Summer’s finally here, and with another rumoured heatwave just around the corner, it’s really beginning to heat up. Luckily for us, there are a whole host of indoor water parks and outdoor water parks in London and nearby to cool off in – so pack those swimmers and get ready to slip and slide! Here’s a rundown of ten of the very best to splash about in:
1. Liquid Leisure, Windsor
Kicking off this list of the best water parks near London is Liquid Leisure on the outskirts of Windsor. It’s home to Europe’s largest aqua park and the first official Ninja Warrior UK Aqua Park, as well as a thrilling aqua ropes assault course.
You can opt for various different packages here, and most incorporate a 50-minute session on the main floating obstacle course, with options to add in time on the aqua ropes or on the Ninja Warrior section. On top of all this, you can choose to add in exciting ringo, chariot and speedboat rides too, and there’s even a section dedicated to kids if you’re bringing along the little’uns.
You’ll find Liquid Leisure at Horton Road, Berkshire, SL3 9HY. Nearest stations are Datchet and Windsor.
2. Splashdown, Poole
Ok, so this one isn’t exactly London per se, but you can easily get here for a day trip via train, so we figured it was well worth including. Based in Poole in Dorset, Splashdown has thirteen exhilarating slides rides and slides, including ‘Infinity’, which has funky lights and music playing throughout the course of its run.
On top of waterslides, they’ve also got an outdoor splash pool, an interactive play area – complete with canons and a starter flume – and a cafe to boot too. A fun day out whatever age you are, we say!
You’ll find Splashdown at Tower Park, Poole, Dorset, BH12 4NY. Nearest station is Poole.
3. Coral Reef Waterworld, Bracknell
Slightly closer to London Town, Bracknell’s Coral Reef Waterworld is arguably one of the UK’s best water parks, and there’s everything here from exciting water slides to bubble baths. Heck, there’s even an erupting volcano and a pirate ship here!
In terms of slides, there’s the gentler ‘Aqua Splash’ – which is perfect for younger children and families – then the more extreme ‘Cannon’, ‘Storm Chaser’ and ‘Maelstrom’ slides which are great for adrenaline junkies. There’s also ‘Poseidon’s Peril’ – a twin raft ride which will challenge you to take on the Greek god of the sea.
You’ll find Coral Reef Waterworld at Nine Mile Ride, Bracknell, RG12 7JQ. Nearest stations are Braccknell and Martins Heron.
4. The Pavilion, Bromley
Next up on this roundup of the best water parks near London is The Pavilion in Bromley – which on top of a leisure pool also has a bowling alley, a state-of-the-art gym, a soft play area, table tennis and a bar-come-restaurant.
There are a couple of water slides here, as well as a wave pool which all run regularly over the weekends. Of course, you’d prefer to just go for a dip, then they’ve got ample space for that here too.
You’ll find The Pavilion at Kentish Way, Bromley, BR1 3EF. Nearest stations are Bromley North and Bromley South.
5. Waterfront Leisure Centre, Woolwich
Staying south of the river and you’ll find the Waterfront Leisure Centre in Woolwich – a vast spot with a 100 plus station gym, a multi-use sports hall, five-a-side football pitches, a studio with plenty of fitness classes, a 25-metre-pool and a leisure pool with slides and a wave machine too.
For thrills and spills, don’t miss taking a ride on the ‘Anaconda’ – an extensive slide which takes you all the way from the building’s ceiling to the pool below. It’s certainly not for the faint-hearted!
You’ll find the Waterfront Leisure Centre at Woolwich High Street, London, SE18 6DL. Nearest station is Woolwich.
6. Thorpe Lakes Aqua Park, Surrey
Next up on this roundup of the best water parks near London is Thorpe Lakes Aqua Park – a leading watersports facility which is right in the shadow of Thorpe Park. Home of ‘London’s ultimate floating obstacle course’, it also offers you the chance to go wakeboarding, water skiing, wake surfing and cable skiing too.
Of course, you’re also just a stone’s throw from the hair-raising roller coasters and drop rides of Thorpe Park, one of the country’s best theme parks. Double dose of adrenaline perhaps?
You’ll find Thorpe Lakes Aqua Park at Thorpe Lakes, Thorpe Road, Chertsey, Surrey, KT16 8PH. Nearest station is Chertsey.
7. Archway Leisure Centre, Archway
Situated in between Highgate and Archway, the Archway Leisure Centre is a state-of-the-art leisure centre with a fully-equipped, two-storey gym, a sloping beach-style pool, two spa pools and a sauna suite – perfect if you’re looking to kick back and relax.
There’s also a flume here too, so if you’re looking for a bit of fun post-gym or post-swim, then this one ticks all the right boxes!
You’ll find Archway Leisure Centre at MacDonald Rd, Archway, London, N19 5DD. Nearest station is Archway.
8. Leyton Leisure Centre, Leyton
Next up on this roundup of water parks in London is Leyton Leisure Centre which is in – yep, you guessed it – Leyton in East London. There’s really something for everyone here – including two swimming pools with a water slide, an aqua play area for kids, a teaching pool for swimming lessons, fitness classes, group cycle studios, and a sauna and steam room.
Another one run by Better, they’ve also got a fantastic gym with 70 different work stations – great if you’re looking to make a day of it. Reward a gym session with a slide down a water slide – sign us up!
You’ll find Leyton Leisure Centre at 763 High Road Leyton, London, E10 5AB. Nearest station is Leyton Midland Road.
9. Splash Park, Barking
Our penultimate entry to this roundup of the best water parks near London is Splash Park in Barking – an outdoor water park with a whole host of fountains, walk-on-water balls, little pedal boats and even a dance-loving mascot named Splashy.
Though there are no water slides to speak of here, there’s ample space to enjoy yourself in the water here – especially when the sun is shining and there’s a rumoured heatwave in the offing! Note that it’s only open in the Summer – so check the opening times here.
You’ll find Splash Park at Longbridge Road, Barking Park, Essex, IG11 8SS. Nearest station is Barking.
10. Cascades Leisure Centre, Gravesend
Rounding off this list of the best water parks near London is Cascades – a combined fitness centre and swimming pool with the ‘Typhoon’ and ‘Twister’ water slides, a wave pool, a mushroom water fountain, water jets, a waterfall and a baby pool with an elephant slide.
The water here is heated to a balmy 30 degrees, and there’s also a fitness pool, a gym, tai chi lessons, and even JONI’S beauty salon so you can pamper yourself silly! Go on – you deserve it.
You’ll find Cascades Leisure Centre at Thong Lane, Gravesend, DA12 4LG. Nearest station is Gravesend.
So there you have it – a roundup of the best water parks in London and the best water parks near London. So if you’re looking for a bit of fun, grab your swimmers and towel and dive on in!
