THE UK’s biggest indoor tropical waterpark is about to get even better.
The new owners of the enormous attraction in Staffordshire have promised ‘upgrades’ and ‘grand plans’ coming as soon as next month.
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Waterworld Aqua Park has indoor pools, slides and river rapidsCredit: Waterworld Leisure ResortThe indoor waterpark is tropical and always around 30C, even in the colder months
Earlier this year, Waterworld Leisure Limited and Waterworld Leisure Group Limited was bought in a multi-million pound sale by a European company, Looping Group.
Waterworld’s managing director Wayne Goodall said: “Recent years have seen big changes at the resort, and we are all excited about this new phase. With the new owners, we will bring experience, quality and security to the next level.
“Waterworld itself has already had a total overhaul of its Water’s Edge Restaurant, focusing on a new, high-quality menu and a reorganised, speed-of-service system to give our guests more time in the pool and less time queuing for their lunch.
“There are significant upgrade plans for the pool hall installations this November too and guests will start to see lots of improvements for themselves, very quickly, and grander plans are also in the pipeline.”
Waterworld has 30 different rides and attractions including Thunderbolt, the UK’s first trap door drop waterslide, of course there’s a main pool and river rapids too.
The Space Bowl is another popular one, where visitors are thrown around a “UFO” before ending up in the splash pool beneath.
Other rides include Nucleus – a water rollercoaster – as well as Stormchaser and Cyclone.
It’s not all about pools though as The Waterworld Leisure Resort also has Adventure MiniGolf with two 18-hole, tiki-themed mini golf courses, and M Club Spa and gym.
In 2024, £13million was spent on behind-the-scenes upgrades to the waterpark.
The year before in 2023, one of the new additions was the £250,000 immersive play village.
Inside the Adventure Mini Village is its own mini Staffordshire Barge, The Old Vic Theatre and kids can even create their own pottery in the Kiln.
There’s also a post office, vets, doctors, farm shop, construction site and ice cream van.
A restaurant, cafe and gift shop are also of course on-site, and an outdoor pool which will reopen in spring.
The Waterworld site isn’t the only one owned by Looping Group – it acquired Drayton Manor in August 2020 and West Midlands Safari Park in 2018.
Currently, Waterworld is offering tickets to the water park for £19.99 (up until November 3, 2025).
There are 30 different rides and attractions within the waterparkCredit: Waterworld Leisure ResortAlso on-site is a play village for kidsCredit: Adventure Mini Village
To make the most of your visit, you can get one visit to Waterworld Aqua Park and one visit to West Midlands Safari Park for £35pp.
The offer is called the Splash ‘N’ Safari Ticket and is available to buy up until February 1, 2026.
Other combination tickets include the Waterworld and Adventure Mini Golf Combo ticket.
This is valid for a one single admission to Waterworld and one round of 18 holes at Adventure Mini Golf for £30pp.
HUNDREDS of trampolines and indoor fairgrounds are the perfect ways to burn off steam when the weather is moody.
We’ve rounded five of the best indoor playgrounds across the UK, loved by families.
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Stockeld Park is where you’ll find the huge indoor play area called PlayhiveThere’s even a spaceship, and plenty more to see outside if the weather holds outCredit: Unknown
With so much to do, it’s no surprise that one parent wrote on Tripadvisor that the Playhive is the best place for “rainy day fun”.
Open during the weekends between 9.30amand 5.30pm, tickets are £13.50pp for an hour and a half in the indoor play park.
All day entry for the Playhive (an hour and a half slot), and the Adventure Park start from £23.50pp.
From October 25 to November 2, there’s a Halloween event where the park is open all day, with tickets from £13pp.
During the Halloween event, kids can take a tractor ride and pick their own pumpkin, and explore the adventure playgrounds in the Enchanted Forest.
Take a look around the Monster Maze, enjoy Zombie Laser sessions, adventure through the Playhive, ride the Flying Stocksman.
Play Factore has the UK’s largest indoor slide and is 131feet highThere’s an indoor zip line, football pitch and racing simulator at Play Factore tooCredit: Play Factore
Play Factore, Manchester
Play Factore is the ‘UK’s largest indoor family entertainment arena for parties and play’, and better yet, it’s open every day of the week between 10am and 6pm.
Inside is the tallest standing indoor slide in the UK, an indoor laser tag arena, interactive ValoJump trampolines and a zip wire.
Other facilities include a built-in football pitch, racing simulator, or for the smaller children, there’s a specially designed play area for toddlers.
The big red slide inside Play Factore is the tallest indoor slide in the country and is 131feet high.
Inside the arcade are retro games as well as air hockey, whack-a-mole and even racing bikes.
General admission tickets into Play Factore for kids aged between 5-16 range between £16.95-£20.95.
Children aged between six and 11 years old can enter from £3.95, and tickets for adults are £5.25.
You have to book into a session which is between 10am-12pm, 12.30pm-3pm and 3.30pm-6pm – which you can do online.
Riverside Hub in Northampton has the largest playframe in the countryRiverside Hub has two huge climbing walls that look like a beanstalk and an oak treeCredit: facebook
Riverside Hub, Northamptonshire
Riverside Hub just outside of Northampton is often described as being ‘every parent’s dream’ because it literally has everything for a family day out.
Think soft play, sensory rooms, go-karting, laser tag, room for role-play and the largest playframe in the UK.
The playframe is one of the most popular attractions and is set across various heights with nets for climbing and big slides for coming back down.
Inside is also a beanstalk climbing wall, or smaller oak tree suitable for smaller children, or beginners.
There are also areas just for toddlers which have a ball pool, activity wall and dolphin carousel.
Entry is £7.95 for adults, £16.95 for children between four and 17, and £13.96 for little ones aged between one and three. Babies under 12 months old can enter for £6.
You can save money by visiting during off-peak times, which is before 2PM on Monday to Friday, or get 40 per cent off if you visit after 2PM Monday to Thursday.
The Riverside Hub is open from Monday to Friday between 10am and 6.30pm.
On Saturdays, it’s open between 9.15AM and 7.30PM, and on Sunday it opens at the same time, but closes one hour earlier.
Woodlands has indoor and outdoor theme park ridesCredit: Twinlakes ParkIndoors Woodlands theme park you’ll find daring slides, a mini drop tower and soft playCredit: Alamy
When it rains, it boasts a huge indoor area five floors of adventure play with slides, rope bridges, swings and even rides.
Inside is a Ferris Wheel ride, a drop tower and another where children will be on small submarines.
For thrills, there’s a six-lane racing slide called Barracuda, or there’s another that drops 40 feet.
The Ice Palace is an area for smaller children with soft play, ball pools and slides.
On the middle floor is Rays Diner which serves snacks, and hot and cold drinks.
Plus, when the rain stops, families can head back out to ride the tornado toboggan run, drive the buggies and zoom down the rapid waterslide.
Tickets for Woodlands theme park start from £16.50 per person, with offers for families and money off depending on peak or off-peak timings.
Flip Out has just opened its biggest ever site in Leeds with 150 trampolinesCredit: UnknownIt’s not all trampolines, there are plenty of games like indoor football at Flip OutCredit: Flip Out
The entire site is 100,000 square feet and filled with 150 trampolines and 14 other attractions, like an enormous inflatable obstacle course with a climbing wall and slide.
Kids can also explore a multi-storey Ninja Playground, a drift bike arena, roller disco, soft play, arcade area, or even play a game of dodgeball.
There’s a zipline which travels from one side of the trampoline arena to the other.
Inside is a dedicated ‘Slide World’, which as the name suggests, means it’s filled with slides.
For kids seeking thrills, there’s the space-themed Laser Quest, and for smaller children, there’s a toddler soft play area.
After building up an appetite, visitors can take a seat and get a bite to eat from burgers, nachos, hot dogs, pizza, toasties, cold drinks and hot drinks – even cocktails, beer and wine for the adults.
A standard ticket for Flip Out with access to Slide World and all the attractions starts from £16.95 – there are discounts and family passes available too.
One writer visited Riverside Hub in Northamptonshire with her three sons…
Catherine Lofthouse visited the Riverside Hub in Northamptonshire with her family – and gave Sun Travel her verdict…
“As seasoned soft play samplers, my boys thought they had seen it all – until I took them to family favourite Riverside Hub in Northampton to check out the UK’s largest playframe, set over four floors.
“You know you’re onto a winner when your tween’s eyes light up in wonder and you hardly see your children from the moment you arrive until home time.
“With three boys aged between five and 12, it can sometimes be difficult to find somewhere that has enough to keep all ages happy as the older two are getting a bit big for soft play, but that certainly wasn’t a problem here.
“Laser tag, crazy golf, two climbing poles, go-karts and even arcade machines all included in the price. The main issue is keeping an eye on all your children as they head off in opposite directions to make the most of everything on offer.
“While the youngest was taking a spin on the carousel, my middle son was clambering up the two 10m climbing poles, one in the shape of an oak tree and the other a beanstalk, in the centre of the hub.
“There’s a mezzanine floor with extra seating that’s perfect for cheering your little climbers on as they get to the top. And you’ll also find a fantasy village playground up there for youngsters to enjoy.
“Downstairs, my sons really loved being able to take on the free arcade machines that would be pay per play elsewhere. And the go-karts were a big hit too, with short queue times despite how busy the venue was.
“Riverside Hub was certainly a revelation and lived up to its reputation. We will be back!”
AUTUMN has most certainly arrived – and with it, the dilemma of where to entertain the kids that’s weatherproof.
Luckily, London is home to a lot of attractions that are both indoors and free.
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There are a number of free attractions in London ideal for rainy days such as the National GalleryCredit: Alamy
So you can be kept dry and warm, without spending a penny – and the kids will be happy.
If in central London, unlimited travel within Zone 1 and Zone 2 across a day will set you back £8.90 per adult.
Zones 1 to 3 will cost £10.50 per adult and Zones 1 to 4 will cost £12.80 per adult.
Children between five and 10-years-old travel for free on the Tube, DLR, London Overground and Elizabeth line if travelling with an adult who is using pay as you go or has a valid ticket.
Unlimited daytime travel between Zones 1 and 2 costs £4.45 per child between 11 and 18-years-old.
This rises to £5.25 if including Zone 3 and £6.40 if including Zone 4.
Here is a long list of tings to o in the city, when the weather isn’t playing ball.
Zone 1
Zone 1 ultimately has a lot of free attractions, many of which are close to each other.
South of the river you could head to the Tate Modern, about a 10-minute walk from Southwark (Jubilee Line) Tube Station.
The gallery is home to modern and contemporary art and often runs children’s workshops and activities as well.
At Battersea Power Station, families can explore a Peppa Pig store, Lego store and a Transformers storeCredit: Alamy
Also south of the river is Battersea Power Station – which only reopened a few years ago.
The former power station has been converted into a grand shopping complex, but inside there is also a Lego store, Transformers store and Peppa Pig store.
Each is full of exciting products to explore and they often host events and activities.
More widely, the Power Station also has information boards to learn about the location’s history.
If you kids are massive Lego fans though, head to the Lego Store in Leicester Square instead. where families can enjoy a Pick & Build Wall, demo table, chance to make a mini figure and more.
Perhaps your kids are Harry Potter fans (or you are and want to drag them along) – well then head to House of MinaLima in Soho, near Oxford Circus tube station.
This hidden gem is a gallery and store that displays and sells the graphic art created by Miraphora Mina and Eduardo Lima for the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films.
Think – newspapers with the headlines that Sirius Black has escaped from Azkaban and the boxes from Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans.
And downstairs there is even a mini museum with props from the films.
Chat to the staff as well, for great stories and facts about the designs and props.
For those more into dinosaurs, the Natural History Museum near South Kensington is a must.
The Natural History museum is home to a lot of dinosaurs as well as other stuffed animalsCredit: Alamy
The museum has over 80 million life and earth specimens to investigate across five main collections – Botany, Entomology, Mineralogy, Palaeontology and Zoology.
Exhibits include a blue whale skeleton, a number of small and large dinosaurs and interactive displays, like an earthquake simulator.
Alternatively, for those more into space and the wonders of the scientific world, head to the Science Museum, also in South Kensington.
Here visitors can see a number of different items from history, such as early computers and space exploration artifacts.
Many of the areas across the museum also include ‘hands-on’ activities and displays, ideal for kids.
Just last month, the museum also opened a new Space Gallery with cutting-edge prototypes and key items used in space exploration.
A third stop in South Kensington is the V&A, which is dedicated to art, design and performance.
There are over 2.8million objects to explore inside the museum, including Henry VIII’s writing desk and a number of Vivienne Westwood‘s designs.
The British Museum building has more than eight million artifactsCredit: Alamy
There are a bunch of other museums in Zone 1 as well, like The British Museum, which is dedicated to human history, art, and culture.
In fact, the eight million items span from over two million years of history.
For an insight into Britain’s military, head to The National Army Museum for history of the army from the English Civil War to the present day or the Imperial War Museum for history of modern war and conflict including both World Wars.
There are a number of galleries in Zone 1 as well, such as the National Portrait Gallery in Trafalgar Square, which is home to the world’s most extensive collection of portraits of historically important and famous Brits.
Next door is then the National Gallery, where you will find the UK’s collection of Western European paintings from the 13th to early 20th centuries.
You’ll be able to spot artwork by Vincent Van Gogh and Leonardo da Vinci.
At the Tate Modern families can explore lots of modern art and often there are workshops for childrenCredit: Alamy
Or over in Pimlico, you could explore the Tate Britain – a major art gallery which holds the UK’s national collection of British art from 1500 to the present day.
Expect artworks by J.M.W Turner, William Hogarth, David Hockney and Barbara Hepworth.
To see an extravagant house in the heart of London, venture to The Wallace Collection.
Inside visitors will find lots of art and antiques that were collected by the Hertford family and Sir Richard Wallace, left to the UK in 1897.
It is perfect for older children who like history and exploring fascinating artefacts.
Book worms should check out the British Library, which is home to over 13million printed and electronic books.
The library hosts a lot of free activities, workshops and exhibitions – especially for children.
For example, you could head to Story Explorers: A journey through imaginary worlds, which explores the stories behind weird and wonderful objects.
At The Outernet, visitors can watch digital art displays on large LED ScreensCredit: Alamy
If your kids like gaming or high-tech, make sure to visit The Outernet, next to Tottenham Court Road Station.
The Outernet is an immersive entertainment venue, which broadcasts different digital art displays on giant LED screen.
Current shows include ‘Enchanted Forest’ which allows visitors to step into a “musical adventure where you help bring a silent forest back to life”.
Last but not least is an amazing spot to see both the city’s skyline and enjoy a sprawling garden, without being rained on.
Sky Garden, near Monument, is a public garden inside the glass dome that sits at the top of the famous Walkie-Talkie building.
The garden offers breathtaking views of the city, as well as lots of greenery.
Tickets do need to be booked in advance though.
V&A East Storehouse only opened earlier this yearCredit: Getty
Zone 2
If you venture out to Zone 2, one top spot is The Young V&A in Bethnal Green, which only opened in 2023.
The museum is the perfect place to take kids to spark their creativity, with hands-on activities based on colours, textures and shapes.
For example, there is a construction zone for den making and a giant marble run.
In West India Quay, you can head to Museum of London Docklands where the history of London’s port and river are explored.
The museum takes visitors on a chronological journey of the docks’ history, with interactive displays along the way.
Having only opened this year, the V&A East Storehouse is a new one to add to your ‘to visit’ list.
The Sun’s deputy travel editor Kara Godfrey said: “It almost reminded me of anIKEAwarehouse with the simple plywood and metal structures and open concept.“
The Horniman Museum has lots of different collections to explore, as well as an aquariumCredit: Alamy
Zone 3
Located in Forest Hill, families should visit the Horniman Museum and Gardens.
The museum has lots of different collections including ones based on natural history, anthropology, and musical instruments.
There is even an aquarium as well.
For some multi-fun, drop into God’s Own Junkyard to see Europe‘s largest collection of vintage and new neon signs.
Located in Walthamstow and open Friday to Sunday, the warehouse even has a number of signs from films including Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Batman.
You’re bound to have seen some of William Morris’s designs plastered across hotel walls as wallpaper or even as a notepad cover, and at the William Morris Gallery – also in Walthamstow – you can see the world’s largest collection of Morris’s work up close.
At God’s Own Junkyard, you can see hundreds of neon signs, including ones used in filmsCredit: Alamy
Zone 4
If you fancy travelling out to Zone 4, then make sure not to miss the Royal Air Force Museum London.
Located in Colindale, The Royal Air Force Museum London has a vast collection of aircraft and artifacts that all tell the story of aviation and the RAF.
In total there are six hangars to explore and key exhibits including a Spitfire and Hurricane.
You can even try out a flight simulator, that feels like you are flying a Typhoon jet.
Looking for rainy day activities outside of London? Then head on this English walk that’s perfect for rainy days, ending with a stunning waterfall and one of the country’s best cafes.
A new wave of family indoor water and adventure park hotels, that have been dubbed the ‘American Center Parcs’, are set to open in the UK for a fun-packed adventure
15:44, 19 Sep 2025Updated 16:27, 19 Sep 2025
The American resort brand, Great Wolf Lodge, is set to come to the UK(Image: Getty Images)
We’re all familiar with Center Parcs, the popular forest retreats dotted across the UK, offering a fun-packed getaway for families – but there could be a competitor on the way, offering a new indoor water and adventure park resort.
Great Wolf Lodge is essentially the US version of Center Parcs, with family accommodation, huge indoor waterparks with slides, various swimming pools, a wave machine and enough activities to keep the whole family entertained, from mini golf to arcade games.
With 23 locations across the United States and Canada, Great Wolf Lodge is now planning to expand to the UK with three resorts.
The water parks at Great Wolf Lodge have various slides and a wave pool(Image: Getty Images)
The Telegraph reports that the North American brand, with the “largest family of indoor waterpark resorts,” is planning to build three lodges in Hampshire, Oxfordshire, and Derbyshire.
The overhaul of Great Wolf Lodge in the UK is said to bring a “world-class leisure facility to the region” while attracting tourists and providing “hundreds of job opportunities.”
According to the publication, construction for the first £200 million hotel complex has already begun and is being built on a former golf course in Bicester, Oxfordshire.
It will boast the famed adventure and waterpark, and offer family accommodation, along with various additional activities.
The family parks have additional activities available, including mini golf and arcade games(Image: Getty Images)
While there isn’t a planned opening date yet, it is thought that the new family getaway will boast similar features to the Great Wolf Lodge’s across the pond.
In America, it has what you’d expect to see at a family camp, with red cabin buildings, wooden structures, colourful interiors, grand fireplaces and even a mascot known as Wiley the Wolf.
Compared to the Subtropical Swimming Paradise at Center Parcs with its fake palm trees and cabanas, the waterparks at Great Wolf Lodge boast totem poles and wooden beams.
What’s more, it’s designed to be well-used during the colder months, with the temperature said to be set at around 29C in the indoor pools.
The water parks have lazy rivers and wooden beam features (Image: Getty Images)
According to the Telegraph, a family of four can stay at Great Wolf Lodge for around £150 per night.
This isn’t too different from Center Parcs, which can charge around £659 for a family of four for four nights midweek and off-peak.
However, during peak times midweek, such as the October half-term, this could set a family back around £1,899.
