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.