Jan
January, a fresh start for all. New Year can be a time of great motivation and desire to achieve more, especially in the sense of health, however, it can also be a difficult time for some with few daylight hours, cold and rainy weather. Bearing this in mind, the House of Fisher family thought it would be a great time to provide areas to exercise such as gyms and other wellness activities such as local walks or pottery classes near to you during your stay!
One of the best ways to get rid of those January blues and look after yourself is exercise. This can be in many different forms, whether that be wrapping up warm for a walk outside, going to the gym or yoga, all of our seven locations have lots of different opportunities, most within walking distance.
Reading – 100 Kings Road and City Wall House
100 Kings Road and City Wall House are both great locations due to their close proximity to Reading town centre and are a short walk to the train station which has direct links to London.
Walks
The surrounding area has lots to offer in regards to health and wellbeing. Reading has plenty to offer in terms of riverside walks as the River Thames runs through the town with only a 20 minute walk to Caversham lock where you can walk along the Thames path. This section of the River Thames is also home to the Thames Lido, only a 15 minute walk away, providing many activities ranging from swimming to massage treatments. The River Kennet also runs through the town centre, providing a sanctuary for wildlife right on your doorstep. Our team has shared some of our favourite walks in and around Reading available to anyone and everyone.
Gyms and Fitness Classes
The 100 Kings Road Aparthotel itself has the Buzz Gym attached, a 24 hour gym which is very competitively priced with no contract tie-in, perfect for all types of stays. Speak to our Guest Services team when staying for special short term membership options, exclusively for our guests. Just a 1 minute walk from City Wall House, is the Gym Group, a well renowned gym company with no contracts and 24 hours.
Why not join our Revenue and Reservations Manager, Edd Ransom-Coventry for a Kangoo class? Outside of helping our guests, he runs Edds Fitness. They offer ‘Bounce-Around’, a highly recommended and fun group class, where all levels of fitness are welcome. You can even hire Kangoo boots! Why not try by booking onto Edd’s Wallingford Class, near Reading?
Yoga and pilates
If the gym isn’t your cup of tea then there are plenty of yoga studios in Reading, the closest being Hot Pod Yoga, a 5 minute walk from City Wall House.This is perfect to counteract the cold winter months as the yoga is done at a temperature of 37 degrees Celsius, and is aimed at all abilities. There are also plenty of pilates studios with the closest being Pilates of Berkshire, only an 11 minute walk.
Wellbeing
Finally, if exercise isn’t your thing then only a 5 minute walk away is the Oracle shopping mall where you can treat yourself to some retail therapy! Furthermore, a Vue cinema is a 7 minute wall from your accommodation, perfect for relaxing evenings out.
Newbury – Central Gate
Central Gate has a perfect location, being just 1 minute from Newbury High Street and 10 minutes from the train station, which can get you into London in under an hour.
Walks
Newbury offers lots of green space, perfect for walks on crisp and sunny winter days. The River Kennet runs through Newbury and is great for walks, as well as the Kennet and Avon Canal, all of which provide a change of scenery and pace from day to day town living. Alongside riverside walks, there are plenty other options available, here are some of the best walks available around Newbury.
Gyms and Fitness
Just a 17 minute walk or 5 minute cycle from Central Gate is a PureGym, they are the UK’s largest private gym operator with over 360 locations all around the UK. There is also another gym; Shaded Fitness that is Newbury’s #1 gym for premium high end coaching, this is ideal for people of all abilities whether beginner or experienced. There is also the Northcroft leisure centre only an 8 minute walk from Central Gate.This is an Everyone Active centre, a highly reputable leisure centre company with facilities throughout the UK and with memberships available that aren’t centre specific (ideal for those travelling), they offer everything from swimming, a gym and gym classes to a spa.
Why not join our Revenue and Reservations Manager, Edd Ransom-Coventry for a Kangoo class? Outside of helping our guests, he runs Edds Fitness. They offer ‘Bounce-Around’, a highly recommended and fun group class, where all levels of fitness are welcome. You can even hire Kangoo boots! Why not try by booking onto Edd’s Newbury Class?.
Yoga and pilates
Due to the close proximity of Central Gate Aparthotel, the most opportunities are in walking if not cycling distance. Only a 6 minute walk from the Aparthotel is The Studio, they provide yoga sessions for all abilities as well as retreats. Alongside the yoga studio there is a pilates studio a 17 minute walk from Central Gate or just a 4 minute cycle; this is called Paula Kay pilates studio and they also offer yoga and fitness classes.
WellnessNewbury boasts a variety of entertainment options, including a Vue cinema, just a 10 minute walk away, and The Corn Exchange, a performing arts theatre only a 7 minute walk from Central Gate. Both venues offer excellent entertainment opportunities and time to relax and switch off from day to day life. Perfect for enjoyment and providing a nice break from the stresses of work and life, which is ideal during the long month of January.
Bracknell – Beneficial House
Beneficial House has a great placement, only a 12 minute walk to the train station and 14 minute walk from The Lexicon, a retail and leisure complex.
Walks
Bracknell is surrounded by plenty of green space, providing a range of breathtaking Bracknell walks including trail walks, with distances starting at 3.5km and as high as 9.2km. There is also a circular walk available around the Mill Pond, that includes a cafe, perfect to blow away the winter cobwebs!
Gym and pilates studio
There is a gym located on the ground floor of Beneficial house, run by the Gym Group. Perfect for all guests, at a very competitive price, they also have free exercise classes. Kate Hodder Pilates is also within walking distance (21 minutes).
Exercise and wellbeing
Bracknell contains a lot of options for a different range of activities that aren’t your typical first thought. For example, the walk around Mill Pond also has a skatepark for children and adults, as well as Oakwood climbing centre which is a 7 minute drive or a 14 minute cycle from Beneficial House. These are perfect for changing up your exercise routine to add some variation and a different level of excitement. Another local place of exercise, for both children and adults, is Ozone Ice Rink, this allows all ages to skate, perfect for a family day out!
Finally, another option is The Lexicon, a retail and leisure complex which, as previously mentioned, is only a 14 minute walk from Beneficial House and provides the perfect retail therapy for a weekend.
Basingstoke – Central Point
Basingstoke’s Central Point is in a prime location located only 0.5 miles from the city centre, a 10 minute walk to the train and bus station, and only a 1 minute walk to Festival Place shopping centre which features over 200 high street shops, coffee outlets and restaurants.
Walks
Basingstoke offers an array of breathtaking countryside to explore beyond the city centre, ranging from family-friendly walks to more challenging hikes, and always ensuring there is time for a hearty pub lunch! We have shared our favourite Basingstoke walks in this article.
Gyms and Fitness Classes
One of the local gyms to Central Point is Basingstoke Sports Centre which is only a 7 minute walk away, they offer a swimming pool and, on top of that, a women’s only gym. Another local gym is Village Gym which is a 20 minute walk away or a 5 minute cycle, they also offer group fitness classes and a swimming pool.
Why not join our Revenue and Reservations Manager, Edd Ransom-Coventry for a Kangoo class? Outside of helping our guests, he runs Edds Fitness. They offer ‘Bounce-Around’, a highly recommended and fun group class, where all levels of fitness are welcome. You can even hire Kangoo boots! Why not try by booking onto Edd’s Wallingford Class, near Basingstoke?
Pilates
Local to Central Point is Body Perfect Pilates, just a 5 minute walk away. They offer private and semi private sessions in their fully equipped studio, along with training plans. They offer a different approach to fitness and recovery through pilates.
Wellbeing
Basingstoke is home to the Haymarket Theatre which offers a diverse range of events. The theatre is conveniently located just one minute away. Also within easy reach when staying at Central Point is the Willis Museum and Sainsbury Gallery , providing insights into the local history of Basingstoke. Both of these options offer a refreshing change from day to day life. Afterwards, Festival Place shopping centre is only minutes away,offering many options for shopping, cafes and restaurants.
Farnborough – Equinox Place and Solstice house
Both of these properties are placed in prime locations, roughly only 0.5 miles from the city centre. They are just a couple of minutes from the train station and a short walk to Princes Mead shopping centre.
Walks
Farnborough offers a range of walks through stunning countryside to offer a change of scenery and chance to explore outside of the town centre. The length of walks available vary and we have shared some of our favourite Farnborough walks, so you can pick depending on your ability and time.
Gym
Both locations are within a very short walk to the gym, being 6 minute and a 4 minute walk for respective properties. The gym in question is The Gym Group, a highly respected gym chain across the UK, open 24 hours 7 days a week to fit in with all schedules.
Yoga
Yoga is only a 5 minute walk away from both properties which is perfect for a pre or post work yoga and de-stress session from day to day responsibilities.
Wellbeing
Farnborough has a lot to offer in terms of entertainment and enjoyable activities.Within walking distance, there is Vue (a 4 minute walk) and Teamsport Go Karting! Both of these activities aren’t typical ‘go to’ activities, but they do provide great entertainment and adrenaline rushes, especially go karting!
Alongside those previous activities, Farnborough also offers open water swimming in the quay. Despite it being January, this activity does incredible things for your body, mental health and well being.
Camberley – Central House
Despite being a small town, Camberley still has a lot to offer. Central House is located within the high street and is only a short 4 minute walk to the train and bus station. Farnborough and Aldershot are also close by.
Walks
Camberley offers walks for all abilities, ranging from family friendly to slightly more challenging hikes. Surrey offers some breathtaking countryside so is a lovely change from the town centre hustle bustle of everyday life. These walks range from 3.2km to 10km, so read our guide to the best walks in Camberley.
Gym
Just on your doorstep is a PureGym. This highly respected chain of gyms is open 24 hours 7 days a week in order to fit around any work schedule. They also offer personal trainers and a range of fitness classes.
Camberley also offers Places Leisure which is a 7 minute walk from Central House, providing some extras such as a swimming pool, rock climbing and more.
Yoga
Just a short 4 minute walk away is a Yoga life space. They offer a wide range of classes, alongside also offering events, workshops and treatments such as Thai massage, which acts as a great way to relax and de-stress after a hard week’s work.
Wellbeing
Camberley offers a wide range of activities, ranging from sporting to drama. Camberley Theatre is just a 6 minute walk away from Central House, providing lots of different types of entertainment. Furthermore, Camberley Park is only an 11 minute walk away, as well as London Road Recreation Ground which is an 8 minute walk from Central House.
Stay with House of Fisher for complete peace of mind
When you stay with House of Fisher, you are staying with the Thames Valley’s leading Aparthotel and Serviced Apartment provider. We offer complete peace of mind, with 24/7 Guest Services support available and a friendly, knowledgeable team at hand.
To ensure you always pay the lowest price, book directly by calling us on 01189 514151, email reservations@houseoffisher.com or book online.
