I mainly use Balham Leisure Centre to go and play squash, as their courts are the nearest to where I live in Clapham Junction.

There are 3 squash courts, two with perspex back and one with a brick back. They are not in particularly good shape and could use a bit of a re-paint, but not really any worse than any other courts I have used.

The staff are usually helpful enough, although a lot of the time they seem fairly disinterested. In the past on a couple of occasions they have lost my booking, but this has not happened in the past 6 months, so they seem to have rectified this problem.

The facilities are adequate enough and of a decent standard of cleanliness. I have never used the swimming pool, as it looks a bit small and cramped.

The issue with booking squash courts is that if you want a weekday evening, you have to ring 7 days in advance on the dot of 10am, otherwise they get full. To do this you have to be a member, which is about £30 a year, although this does mean you pay about a pound less for each court hire.

Overall, I'd recommend Balham Leisure Centre, as long as your expectations are not too high!