There are a whole host of indoor water parks and outdoor water parks in London and in the surrounding region to really have a splash at – so pack those swimmers and get ready to slip and slide! Here’s a rundown of ten of the very best to jump into this year:
1. Coral Reef Waterworld, Bracknell
Bracknell’s Coral Reef Waterworld is arguably one of the UK’s best water parks, and there’s everything here from thrilling water slides to an erupting volcano.
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 Bracknell and Martins Heron.
👉 Read more info about Coral Reef Waterworld.
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. A fun day out whatever age you are.
📍You’ll find Splashdown at Tower Park, Poole, Dorset, BH12 4NY.
🚇 Nearest station is Poole.
🎟️ Book here.
3. Aqua Splash, Essex
The perfect activity for a kid’s party, team-building or even a stag do, Aqua Splash has two outdoor inflatable assault courses based just outside of London. Open weekends, bank holidays and school holidays between April and September, it’s a great one for dare devils and competitive types, whatever the occasion.
Both courses are based in open water lakes and supervised by RLSS fully-qualified lifeguards. Out of the water, there’s a snack bar for pre or post-splash fuel.
📍 You’ll find Aqua Splash at Redricks Lane, Sawbridgeworth, CM21 ORL or Luxborough Lane, Chigwell, IG7 5DF.
🚇 Nearest stations are Sawbridgeworth or Roding Valley respectively.
🎟️ Book here
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 that run regularly over the weekends. Of course, if 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.
🎟️ Book here.
5. Waterfront Leisure Centre, Woolwich
Staying south of the river 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.
🎟️ Book here.
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 that is right in the shadow of Thorpe Park. Home of ‘London’s ultimate floating obstacle course’, it also offers 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.
🎟️ Book here.
7. Archway Leisure Centre, Archway
Situated 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 boxes!
📍You’ll find Archway Leisure Centre at MacDonald Road, Archway, London, N19 5DD.
🚇 Nearest station is Archway.
🎟️ Book here.
8. Leyton Leisure Centre, Leyton
Next up on this roundup of water parks in London is Leyton Leisure Centre 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; plus 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!
📍You’ll find Leyton Leisure Centre at 763 High Road Leyton, London, E10 5AB.
🚇 Nearest station is Leyton Midland Road.
🎟️ Book here.
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. Note that it’s only open in the Summer, and reopens for the 2024 season on May 25.
📍You’ll find Splash Park at Longbridge Road, Barking Park, Essex, IG11 8SS.
🚇 Nearest station is Barking.
🎟️ Book here.
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.
📍You’ll find Cascades Leisure Centre at Thong Lane, Gravesend, DA12 4LG.
🚇 Nearest station is Gravesend.
🎟️ Book here.
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 a towel and dive on in!