waterpark

THE biggest tropical waterpark in the UK will close at the end of October – and won’t reopen until 2027.

Waterworld in Staffordshire is a year-round attraction for families, thanks to its 30C temperatures.

But after the end of October half-term, Waterworld will temporarily close for upgrades to its waterpark.

It is expected to reopen early next year, although no date has been confirmed.

Visitors can enjoy the last day of thrills on Waterworld’s 30 rides and attractions on November 1 along with a live DJ.

Wayne Goodall, managing director of Waterworld Leisure Resort, said: “Our closing party is the perfect chance for visitors to make a last splash with us before we close for a short time to make exciting changes across the Aqua Park.

STAY CHEAP

Bargains at Butlins & manor stays… incredible value UK hols from £2.50pp a night

BE-LEAF IT

Perfect autumn attractions from £1.95 per kid from pumpkin patches to waterparks

“At its heart, Waterworld offers families a place to spend time together, escape from everyday life and enjoy that holiday feeling, whatever the weather.

“The upgrades we have planned are set to build on that sense of fun and enhance the way we tell our story, creating a more immersive experience for our guests. We can’t wait to reveal more about the upcoming investment soon.”

He added that the Adventure Mini Golf and Adventure Mini Village will remain open.

The tropical waterpark sits at 30C even in the winter along with slides like the Space Bowl which is shaped like a UFO.

Nucleus is a popular water rollercoaster, there’s also Stormchaser and Cyclone.

The waterpark is also home to Thunderbolt, which is the UK’s first trap door drop slide.

As well as the main wave pool, there are river rapids and the Jungle House is suitable for youngsters with water cannons and the monsoon monster splash.

The bubble pools are a more relaxing spot away from the high-speed watercoasters thrills.

During the summertime, there’s an outdoor pool open to visitors too.

Of course, the waterpark is still available to book now with tickets available for £17.50 – for children under three-years-old tickets start from £7.

Away from the waterpark, there are two mini golf courses inside the resort, each with 18-holes as well as a mini Adventure Village with everything from doctors to libraries.

Both of these attractions will remain open throughout the rest of the year.

There’s also a restaurant, cafe and gift shop on-site which are also expected to remain open.

In recent years, the attraction has undergone a number of renovations.

One of the newest additions to the waterpark as well is the M Club Spa and Fitness.

In 2023, it opened its new £250,000 immersive play village, then in 2024, £13million was spent on behind-the-scenes upgrades to the waterpark.

THE UK’s biggest waterpark is about to be the best place to start your weekend.

Sandcastle Waterpark, which is the largest and recently voted best in the country will be open for more hours of fun on Friday evenings.

The Blackpool waterpark has launched its Friday Night Splash event, so now you can spend your evening on its 18 slides and in the swimming pool.

Usually the waterpark is open is until 2:30pm in the week and 4pm on the weekends.

But the new Friday sessions will let you visit from 4pm until 8pm, for a post-work splash before the weekend.

The tropical waterpark, which is always heated to 28C, has something for everyone whether you’re after family-friendly splash zones or thrilling flumes.

SPLASH OUT

UK indoor waterparks MAPPED with 30C temps, white-knuckle rides & £2.50 tickets

DIVE IN

Rainproof UK autumn holiday parks from £8pp a night – Center Parcs dupes and more

There are 18 slides in total, and those wanting to try out the speedy rides should head to The Master Blaster which is described as “white knuckle”.

There’s also Sidewinder, the world’s first indoor half-pipe waterslide and Montazooma, a high-speed ride with hairpin bends and 360 degree helixes on the way from top to bottom.

For families, head to Thunderfalls, which are two twisting waterslides for side-by-side racing.

There are also treehouses and forts for kids to play in and that’s where you’ll find the country’s biggest water cannon.

The slower moving Ushi Gushi River Creek is the lazy river ride while the Typhoon Lagoon is the waterpark’s huge wave pool.

While the kids are splashing about, adults can escape to the Sea Breeze Spa for an extra £7 to unwind in the sauna, steam room, and aromatherapy lounge.

For the ultimate VIP day out, the £60 Tiki Cabana package gets you park entry, lunch and soft drinks, spa access, and the private retreat comes with a TV and hot tub.

Tickets to the waterpark for a three-hour session costs from £25.50 per person over the age of eight (if booked in advance).

Tickets for kids between three and seven-years-old cost from £16.50 per person and children under three go free.

The waterpark is two minutes from Blackpool Pleasure Beach – so it’s easy to make a day out of it and see all the attractions.

The main season runs until October 31, with opening dates from Wednesday to Sunday – this drops down to just weekends after this.

For even more of the UK’s tropical indoor waterparks – check out these ones which have tickets from £2.50.

Travel Reporter Cyann Fielding recently visited the waterpark…

Travel Reporter Cyann Fielding recently visited Sandcastle and gave her verdict…

She said: “Sandcastle Waterpark in Blackpool is kept at a toasty 29C and has more than 18 waterslides and attractions.

“The real gem of the show is the adult-only spa, hidden in plain sight in the middle of the waterpark.

“You’ll have to pay an extra £7.50 per person to enter the Sea Breeze Spa but it is well worth the money.

“When I visited it was quiet, with only one or two other people using the area, compared to the packed waterpark surrounding it.

“Dipping in and out of the saunas and steam room was the ideal way to relax.

“I spent half an hour in the salt inhalation room allowing my lungs to fill with warm, salty air and calm my nervous system.

“There’s Sidewinder too, which is the world’s first indoor vertical drop slide.

“Hovering over the edge of the half-pipe, butterflies flittered around my stomach anticipating the drop.

“Before I knew it, I was tipped over the edge in my rubber ring, dropping metres down before being propelled up the other side of the pipe.

“After, I ambled over to Aztec Falls, where in a rubber ring I dropped into a pitch-black bowl, swirling around like I was inside a waterfall.“

WE MIGHT all be sad that summer is over but the good news is that an indoor waterpark that happens to be the biggest in the country has also just been named the best.

Of course, there’s a shed load of things to do already in Blackpool but on a recent weekend craving a dip in a pool, I made a beeline for the Sandcastle Waterpark located on the beach.

Sandcastle Waterpark in Blackpool is kept at a toasty 29C and has more than 18 waterslides and attractions.

The real gem of the show is the adult-only spa, hidden in plain sight in the middle of the waterpark.

Win one of five incredible holidays to the Turkey, the Norwegian fjords and Spain by voting in The Sun’s Travel Awards – enter here to win.

You’ll have to pay an extra £7.50 per person to enter the Sea Breeze Spa but it is well worth the money.

Read more on travel inspo

GO ON

All the little-known websites for cheap or FREE tickets to gigs, theatre & festivals

CHEAP BREAKS

UK’s best 100 cheap stays – our pick of the top hotels, holiday parks and pubs

When I visited it was quiet, with only one or two other people using the area, compared to the packed waterpark surrounding it.

Dipping in and out of the saunas and steam room was the ideal way to relax.

I spent half an hour in the salt inhalation room allowing my lungs to fill with warm, salty air and calm my nervous system.

There are also foot spas for the ultimate pampering and the loungers are great for chilling out while hearing the joyful screams of the waterpark around you.

The main waterpark area is obviously great as well.

The Master Blaster snakes around the park and claims the title as the longest indoor roller coaster waterslide in the world, stretching 250 metres.

There’s Sidewinder too, which is the world’s first indoor vertical drop slide.

Hovering over the edge of the half-pipe, butterflies flittered around my stomach anticipating the drop.

Before I knew it, I was tipped over the edge in my rubber ring, dropping metres down before being propelled up the other side of the pipe.

After, I ambled over to Aztec Falls, where in a rubber ring I dropped into a pitch-black bowl, swirling around like I was inside a waterfall.

There’s also Montazooma, where you head down a large drop and then whizz through high-speed bends.

A good family option is to head on the Duelling Dragon slides, where you can race side by side in the near dark.

If you don’t fancy any thrills, there’s also the option to be gently lulled by waves in the Typhoon Lagoon Wavepool.

The Ushi Gushi Action River is quite gentle too, where there’s a gentle current as if you were floating on a real river.

Little ones can have a splash in the Caribbean Storm Treehouse as well where there are water cannons and splash zones.

Tickets to the waterpark cost from £25.50 per person over the age of eight.

Tickets for kids between three and seven-years-old cost from £16.50 per person.