Category: Sports & ActiveSee venue photos

Sports & Active

Finsbury Leisure Centre

Islington, Islington· EC1V 3PU

SEN Suitability Assessment

Based on analysis of 9 public reviews (Dec 2024 – Apr 2026)

94/100

SEN Score

Based on noise, queues, staff, calm spaces

Moderate confidence

Based on the 9 most recent of this venue's many Google reviews. Scores may shift as more reviews come in.

Breakdown

Crowds & queuesGood

Staff supportGood

PredictabilityGood

Helpful staffModern facilitiesCan get loudClean venueGood play areasBook ahead

Parent summary

Finsbury Leisure Centre comes across as a welcoming and well-run venue where staff generally engage positively with visitors. The modern facilities are clean, the queuing systems are straightforward, and you can expect a helpful reception. Most families report positive experiences.

Best times to visit

Weekday mornings or early afternoons outside school holidays tend to be quieter periods.

Worth avoiding

School holidays and peak after-school hours may bring more crowding.

What visitors say

Visitors consistently praise Finsbury Leisure Centre's helpful and friendly staff, modern facilities, and good range of entertainment options, with many noting it feels clean and well-maintained. A quieter visit may work particularly well if your child prefers a calmer environment. A small number of visitors have reported less positive interactions with staff on occasion, though this hasn't been the typical picture.

Based on a sample of public reviews. Experiences vary - every child and every visit is different.

Read reviews on Google →

From SEN communities

dedicated SEND sessionssensory-friendly designlearning disabilities support

Council plans mention sensory and dementia-friendly design in potential facility transformation
Dedicated SEND sessions offered at centre, noted in leisure access arrangements
Centre hosts community groups for residents with learning disabilities via ISET referrals

Sourced from council consultation, local news, community offers directory within the SEN community. Individual experiences vary.

When to visit

Typical busyness patterns based on Google Maps visitor data. Term-time and school holidays will vary.

Weekdays (Mon to Fri)

Typically quietest around 9am

9am3pm9pm

Weekends (Sat to Sun)

Typically quietest around 9am

9am1pm5pm

QuietModerateBusyVery busy

⏱ People typically spend 1-2 hours here

Potential challenges

Busy periods may reduce the calm atmosphere

What works

Staff have been consistently noted as helpful and friendly
Modern, clean facilities with good entertainment options for different ages and interests
Clear queuing and a straightforward layout
Excellent reception team who can help you plan your visit and flag up any needs in advance

Photos

Facilities

Toddler area Party rooms Wheelchair accessible Blue badge parking

Tips for your visit

Birthday parties and children's activities available. Arsenal in the Community partnership offers coaching programmes. School holiday activities and free swimming lessons offered. Centre partners with Islington Council. Email: finsburyleisurecentre@gll.org. No gym or pool on-site - focus is on sports halls, courts, soft play, and outdoor pitches.

Pricing

Pay as you go, day passes, and membership options available. Concessionary membership available (likely for lower-income families). Free holiday swimming lessons offered during school holidays. Discounted access for carers during 'Active April' campaign. Specific prices not detailed on website.

Getting in & parking

Disabled parkingYes
Wheelchair accessibleVisitors report yes
Accessible toiletYes

Visitors report: Blue Badge disabled parking is available at Finsbury Leisure Centre.

Accessibility details from Google.

Parking

♿ Blue badge spaces

Accessible parking available on-site. Located near Old Street Station with multiple bus routes (4, 21, 43, 55, 56, 76, 141, 205, 214, 243, 271, 394). Bike storage for 12 bikes available. Payment type (free/paid) for parking not specified.

Accessibility

Disabled toilet, accessible changing facilities, and lift access confirmed. Soft play area for younger children. Sports hall and indoor courts accessible. No swimming pool on-site. Outdoor 3G pitches also available.

Opening Hours

Monday09:00-22:00

Tuesday09:00-22:00

Wednesday09:00-22:00

Thursday09:00-22:00

Friday09:00-22:00

Saturday09:00-18:00

Sunday09:00-18:00

Carer & disability info

Disabled people and carers receive pricing concessions; carers must have received carers allowance in the last 3 months.

This information is gathered from publicly available sources and may not be fully accurate or up to date. Please always check directly with the venue before visiting.

What are these cards?

Frequently asked questions about Finsbury Leisure Centre

Quick answers drawn from our venue data and review analysis.

Is Finsbury Leisure Centre autism friendly?

Finsbury Leisure Centre scores highly for autism and SEN suitability, with an overall SEN score of 94/100 from our analysis of parent reviews. Finsbury Leisure Centre comes across as a welcoming and well-run venue where staff generally engage positively with visitors. The modern facilities are clean, the queuing systems are straightforward, and you can expect a helpful reception. Most families report positive experiences.

Is Finsbury Leisure Centre wheelchair accessible?

Yes. Finsbury Leisure Centre is wheelchair and pushchair accessible. Disabled toilet, accessible changing facilities, and lift access confirmed. Soft play area for younger children. Sports hall and indoor courts accessible. No swimming pool on-site. Outdoor 3G pitches also available.

Is there disabled parking at Finsbury Leisure Centre?

Yes. Finsbury Leisure Centre has disabled (blue badge) parking.

Are there accessible toilets at Finsbury Leisure Centre?

Yes. Finsbury Leisure Centre has an accessible toilet.

When is Finsbury Leisure Centre least busy?

Based on Google visitor data, Finsbury Leisure Centre is typically quietest on Monday around 10am. Term-time weekdays during school hours are generally calmer than weekends and school holidays.

Do I need to book in advance for Finsbury Leisure Centre?

Yes. Finsbury Leisure Centre requires advance booking. Book through the venue's website or by phone before visiting. Same-day entry without a booking is not guaranteed.

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