David Lloyd Clubs - Hatfield

Hatfield was once the flagship of the David Lloyd leisure clubs.

There are three pools: a 25m indoor pool, a 20m outdoor pool, and a small indoor children's pool. There is an adjoining spa area with sauna, steam room and large jet/whirlpool. Also gym and tennis courts etc.

The 25m indoor pool is overheated (29.6ºC). Half the pool is laned - there are three lanes with proper wave suppression barriers between each. There is rarely an issue with overcrowding: mostly one has a lane to oneself, sometimes a lane shared between two people, rarely more. When it is dark (e.g., early morning in winter) the pool is badly lit. If you are planning to have a heart attack, this will be the wrong time and place - there are no lifeguards on duty and other swimmers will not see you.

The club is very heavily used (large gym upstairs) and the changing areas are very shabby (for a private UK club) and long overdue renovation.

The last time I swam there (summer, 2007), I decided to swim in the outdoor pool. On entering the pool, I found myself face to face with a rather large rat. After quickly escaping the pool and retiring to the changing rooms, I returned to the receptionto discuss the problem. The receptionist at the time was very rude and explained that if I didn't want to use the private facilities then I could leave the premise. I decided to do so and have not returned.