Wild Water, Slides and Lively Themes For All Ages
Indoor water parks around the UK make summer-style family fun a real possibility throughout the year. The best UK water parks are great rainy day havens during cooler weather. After all, if you’re going to get wet, you might as well get really wet.
Peaceful indoor heated pools at hotels and health clubs may be lovely for adults; however, kids desire the more uninhibited action and excitement of splashing around in moving water.
Let’s face it, most of us do.
If you are taking advantage of low season rates for a more economical family vacation, adding a water park visit could enhance enthusiasm among the adolescents in your party. Therefore, consider visiting one of these top indoor water parks.
The Blue Lagoon
Part of the Bluestone National Park Resort in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, The Blue Lagoon offers giant slides, a wave pool, water cannons, and all the usual water park attractions, plus occasional After Dark parties featuring music and live entertainment, underwater aquacycling, and Wild Water Fridays, during which various features operate at full capacity.
- What makes it special? In addition to its proximity to the beautiful heritage coast of Pembrokeshire, a vacation at the Blue Lagoon is one of the greenest holidays in the UK. All the water it uses is heated by a biomass fuel driven system. It is believed to be the only facility of its kind worldwide that utilizes such technology and is also the biggest biomass system in Wales.
- Sessions Adult, child, and family tickets are available, and online booking is highly recommended. Each ticket is valid for a three-hour session, including changing times. Booking online and collecting your tickets upon arrival allows for a 15% savings. Guests who stay at the resort can access the Blue Lagoon freely as part of their holiday.
- Visit their website to find out more
Alton Towers Waterpark
Before Disney came to Paris, a trip to Alton Towers in Staffordshire, not far from Stoke-on-Trent, was one of the most exciting experiences for children in the UK. It remains one of the country’s top family attractions, featuring several hotels close to imaginative thrill rides and themed experiences. The Alton Towers Waterpark, formerly known as Cariba Creek, is an indoor, “tropical” lagoon complete with water slides, water cannons, and a steaming volcanic hot spring. The Splash Landings Hotel enhances the “Caribbean experience” for guests and is adjacent to the water park. Admission is priced separately; however, packages that bundle family hotel stays with water park and theme park admissions are available. The Water Park remains open year-round while the Theme Park operates from March to early November.
- What makes it special? Master Blaster is a water coaster that surprises visitors with sudden blasts of water. Adventurous patrons can try the hot Bubbly Wubbly Pool outdoors amid clouds of rising steam or opt for more tranquil experiences in the indoor Volcano Springs. There’s also an interactive “Waterworks Treehouse” featuring 70 different activities, and occasionally, a bell rings signaling the “Tipping Bucket” to release a deluge of 1,000 gallons of water.
- Sessions Day session tickets are sold up to a month in advance and include a 25% discount for online purchases. Various ticket options are available, including adult, child, senior, and disabled tickets, along with multiple family ticket types. Consequently, it’s advisable to check current prices online.
- Visit their website to find out more
Waterworld
Stoke-on-Trent is becoming a hub for indoor waterparks, with Waterworld providing serious competition to Alton Towers’ Waterpark. Approximately 400,000 visitors each year flock to this indoor waterpark for its thrilling attractions. They claim to be the UK’s No. 1 tropical indoor waterpark. Rides include slides, a challenging lily pad walk suitable for older children, and the Nucleus, a water roller coaster. Be warned, this venue is bustling with activity, leaving no quiet corners for adults to relax!
- What makes it special? Friday nights feature the Wave Rave, an aqua disco aimed at teens and tweens, providing an exciting after-school treat. Attendees can enjoy the latest chart-toppers, dance with a DJ, and experience lights and smoke effects both on a new dancefloor and in the water.
- Sessions Individual tickets, family tickets, and spectator tickets are accessible with discounted options for online purchases. Those with online tickets are permitted to skip the queue, ensuring a smooth entry.
- Visit their website to find out more
Coral Reef Waterworld, Bracknell
This community leisure center in Berkshire has recently undergone renovation, now showcasing a range of exciting waterslides alongside quieter activities suitable for adults and families with toddlers. Conveniently located in the Home Counties area, it is easily reachable for those visiting London and the Southeast. While it operates primarily as a membership leisure center, it also offers day sessions, swimming lessons, and more.
- What makes it special? The facility features five brand new waterslides, offering experiences ranging from thrilling to more gentle options for young children. A notable feature is the Cannon, which records your time at the end of the ride, allowing you to challenge yourself. Additionally, the indoor pool includes a pirate ship and occasional water cannons to engage with.
- Sessions Two-hour sessions for Family Fun with Flumes can be booked online, inclusive of time spent in changing rooms. Operating hours vary based on school term schedules, weekends, and vacations, so it’s important to check the website for updates. Spectator tickets are also available for those wishing to watch the fun unfold.
