Oxford residents can try a gym workout, swim, fitness class or public ice-skating session for free on Wednesday 16 September as five council-owned leisure centres take part in National Fitness Day.
The one-day offer is available at Barton Leisure Centre, Ferry Leisure Centre, Leys Pools and Leisure Centre, Hinksey Outdoor Pool and Oxford Ice Rink.
Visitors must first register for a free MORE pay-as-you-go membership. Activities remain subject to timetables, capacity and normal age rules, and some sessions need to be booked before arrival.
At a glance
| Date | Wednesday 16 September 2026 |
| Cost | Free, subject to the promotion’s conditions and availability |
| Registration | A free MORE membership is required |
| Offer limit | One free access per person |
| Booking | May be required for swimming, classes, soft play and skating sessions |
| Participating centres | Barton, Ferry, Leys Pools, Hinksey Outdoor Pool and Oxford Ice Rink |
| Ice-skating session | 12.30pm to 2.30pm at Oxford Ice Rink |
| Age restrictions | Normal gym, swimming, class and skating rules continue to apply |
| More information | Visit the MORE Leisure Oxford website |
What is included in the free-access offer?
Barton Leisure Centre, Ferry Leisure Centre and Leys Pools and Leisure Centre are offering free access to their gyms, swimming sessions and fitness classes during the day.
Hinksey Outdoor Pool is offering free swimming, while Oxford Ice Rink will hold a free public skating session from 12.30pm until 2.30pm.
The operator’s terms also include soft-play sessions where a participating centre has suitable facilities. Leys Pools has a Kids Activity Zone, but its local National Fitness Day page does not identify a particular free soft-play slot. Families should therefore check the live timetable or contact the centre before travelling.
Free access does not override session capacities. A class, swim or skate can still become fully booked even though no admission charge applies.
One free access, not unlimited activities
The promotional announcement describes free access for the day, but the detailed terms limit the offer to one free access per person.
Visitors should therefore not assume they can use the gym, attend a class and swim for free during the same visit.
Choose the activity you most want to try and check its availability before setting out.
Participating Oxford leisure centres
| Centre | Free activity advertised | Wednesday opening hours | Address and contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barton Leisure Centre | Gym, swimming and fitness classes | 6.30am–9pm | Waynflete Road, Oxford, OX3 8GA 0330 109 8770 Centre information |
| Ferry Leisure Centre | Gym, swimming and fitness classes | 6am–10pm | Diamond Place, Summertown, Oxford, OX2 7DP 0330 109 8771 Centre information |
| Leys Pools and Leisure Centre | Gym, swimming and fitness classes; check soft-play availability separately | 6am–10pm | Pegasus Road, Oxford, OX4 6JL 0330 109 8773 Centre information |
| Hinksey Outdoor Pool | Outdoor swimming | 6.30am–8.30pm | Hinksey Park, Oxford, OX1 4PZ 0330 109 8775 Centre information |
| Oxford Ice Rink | Free public skate from 12.30pm–2.30pm | 10am–3pm | Oxpens Road, Oxford, OX1 1RQ 01865 305010 Centre information |
The hours above are the centres’ published building hours. Pools, studios and other activity areas follow their own timetables and may not be available throughout the entire opening period.
What each Oxford centre offers
Barton Leisure Centre
Barton has a 25-metre swimming pool, a gym with around 35 stations and a studio used for fitness classes and other activities.
Its National Fitness Day offer covers gym use, swimming and scheduled classes, subject to the normal timetable and available spaces.
Anyone planning a swim should check whether the chosen time is allocated to lane swimming, lessons or another booked activity.
Ferry Leisure Centre
Ferry, in Summertown, has a 25-metre main pool, an 11-metre teaching pool, a gym with more than 90 stations and a multi-purpose studio.
Wednesday is also the centre’s regular quieter period between 1pm and 3pm, when the operator aims to provide the same facilities in a less noisy setting.
The quieter period does not guarantee that every activity will be available or uncrowded, so visitors with sensory or access requirements should contact the centre before arrival.
Leys Pools and Leisure Centre
The Leys has a 25-metre swimming pool, learner pool, gym, fitness studios, sports hall, 3G pitch and Kids Activity Zone.
The free offer advertises gym, swim and fitness-class access. The wider terms also refer to soft play where available, but no specific free Kids Activity Zone session is currently identified on the local event page.
The centre offers up to three hours of free parking, although drivers should read the signs and comply with any registration requirements.
Hinksey Outdoor Pool
Hinksey’s seasonal lido is a 35-metre freeform outdoor pool with a shallow beach area and wheelchair access to the water.
The free offer applies to swimming on Wednesday. The pool’s regular quieter hour is from 11am to noon.
Hinksey is cashless. Its paid public car park is reached from Abingdon Road, and the operator says there is no pool access from Lake Street.
As this is an outdoor facility, visitors should check for any weather-related or operational update before travelling.
Oxford Ice Rink
The ice rink is offering a free public skating session from 12.30pm until 2.30pm.
The rink’s announcement confirms free skating admission but does not say whether skate hire is included. Its normal public-skating information treats hire as a separate charge, so anyone without their own skates should check the position with the rink before booking.
Skate aids are limited and normally supplied on a first-come, first-served basis.
How to claim free access
Visitors need a free MORE membership before using the offer.
This is a pay-as-you-go registration rather than a paid gym contract. It allows casual users to book activities online, use the My MORE app and check in at participating centres.
- Choose the centre and activity. Check the pool, class or skating timetable rather than relying only on building opening hours.
- Register for a free MORE membership. The terms allow sign-up from 48 hours before National Fitness Day or on 16 September itself.
- Make any required booking. Classes and capacity-controlled sessions may need to be reserved online, in the app, by telephone or at the centre.
- Arrive before the session. The operator advises customers to be ready at least five minutes before booked activities.
- Check in using the membership or booking details. Staff may refuse entry where a session is full or the relevant age and safety requirements are not met.
The promotion is available to new MORE members and existing pay-as-you-go members. People with an active paid membership can continue using the facilities included in their normal package.
Register for a free MORE membership.
Age rules for gyms, swimming and skating
Free access does not remove the centres’ ordinary safeguarding and supervision requirements.
Young visitor guidance
Gym: Users must generally be at least 12. Those aged 12 to 15 must attend a young person’s session or be accompanied by a parent or guardian aged 18 or over. People aged 16 or 17 must complete the required gym induction before using it without supervision.
Fitness classes: Most classes are for people aged 16 and over. Some aqua classes may admit 14 and 15-year-olds with an adult, but centre permission and class-specific rules apply.
Swimming: Children under eight need supervision in the pool and changing areas. Adult-to-child ratios can depend on the pool and session, so families should check directly before booking.
Ice skating: Children under eight must be accompanied on the ice by an adult aged 18 or over. Older children skating without an adult should be stable on their feet.
What to take
Visitors should bring the equipment and clothing required for their chosen activity.
- Gym or class: comfortable exercise clothing, suitable trainers, water and any padlock required for a locker
- Swimming: swimwear, towel, goggles if wanted and any required buoyancy aids for children
- Hinksey: warm clothing for before and after the outdoor swim, particularly if the weather is cool
- Ice skating: clothes covering the arms and legs, thick socks and gloves; bring skates or check the hire charge in advance
Oxford Ice Rink is otherwise cashless, although its lockers require a coin. Visitors should check the current locker arrangements at the other centres before relying on card-only payment.
Why the free day is being held
National Fitness Day is an annual campaign led by ukactive to encourage people across the country to move more and recognise the physical, mental and social benefits of regular activity.
The 2026 theme, Powered by You, focuses on the different reasons people choose to be active and on taking manageable steps rather than treating fitness as a single type of exercise.
James Ewart, Contract Manager for Leisure Solutions Community Trust, said the free day was intended to help people discover an activity they enjoy.
“Whether it’s a workout in the gym, a swim, a fitness class or an activity with family and friends, there are plenty of ways to get involved.”
Councillor Mark Lygo, Oxford City Council’s Cabinet Member for a Healthy, Fairer Oxford, said the event gave residents an opportunity to explore one of the city’s five council-owned leisure centres or try an unfamiliar class.
Starting exercise safely
Someone trying a gym, class or swimming session for the first time should begin at a manageable intensity rather than trying to complete the hardest available workout.
NHS guidance recommends that adults work towards at least 150 minutes of moderate activity each week, or 75 minutes of vigorous activity, alongside muscle-strengthening exercise on two days.
Anyone who has been inactive for a long period, has a health condition or is concerned about exercising should choose an appropriate activity and seek advice from their GP or another qualified healthcare professional where necessary.
Centre staff can explain how unfamiliar equipment should be used, but they cannot replace individual medical advice.
Frequently asked questions
When is free leisure-centre access available?
The offer applies on Wednesday 16 September 2026 only.
Which Oxford centres are taking part?
Barton Leisure Centre, Ferry Leisure Centre, Leys Pools and Leisure Centre, Hinksey Outdoor Pool and Oxford Ice Rink.
Do visitors need to be members already?
No paid membership is required, but everyone using the promotion must register for a free MORE pay-as-you-go membership.
Can people register on the day?
Yes. The promotional terms allow people to register during the 48 hours before the event or on 16 September.
Does free access mean unlimited use all day?
No. The detailed terms limit the offer to one free access per person.
Do classes need to be booked?
Some classes and activities require advance booking, and availability is not guaranteed. Check the My MORE app, centre timetable or telephone the venue.
Is Oxford Ice Rink free all day?
No. The advertised free public skating session runs from 12.30pm to 2.30pm.
Is skate hire included?
The rink’s announcement does not confirm free skate hire. Its normal guidance lists hire separately, so contact the rink if you do not have skates.
Is soft play free at Leys Pools?
The general promotional terms include soft play where a participating centre offers it, subject to availability. However, the Leys event page does not identify a specific free session, so families should confirm before travelling.
Can children use the gym?
Gym users must generally be at least 12. Additional supervision and induction rules apply to people under 18.
Can existing paid members attend?
Yes. Existing members retain the facilities and activities covered by their normal membership.
Where can visitors see the latest timetables?
Choose the relevant centre through the MORE Leisure Oxford website and check its timetable before travelling.
