I’ve now had a couple of one to one sessions with Lily. As someone starting with zero experience, she’s been an amazing coach. Very knowledgeable and patient, gives great feedback and break downs. Loo... See more
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Location
Switch locationStanborough Road, AL8 6DF Welwyn Garden City, GB
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Really poor experience today. Wife had lost her wallet, so couldn't pay for paddle boarding and called me to see if I could make a payment over the phone but they refused to do this, in the end, we fo... See more
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Our grandchildren did a 2 day RYA sailing beginners course which they both really enjoyed. They told us that the instructors made it fun but were very competent and clear with both theory and practic... See more
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The lake gets the sun for most of the day, which makes it a lovely setting for water sports and swimming. There are many different birds to spot, including herons and egrets. The staff are always... See more
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Company details
Written by the company
Welcome to Better! We’re a charitable social enterprise, committed to the health and wellbeing of everyone in our community. From gyms, leisure centres and swimming pools to lessons and courses for both adults and juniors - plus libraries and children's centres - we've got it all. So whether you’d like to try something new, keep the kids entertained or have a dip in the pool, discover our inclusive range of activities, suitable for all ages and abilities at your local Better centre today.
Contact info
Stanborough Road, AL8 6DF, Welwyn Garden City, United Kingdom
4.4
Excellent
22 reviews
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1 to 1 lessons with Lily
I’ve now had a couple of one to one sessions with Lily. As someone starting with zero experience, she’s been an amazing coach. Very knowledgeable and patient, gives great feedback and break downs. Looking forward to future sessions and highly recommend
28 August 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Better - Stanborough Park Water Sports Centre
Hello Nathan,
Thank you very much for your 5-star review.
We are really pleased to hear how well you are progressing with Lily’s instruction, and we will definitely let her know what a great job she is doing.
We hope you continue to enjoy your sessions, and thank you for taking the time to add a review.
Kind regards,
Shirley
Coach Haddy was so so lovely and so…
Coach Haddy was so so lovely and so clear. I had a great experience and u can’t wait to come back again!
11 July 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Better - Stanborough Park Water Sports Centre
Hi Anika,
Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We’re delighted to hear that you had such a great experience with Coach Haddy and that their clear instruction and friendly approach made such a positive impression.
It’s fantastic to know you enjoyed your visit to Stanborough Park Water Sports Centre, and we’ll be sure to share your kind words with Haddy. Feedback like this means a lot to our team.
We look forward to welcoming you back again soon!
Warm Regards,
Hazal
Really poor experience today
Really poor experience today. Wife had lost her wallet, so couldn't pay for paddle boarding and called me to see if I could make a payment over the phone but they refused to do this, in the end, we found a workaround. at which point the children had a great time paddle boarding.
29 July 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Better - Stanborough Park Water Sports Centre
Hi Matthew,
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We're sorry to hear that your experience started with difficulties arranging payment for the paddle boarding session after your wife's wallet was lost.
We understand how frustrating this must have been, particularly when you were trying to ensure your family could enjoy their planned activity. While we are pleased that a solution was eventually found and that the children had a great time paddle boarding, we appreciate that the process was not as smooth as it should have been.
Your comments have been noted and will be shared with the relevant team for review. Thank you again for bringing this to our attention.
Warm Regards,
Hazal
My son had a really amazing experience…
My son had a really amazing experience paddle boarding today at Stanborough Lakes. The staff were super nice and helpful! Such a beautiful lake-such a boom for Welwyn/Hatfield!
25 July 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Better - Stanborough Park Water Sports Centre
Good Afternoon,
Thank you for your incredible review!
We're over the moon to hear that your son had an amazing paddle boarding experience with us at our Stanborough Park Water Sports Centre.
It's great to know that our team were super nice and helpful, and that you enjoyed the scenery.
We can't wait to welcome you both back again!
Warm Regards,
Kaisha
I completed a one-to-one open water…
I completed a one-to-one open water swim session with Lily and it was brilliant. Not only was she a great coach who has given me the confidence to swim in open water, but the lake was lovely and had all the facilities you'd need. Thank you Lily for being a great coach – I will certainly be back again.
14 July 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Better - Stanborough Park Water Sports Centre
Hi India,
Thank you for your wonderful review!
We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed your one-to-one open water swim session during your recent visit, and that Lily helped build your confidence in open water.
It's great to know you appreciated both the coaching, lovely view of the lake and other facilities.
We’ll be sure to pass on your kind words to Lily, and hope to see you again soon!
Warm Regards,
Kaisha
Open paddle session
Open paddle session. We took our 12 year old daughter with her friends and we had a great time. Thank you Abi & Angelo for a warm welcome and a great experience, Highly recommend!
18 July 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Better - Stanborough Park Water Sports Centre
Hi Sarah,
Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We’re so pleased to hear that you and your daughter had a great time at the open paddle session.
Abi and Angelo will be delighted to hear your kind words about their warm welcome and support. It’s fantastic to know you’d highly recommend the experience.
Warm Regards,
Hazal
Paddle boarding 1 to 1
I had a 1 to 1 lesson paddle boarding with Lily. It was brilliant she started by asking what level I was at and what I wanted out of the lesson, and I got exactly what I wanted and increased my basic skills and confidence. All done in a very relaxed way, I will definitely be booking another session.
Stu W
25 June 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Better - Stanborough Park Water Sports Centre
Hi Stu,
Thank you for your wonderful feedback, Stu!
We’re delighted to hear you had such a positive experience during your paddleboarding lesson with Lily. It’s great to know she took the time to understand your level and goals, and helped you build both your skills and confidence in a relaxed and enjoyable way.
We’ll be sure to pass on your kind words to Lily, she’ll be really pleased to hear this. We look forward to welcoming you back for another session soon.
Warm Regards,
Hazal
Went Open Water Swimming the other week…
Went Open Water Swimming the other week for the first time with Coach Lily. The session was very accommodating and flexible based on the groups needs and desired outcomes. Lily spoke well and had great knowledge to share amongst the group. Would highly recommend!
6 June 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Better - Stanborough Park Water Sports Centre
Hi Beth
Thank you for your email.
We are very pleased to see that you enjoyed your first open water swimming session at Stanborough Park Water Sports Centre, and that Lily made it such a positive experience.
We will be sure to pass your feedback on, and we hope to welcome you back again soon!
Kind Regards,
Amir
Open water coaching session
Had an open water coaching session with Head Coach Haddy. The entire experience was so much fun, the water was really warm, and the Coach was super knowledgeable, accommodating, and made the whole experience. Would definitely recommend as a fun weekend activity.
30 May 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Better - Stanborough Park Water Sports Centre
Hi Natalie,
Thank you for your lovely review!
We're thrilled to hear that you had an amazing session with Haddy, and we're thrilled that our head coach was so knowledgeable and accommodating, which made the whole experience.
We also really appreciate your recommendation.
We hope to see you again soon!
Warm Regards,
Kaisha
Had a great time last Saturday down at…
Had a great time last Saturday down at Stanborough lakes where I went open water swimming with a couple of people and was being looked over by Lilly who was really helpful and and made the experience a lot more enjoyable
30 May 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Better - Stanborough Park Water Sports Centre
Hi Louie,
Thank you for your lovely review!
We're thrilled to hear that you recently had a great time using our lake for open water swimming.
It's also amazing to know that Lily was really helpful during your visit, which made the experience even more enjoyable.
We'll be sure to pass on your kind words, and we hope to see you again soon!
Warm Regards,
Kaisha
Coach Lily is Great
Had an open water session with the head coach Lily and it was great! Super accommodating, very patient and kind. Water was warm, and all the staff were so welcoming.
30 May 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Better - Stanborough Park Water Sports Centre
Hi Ken,
Thank you for your fantastic review.
We're delighted to hear that you had such a positive experience during your open water session at Stanborough Park Water Sports Centre.
It's wonderful to know that you felt well supported and welcomed throughout your visit.
We'll be sure to pass your kind comments on to Lily and the team.
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback, and we hope to see you again soon.
Best wishes,
Azaria
Great gym experiance
Great gym experiance
staff were so polite couldnt do enough to help showed me around the whole gym explained what they do how it all works i was really impressed
7 December 2025
Reply from Better - Stanborough Park Water Sports Centre
Thank you for sharing your experience at Stanborough Park Water Sports Centre, Paul,
We are very happy you appreciate our great staff and also the facilities!
Kind Regards
2 day RYA beginners sailing course
Our grandchildren did a 2 day RYA sailing beginners course which they both really enjoyed. They told us that the instructors made it fun but were very competent and clear with both theory and practice.
Our only disappointment was with the online booking process which proved so complicated and difficult to make a booking that we drove to the centre to make one face to face.
28 August 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Better - Stanborough Park Water Sports Centre
Hello Mr A Sollitt,
Thank you for your fantastic review!
We are so delighted to hear that you are enjoying our courses in Stanborogh Park Water Sport centre.
We pride ourselves on providing excellent customer service and are happy that this has been reflected in the service you have received.
We have also passed on your comments to the centre and It team to review the booking system.
Warm Regards
Aaiasa
Reply from Better - Stanborough Park Water Sports Centre
Hi Nick
Thank you for your review.
We are very pleased to see that you are enjoying your course with us, and the instructors are providing a great lesson.
We hope you attain the skills and confidence you wish for.
Kind Regards
Amir
Intro to SUP was brilliant
Intro to SUP was brilliant with Sarah. Informative and relaxed, also allowing us to get the hang of it and go at our own pace.
7 August 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Better - Stanborough Park Water Sports Centre
Hello Martin,
Thank you for your fantastic review!
We are so delighted to hear that our Team were able to assist you.
We pride ourselves on providing excellent customer service and are happy that this has been reflected in the service you have received.
We have also passed on your comments to the agent who assisted you!
Warm Regards
Aaiasa
Sarah was great at giving us an…
Sarah was great at giving us an introduction into paddle boarding. We really enjoyed it.
7 August 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Better - Stanborough Park Water Sports Centre
Hello Customer,
Thank you for your fantastic review!
We are so delighted to hear that you are enjoying our facility at Stanborough park water sport centre..
We pride ourselves on providing excellent customer service and are happy that this has been reflected in the service you have received.
We have also passed on your comments to the centre!
Warm Regards
Aaiasa
For the past 8 years I have arranged a…
For the past 8 years I have arranged a Team Building event at Stanborough Lakes. We have an absolute amazing day and the team at Stanborough are fantastic. I cannot praise the event/team enough.
22 July 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Better - Stanborough Park Water Sports Centre
Hi Denise,
Thank you so much for your kind words and continued support over the past 8 years!
We're thrilled to hear that your team building events at Stanborough Lakes have been such a positive experience. It truly means a lot to our team to know that our efforts have made your day enjoyable year after year. We look forward to welcoming you back for many more successful events in the future!
Kind regards,
Charmaine
Great days sailing on the lake
My son attended a 3 day sailing course and had a great time. He really enjoyed the sailing and the instructor Kirsty was excellent. I'd highly recommend it and my son will be heading back to do more sailing on the lake.
Thank you
8 April 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Better - Stanborough Park Water Sports Centre
Hi Alex,
Thanks for your review.
We are delighted to hear that your son enjoyed his course at Stanborough and we hope to welcome you back soon!
Warm Regards
Hazal
Great 2-day sailing course
My two boys had a fantastic time on their 2-day sailing course at Stanborough park. The instructor was amazing, friendly and approachable. Everything was well organised and instructions were clear. I would highly recommend and will be booking the boys on their next sailing course soon.
15 April 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Better - Stanborough Park Water Sports Centre
Hi Jing
Thank you for your review.
We are very pleased to hear that your boys had such a fantastic time on their 2-day sailing course at Stanborough Park.
We are delighted to hear that they enjoyed the experience and felt supported by our friendly and approachable instructor. We look forward to welcoming your boys back for another course!
Kind Regards
Amir
Staff friendly and helpful
Staff friendly and helpful, nice warm changing room and showers after open water swim. It would be good if swim course could be a made a little bigger or with options as currently very small requiring laps.
8 March 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Better - Stanborough Park Water Sports Centre
Hi Anita,
Thank you for your kind feedback!
We're so glad to hear you had a positive experience with our staff at Stanborough Water Park and enjoyed the warm changing rooms and showers after your swim. We appreciate your suggestion about the swim course size, and we'll definitely take that into consideration for future improvements.
Your input is valuable, and we look forward to welcoming you back soon!
Kind regards,
Charmaine
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