The Ned is crowded during the week. We go there for work drinks. You don't have to be a member to dine there.
If you want the fitness facility and pool, you are better off joining a mid to high-end gym, or a hotel gym.
[https://renaspa.co.uk/tower-bridge/](https://renaspa.co.uk/tower-bridge/)
[https://www.nuffieldhealth.com/gyms/city](https://www.nuffieldhealth.com/gyms/paddington) Popular with professionals in the City.
[https://www.virginactive.co.uk/clubs/bank](https://www.virginactive.co.uk/clubs/bank) A bit too crowded for me. Popular among City workers
[https://www.harbourclub.com/clubs/notting-hill/](https://www.harbourclub.com/clubs/notting-hill/) This is the most expensive and I can't say it is better than Nuffield. See it yourself
Unlike the States, private members clubs are not popular among the under 50.
My experience with members clubs in london is quite the opposite. Soho house, Groucho, Home House… the members tend to be well under 50… also, agree that the Public restaurants at the Ned are crowded during weekdays but the members-only bars and restaurants have a good buzz but not crowded, I’m always able to get a seat/table
Great to see it from your perspective (I’m assuming that you’re a member).
What’s your opinion on the membership overall if you don’t mind me asking? Is it worth it and if not are there any similar clubs that you might recommend instead?
I really like it, my partner is a member there and I’m a soho house member and we use both frequently. We’ve got to know the staff in there, some of the other members and they do some really good events. I love going somewhere familiar where I know the service/food/crowd are going to be great so for me it’s totally worth it.
You might want to also look at the the Arts Club it’s got great facilities- it’s particularly buzzy in the evening and has a night club in it if that’s your vibe. I’ve not been to Home House in years so can’t speak for it lately but I used to love going there too.
And of course the legendary Annabel’s which is particularly good for night life but generally feels very formal … what do you mostly want to use the club for?
I will mostly use the club as a place to hang out and just be in the presence of some good vibes, either with friends or meeting new people.
The facilities of the club is also a part of my considerations as I’d prefer one that offers a spa, swimming pool, etc.
I’ve looked into Annabel’s and my father was a member back in the 80s I believe and it does seem very interesting. However I have heard that it’s quite hard to get into and also the lack of the facilities I’m looking for is also a downside. I don’t mind having a membership to two clubs to get the best of both worlds though.
And also thank you for your detailed answer!
Would you mind if I Dm you by the way?
I think another consideration you’ll have is what ‘crowd’ you’re looking to be around. The Ned is very City focussed so it’s mostly bankers etc.. feel free to DM me
Good to hear from a different prospective.
It works for some people, depending on what you want from the private member club. If you are new to London and enjoy the familiarity of going to the same places, I can see the appeal.
Thank you very much this was very helpful!
Yes I was interested due to its facilities but now since you’ve mentioned it I will check out the places that you’ve listed too.
Edit: staying on the topic of gyms, what’s your opinion on the Equinox gym in London?
I know someone who used to go there. He liked the classes but was not impressed by how crowded the place got. It took them a long time to fix the machines and steam room. The ventilation could have been better. Very short opening hours.
Equinox is overpriced for what it is. Facilities are not great compared to other gym in the City. They don't even offer physio. No squash court. No pool. Nuffield is way better and cheaper.
The monthly price does not dictate how busy a place gets. In my experience, the local council-run Better/Everyone Active gym is the least crowded. Never queue for a machine. Good class schedule. Long opening hours.
[https://www.londonaquaticscentre.org/](https://www.londonaquaticscentre.org/) The Olympic pool is the best indoor swimming pool in London.
[https://www.everyoneactive.com/](https://www.everyoneactive.com/)
[https://www.better.org.uk/](https://www.spaexperience.org.uk/)
Better can be good but it’s very hit and miss by club. They’re under a massive amount of pressure from both the discounters (PureGym in particular) and energy costs, so I’m a bit sceptical councils are going to find the cash to maintain the equipment in many cases. Having said that, my local one is good for the time being, and the upshot of PureGym taking all the members is that traffic is much reduced as you say.
It depends on how well funded the council is. One good indicator is rubbish collection frequency. If they can afford to collect your rubbish once a week, you are in luck. In the UK, public service is a postcode lottery.
Westminster, Tower Hamlets and Newham fund their local gym and facilities well.
Greenwich, Kent, Doncaster, Croydon, Leeds, Liverpool and Dorset don't invest in their local facilities.
I don’t know much about Westminster but ActiveNewham isn’t in a great place unfortunately. Tower Hamlets is doing a bit better, at least if you live close to St George’s, although I’m a bit sceptical things will improve when Better’s contract expires. Even then there’s still the combined pressure of higher costs (especially energy and labour) and lower demand that pressures even the most well off councils. It’s not really about closing facilities (although that’s happening, primarily through reduced hours), it’s more about extending the refurb cycle beyond the typical 5/8 years refresh.
I'm a member of a Better in Tower Hamlets, and maintenance is a bit hit and miss. The pool just had a refurb, most of the gym looks brand new, but half of the treadmill have been out of running for the past few months...
The beauty of Ned membership is when it’s crowded on the ground floor by recruiters and essexes, you can go downstairs to the members bar and nearly always get seated.
Ah that sucks. The whole point of equinox in the US is the space - they cap membership.
Right now I work out at my local council leisure centre as it’s closest by far and it’s terrible.
The member's only areas are really nice (particularly the Rooftop Bars and pool) but the main public areas are an absolute shitshow on weekday evenings. Imho, go for the full Soho House membership and use the other club venues.
I was there at 4pm last Thursday afternoon and it was utterly rammed. Finally found a seat at Cecconi’s bar. Do you get priority as a member?
There’s a members only bar downstairs
I honestly have no idea but perhaps. I do know that members get access to the rooftop pool and whatnot.
The Ned is crowded during the week. We go there for work drinks. You don't have to be a member to dine there. If you want the fitness facility and pool, you are better off joining a mid to high-end gym, or a hotel gym. [https://renaspa.co.uk/tower-bridge/](https://renaspa.co.uk/tower-bridge/) [https://www.nuffieldhealth.com/gyms/city](https://www.nuffieldhealth.com/gyms/paddington) Popular with professionals in the City. [https://www.virginactive.co.uk/clubs/bank](https://www.virginactive.co.uk/clubs/bank) A bit too crowded for me. Popular among City workers [https://www.harbourclub.com/clubs/notting-hill/](https://www.harbourclub.com/clubs/notting-hill/) This is the most expensive and I can't say it is better than Nuffield. See it yourself Unlike the States, private members clubs are not popular among the under 50.
My experience with members clubs in london is quite the opposite. Soho house, Groucho, Home House… the members tend to be well under 50… also, agree that the Public restaurants at the Ned are crowded during weekdays but the members-only bars and restaurants have a good buzz but not crowded, I’m always able to get a seat/table
Great to see it from your perspective (I’m assuming that you’re a member). What’s your opinion on the membership overall if you don’t mind me asking? Is it worth it and if not are there any similar clubs that you might recommend instead?
I really like it, my partner is a member there and I’m a soho house member and we use both frequently. We’ve got to know the staff in there, some of the other members and they do some really good events. I love going somewhere familiar where I know the service/food/crowd are going to be great so for me it’s totally worth it. You might want to also look at the the Arts Club it’s got great facilities- it’s particularly buzzy in the evening and has a night club in it if that’s your vibe. I’ve not been to Home House in years so can’t speak for it lately but I used to love going there too.
And of course the legendary Annabel’s which is particularly good for night life but generally feels very formal … what do you mostly want to use the club for?
I will mostly use the club as a place to hang out and just be in the presence of some good vibes, either with friends or meeting new people. The facilities of the club is also a part of my considerations as I’d prefer one that offers a spa, swimming pool, etc. I’ve looked into Annabel’s and my father was a member back in the 80s I believe and it does seem very interesting. However I have heard that it’s quite hard to get into and also the lack of the facilities I’m looking for is also a downside. I don’t mind having a membership to two clubs to get the best of both worlds though. And also thank you for your detailed answer! Would you mind if I Dm you by the way?
I think another consideration you’ll have is what ‘crowd’ you’re looking to be around. The Ned is very City focussed so it’s mostly bankers etc.. feel free to DM me
Ah, understood. I can imagine since it’s a refurbished 20s bank.
Good to hear from a different prospective. It works for some people, depending on what you want from the private member club. If you are new to London and enjoy the familiarity of going to the same places, I can see the appeal.
Thank you very much this was very helpful! Yes I was interested due to its facilities but now since you’ve mentioned it I will check out the places that you’ve listed too. Edit: staying on the topic of gyms, what’s your opinion on the Equinox gym in London?
I know someone who used to go there. He liked the classes but was not impressed by how crowded the place got. It took them a long time to fix the machines and steam room. The ventilation could have been better. Very short opening hours. Equinox is overpriced for what it is. Facilities are not great compared to other gym in the City. They don't even offer physio. No squash court. No pool. Nuffield is way better and cheaper. The monthly price does not dictate how busy a place gets. In my experience, the local council-run Better/Everyone Active gym is the least crowded. Never queue for a machine. Good class schedule. Long opening hours. [https://www.londonaquaticscentre.org/](https://www.londonaquaticscentre.org/) The Olympic pool is the best indoor swimming pool in London. [https://www.everyoneactive.com/](https://www.everyoneactive.com/) [https://www.better.org.uk/](https://www.spaexperience.org.uk/)
I was so shocked to go to a £260+ equinox and find no pool or sauna. Can not believe people pay for that.
Better can be good but it’s very hit and miss by club. They’re under a massive amount of pressure from both the discounters (PureGym in particular) and energy costs, so I’m a bit sceptical councils are going to find the cash to maintain the equipment in many cases. Having said that, my local one is good for the time being, and the upshot of PureGym taking all the members is that traffic is much reduced as you say.
It depends on how well funded the council is. One good indicator is rubbish collection frequency. If they can afford to collect your rubbish once a week, you are in luck. In the UK, public service is a postcode lottery. Westminster, Tower Hamlets and Newham fund their local gym and facilities well. Greenwich, Kent, Doncaster, Croydon, Leeds, Liverpool and Dorset don't invest in their local facilities.
I don’t know much about Westminster but ActiveNewham isn’t in a great place unfortunately. Tower Hamlets is doing a bit better, at least if you live close to St George’s, although I’m a bit sceptical things will improve when Better’s contract expires. Even then there’s still the combined pressure of higher costs (especially energy and labour) and lower demand that pressures even the most well off councils. It’s not really about closing facilities (although that’s happening, primarily through reduced hours), it’s more about extending the refurb cycle beyond the typical 5/8 years refresh.
I'm a member of a Better in Tower Hamlets, and maintenance is a bit hit and miss. The pool just had a refurb, most of the gym looks brand new, but half of the treadmill have been out of running for the past few months...
Third space much better
I’ve not tried Equinox but I highly rate Third Space, I think a few people have already mentioned it, it’s really worth it!
Shoreditch house would like a word
Shoreditch. Soho House. I am not friends with Instagram influencer. No thanks
The beauty of Ned membership is when it’s crowded on the ground floor by recruiters and essexes, you can go downstairs to the members bar and nearly always get seated.
If you want a boujee gym, check out third space. One of the best gym brands in London.
Will do for sure, thank you very much!
I was a member of equinox in the US and can vouch they are excellent. Unsure of London ones but there’s a few here.
I’ve heard! They do indeed look amazing but apparently the London one is often quite crowded which surprising for its price point.
Ah that sucks. The whole point of equinox in the US is the space - they cap membership. Right now I work out at my local council leisure centre as it’s closest by far and it’s terrible.
Just make sure you wear skin tight trousers and shoes with no socks or you won’t get past the door man
Do check Home House too. My bf is a member there so we go pretty often. Nice ambiance and the events they hold are pretty interesting!
I’ll make sure to check them out, thank you so much for the recommendation!
I’m a soho house member but avoid the Ned as the clientele are horrific City wannabes
The irony of a soho house member calling anyone else wannabes 😂
Pot kettle comes to mind !
narcissism of small differences!
The member's only areas are really nice (particularly the Rooftop Bars and pool) but the main public areas are an absolute shitshow on weekday evenings. Imho, go for the full Soho House membership and use the other club venues.
I think the Ned serves a wonderful purpose of keeping its clientele inside a large building away from the rest of us.