waterparks

AFTER months of extreme heat, there is rain on the horizon, so where should you spend a bank holiday weekend when it’s a washout?

To keep the family entertained we’ve put together the UK’s best indoor waterparks with tropical temperatures, high-energy waterslides and family-friendly pirate ships.

Waterworld, Stoke-on-Trent

Waterworld describes itself as the “number one indoor tropical aqua park” with over 30 rides and attractions.

The waterpark is home to a wave pool and rapids as well as the Thunderbolt ride, which is the UK’s first trap door drop waterslide and riders travel at 25mph.

One of the newest rides, Hurricane, descends at 17mph with lightning effects inside the tunnels.

There are also dedicated water attractions for younger children like the interactive Jungle House and Toddler Boat slide.

For anyone looking for a moment to catch their breath, take a break in one of the waterparks’ bubble pools.

Waterworld also has a mini adventure golf course as well as a restaurant and cafe serving up pizza, burgers, salads and drinks.

At reception is a brand new dessert bar where post-swim you can pick up a milkshake or one of the 22 different flavours of ice cream.

Tickets for adults and children start from £17.70, children under three-years-old start from £6.10.

Coral Reef Waterworld, Bracknell

This indoor waterpark is one of England’s biggest, so it’s perfect for a family outing on a rainy day.

It has tropical temperatures of 30C along with a giant pirate ship and erupting water volcano, rapid river, bubble pool and children’s splash zone.

The pirate-themed splash area is centered around a huge ship called The Coralina – it also has water cannons and interactive water features.

There are five high-tech waterslides with an option for everyone from Aquaplash which is suitable for smaller children.

The biggest waterslide is The Cannon, which launches riders down a 67 metre-long chute like a cannonball.

Poseidon’s Peril is another popular ride where two people are attached to an inflatable raft as it rotates and swirls through a tunnel with colour-changing lights.

If you’re after relaxation, then the Coral Spa is the place to be with heated loungers, three saunas, a cool pool and a Japanese steam room.

Adult tickets cost £20.55, children 5-16 cost £14.55 those aged children between 0-4 cost £1.95. Book tickets ahead online.

Splashdown Waterpark, Poole

If adrenaline-filled waterslide fun is what you’re after, then head to Splashdown Waterpark.

This action-packed waterpark has 13 indoor and outdoor flumes that visitors can use whether it’s rain or shine.

If you’re a daredevil, then check out The Screamer. The ride plummets a near-vertical 40-meter drop in under five seconds.

Or there’s Black Thunder which is a waterslide that’s completely in the dark. The Infinity waterslide plays music and has a flashing laser show too.

It’s not all about the big rides though, there’s plenty to do for the little ones with the interactive water cannons at Buccaneer Splash.

Admission for three hours costs £23 per person, £9 for 1-4-year-olds and £6 for children under 1. (Child tickets include entry for a companion adult.)

The Wave, Coventry

The Wave in Coventry is a giant indoor waterpark home to the largest wave pool in England.

The enormous pool has a wave machine which churns out more than 20 million litres of water per day – the rolling waves get bigger the further out you go.

When you want to relax, ditch the waves and bob along the lazy river.

There are six waterslides including The Riptide which is a half-pipe slide that blasts riders in a rubber ring down a near-90-degree drop.

The Cyclone spins swimmers around a giant open bowl, and The Rapids which is a ‘water-coaster’ hurl riders uphill before dropping them down through tight corners and tunnels.

For younger children, The Reef is its splash pad which has its own miniature slides, tipping buckets, jets and water fountains.

The Mana Spa has you a quieter spa pool, an aromatherapy room, sauna and steam room.

Tickets cost £15 per adult, £13 for children 11 and under and under ones go free.

Sandcastle Waterpark, Blackpool

Sandcastle Waterpark is another of the country’s largest indoor waterparks that sits on the South Promenade opposite the Pleasure Beach.

Inside the tropical waterpark are 18 slides and plenty of them are white-knuckle rides.

One of the most popular rides is The Master Blaster which is the UK’s longest water rollercoaster.

Another is Sidewinder which is the world’s first indoor half-pipe waterslide, then there’s Aztec Falls which plunges riders into darkness before spinning them around a giant bowl.

The Caribbean Storm Treehouse is a spot for the kids – it’s a giant climbing frame topped with a huge coconut that drops 600 gallons of water on swimmers below every few minutes.

Little ones can also use the multi-lane Treetops Water Chutes and the interactive HMS Thunder Splash pirate ship.

While there’s lots of action, the Sandcastle Waterpark also has a place for relaxation – the adult-only Sea Breeze Spa which has saunas, steam rooms, foot baths and aromatherapy lounge.

For anyone wanting to push the boat out, the park offers premium Tiki Cabanas for adults with its own TV and private hot tub with a fridge stocked with soft drinks – VIP packages start from £60pp.

Tickets to the waterpark start from £23.31 for ages 8+ and £13.96 for kids aged 3-7, with under 3s going free.

Calypso Cove, Barnsley

Found inside the Barnsley Metrodome, Calypso Cove is the ultimate pirate-themed indoor waterpark.

The tropical island paradise feels like one too as it’s heated to 30C and there are some high-energy water rides here like Terror Torrent, one of the UK’s fastest indoor water flumes.

There’s also The Eruption, a volcano-themed ride that spins you around a large bowl before dropping you out at the bottom.

The Kraken is a family-friendly flume where riders can choose their own music before sliding down the slide.

Families with younger kids can climb onto the decks of the Sunken Galleon ship play area.

Parents with babies and toddlers can enjoy the shallow waters and water fountains at Barnacle Bay.

For a bite to eat, head to The Hideout poolside cafe which serves up quick dishes like burgers and chips.

Adult tickets cost £13, under 10s tickets cost £11 and under 3s tickets cost £4. All tickets must be booked in advance online.

BEFORE I had kids, my holiday checklist was blissfully simple: how far is the pool, is it near a beach and, more importantly, how far will I have to carry four pints back from the bar?

Now I’m a dad to two kids under two, the goalposts have been shifted completely.

My checklist now demands shallow splash pools, food they’ll actually eat instead of throwing it on the floor, separate bedrooms so my wife and I don’t have to sit in the dark from 7.30pm, and enough safe green space for them to burn off every ounce of relentless energy.

And a toddler-friendly holiday starts long before you reach reception – a brilliant kids’ pool means nothing if you’ve suffered a four-hour flight delay followed by two hours trapped on a sweaty transfer coach, or if you land only to realise the nearest shop selling nappies is three towns away.

That’s why all six of these properties hit my strict travel criteria: easy UK flight links, short airport transfers and pushchair-friendly resorts packed with local supermarkets and bakeries.

Having personally stayed at all six with my own young family, these are the ones that actually deliver for babies, toddlers, and weary parents.

6. Zafiro Ca’n Picafort, Majorca

This was one of the single easiest stays I’ve managed with a toddler because it hits two absolute non-negotiables: elite pool options and hassle-free dining.

There are multiple swimming zones, including two brilliant splash pools that kept my toddler entertained for hours without us having to camp out in one noisy, crowded area all day.

The food options here are a massive win for parents too.

While the barbecue station serves up proper, high-end grilled meats for adults, the main buffet includes all the essential toddler safety nets including plain pasta and chips (when your child has rejected every new food offered to them, a familiar bowl of penne is worth more than a Michelin star).

The real insider perk here though is the low-rise apartment layout, thanks to the separate living room and a private ground-floor garden terrace.

This means you can put the kids down for bed, step outside with a glass of wine, and ACTUALLY enjoy your evening without whispering in the dark.

Ca’n Picafort itself is flat, exceptionally pushchair-friendly, and sits just a manageable 50-minute drive from Palma Airport.

I spotted a five-night, self-catering stay here from £233pp, flying direct from Bristol on September 30.

5. H10 Suites Lanzarote Gardens, Lanzarote

Travelling with a baby often feels like managing the logistics of a small company, but H10 Suites Lanzarote Gardens completely removes the heavy lifting.

You can pre-book potties, baby baths, and stair gates straight to your room, meaning half your bulky nursery gear stays at home.

The absolute highlight for us was the hotel’s specialised baby club which lets parents stay with their toddlers.

This is a game-changer for toddlers who want access to brand-new toys and soft play, but aren’t quite old enough to be dropped off with strangers.

The pools feature gentle, splashy slides rather than terrifying drops designed for teenagers, and the location in Costa Teguise is ideal.

It’s completely flat and surrounded by supermercados for emergency nappy runs.

Not only that, but it sits just a painless 20-minute transfer from Arrecife Airport – meaning you go from baggage reclaim to the poolside before a meltdown hits.

You can lock in a five-night holiday here with breakfast included from £333pp, flying direct from London Stansted on September 30.

4. Atlantica Mikri Poli Rhodes, Rhodes

Some massive family resorts look incredible in brochures but feel like an overcrowded theme park the second you walk through reception.

The Atlantica Mikri Poli in Kolymbia completely avoids that trap by being across five distinct swimming spots.

This includes a dedicated toddler splash park and a quiet, adult-friendly pool.

Because the resort footprint is so spread out, we could easily move between the lively waterpark sections and the quiet, shaded gardens depending on where we were in the daily nap cycle.

The top-tier insider trick at this hotel is the location of the main playground – it sits directly adjacent to the outdoor evening entertainment stage, surrounded by shaded seating.

You can sit back with a drink from the all inclusive bar while keeping direct line-of-sight on your toddlers as they burn off their final energy reserves before bed.

Transfer-wise, it’s a smooth 25-minute drive from Rhodes Airport, entirely cutting out long coach tours across the island.

I found a five-night all inclusive package from £443pp, flying direct from London Luton on September 29.

3. Iberostar Selection Albufera Park, Majorca

If you want a property that makes younger children feel like the entire resort was designed specifically for them, Iberostar Selection Albufera Park is it.

Even on arrival, you will spot the soft play slide directly inside the reception lobby – a small detail that perfectly sums up the hotel’s family-first ethos.

The children’s buffet section is built at eye-level for toddlers, allowing them to actually see and choose their own food.

There’s even a dedicated fresh fruit market counter to keep things healthy.

The ultimate parent perk here is direct access to Playa de Muro beach.

The sand is powder-soft and the walk into the sea slopes so gently that the water stays ankle-deep for yards out, making it infinitely safer for paddling with a one-year-old than steep, pebbly coastlines.

The transfer from Palma takes around 50 minutes along direct main roads, dropping you straight into one of the island’s calmest family pockets.

I clocked a five-night all inclusive stay here from £563pp, flying direct from Bristol on September 30.

2. Mediterranean Palace Hotel, Tenerife

The Mediterranean Palace earns its spot on my shortlist purely for its world-class facilities.

Its supervised kids’ club includes a massive soft-play arena, cinema room, and dedicated baby-changing bays.

Not only that, but the outdoor splash park gives toddlers a safe way to cool off without needing to tread water in a deep pool.

This property is my absolute go-to recommendation for winter sun – the hotel sits right on the border of Playa de las Américas and Los Cristianos, giving you direct access to miles of flat, paved seafront promenade.

My best insight for parents here is the tactical “nap walk” route.

You can wheel the pushchair straight out of the hotel gates onto a wide, traffic-free coastal path lined with cafes, pushing the buggy over smooth paving until they fall asleep, while you grab a coffee in the sun.

Best of all, Tenerife South Airport is barely a 15-minute taxi ride away.

You can book a five-night stay with breakfast included from £588pp, flying direct from Liverpool on February 1 next year.

1. Sea Club Mediterranean Resort, Majorca

If you want the freedom of a self-catering apartment combined with full resort facilities, the Sea Club is a massive win.

Instead of one sterile, towering hotel block, the accommodation is arranged in low-rise, Mediterranean-style villas spread across extensive, tree-lined gardens.

The stand-out feature for parents here though is the layout of the one-bedroom apartments.

The separate living area is properly partitioned from the main bedroom.

This means once the kids are asleep at 7:30pm, parents can make the most of the full lounge and private balcony WITH the lights on (no more hiding in the bathroom with a book).

Port d’Alcudia is exceptionally flat, packed with pharmacies and supermarkets, and features a huge, sheltered bay with crystal-clear, shallow water.

Sitting a comfortable 45-minute transfer from Palma Airport, it delivers a high-spec family break for an absolute bargain price.

I spotted a five-night self-catering stay from just £208pp, flying direct from Birmingham on September 27.

IF you are looking for a last-minute summer break for the whole family, check out these Eurocamp resorts.

With swimming complexes, waterslides, sports, entertainment and nearby beaches it will keep everyone entertained – and we’ve found 10 that still have spaces this August from £10.60pppn.

Château de Fonrives, Dordogne, France 

Anyone who’s a fan of water will love this Eurocamp as it has three swimming pools and five thrilling waterslides.

For relaxation, check into the wellness centre which has a sauna, massages and beauty treatments – there’s also direct access to nearby lakes and a free kids clubs for children between 5-17.

Seven-nights from August 22 in a Comfort three bedroom holiday home that sleeps up to six guests, from £446.53 per party – or £10.60pppn.

Les Ecureuils, Vendée, France 

Found on the coast of France, this Eurocamp is surrounded by miles of sandy beaches.

There’s also a huge family pool, children’s splash park and waterslides as well as a lazy river and Jacuzzi – when it comes to eating, take a look in the restaurant called Amy’s House which serves up salads, pasta and burger dishes.

CHEAP AS CHIPS

10 UK summer holidays that are CHEAPER than a takeaway – all £12pp or less

CHEAP CHIC

Cheap UK stays from £9.50pp – with FREE bottomless wine & £11pp coastal cottages

Seven-nights from August 22 staying in a two bedroom Safari Tent that sleeps up to five guests, from £543.06 per party – or £15.50pppn.

Sole di Sari, Corsica, France

This stretch of Corsican coast is part of a nature reserve and within touching distance of the sea.

It also has a newly refurbished waterpark with a family pool, shallow children’s pool, splash park and and twisty waterslide – during the summer months there’s evening entertainment too.

Seven-nights from August 22 staying in a Comfort three bedroom holiday home that sleeps up to six guests, from £597.38 per party – or £14.22pppn.

Camping Fabulous Village, Rome, Italy

This fabulous village has it all for a family fun holiday from its many swimming pools to its large sunbathing area.

Along with its on-site restaurant and bar there’s also a gelateria for when it’s time to cool down – when it comes to activities, kids can try out tennis, football, volleyball and trampolining.

Seven nights from August 22 staying in a Classic two bedroom holiday home that sleeps up to four guests, from £663.74 per party – or £23.70pppn.

Klein Canada, Limburg, Netherlands 

This Eurocamp sits on the Maasduinen National Park and it has pools, ponds with a touch of Canadian adventure.

Along with its outdoor swimming pools, there’s a fishing pond regularly stocked with carp and whitefish for enthusiasts. With the National Park on your doorstep, it’s a great spot for walking through forests, heathlands, and river dunes.

Seven-nights from August 22 staying in a Premium three bedroom holiday home that sleeps up to six guests, from £681.87 per party – or £16.24pppn.

hu Norcenni Girasole Village, Tuscany, Italy

Thanks to its location, pitches at this steep park have incredible views of the Tuscan countryside.

Adults will love this Eurocamp as it has wine tasting excursions and and wine tasting evenings at the on-site shop – it also has eight swimming pools and six watersides and is close to Florence, Pisa and Siena.

Seven nights from August 22 staying in a Classic two bedroom holiday home that sleeps up to six guests, from £718.06 per party – £17.10pppn.

Aminess Maravea, Istria, Croatia 

There are activities and water sports galore at this beachside Eurocamp in Croatia – it might be surrounded by leafy trees but it’s right next to the water too.

Adults can cool off in its tidal infinity pool and lido, while kids can paddle in their own pool complete with slides and spray park. You can to try traditional Croatian cuisine here too at Restaurant Loop which provides all-day selection of meals and snacks.

Seven nights from Saturday 22nd August 2026 staying in a two bedroom Super Lodge Tent that sleeps up to five guests, from £718.06 per party – £17.10pppn.

Atlantic Club Montalivet, Gironde, France

The Atlantic Club Montalivet is surrounded by pine trees but is right by the ocean too with direct access to the beach.

It has multiple swimming pools and guests will love the U-shaped waterslide which you can go down on with an inflatable. Sports are well covered too from tennis, mini golf, beach volleyball and football to pétanque.

Seven nights from August 22 staying in a Comfort two bedroom holiday home that sleeps up to six guests, from £802.55 per party – or £19.11pppn.

hu Birkelt Village, Mullerthal, Luxembourg

This Eurocamp is nicknamed Little Switzerland thanks to its surrounding meadows, woodlands and rivers.

It has an impressive pool complex which has a retractable roof that opens when the sun arrives along with a kids’ disco, play area, bar and restaurant.

Seven-nights from Saturday 22nd August 2026 staying in a Comfort three bedroom holiday home that sleeps up to six guests, from £947.31 per party – or £22.55pppn.

Terme Čatež, Lower Carniola, Slovenia

The highlight of Terme Čatež has to be its outdoor waterpark with waterslides, a wave pool, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, 450-metre lazy river and even a pirate island.

The Pri Kapitanu restaurant serves regional specialities which guests can enjoy on its lakeside terrace. For sight-seeing, Croatia’s capital, Zagreb, is under one hour away.

Seven nights from August 22 staying in a two bedroom Safari Tent that sleeps up to five guests, from £977.48 per party – or £27.93pppn.

Prices correct at the time of publication.