Top 9 UK Water Parks
Despite its often dreary weather, the selection of water parks in the UK may be limited, but there are still some excellent options available. Most outdoor water parks can only operate for a few months each year, leading to a predominance of indoor attractions.
Operators and suppliers have found ways to adapt even the most expansive water rides for indoor settings. This is achievable through innovative design and cutting-edge technology developed by ride designers, according to Ray Smegal, chief commercial officer at ProSlide.
“The technology is already in place. The constraints are starting to fade away,” adds Steve Rhys, a retired former executive vice president of FORREC.
“The challenge will always be the expense of indoor space. Creative solutions include layering rides and effectively extending most of the structure of inherently large rides outdoors.”
Recently, plans have been approved for Great Wolf Resorts’ first UK location in Oxfordshire. Additionally, Therme Manchester, a new £250 million water park and wellbeing resort, is also on the horizon.
In no particular order, we delve into the wave pools, flume rides, waterslides, lazy rivers, and splash zones at the top UK water parks. These attractions can be found across the nation in regions such as Devon, Dorset, the Midlands, Lancashire, Yorkshire, and Wales.
Splashdown Quaywest, Paignton
Opened in 1988, Splashdown Quaywest is the UK’s largest outdoor water park. Situated near Paignton in Devon, this attraction features twisting tyre rides and slippery waterslides. Its most exhilarating slides include Devil’s Drop, The Screamer, and Wild Kamikaze.
Other attractions at the park include the Sidewinder, Corkscrew, and Wet and Wild mat rides, along with the Raging Rapids and Surf Lagoon tyre rides. For younger visitors, Blennies Tiddler Pool offers a safe splash area.
Sandcastle Waterpark, Blackpool
Sandcastle Waterpark, part of the Merlin Entertainments family, is the UK’s largest indoor water park. It opened in 1986 and features over 18 slides and attractions within a tropical environment. These include thrilling ‘white knuckle’ slides, pools, a wave machine, and water play structures for younger guests.
“The Sandcastle Waterpark is one of the council’s big success stories,” stated Blackpool Council leader Lynn Williams. “Over the years, it has received significant investment to maintain and enhance its popularity with both visitors and locals.” The water park is also recognised for its accessibility for individuals with disabilities.
Families can enjoy the Typhoon Lagoon wave pool, Treetops Water Chutes, Caribbean Storm Treehouse, Ushi Gushi River Creek ‘action river’, HMS Thundersplash play area, and Fort Riptide slides. The park’s five thrilling slides include Master Blaster, Sidewinder, Montazooma, Aztec Falls, and Duelling Dragons.
Alton Towers Waterpark, Stoke-on-Trent
Alton Towers Waterpark is, as the name suggests, a water park located at Alton Towers Resort in Staffordshire. Its attractions feature lazy rivers, the Master Blaster water coaster, interactive play areas, and high-speed waterslides such as Rush ‘N’ Rampage. During the summer months, guests can enjoy the outdoor Bubbly Wubbly pool and Flash Floods flume ride.
Additional attractions include the Wacky Waterworks Treehouse, which boasts over 70 interactive water features for children. The Tipping Bucket drenches visitors with more than 1,000 litres of water, while Little Leak is a shallow pool designed for the youngest guests. The water park opened in 2003.
Waterworld, Stoke-on-Trent
Promoted as the UK’s premier tropical-themed indoor water park, Waterworld Aqua Park is located at the Waterworld Leisure Resort in Stoke-on-Trent. Since its opening in 1989, Waterworld has become home to over 30 rides and attractions, including Thunderbolt, the UK’s first trapdoor drop waterslide. This is part of the new Tornado Alley zone, which features the highest and fastest waterslides in the UK.
Facilities include Rapids and Lily Pads pools, a wave pool, and bubble pools. For children, attractions include the interactive Jungle House and slides for toddlers. In the summer, visitors can unwind in the outdoor pool. Besides the water park, Waterworld Leisure Resort also features tiki-themed mini-golf and a spa and fitness centre.
The Wave, Coventry
Launched in 2019, The Wave in Coventry is one of the UK’s largest indoor water parks and one of its newest. Operated by CV Life, The Wave features six thrilling waterslides – The Cascade, The Crestar, The Rapids, The Riptide, The Torrent, and The Cyclone.
The attraction also boasts the UK’s largest wave pool, which churns out 20 million litres of water daily, alongside a lazy river and a beach café. The Reef is a large splash pad for younger visitors, complete with jets, sprays, and slides.
Splashdown Poole, Dorset
Splashdown Poole in Dorset is situated at the Tower Park complex and opened in 1990. This water park features 13 exciting indoor and outdoor flume rides and three splash zones for children. Ricky’s Reef is a toddler pool, Buccaneer Splash is an interactive water play area, and Buccaneer Beach is an outdoor splash pool for the warmer months.
The park’s most thrilling attractions include Infinity, Zambezi Drop, Dragon’s Lair, The Screamer, Velocity, and Baron’s Revenge.
Calypso Cove, Barnsley
Located in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, Calypso Cove is a water park featuring slides, flumes, splash pools, and a pirate-themed play zone. It also includes The Hideout, a poolside café. Terror Torrent is one of the UK’s fastest indoor flumes, while Splash Ahoy is an open slide with four lanes. Guests can select their own music during a ride on the Kraken waterslide.
Highlights include the Sunken Galleon pool, the Walk The Plank boards, and the Eruption waterslide. Calypso Cove is situated within the Metrodome Leisure Complex, which opened in 1989.
LC Swansea, Wales
The LC Swansea boasts the largest water park in Wales. This attraction features a wave pool, lazy river, flume rides, and thrilling waterslides. It also includes the Boardrider indoor surf simulator. Younger visitors can enjoy the interactive Volcano Bay zone, along with a four-floor aquatic-themed interactive play area.
The leisure centre is located in Swansea city centre and first opened in 1977, reopening in 2008 after a £32 million refurbishment.
Alpamare, Scarborough
Alpamare in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, features state-of-the-art waterslides, giant wave pools, family-friendly splash and play areas, and an alpine-style wellness spa. The water park, which opened in 2016, offers slides such as Snow Storm, Black Run, Olympic Run, and the Cresta Run mat racer.
The wave pool erupts every 30 minutes, and visitors can also enjoy a warm outdoor garden pool and an outdoor infinity pool. The wellness spa includes steam and sauna baths and bubble jet pools.
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