Active life at Bristol
Memberships, activity programmes, events and more! bristol.ac.uk/sport
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Welcome
Memberships
Facilities
Access to on-demand fitness classes, timetables and facility information.
Choose the membership and access you need, for the activities you want.
Sport, Exercise and Health is part of a network of facilities across Bristol.
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Activities
Programmes
Performance Sport
Free, inclusive and beginner-friendly social sport and fitness sessions
Volunteer, challenge yourself in the Run Series, join a club, or book a treatment at the Sports Medicine Clinic!
We have a dedicated team of staff to help you achieve your full potential
Welcome to Sport, Exercise and Health at University of Bristol Whether you want to represent the University in national competition, take a yoga class with your friends, or volunteer in your local community, online or inperson, you’ll find something here for you. The positive impacts of sport and physical activity are far-reaching. From maintaining good mental and physical wellbeing, to enhancing your CV and meeting new people, there are so many reasons to get involved during your time at university. Here at Bristol, sport and activity is more than just a one off session - it’s feeling a part of something and being a part of a student body that is passionate about living life well. Our division’s vision is to support an active community for all. We believe that physical activity and sports bring people together, equipping them with skills and experiences that transform lives.
We are active
We are community
We are Bristol
Our strategic pillars Developing active communities.
Improve health and wellbeing Increase the physical activity levels of our University community, driven by focus on health and wellbeing.
Support to thrive Provide an inspirational and inclusive sport and physical activity service, which allows everyone across our community to reach their potential.
We Are Bristol.
Develop belonging Use the power of sport and physical activity to enable our community to meet like-minded people, develop lifelong friendships and build connection with the University.
We promise to develop active communities by taking a considered, holistic approach: We offer health and physical activity opportunities to educate and increase participation in sport and physical activity. Our programmes are designed to be fun, beneficial and engaging - and through different ability options, allow you to join in at the level that’s right for you. For students looking to develop a sporting future, elite sport services and programmes are available to enable and support our athletes to reach their true sporting potential. We only pursue partnerships that encourage our communities’ development and social opportunities. We celebrate your success - across all of our active communities. We create and support personal development, well-being and educational programmes for our active communities.
"I'm always delighted to welcome students to Sport, Exercise and Health at Bristol. Whether it's in the gym, as Sport Volunteers or competing in BUCS, I look forward to having them in our community"
Matt Birch Director of Sport, Exercise and Health
“I am passionate about building a strong and inclusive sporting community at the University, helping students overcome the barriers that can prevent participation, and making sure everyone has the opportunity to enjoy sport and gain a sense of belonging through it.”
Becky Moises SU Sport and Student Development Officer
Download the Active app App features: In-app booking Timetables On-demand classes Regular news & updates Facility scan-in access
Memberships Choose the access you need for the activities you want. Upgrade anytime.
Membership benefits Included with all membership types is a discount on the following: Access to facilities Merchandise Sports Medicine Clinic treatments Personal training
Active Connect The Active Connect membership provides a 30% discount on all Pay-As-You-Go activities across the University’s sports facilities. You'll get additional access on our app and 7 days' advance booking online booking.
The discount for students is 30%. One-off cost: Annual - £33.50
bristol.ac.uk/sport/memberships
Active Choice
Active Complete
All Active Connect benefits, plus ONE of the following:
All Active Connect benefits, plus ALL of the following:
Swimming Fitness classes Off-peak gym Anytime gym* Booking rights: 8 days in advance Standard prices: Annual - £178.50 Quarterly - £73 Monthly (direct debit) - £20.50** *Anytime Gym choice: Annual - £223.50 Quarterly - £100 Monthly (direct debit) - £25.50**
Anytime gym, fitness classes and swimming 50% off indoor tennis court hire Free BUCS UNIversal Gym pass (annual plan only) Booking rights: 10 days in advance The com plete package - great fo r getting, and staying, active!
Prices: Annual - £280 Quarterly - £123.50 Monthly (direct debit) - £32.50**
**Plus a joining fee, equivalent to 1 month’s payment. A 2-month minimum term applies.
Facility map Our facilities are located across Bristol, so you’re never far from somewhere you can get active!
Stoke Bishop
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INDOOR SPORTS CENTRE
SWIMMING POOL AND BRISTOL SU
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50 minutes walk
19 minutes bus
Clifton
50 m inu tes 19 wa m inu lk tes bu s
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COOMBE DINGLE SPORTS COMPLEX
SALTFORD BOAT HOUSE Catch the No. 3 bus to Coombe Dingle Sports Complex from Clifton Triangle or Whiteladies Road
LANGFORD GYM
Our facilities
Indoor Sports Centre In June 2025, we invested £150,000 in new gym equipment at the Indoor Sports Centre - which includes energysaving, self-powered cardiovascular machines - maintaining it as one of the best-equipped gyms in the South West. The Sports Hall is home to club training and competition, and social sport. Fitness classes take place across two purpose-built studios at the Indoor Sports Centre. There are more than 50 classes to choose from every week, available with a membership or on a pay-as-you-go basis.
Swimming Pool Our 25m pool is located in the Bristol SU building and available to students, staff and the wider public community via a membership or on a pay-as-yougo basis. Adult swimming lessons and courses are available to those who would like to learn, or improve, their swimming ability. The pool is also home to student club activity including Swim and Water Polo, Synchronised Swimming and Canoe!
Saltford Boat House The University of Bristol Boat Club is located halfway between Bristol and Bath on the banks of the River Avon.
bristol.ac.uk/sport/facilities
Coombe Dingle Sports Complex Our Coombe Dingle site is the location of our grass and artificial pitches, including a 3G pitch, and is the home ground for our outdoor sports clubs, for training and competition. Student clubs have access to our Strength & Conditioning gym and ERG room for sessions with expert coaches. The Tennis Centre is also located at Coombe Dingle Sports Complex, offering 4 indoor and 10 outdoor courts (including four with floodlights) that are also suitable for netball. The centre is open for students, staff and the general public, with a membership or as pay-as you-go.
Bristol SU & Stoke Bishop residences Activities are also available in other, non-sporting University buildings. For example, some of our popular B:Active sessions take place in the Richmond Building and on Stoke Bishop campus.
B:Active
Free social fitness and sport, just for students.
B:Active B:Active is a programme of group fitness and social sport sessions, exclusively for Bristol students. Sessions take place in various locations across campus including, the Indoor Sports Centre, the Richmond Building, University residences and more. You don’t need a sports membership to join B:Active sessions - all sessions are free and you can come along to as many sessions as you like! bristol.ac.uk/sport/bactive
Other Programmes Find out more about our range of programmes at the University of Bristol.
Game Changers Volunteering, leadership and skill development. Utilise sport and physical activity to build your skills profile! Whether you’re looking to meet other students, volunteer at a sporting event, or you’re seeking to become a coach or sport official - to give back to your club or community - Game Changers is for you. Sign up either by selecting to take part in ‘Community Volunteering’ or through our Coach & Officials Support Fund. All we ask is that you commit to a minimum of 10 volunteering hours in your chosen area or across multiple events.
bristol.ac.uk/sport/participate/game-changers
Use your volunteering hours for the Bristol PLUS Award!
Healthy Minds Healthy Minds is an exercise referral programme for students experiencing ongoing mental health and wellbeing difficulties. We provide students with an introduction to regular physical activity, as a tool to improve wellbeing, and provide a foundation for behaviour changes that will help individuals to selfmanage their wellbeing, long-term. Any registered student can be referred to Healthy Minds by University Wellbeing or Counselling services to receive 1-1 support from an exercise Mentor, as part of Healthy Minds. We take a student-centred approach to programme delivery, ensuring you are participating in exercise that is safe, effective and – most importantly – enjoyable.
bristol.ac.uk/sport/health-wellbeing/healthy-minds
Bristol Run Series Run, jog or walk your way to the finish line and be part of the community.
“I thoroughly enjoyed it, it was so fun and it made me so motivated to keep running. I signed up to the 10K! The staff are nice and the volunteer for ‘Wave 1' kept talking to me as I ran, which made it easier and, again, enjoyable. I would recommend this to anyone.” Student participant, 2026
Bristol Run Series The Bristol Run Series comprises a number of virtual and in-person events taking place between November and July, and is designed to get you active, wherever you are in the World! More information about the Series, including how to register and access to the Support Hub, (full of training resources - including our Strava group!) is available on our app and website.
bristol.ac.uk/sport/events/Run-Series
Intramural sport
Almost 3000 students. Over 250 teams.
A fun, social, multi-sport programme for students who just want to turn up and play! Intramural Sport allows you to compete for your University course team, society, halls of residence or just as a group of friends. 'Intramural' means 'inside the university', with league matches taking place every week in Bristol. 2026/27 sports: Badminton | Basketball | Cricket | 5/6/7/8/11-a-side Football | Netball | Tennis | Volleyball. All of these sports are mixed-gender and are played to mixed abilities, so absolutely everyone is welcome! bristolsu.org.uk/student-groups/intramural-sport
Bristol SU Student Sports Clubs Many student sports clubs receive professional coaching support and access to prime-time training slots across our facilities. American Football Archery Athletics and Cross Country Badminton Basketball Boat Canoe Cheerleading Cricket Cycling Fencing Football (Men's) Football (Women's) Futsal Hockey (Men's) Hockey (Women's) Lacrosse (Women’s)
Lacrosse (Men's and Mixed) Lifesaving Muay Thai Netball Rugby (Men's) Rugby (Women's) Rugby League Sailing Snow Sports Swim and Waterpolo Synchronised Swimming Table Tennis Tennis Trampoline Triathlon and Pentathlon Volleyball Ultimate Frisbee There are over 70 sports clubs at Bristol. Find out more about all of the sports available on the Bristol SU website.
Sports Medicine Clinic
Comprehensive services to all. Physiotherapy, Osteopathy, Massage
Our multi-disciplinary sports medicine team provide a range of services to improve function and prevent injury. We work with our whole community, from the everyday athlete to the highest level of performance sport. You can find us on the ground floor of the Indoor Sports Centre, on Tyndall Avenue. Free 10-minute virtual 'open clinic' appointments are available.
Discounted treatment prices for students!
bristol.ac.uk/sport/Facilities/Clinic
Performance Sport A Top 10 university for Performance Sport in the UK Our dedicated team of coaches and support staff will help you train, compete and achieve your full sporting potential.
Image credit: Gloucestershire Cricket
Scholarships Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship Gold Scholarship Elite Athlete Offer
Our Performance Squad is made up of Gold Scholars and Vice-Chancellor's Scholars and represents our most-talented students, who are pursuing a dual career at Bristol, by displaying sporting excellence alongside their studies. Scholars receive coaching and support from our multi-disciplinary staff team, including extra skills sessions, 1-to-1 nutrition, sports psychology, physiotherapy and strength and conditioning (S&C) support. BUCS & Competition Our Scholars compete for the University across a range of competitions, including British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS) - the weekly interuniversity competition - and National and International events across the season. Many of them are already representing professional clubs in-season, including Bristol Bears Women and Gloucestershire County Cricket Club; a true example of having a ‘Dual Career’.
bristol.ac.uk/sport/performance/squad
Sporting stars Credit: British Athletics Getty images
Credit: Paralympics GB imagecomms
Credit: Paralympics GB imagecomms
Credit: Paralympics GB imagecomms
Jazmin Sawyers, Long Jump Commonwealth Games 2026 Gold medal, European Indoor Championships 2023 Gold medal, Tokyo 2020 Olympics
Credit: David Pearce / Paralympics GB
Michael Taylor, Para-Triathlon Tokyo 2020 Olympics Paris 2024 Paralympics
Dan Bethell, Para-badminton Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Paralympics Silver medals
Credit: David Pearce / Paralympics GB
Sally Kidson, Boccia BC3 Paris 2024 Paralympics
Funmi Oduwaiye, Discus and Shot put Commonwealth Games 2026 Silver medal (Discus) Paris 2024 Paralympics
Credit: Rojan Thomson
Isabel van der Straaten, Rugby Union England Rugby U18s, Bristol Bears Rugby
Connect with us @BristolUniSport BristolUniSport www.bristol.ac.uk/sport University of Bristol Active app
Indoor Sports Centre Tyndall Avenue, Clifton,BS8 1TP 0117 428 3200 Swimming Pool Richmond Building, Queens Road, BS8 1LN 0117 331 8577 Coombe Dingle Sports Complex Coombe Lane, Stoke Bishop, BS9 2BJ 0117 394 0281 Credit: Malaper Photography