Blackpool’s Sandcastle Waterpark has nearly completed it’s renovationCredit: AlamyThe changing rooms have been fully upgradedThe slides are also being repaintedCredit: Sandcastle Waterpark
The main upgrades will include some basic improvements, such as a new changing room village.
Images show a much more modern look for the cubicles, with the waterpark now 40 years old.
The slides are also being repainted, while new sound systems are being installed.
The waterpark, which opened in 1986, will be ready to show off the new look by the Easter holidays.
General manager Kyle Woodcock said: “This is a landmark year for us, and we wanted to mark our 40th birthday with improvements that our guests will really feel.”
In the mean time, there are 18 slides to choose from, as well as wave pools and river rapids.
One of the most popular slides is the Master Blaster which is also the longest indoor watercoaster in the UK.
Another record-breaker is Sidewinder, which is the first indoor half-pipe waterslide in the world.
Kids will love splashing their mates with the country’s biggest water cannon too.
It’s the perfect time to visit the waterpark too – the tropical climate means it is 30C all year round.
Splash out on a private Tiki Cabana, and you get unlimited alcohol and lunch for around £60 each.
The waterpark also has an adult only spa with saunas and steam rooms, which costs an extra £7 on top of a standard ticket.
There are two cafes for food and drink, as well as a shop for anything you’ve forgotten.
WHEN it comes to city breaks, some of the cheapest in Europe are found a bit further east.
And Romania‘s Bucharest is not only affordable, but is getting more flights too.
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The Romanian city has just got new UK flights – and you can get there for less than £20Credit: Getty Images – GettyOne of the biggest draws to Bucharest is its Therme spa and waterparkCredit: Alamy
Romanian airline, AnimaWings, has started six new weekly flights from London Gatwick to Bucharest.
This isn’t the only option though as there are also cheap flights with Ryanair from London Stansted with one-way journeys starting from £18.99.
Wizz Air also offers cheap flights to the city from London Luton.
With a flight time of just over three hours, Bucharest is the ideal city break destination.
Last year, The Telegraph even named Bucharest as being one of Europe’s ‘last great cheap cities’.
It added that Bucharest has everything you need for a good city break with “expansive, tree-lined avenues, lively bars and characterful museums.”
Bucharest is inexpensive, according to Numbeo – a pint of local beer costs on average £2.55 and an average meal is around £10.18.
For a three-course meal, you’re looking at around £50 and a cappuccino is just £2.45.
It’s not just food and drink that’s on the cheaper side as public transport is the same – a typical single journey on the tram and metro network is as little as 85p.
One of the most popular places in the city to go is Therme Bucharest, a spa and waterpark.
Split into three parts, the Galaxy area is a more family-orientated with 17 water slides, a wave pool and water playground.
The Palm zone is where people go to relax – with three mineral pools and swim-up bars, it has been created for relaxation.
And Elysium is a ”restoration area’ with lots of traditional and modern treatments from hammams to infrared light therapy beds.
Sun Writer Steve Corbett visited Therme and called it one of ‘Europe‘s greatest secrets’.
He compared it to Center Parcs’ Subtropical Swimming Paradise as he tried out the water slides, high-tech treatments and poolside bars.
It also has cheap beer with a pint costing £2 on averageCredit: AlamyThe city even has it’s own Van Gogh-inspired cafeCredit: Alamy
One woman even flew to Bucharest for a spa break at the Therme because it was cheaper than one in the UK.
Kara Wildbur booked her and her mum in at the Therme for £64 after finding out a spa break would be £400 back home.
Even with the flights being £157 return for the two of them, with the hotel costing £94 – it worked out cheaper than a UK spa day.
Another attraction is the Museum of Senses, which is an interactive museum – especially good if you’re visiting the city with kids.
It’s full of optical illusions, infinity rooms and hands-on exhibits.
Tickets for adults start from £9.33, and £6.79 for children.
When it comes to eating, there’s plenty of quirky cafes within the city.
Some top spots include The Grand Café Van Gogh in Bucharest which some visitors have said reminds them of Amsterdam.
It’s an art-themed cafe filled with Van Gogh artwork in the Old Town.
Another is Dulcinella which sells éclairs, New York-style rolls and is known for having an ‘Instagrammable-vibe’.
Caru’ cu Bere is considered the most famous restaurant and beerhouse in Bucharest and was founded in 1879.
Its house beer, called Berea casei, is brewed on-site and is still made from the original recipe – you can pick up 400ml from £4.30.
The best times of year to visit Bucharest are between April and October, with highs of 31C in June and July.
Just skip the winter months – the average temperature in December and January is around -2C.
A POPULAR water attraction that’s the largest of its kind in the UK is getting upgrades in time for the Easter holidays.
Sandcastle Waterpark in Blackpool is the largest indoor waterpark in the country and it is getting a £500,000 refresh.
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The waterpark on Blackpool’s promenade is undergoing some upgradesCredit: AlamyInside are tropical waterpark are 18 slides and even a wave poolCredit: Sandcastle
The water attraction that sits on Blackpool’s promenade has a tropical climate and 18 slides inside.
It’s set to undergo a the huge refurbishment to coincide with it’s 40th birthday, having first opened back in 1986.
The improvements will be to the waterpark’s changing village rooms.
The slides will be refreshed too with a lick of paint, and a new audio system being installed.
The upgrades are due to be finished before Easter and will be completed in time for the school holidays.
General manager Kyle Woodcock said: “This is a landmark year for us, and we wanted to mark our 40th birthday with improvements that our guests will really feel.”
One of the most popular slides is the Master Blaster which is the UK’s longest indoor water rollercoaster.
Another is Sidewinder – the world’s first indoor half-pipe water slide which has been called a “white knuckle” experience.
Another thrilling slide is the very fast Montazooma which has tight hairpin bends.
There’s also the Treetops Water Chutes racing slides, the slower moving Ushi Gushi River Creek lazy river and Typhoon Lagoon is the waterpark’s huge wave pool.
Even if the weather isn’t playing ball outside, the attraction is always warm as it sits around 30C.
The upgrades are set to all be complete in time for the Easter holidaysCredit: PR Handout image
On the outskirts of the pool, visitors can enjoy the warmth in their own private Tiki Cabanas which can be hired out for the day.
Here, visitors can enjoy beer, wine, lunch, and even watch TV while lounging in a hot tub for £60 per person.
It’s not all thrilling slides and splashing about in swimming pools either – there’s also a quieter spa area for adults only.
The Sea Breeze Spa is for those 18 and over to ‘renew, re-energise and feel refreshed’.
It has a sauna, steam room, heated loungers, foot spas, aromatherapy and even a salt inhalation room.
Access to the spa is an additional £7 alongside an admission ticket.
There’s food available on-site too at the Waterfalls Cafe and Waters Edge kitchen where you can pick up drinks, sandwiches and even hot food.
There’s an option for dessert too at the Cool Waves stand, which serves ice cream and sweet treats.
On Tripadvisor, the attraction has a rating of 4.0 out of 5 with over five thousand reviews.
One visitor wrote: “Great family day out at one of Blackpool’s best attractions.”
And another said: “The kids absolutely loved it here with lots to keep them entertained.”
The waterpark is currently open during the weekends – and will reopen on weekdays in the Easter holidays.
General admission tickets into Sandcastle Waterpark start from £24.95 for those age eight and over.
Those between three and seven can get in for £15.95 and under twos go free.
