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The 10 best water parks in the UK
A weekend spent at a water park might be the perfect family trip. The chutes, flumes and slides are a diverting attraction for children of all ages (and secretly a lot of fun for the adults, too). There are plenty of options across the country, from toddler-friendly paddling pools to adrenaline-boosting watersports. Mercifully, most of Britain's water parks have both indoor and outdoor options, which means that whether it's a heatwave-filled summer or a gloomy Sunday afternoon, there's plenty of fun to be had.
We've rounded up 10 of the UK 's best water parks, covering everything from wave machines to waterborne obstacle courses.
1. Waterworld, Stoke, Staffordshire
Waterworld offers high-octane rides alongside space for relaxation. Speed down Nucleus in a rubber ring before lowering your adrenaline in the laidback bubble pool, or take on the twisting, turning, thrill-filled rides in Tornado Alley. There are plenty of pint-sized slides for toddlers, while adventurous teens can brave the rapids.
Opening times: Open 10am-3pm on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays; 10am-5:30pm at weekends.
Prices: £24 for adults and children over 1.1 metres; £7 for babies under 24 months. Book here.
2. Splashdown, Poole, Dorset
Become a waterslide connoisseur with Splashdown's 13 slides, which come in varying degrees of severity. Visitors under five can choose from a 3D reef pool, a water play area (complete with water cannons) and a splash pool. Meanwhile, older visitors can get started on the tamest flume, the Red River Roller (91 metres of slow twists and turns) and work their way up to Baron's Revenge, a near-vertical eight-metre drop in total darkness. For adults looking to relax, there are sun terraces, a Jacuzzi and a café. There's another Splashdown branch in Quaywest, Devon.
Opening times: Opening times are variable throughout the year; check the website for more details.
Prices: A three-hour session costs £22 per person; £18 for children under five with a companion adult; £9 for under ones (also with a companion adult); £6.50 for spectators. Book here.
3. New Forest Water Park, Fordingbridge, Hampshire
One for older children, teenagers or young-at-heart adults, the New Forest Water Park boasts an inflatable aqua park with trampolines, monkey bars, climbing walls and more. Sign up as a family and race each other to beat the obstacles – imagine you're on Total Wipeout – in an hour-long session. After conquering the aqua park, there's wakeboarding, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding to sample. You could even make a weekend of it, as there's an option to camp overnight. Sustenance can be found at the Shred Shed, with simple fare including burgers, jacket potatoes and pancakes.
Opening times: Opening times are variable throughout the year; check the website for more details.
Prices: £22 per person for a one-hour session. Book here.
4. Alton Towers resort, Staffordshire
It is mostly known as a theme park (read our ultimate guide to theme parks here). But Alton Towers is also home to a water park, so make sure to pack your swimming costume. It's rides like the Rush 'N' Rampage, where you can choose your own funky music and whirling lights, that make it a memorable day out.
Opening times: Opening times are variable throughout the year; typical hours are 10am-4pm. Check the website for more details.
Pricing: Entrance to the water park (excluding the theme park) starts at £18 per person. Book here.
5. Sandcastle, Blackpool, Lancashire
Take some time out at Sandcastle, the UK's largest indoor water park. It's been open since 1986, and since then has become a legendary spot for aficionados (and even makes it into the background of a Dandy Warhol's music video). Try the Masterblaster, billed as the world's longest indoor rollercoaster water slide and one of four white knuckle rides. Next, meander your way along the Ushi Gushi River Creek or slide down the Treetops Water Chutes. There's plenty of reason to visit without children, too. Adults can head for the Sea Breeze Spa, which includes sauna, steam room, aromatherapy and salt inhalation rooms. Or set yourself up for the day in the VIP Tiki Cabana, which comes with a stocked fridge, a TV, a private hot-tub and lunch.
Opening times: Opening times are variable throughout the year; check the website for more details.
Pricing: From £24.95 for those aged eight and above; £15.95 for ages three-seven; under threes go free. Book here.
6. Let's Go Hydro, Carryduff, Belfast
At Let's Go Hydro, you'll find another aqua obstacle course, this one featuring a large tower, a slide and climbing wall, wiggle disks and a floating trampoline. There's also a giant paddling pool on site, as well as a spa and open water swimming in Knockbracken reservoir. For something more adventurous, try tubing, wakeboarding or kayaking.
Opening times: From midday to 6pm for the Aquapark; times for other activities variable. Check the website for more details.
Prices: £25 per person for the Aquapark; prices for other activities vary. Book here.
7. LC Swansea, Wales
The perfect stop for budding adrenaline junkies, LC Swansea also has a ride called the Masterblaster. This one is a 'white-water rollercoaster waterslide', and is an ideal introduction to the genre. In addition, there's a trusty wave pool and a reliable lazy river. Little ones aren't left out, either – they can hang out in the interactive pool complete with slides, tipping buckets and fountains to keep them occupied.
Opening times: 9am to 8pm, activity-dependent.
Pricing: £9.50 for adults; £7.70 for four-15 year olds; £3.10 for under threes (under ones go free). Book here.
8. Alpamere, Scarborough
The ever-popular Alpamere combines rides with relaxation. Four slides – the twisting Snowstorm, frightening Black Run, double-tube Olympic Run and thrilling Cresta Run – will keep the family entertained for hours. As will the wave pool, which erupts every 30 minutes. But if all that gets too much, the infinity pool, looking out of the bay, is a breathtaking place to swim.
Opening times: Opening times are variable throughout the year; check the website for more details.
Pricing: Tickets start at £18.50 for adults and £14.50 for children; tickets for toddlers start at £4. Book here.
9. Thorpe Lakes, Surrey
Heading for Thorpe Park? Thorpe Lakes is right next door and offer water-based fun for anyone over six. Children can try out their obstacle course skills in the aqua park – there are sessions for under 13s and under 18s throughout the day. Plenty of water sports are on offer, too. Sign up for wakeboarding or water skiing lessons, especially if you have never tried before, as the centre specialises in training up beginners.
Opening times: 10am to 6pm daily, activity-dependent.
Pricing: £20 per person for a 55-minute session. Book here.
10. The Wave, Coventry
These aren't your garden-variety waterslides. The Wave offers hallucinogenic light shows and heart-in-mouth floor-drops as part of its rides. Their wave pool is one of the best in the country, while its lazy river is perfect for a chilled-out afternoon. Away from the pool, visitors can try out an extensive list of spa treatments, or book fitness classes, gym sessions or a slot on the squash courts.
Opening times: Opening times are variable throughout the year. On most days during school holidays, it is open from 10:15am-6pm. Check the website for more details.
Pricing: From £14.40 for visitors over 12; juniors from £12.50; infants under one are free. Book here.
