nearby there is also McDonalds and KFC.

Harlow Town Park is also worth a visit. It has a small free farm, cafe, duck pond, two playgrounds and a basic paddling pool in summer. You can park near the station or Netteswell Cross Car Park (pay and display).

Photographs and recommendation made by Laura who can be found on Instagram as @laurac_robotreg