Family · Memberships
Family memberships compared: David Lloyd, Virgin Active, Nuffield and what a family of four actually pays
Family is the reason David Lloyd exists and the reason most of its competitors struggle to match it. Joint and family pricing at each chain, what children get, what the crèche costs on top, and the maths for a couple with two kids.
Updated September 2026 · Prices and facilities are illustrative and need verification
Family of four, typical monthly
| Chain | Two adults | Add two children | Family total | Kids’ access | Crèche | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| David Lloyd | £190 to £340 | £40 to £90 | £230 to £430 | Pool, DL Kids classes, holiday clubs, family areas | Included hours on family tiers; extra beyond | The only chain built around families |
| Virgin Active | £170 to £300 | £30 to £70 | £200 to £370 | Pool, Club-V kids club at some clubs | Club-V charged per session | Family clubs are specific sites |
| Nuffield Health | £140 to £210 | Junior memberships £15 to £30 each | £170 to £270 | Pool, junior gym (11+), swim lessons | Rare | Adult-focused; kids on the periphery |
| Bannatyne | £110 to £160 | Limited | £120 to £200 | Pool at family times | No | Adult clubs |
| Harbour Club | £450 to £600 | Junior memberships available | £550 to £800 | Tennis and swim programmes, kids club | Yes at Chelsea | The luxury family option |
| Third Space / Equinox | n/a | n/a | n/a | Adults only (16+ / 18+) | No | Not family clubs |
| Council leisure centre (comparison) | £70 to £100 | £20 to £40 | £90 to £140 | Pool, lessons, holiday clubs | Some | The budget benchmark |
Illustrative ranges from published tiers, September 2026; family pricing varies by club and age bands. Verify.
Why David Lloyd wins on family
Pools with family sessions, a kids’ programme (DL Kids) that runs classes and holiday clubs, crèche hours on family tiers, soft play, family changing and a cafe where children are expected. Competitors have some of this at some clubs; David Lloyd has all of it at most. If you have children under twelve and will use the club as a weekend destination, it is usually the right answer despite the price.
The crèche
The hidden cost or the hidden saving. Two hours of crèche while both parents train costs £8 to £15 per child per session at most clubs, or is included up to a monthly cap on family tiers. Against £12 to £20 an hour for a babysitter, an included crèche can offset a large part of the family premium. Check hours, age range and booking rules; good crèches book out.
Teenagers
Junior gym access typically starts at 11 to 14 with an induction and supervised hours, full access at 16. Nuffield and David Lloyd both do this well. A junior membership at £15 to £40 is the cheapest fitness a teenager can have with proper supervision.
Doing the maths
A family of four at David Lloyd at £300 a month is £3,600 a year. Against swimming lessons (£40 to £60 a month per child), a holiday club week (£150 to £300), two adult memberships elsewhere and childcare while you train, it is often close. Run it with the cost calculator (not yet available); the answer depends on how many of those things you would otherwise buy.
FAQs
Common questions
How much is a family membership at David Lloyd?
Typically £230 to £430 a month for two adults and two children depending on club and tier, with crèche hours included on family tiers. Verify at your club.
Do gyms have crèches?
David Lloyd at most clubs and Virgin Active at family clubs; Nuffield and Bannatyne rarely. Check hours and per-session costs.