The best of Chelsea by the people who know - Cadogan

41 | THINGS TO DO | Sport – facilities
Cremorne Riverside
This outdoor activity centre provides
canoeing and kayaking on the tidal
Thames for young people aged nine to
19. They also offer introductions to
white-water, surf and sea kayaking.
There are sessions for adults too. Adult
beginner courses run from March to
October and fitness sessions can be
booked on Wednesdays (6.45am-
8.45am) and Saturdays (by arrangement).
To take part in the fitness sessions,
you must have completed the adult
beginner course or arrange a two-hour
induction paddle. Hours vary depending
on the time of year.
Cremorne Gardens, Lots Road, SW10
0QH. T: 020 7349 9591
www.rbkc.gov.uk/cremorne
Royal Hospital South Grounds
As well as being the staging area for the
annual RHS Chelsea Flower Show, the
Royal Hospital South Grounds offers two
football pitches, two tennis courts, one
netball court (which is overlaid on the
tennis courts) and a sports pavilion
equipped with public toilets.
Duke of York’s
Square Athletics
Track
In 1953, Roger Bannister, the first man to
run a mile in under four minutes, moved
his training to the athletics track at the
Duke of York’s Square Headquarters,
which now houses the Saatchi Gallery.
He successfully achieved the record on
May 6, 1954. The track is now mainly
used by local school children and is not
open to the public.
Cremorne Riverside
offers kayaking
sessions on the Thames
The tennis courts are available to
everyone for casual booking, with no
membership required. Open from
7.30am until dusk. For more information
on any of the facilities, call the sports
booking line below.
Royal Hospital Road, SW3 4SR
T: 020 7602 2226
St Luke’s Gardens
In the shadow of the early 19th-century
Neo-Gothic church, St Luke s Gardens
has two Multi-Use Games Areas , or
Astroturf pitches. For more information,
call the sports booking line at Chelsea
Sports Centre: 020 7352 6985.
Sydney Street, SW3
Fitness centres
Chelsea Sports Centre
The gym at the Chelsea Sports Centre
offers a range of cardiovascular and
resistance training equipment as well as
free weights and a stretching area.
Monthly memberships are available, as
well as a pay-as-you-go service.
Monday-Friday 6.30am-10pm,
Saturday 8am-7.30pm, Sunday 8am-
10pm.
Chelsea Manor Street, SW3 5PL
T: 020 7352 6985
www.gll.org/centre/chelsea-sportscentre.asp
KX
KX Gym (pronounced kicks ) is beautifully
designed, with a well-equipped gym
on the ground floor, four studios and
three private studios for pilates, yoga
and private general training. It is strictly
members-only and there are no published
fees (a membership consultant will
guide you through the options). The only
part of KX that is open to non-members
is the spa (see Spas panel).
151 Draycott Avenue, SW3 3AL. T: 020
7584 5333
www.kxgym.co.uk
LA Fitness
The LA Fitness chain describes its South
Kensington gym as the jewel in its
crown. Facilities include a sauna, steam
room, swimming pool, cardiovascular
and Technogym equipment, as well as
group classes. It offers short-term deals
as well as long-term memberships.
Monday-Thursday 6.30am-10pm,
Friday 6.30am-9pm, Saturday-Sunday
9am-8pm.
63/81 Pelham Street, SW7 2NJ
T: 0843 170 1021
www.lafitness.co.uk/gym/london-southkensington/
Peak Health Club & Spa at the
Jumeirah Carlton Tower
The really impressive thing about the
Peak is the view. The club is located on
the ninth and 10th floors of the five-star
Carlton Tower hotel, with views to the
north and south across London.
Launched in 1982, The Peak s membership
gives you access to a 20-metre
stainless steel indoor swimming pool,
The Peak Health Club
jacuzzi and spa (see Spas) as well as a
club restaurant and lounge. There s a
2,335 sq ft gym, an aerobics studio, a
spinning studio and a golf simulator that
allows players to tackle some of the
world s best-known courses without ever
leaving Chelsea. The Peak is open to
guests and members, who also have
access to tennis courts in private gardens
in Cadogan Square.
Monday-Friday 6.15am-10pm,
Saturday-Sunday 7.30am-9pm.
Jumeirah Carlton Tower, on Cadogan
Place, SW1X 9PY. T: 020 7858 7300
www.jumeirah.com/en/Hotels-and-
Resorts/Destinations/London/Jumeirah-
Carlton-Tower/Health-Spa/