waterpark

If you’re looking to step into the festive spirit, there’s a new Christmas market coming to a popular seaside area in the UK for the very first time, with a variety of stalls and seasonal treats.

It’s the most magical time of the year, when we start planning our festive day out – and there’s nowhere better than a Christmas market. And this year, the UK’s largest outdoor waterpark is welcoming its own for the very first time with free entry.

Stretching along the English Riviera on the South Devon coastline is Goodrington beach which is home to Splashdown Waterpark at Quaywest. The hugely popular attraction is the UK’s biggest outdoor waterpark, boasting 11 adrenaline-filled flume rides and a giant play area for young children.

During the warmer months, Splashdown Quaywest welcomes hundreds of visitors to race down their slides and this year had a record-breaking number of thrill-seekers. While the waterpark is currently closed until Spring 2026, it will host its first ever Christmas market during two weekends this December, boasting more than 30 stalls.

The new Christmas market is designed to bring more activity to the desirable seaside area of Goodrington throughout the year, along with a touch of festive cheer. Along with its local craft stalls offering gift inspiration, seasonal treats and festive drinks will also be available, accompanied by a range of fun-packed activities and entertainment for children.

The Christmas market will be held on Saturday, December 13 and Sunday, December 14, and again on Saturday, December 20 and Sunday, December 21 from 11.30am to 6.30pm. Joyfully, entry into the Christmas market will be free, with the event aimed at supporting local traders.

Group Marketing Director and co-owner of the waterpark, Jackie Richmond, told Torbay Weekly: “We are excited to be bringing the first of what we hope will be a number of fun events that will take place out of waterpark season. The Christmas Market Weekends and Festive Fridays will, we hope, bring vibrancy, community spirit and holiday cheer to locals and visitors alike.

“We love Goodrington and want to make it a focus for people both in the summer and beyond, creating something for our local community to enjoy. We hope this event will be something that we can grow year on year.”

Additionally, there will be another event called Festive Fridays, offering hot drinks and Bratwurst-style hot dogs from the Quaywest Snack Shack from 4pm to 6pm. You can grab a warming treat from the shack before a brisk walk along Goodrington beach on four consecutive Fridays on November 28, December 5, December 12 or December 19.

Aside from the famed waterpark, Goodrington is a popular destination for a seaside getaway, featuring Paignton Beach and its classic British pier nearby. While the weather will be brisk, this could be the ideal time to visit the Devonshire coast – shopping at the new Christmas market, taking a stroll along the beaches, and visiting some of the area’s beloved attractions, all while avoiding the usual summer holiday crowds.

What’s more, Paignton train station is just a short walk away from Splashdown Quaywest and Goodrington Beach, and there are plenty of hotels dotted along the coastline if you want to extend your stay.

A HUGE new attraction is set for the UK with water, snow and dry land fun all in one place.

The £300million attraction, set to be in the Welsh Valleys, would feature a water park and the UK’s longest ski slope.

Known as the Rhydycar West Development, the new attraction will be located just off the A470 dual carriageway and 10 minutes from the Brecon Beacons National Park.

According to the Rhydycar West, it will be a world class leisure resort, open all year round.

Last week, the Welsh Government agreed not to call in the planning application following Merthyr Tydfil Council’s decision to back the planning application in March and as a result, have given the application the green light.

Now, the Local Planning Authority will move forward to grant planning permission.

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At the site there will be a number of different features including a waterpark with a tropical theme, set to be one of the largest waterparks in the UK.

Inside the waterpark, guests will find artificial beaches, swimming and bathing areas for all ages and abilities, waterslides and a number of other water-based attractions.

Then the 39,200sqm indoor snow centre would take over Chill Factore in Manchester – which is 180 metres long – to house the longest ski slope in the UK, measuring over 400 metres long.

The centre will also match the standards of the International Ski Federation (FIS).

And it will use special equipment to ensure the slope can remain open all year.

The site will be the home and national training headquarters for the Welsh and UK national, Olympic and Paralympic teams as well.

In addition to the snow centre, there will be an indoor and outdoor adventure centre.

Known as the Adventure Park, there will be a ‘mountain coaster’, clip ‘n’ climb, zip wires and other adrenaline-based activities and attractions.

Of course, the destination is also planning on creating accommodation.

When it comes to the 418-bedroom hotel, there would be three different wings.

The Resort Wing will feature conferencing and co-working spaces, whereas the Luxury Spa Wing will have leisure facilities such as a fully equipped spa.

Finally, in the Sport and Value Wing, visitors will find a more casual and relaxed feel.

But if you’re not a fan of hotels, there will be around 30 Woodland Lodges as well.

These will be in the heart of nature, located in the woodland, with value and premium options available.

Plans for the attraction were first announced back in 2017 and once open, it hopes to create 842 jobs and contribute £38.1million to the local economy.

Details including when the attraction will open are still unclear.

Many people have taken to social media to show their excitement for the project.

One person said: “Awesome news. Most importantly, are you planning an ice climbing wall?”

Another said: “That is awesome news and another milestone reached for what will be an amazing asset to GB Skiers.”

A third person added: “This will be transformational for the town, our economy and as importantly help and change how Merthyr Tydfil is often unfairly talked about!”

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In other attraction news, the UK’s biggest live action show reveals plans for new historical theme park.

Plus, a popular UK theme park reveals new plans for first-ever holiday village with 122 overnight lodges.

1. Aosta, Italy / Marché Vert Noël: – Mulled wine from £2.55, sausage from £4.25, flights from £23.99, holidays from £219, high chance of snow

2. Innsbruck, Austria / Old Town – Mulled wine from £3.80, sausage from £4.25 flights from £35.99 holidays from £279, high chance of snow

3. Lübeck, Germany / Hanseatic Markets – Mulled wine from £3.40, sausage from £3.40, flights from £47.99, holidays from £219, moderate–high chance of snow

4. Salzburg, Austria – Christkindlmarkt – Mulled wine from £3.40, sausage from £4.25, flights from £31.99, holidays from £239, high chance of snow

5. Grenoble, France / Place Victor Hugo Market – Mulled wine from £2.55, sausage from £3.40, flights from £29.99, holidays from £209 in Lyon, moderate–high chance of snow

6. Naples, Italy / Pietrarsa Railway Museum – Mulled wine from £2.50, sausage from £3.00, flights from £20.99, holidays from £229, low chance of snow

7. Ljubljana, Slovenia / Festive December – Mulled wine from £3.00, sausage from £5.50, flights from £54.99, holidays from £229, low–moderate chance of snow

8. Toulouse, France / Capitole Market – Mulled wine from £2.55, sausage from £4.25, flights from £26.99, holidays from £219, low chance of snow

9. Verona, Italy / Piazza Bra – Mulled wine from £2.55, sausage from £4.25, flights from £23.99, holidays from £249, low–moderate chance of snow

10. Basel, Switzerland / Barfüsserplatz – Mulled wine from £3.75, sausage from £5.25, flights from £38.99, holidays from £249, moderate chance of snow