Come rain or shine, a trip to a waterpark makes for a fun weekend treat — plus, it’s a great way to tire out the kids. We’ve rounded up the UK’s best for you, including some indoor ones for those unpredictable days. We might not be able to get away to our usual holiday hotspots just yet, but splashing around in one of these parks might make you feel a step closer!
Splash Waterworld, Butlin’s – Minehead, Skegness and Bognor Regis
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Combine your holiday with fantastic waterpark facilities at these Butlin’s parks. There is, of course, something to please everyone in the family, from soothing lazy rivers and kids’ splash pools, to fast and fun rides for the thrill seekers.
Splashdown, Poole
Whether you’re old or young, you’ll find some thrills here. You won’t be able to tear kids away from the Buccaneer Zone, but it’s the big rides we’re really interested in. The Screamer has a vertical drop, or you can delve into the dark on Black Thunder. And Baron’s Revenge may be short, but you’ll have to be daring!
Splashdown Quaywest, Paignton
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The sister of the Poole park above, this is Britain’s largest outdoor waterpark — and it boasts fab views of the English Riviera from the top of the rides. The Devil’s Drop is a vertical extravaganza, while Wild Kamikaze will see you clinging to the edge of your tyre. When you get tired, you’ll be right by the beach too – bonus!
Alton Towers Waterpark
You can choose to visit Alton Towers’ waterpark, which is separate from the theme park, for an alternative day out. Part indoor and part outdoor, it’s based around a Caribbean lagoon. You can play with water cannons, enjoy a soothing bob along the lazy river, or go wild on the Master Blaster water rollercoaster!
Sandcastle Waterpark, Blackpool
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This is the UK’s largest indoor waterpark, but you don’t have to stay entirely inside… Plenty of the flumes are visible from the outside, so the building looks pretty crazy! Aztec Falls and Montazooma start from the top of the building and take you outside as you slide to the bottom – don’t worry though, they aren’t open to the elements. Meanwhile, the Sidewinder is the first indoor vertical drop in the world!
Blue Lagoon, Pembrokeshire
Experience tropical climes in Wales at this indoor waterpark located within the eco-friendly Bluestone National Park Resort. There are four flumes to try, ranging from the steep drops of the Torpedo to the twisting Cannon. If you prefer something a little gentler, you could drift along the lazy river or play in the waves that regularly break on the faux beach!
The Wave, Coventry
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The Wave, located in the heart of Coventry, is home to six carefully engineered, high speed slides, including The Crestar, which delights with lights and colours as well as twists and turns, and The Rapids ‘water-coaster’, which has been coined ‘a Big Dipper on water’. For younger guests, there’s the colourful Reef area, while adults might be interested in the onsite Mana Spa…
Waterworld, Stoke-on-Trent
Perhaps a wise choice in the UK, this waterpark is indoors and that means plenty of tropical warmth! Fast flumes, waves, obstacle courses, tropical storms and more are all in store for you here. Plus, on Friday nights they do an aqua disco!
Alpamare, Scarborough
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Scarborough’s alpine-themed waterpark rivals the slopes when it comes to adrenaline-inducing thrills. There are four slides here, some of which you can enjoy with friends — kind of like your own bobsleigh team! The aptly-named Snow Storm and Black Run are two of the most extreme. If you’re more adept to après-ski, then be sure to stop off at the outdoor infinity pool that looks out across the ocean, and the wellness centre, which reopens in autumn 2021.
