What else would you do when there’s a heat wave than head to the nearest splash park!! Here’s my roundup of splash parks, paddling pools and outdoor lidos. There are shockingly few in Bucks itself so I’ve included ones in Oxfordshire, Hertfordshire and Berkshire too.
Splash Parks and Outdoor Paddling Pools
Odds Farm
The splash park at Odds Farm, H2Odds has 28 water play features and over 80 metres of channels, streams and pools so there is loads to keep your little ones entertained.
On our last visit to Odds Farm H2Odds hadn’t reopened yet but you can read our review on the rest of the park here.
Cost: included in the entry price (click here for prices)
Location: High Wycombe, HP10 0LX
For more information and to book visit www.oddsfarm.co.uk
Wellington Country Park
The Splash Zone is open every day from 10.30 to 5.30pm. It can get fairly busy in the Splash Zone so it’s well worth getting there for 10.30am as we’ve found it much quieter then and have sometimes had it almost to ourselves.
Read our latest review on Wellington Country Park here.
Cost: included in the entry price (read blog for latest pricing)
Location: Riseley, RG7 1SP
For more information and to book visit www.wellingtoncountrypark.co.uk
California Country Park
The paddling pool at California Country Park will reopen on 16th July. Sessions must be pre-booked and last for 1 hour 45 minutes.
Cost: £2.60 for anyone entering the water and £1 for adults who need to enter the pool area to supervise children, but not the pool itself.
Location: Wokingham, RG40 4HU
For more information and to book visit https://www.dinton-pastures.co.uk/california/paddling-pool/
Splash ‘n’ Play at Willen Lake
This is the largest outdoor splash park in the UK with over 60 unique water features! As well as the normal sessions there are also special sessions for under 5’s and SEN.
Cost: £5 per child for 45 minutes. Accompanying adults go free.
Location: Milton Keynes, MK15 0DS
For more information and to book visit https://www.willenlake.org.uk/activities/off-the-water/splash-n-play/general-sessions/
Beale Wildlife Park
There’s an outdoor paddling pool here which is located next to the playgrounds, Little Tikes Toddler Village and giant sandpit.
Cost: included in the entry price – £14.50 for adults, £11.50 for children and under 2’s are free.
Cassiobury Park Splash Park
This is one of my favourite splash parks and it’s FREE! The splash park features 3 splash pads, water jets and fountains. It’s a really big area and it’s enclosed. There’s a café kiosk inside the splash park and plenty of seating so you can enjoy a coffee whilst your little ones run around.
Cost: Free, but you need to book a slot.
Location: Watford, WD18 7LG
For more information and to book visit https://www.everyoneactive.com/centre/cassiobury-park-paddling-pools/
Gadebridge Splash Park
Gadebridge Park is a lovely big park in Hemel Hempstead with some great play areas. The splash park is free to visit and no booking is required. It’s a large area with loads of water jets for them to run through.
Cost: Free
Location: Hemel Hempstead, HP1 1DN
For more information visit https://www.dacorum.gov.uk/home/leisure-culture/parks-play-and-open-spaces/gadebridge-park-hemel-hempstead/gadebridge-park-attractions
Cutteslowe Splash Park
We absolutely love Cutteslowe Park in Oxford for a free day out. It’s a huge park with multiple play areas, a big sandpit area, miniature railway (on selected dates and a small charge), duck pond and a splash park. The splash park itself is small and a bit run down, but the kids love it and it’s enclosed. There are water jets, overhead fountains and buckets dropping water as well as pumps and water channels for them to play with.
You’ll also find various sports courts at Cutteslowe Park, miniature golf, a butterfly house and loads more.
Cost: FREE
Location: Oxford, OX2 8NP
For more information visit https://www.oxford.gov.uk/directory_record/363/cutteslowe_and_sunnymead_park
Splashlands at Stanborough Park
This is another amazing FREE splash park over in Hertfordshire by Welwyn Garden City. There’s a paddling river which runs through the splash pad area and a nautical-themed playground iwht a large pirate ship. The splash pad is full of jets and pads that activate water sprays when they are jumped on.
Cost: Free, but it’s advised you book though the Better UK app.
Location: Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6WW
For more information visit https://one.welhat.gov.uk/Splashlands
Lammas Recreation Ground Splash Park
The Lammas Recreation Ground is a family park right next to the River Thames. With a large picnic field, two childrens play areas, a splash park, access to the river frontage, tennis courts and run by The Little Green Boat Company, a café, mini golf and boat hire.
Cost: Free
Location: Staines, TW18 4UA
For more information visit https://www.spelthorne.gov.uk/article/17482/Lammas-Recreation-Park
Lido’s
Wycombe Rye Lido
I absolutely the heated outdoor pool at Wycombe Rye Lido. When we lived there I’d go a few times a week for a swim. They run family swim sessions where they remove a lot of the lanes from the main pool.
There is also a shallow toddler pool next to the main pool, but it’s not always open.
Cost: £8 for adults, £4 children
Location: HP11 1QX
For more information and to book visit www.fusion-lifestyle.com/centres/wycombe-rye-lido
Chesham Outdoor Pool
Chesham’s heated open air pool is open year round. They run family swim sessions, pre-school sessions and even inflatable sessions at the weekend.
Cost: £6 for adults, £3 for juniors and under 5’s are free
Location: Chesham, HP5 1LF
For more information and to book visit https://cheshammoorfitness.org.uk/swim/
Hinksey Heated Outdoor Pool
Hinksey lido is also heated and now open for the summer. It’s a lovely big family friendly pool in Hinksey Park.
Cost: £2.60 for adults and £3.30 for juniors
Location: Oxford, OX1 4PZ
For more information and to book visit https://www.fusion-lifestyle.com/centres/hinksey-outdoor-pool/activities/
