Better Carlisle

Welcome to Better in Carlisle.

We're delighted to work in partnership with the Carlisle City Council. Through our facilities and community programmes we support, facilitate and deliver sport and physical activity for all ages and abilities with the aim to increase participation every year.

We host regular community events to promote a healthy lifestyle, working to engage the local population in Carlisle into sport and physical activity. 

We're proud to manage Cumbria and South West Scotland's premier entertainment venue - The Sands Centre - which hosts an exciting mix of shows and events for all the family, including comedy's biggest names, musicals from the West End, international orchestras, pop artists, ballet and opera.

Talented athletes across Carlisle are able to access funding from the GLL Sport Foundation, which aims to support and develop young sportsmen and women in order to help them achieve their Olympic and Paralympic dreams.

Leisure centres in Carlisle

We currently operate three leisure centres on behalf of the Carlisle City  Council:

  • The Sands Centre
  • The Pools Swimming & Health Centre
  • The Sheepmount Athletics Track and Playing Fields

In addition we also manage the following leisure facilities:

  • Trinity Leisure Centre
  • Morton Leisure Centre
  • Harraby 3G Pitches & Sports Hall 

You can find out more about the activities and facilities available at each by clicking here:

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Swimming

The Pools Swimming & Health Centre has three great pools - a 6 lane 25m pool with separate 7m tank pool, a 20m teaching pool suitable for young families and beginners, plus a 10m pool, perfect for parent and toddlers and swim school. 

Trinity Leisure Centre has a 17m/15m 'L' shaped pool and Morton Leisure Centre Yearsley Pool has a 20m pool with moveable floor.

Our pools feature a great range of lessons, courses, classes, casual lane swimming and fun sessions including superb pool inflatables!

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Our gyms in Carlisle

At The Sands Centre you’ll find a 100 station gym with a great range of  cardio and resistance equipment. There’s also a large free weights area. 

The Sheepmount has a brand new 25 station gym also with the latest Technogym cardio, and resistance equipment. An ideal place for teams and athletes to work out in.

The Pools, Trinity and Morton all have small, friendly gyms with a great range of cardio and resistance equipment.

All abilities are welcome and our highly trained instructors are always there to help, inspire and motivate. 

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Fitness Classes

With over 90 fitness classes a week across the City our extensive programme offers something for all abilities, ages and fitness levels. Choose from favourites such as Circuits, Group Cycle, BodyPump and Boxfit.   

As a member you can book online 14 days in advance 

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Swim School

Learn to swim better for less at The Pool, Morton Leisure Centre and Trinity Leisure Centre. Whether your children are beginners or you're wanting to build their confidence, we cater for all levels of ability and will help them progress in the world of water.

We are the largest provider of Swimming lessons in the UK. Across the country, we help over 135,000 people learn to love the water and keep active, by becoming capable and confident swimmers. That's why you should come to us to teach your children this vital life skill.

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Football

Carlisle is a hotbed for outdoor football. We have two great facilities each offering a great range of pitches

  • The Sheepmount Athletics Track & Playing Fields

There are grass pitches available throughout the year for playing matches or training. We have 11-a-side, 9-a-side and 7-a-side options.

  • Harraby 3G Sports Pitches

The 3G pitches all have floodlights so they can be used in all light and weather conditions. There are  3 x 3G pens which are ideal for 5 a side games as well as a full size pitch which can be split into 6 a side, 7 a side, 9 a side or 11 a side configurations.

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Why Better?

Choose Better because...

GLL is a not for profit charitable social enterprise committed to delivering a better quality of fitness, leisure, libraries and performing arts facilities for everyone. We’re committed to providing access to quality community facilities and already manage over 258 facilities, operating under our 'Better' brand.  

As a not for profit charitable social enterprise, we work for the benefit of everyone: the public, the communities we work in, the environment, our staff and our partners. We don’t have shareholders like some private companies or any bonuses to payout. Instead, we reinvest any financial surplus we make back into our services and facilities. Over the last 25 years, we’ve reinvested millions of pounds – well over £100m.  

Whether you join us on a pre-paid membership, or use our facilities occasionally as a non-member, you can get fit, stay healthy, and know that you're helping make a difference in your community. 

Our services near you

GLL Sports Foundation

The GLL Sport Foundation is the UK's largest independent athlete support programme. We are committed to supporting athletes across the UK to reach their potential and achieve success. 

We aspire to enable supported athletes to achieve success, and use them to inspire the next generation of athletes and our wider communities.

We support 3100+ athletes per annum across the UK. 

 

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Get Involved

The Sands Centre Arts & Entertainment

We're proud to manage Cumbria and South West Scotland's premier entertainment venue - The Sands Centre - which hosts an exciting mix of shows and events for all the family, including comedy's biggest names, musicals from the West End, international orchestras, pop artists, ballet and opera.

Book Tickets now