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  • Online payment forms for bulky waste and licensing are working again − some fees collected through these forms were due to be increased on 1 April, but we have postponed this for a week. Garden waste and council tax payments are not affected.

Leisure

External images of Didcot Wave (left) and Thame Leisure Centre (right)

February 25, 2026

Revamps for changing rooms at Didcot Wave and Thame leisure centres

Published 25 February 2026 This March both Thame and Didcot Wave leisure centres will benefit from a £600,000 investment to revamp the ‘dry side’ changing facilities giving them a much-needed makeover.  The facilities at both centres are in need of improvements to make them as modern and easy to maintain as possible.  The refurbishments will include the installation water saving devices in the toilets and showers and new LED energy efficient lighting will be fitted.  At Thame the centre will have its main corridor decorated, […]

Images of leisure projects in the South. Thame Leisure Centre solar panels,Didcot Wave Spin Studio and Abbey Sports Centre ATP

January 28, 2026

£2M boost for South leisure facilities 

Published Wednesday 28 January 2026 Leisure facilities in South Oxfordshire will receive a £2M boost over the coming year, with a number of improvements planned for council owned leisure centres.  South Oxfordshire District Council is funding these projects with developer contributions (S106 and CIL), their Capital budget and contributions from Oxfordshire County Council with £1,958,000 allocated to Abbey Sports Centre, Didcot Wave and Thame Leisure Centre.  Abbey Sports Centre in Berinsfield is to get […]

Photo shows representatives from Better alongside Cabinet members from South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils and GLL Sport Foundation athletes.

January 6, 2026

Councils secure a high-quality and sustainable future for leisure facilities in uncertain times

Local residents can look forward to high-quality, sustainable leisure services for at least the next three years after their councils struck a deal for a contract extension.

From LR: Kevin Williams South and Vale Partnership Manager for GLL, Dan Pawlowski from Baily Garner, Cllr Mocky Khan ward councillor, Cllr Georgina Heritage Cabinet Member for Communities, Gary Starkey Head of Service GLL, Jan Smith Leisure Projects Officer at South Oxfordshire District Council, Rebecca Richmond General Manager Didcot Wave.

November 27, 2025

New studios open at the Didcot Wave 

Published Thursday 27 November 2025 Two new studio spaces opened at the Didcot Wave Leisure Centre this month, with further work starting on improvements to dryside changing rooms at the centre.  The leisure centre in Didcot has benefited from £140,000 worth of improvements – with the creation of a multi-use studio, suitable for a range of […]

Riverside Pool in Wallingford on a sunny day with water safety and first aid equipment ready for a public training session

October 21, 2025

Thousands of visitors help make the Riverside summer season a sizzler! 

Published 21 October 2025 Over 22,000 visitors enjoyed the facilities at Riverside Park and Pools in Wallingford this summer.  South Oxfordshire District Council and its leisure provider GLL, who manage the site at Riverside Park and Pools on behalf of the council, saw a 45 per cent increase in visitors compared to 2024.   The pool […]

The image is a horizontal banner displaying four distinct, framed images against a teal and green background decorated with faint, white line-art drawings of various objects like sports equipment and theatrical masks. The four framed images are: First Image (Left): A photograph of a smiling, bald man with a beard and a colourful, spotted shirt. He is holding a large ruler and is surrounded by cartoon characters, including a small boy's face peering up from the bottom left and a girl standing next to him on the right. The background is an orange-yellow colour. Second Image (Center-Left): A cover for a book or resource titled

September 29, 2025

Enjoy an action-packed half-term across South Oxfordshire and the Vale 

From theatre shows and craft workshops to outdoor adventure challenges and family fun days – there’s something for everyone this October half-term!  Families across South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse can look forward to an exciting week of free and low-cost activities from 25 October to 1 November.  Free and low-cost outdoor activities, […]

A dog swimming in a pool

September 1, 2025

Outdoor pools season extended and doggy swims are back!

Published 1 September 2025 Swimmers and families will get to enjoy an extra week of fun at the Riverside outdoor pool in Wallingford and Abbey Meadow outdoor pool in Abingdon! Both pools and splash pads will be open until Sunday 7 September. GLL who manage the outdoor pools and splash pads on behalf of South […]

Four photo sections, each shaped uniquely, showing kids engaged in different fun outdoor activities: Playing with a colorful parachute. Playing soccer. Smiling with helmets and pads—possibly at a skate park. Playing a game with a bat and ball (like cricket or baseball). Background elements include light blue line-art illustrations of various sports and outdoor items: whistles, trophies, soccer balls, tennis rackets, flags, etc.—emphasizing the fun and active summer theme.

July 10, 2025

Book now for FREE South and Vale Summer Holiday Activities! 

Secure your spot. Don’t miss out!

The Didcot Wave Leisure Centre - external view

July 8, 2025

Work starts on two new studios at the Didcot Wave

Works starts this week at the Didcot Wave Leisure Centre to create two new studio spaces.

June 9, 2025

Leisure Centres in Berinsfield and Henley to benefit from new clean green energy

Multi-million-pound plans have been approved to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions at two South Oxfordshire leisure centres in Berinsfield and Henley. South Oxfordshire District Council has been successful in its bid for government funding of around £1.5m towards installing energy efficiency measures including double glazing and insulation, as well as solar panels and […]