SC2 water park re-opens: What to expect after its 18-month closure
We paid a visit to the attraction with our two boys, aged three and one, for the 9.30am toddler swim session. We'd pre-booked our tickets online and paid a £5 deposit for a locker wristband, which was refunded when we returned it.
Parent and toddler sessions are advertised at the attraction (Image: Newsquest / Suzanne Kendrick) Arrival was smooth and stress-free. We were greeted warmly at reception. The staff member asked if we had visited before; I replied that it had been a while, and she responded with a knowing smile.
One thing I've always appreciated about SC2 is the family-friendly changing area. There are plenty of spacious family cubicles, each equipped with a secure baby seat - a helpful detail when you're juggling young children.
The baby seat in the family cubicle (Image: Newsquest / Suzanne Kendrick) As we entered the pool, the warmth was immediate. 'Mr Blue Sky' played in the background, and we were greeted by the sight of the large Boomerang slide (which, along with the other big slides, is closed during toddler sessions). The pool wasn't too crowded which was nice.
There was a good range of floats and toys for little ones to enjoy - ladybirds, penguins, rabbits, splash mirrors, small number floats, and watering cans. Elijah quickly laid claim to the red ladybird float, while Sebastian tried to carry as many pool toys as he could.
Outside SC2 (Image: Newsquest / Suzanne Kendrick) Now that Sebastian is a bit older, he was able to try the toddler slides and raced down them with Daddy. I took Elijah down the yellow slide on my knee, and he beamed with delight. There are lots of interactive water features - buckets to tip, gentle sprays, and a water wheel. While the water felt slightly cool at first, we all soon warmed up.
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We finished our morning with a visit to the Rainforest Diner, which is where you return your wristband to get your £5 deposit back. This can be a bit of a faff if there's a queue. The menu is fairly standard for a family-friendly venue, with options aimed at younger children. That said, there's a lot to like about the space - it's not cramped, I liked the décor and there's a brand-new free soft play area for customers with children aged four and under. It's also nice that there are tables where you can look out over the swimming pool while you eat.
The new play structure inside the Rainforest Diner. (Image: Newsquest / Suzanne Kendrick) RELATED STORIES
There were no high chairs visible when we arrived, so my husband asked a staff member. They were polite and helpful - someone went off to find the high chairs and returned with a stack.
Children's meal - Sausage, chips and beans (Image: Newsquest / Suzanne Kendrick) The food, though simple, was surprisingly tasty and served in cardboard food boxes. Sebastian had sausage, skin-on chips, and beans; my husband opted for a brioche bacon roll (which came generously filled with three rashers of bacon), and I had a sausage breakfast roll with an extra hash brown. Elijah had the kids' sandwich picnic, which included sliced cucumber and Quavers, although at first only the sandwich was brought out. The staff member checked with the kitchen and returned five to 10 minutes later with the full meal presented in a panda-themed box. They joked that the chef was 'going mad' - hopefully not because we chose that meal. The staff member later came to check that everything was okay with the food.
The Rainforest Diner (Image: Newsquest / Suzanne Kendrick) The reopening of SC2 appears to have gone ahead without any real fuss.
The Splash Pad remains closed (Image: Newsquest / Suzanne Kendrick) The attraction, which offered free taster sessions and hosted visits for homeless families ahead of its official reopening, remains largely unchanged since before its closure. The water park is clean, accessible, and vibrant, with plenty to enjoy. With a maximum indoor pool depth of 90cm, it's designed for play rather than swimming. While entry can be a little pricey, a 'local loyalty discount' is available for residents after 4pm every weekend and throughout the school summer holidays.
It's great to see SC2 back open - it offers a unique space for water play in the region, particularly for families with young children. That said, the thrill slides are sure to prove a hit once again with older kids and adults alike.
*The outdoor Splash Pad is not yet open.
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