The 17 best indoor and outdoor waterparks in the UK [updated for 2026]

Indoors and outdoors

Best for: Splash and sauna at the seaside.

Scarborough’s Alpamare says it’s ‘a waterpark like no other’ – worry not, though, this place has all the classics of the genre. There are four state-of-the-art slides to try out, from the double tube Olympic Run and four-man Snow Storm – perfect to go on with your mates – to the thrilling Black Run and the Cresta Run, with all the latter’s twists and turns. But the slides aren’t all. There’s a huge wave pool at Alpamare that erupts every 30 minutes, a heated outdoor pool with whirlpools and bubble recliners, and even a heated outdoor infinity pool that looks out over the bay. To really make it a day to remember, there’s an Alpine-style spa with a sauna, hammam and a range of treatments. 

From £10. Alpamare, North Bay, 28 Burniston Road, Scarborough, North Yorkshire, England YO12 6PH.

Indoors and outdoors

Best for: Competitive sliders and psychedelic lights.

Still buzzing after its 18-month, £13 million modernisation that was complete just under a decade ago, Coral Reef Waterworld boasts five water slides, from the gentle Aqua Splash to Maelstrom, which is a ride of two halves: the first lures you into a false sense of security with calm waters and soothing lights, before a hair-raising finale. Don’t miss The Cannon, either, which is 67 metres long but lasts an average of just seven seconds (try your hand at beating the fastest time of the day). Coral Reef Waterworld also has the usual non-slide attractions like a bubble pool, rapids and a children’s area, as well as a pirate ship and erupting volcano. Extras include three saunas, a Japanese-style steamroom, heated sun loungers and multiple pools, with use of the waterpark included in a spa ticket. 

From £19.55. Coral Reef Waterworld, Nine Mile Ride, Bracknell, Berkshire, England, RG12 7JQ.

Outdoors

Best for: Total Wipeout fanatics.

Rutland Water Park will test your mettle across a vast number of water-based obstacles. Spread over 8,000 square meters on the Rutland Water reservoir, Aqua Park boasts climbing walls, trampolines, blast bags and the UK’s tallest obstacle, The Rutland Mammoth (with a massive 5.5-metre drop). And, if you’d like to add even more excitement to your day, the place offers sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, canoeing and paddleboarding. Make it into a trip with camping facilities, a beach, open water swimming, activity days (with activities like raft building, paddle sports and orienteering) and even a pleasure cruise called the Rutland Belle. 

From £20. Rutland Water Park, Sykes Lane, Empingham, Oakham, Rutland, England, LE15 8QL. Reopens in May 2026

Indoors

Best for: So. Many. Slides.

Whatever your demands from a waterpark – if you’re after exciting rides or chill-time – Coventry’s The Wave is a must-visit. The lighting effects of the Crestar and Cascade have an undeniable ‘wow’ factor, while the Rapids watercoaster, with its gulp-worthy drops and tight corners, is a twisting-and-turning joy. Then there’s the Riptide, with a hair-raising 90-degree slope, and a wave pool with solid size rips. Thrills aside, the more relaxing Reef has mini slides, jets and fountains. Other amenities include a gym, spa, standard swimming pool and squash courts. Told you – whatever you want, The Wave has it. 

From £14.50. The Wave, New Union St, Coventry, CV1 2PS.

Indoors and outdoors

Best for: Adrenaline junkies and first-timers alike.

One of the most eye-catching water parks in the south, the slides of Dorset’s Splashdown emerge from its roof in a glorious tangle of colour. The place has no fewer than 13 flume rides, as well as two splash zones for the under-fives. The colour-coding sorts rides by thrill level, making it easy to decide where to spend your day. Will you brave The Screamer, with its 40m fall, or Baron’s Revenge, with its near vertical drop? Less intense interactive fun can be found on Buccaneer Splash, a play area for under-sevens with water canons and a starter flume. There’s also a beach – Buccaneer Beach – for those aged eight and under to explore. Just make sure you check opening times in advance, as some rides and attractions are seasonal. 

£19 (two hours), £22 (three). Splashdown, Tower Park, Poole, Dorset, England BH12 4NY.

Indoors and outdoors

Best for: Combining a dip with one of the UK’s greatest theme parks.

Alton Towers and the Caribbean might not be two places you think are particularly alike – let the idyllic Splash Landings Hotel change your mind. Not content with being one of the UK’s most iconic (and arguably best) theme parks, Alton Towers also has its own waterpark with unmissable attractions like the Master Blaster coaster, the Rush ‘N’ Rampage waterslides, and the interactive Wacky Waterworks. The Towers can do chill-out, too, though: experience serenity under the waterfall in Lagoona Bay and let the Bubbly Wubbly Pool and Volcano Springs soothe you – until it’s time to resume the fun. Entry to the waterpark isn’t included with a standard Alton Towers ticket, but if you enjoy hurtling down flumes it’s well worth the additional cost. 

£25 (online from £18). Alton Towers Waterpark, Alton Towers Resort, Alton, Staffordshire, England ST10 4DB.

Outdoors

Best for: Multi-activity days out.

Set in 18 acres of picturesque woodland in the village of Corfe Castle, Dorset Adventure Park brings together an inflatable outdoor waterpark with non-water-based activities like axe throwing and even a mud trail. Yep, the best of land and water. The waterpark is set on two lakes and filled with mercilessly tough obstacles designed to test your athleticism (and luck) as you move across the course. See if you can walk across the plank without falling into the water and launch yourself in the air with the Flip Bag. If you’re planning a splash-tastic celebration, Dorset Adventure Park can cater to that too with its parties for children and adults. 

£22. Dorset Adventure Park, Arfleet Mill Lakes, Studland Road, Corfe Castle, Dorset BH20 5JG (tends to open from May to September)

Best for: Intense rides and collaborative games.

Calypso Cove is famed for the intensity of its most legendary rides. Terror Torrent is one of the UK’s fastest flumes, while Eruption really throws you around before spewing you out in the pool below. But the Cove isn’t all hairy rides: there are collaborative attractions, too, like the four-lane, very race-able Splash Ahoy and the water cannons on the Sunken Galleon ship, which are great for drenching your mates from a distance. The interactive Barnacle Bay pool is great for younger visitors, with scaled-down slides and a chill atmosphere, while the poolside Hideout café is an ideal place to refuel before heading back into the water. And it’s all just a 10-minute walk from Barnsley’s bus and train station

From £13. Calypso Cove Waterpark, Metrodome Leisure Complex, Queens Ground, Queens Road, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, England S71 1AN.

Outdoors

Best for: Waterside glamping and floating footie.

When you get to Let’s Go Hydro, a waterpark and holiday resort on the Knockbracken Reservoir near Belfast, it’s difficult to know where to start. The Aqua Park is packed full of inflatables, including monster slides, floating trampolines and climbing walls, while the Hydro Circuit pass gets you two Aqua Park sessions, as well as kneeboarding and standup paddleboarding. There’s a lido, the chance to enjoy some open-water swimming, and even ‘floating cinema’ nights where you can watch a movie on a giant inflatable ring. Another highlight is the floating pitch, which can host football, GAA and rugby matches. You can also stay in on-site glamping pods from just £25 per person, per night. 

£25. Let’s Go Hydro, Knockbracken Reservoir, 1 Mealough Rd, Carryduff, Belfast BT8 8GB. Opens April 4 2026.

Indoors

Best for: Some of the UK’s most famous water slides.

Sandcastle is officially the UK’s largest indoor waterpark and it has the vast range of rides you’d expect from such an accolade. This whole Blackpool attraction is heated to a toasty tropical-ish 29C, with white-knuckle rides like Sidewinder, the world’s first indoor half-pipe waterslide, the Master Blaster, the UK’s longest indoor rollercoaster waterslide at over 200 metres long, and Montazooma, which sees punters shoot through hairpin bends and 360-degree helixes in just 20 seconds. But Sandcastle also boasts plenty of rides and slides for younger visitors, as well as a tranquil Sea Breeze Spa for the adults – just £7 more on top of admission to the park. 

From £24.95. Sandcastle Waterpark, South Beach, Blackpool, Lancashire, England FY4 1BB.

Outdoors

Best for: A devilishly terrifying drop.

Yep, there are two Splashdowns. The Quaywest edition at Goodrington Sands is just as exciting as the Poole location, though with the added prestige of being the biggest outdoor waterpark in the UK. Waterpark-ers are spoiled for choice with 11 thrilling rides to choose from, including the Devil’s Drop (with its 65-foot near-vertical plummet and black hole) and the Raging Rapids. Captain Lewey’s Shipwreck Island is sure to keep the kids entertained, meanwhile, with seven smaller rides and attractions. And, you won’t forget you’re on the Devon seaside, with a beach bar, ice cream hut and arcade. Don’t forget to bring your spare pennies. 

From £19. Splashdown Quaywest, Goodrington Sands, Tanners Road, Paignton, Devon, England TQ4 6LN. Reopens late spring.

Indoors

Best for: A swishly upgraded legend.

Just outside Glasgow, Time Capsule reopened in summer 2025 after its biggest upgrade in over 30 years. Rides include Tornado Tantrum, which is big enough for four people to ride together, and the 10-metre-high Storm Chaser, which consists of the twin Thunder and Lightning flumes – perfect for challenging a friend to see who comes out first. For something a little (but only a little) more relaxing, dip in the Tsunami wave pool and ride Riptide river, which has a rapid finish. There’s also Cove Island, a sheltered area for more slow-paced play.

From £9.10. Time Capsule Waterpark, 100 Buchanan Street, Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire, Scotland ML5 1DL.

Outdoors

Best for: Becoming at one with nature.

The New Forest is one of southern England’s finest places to connect with the great outdoors, so, naturally, it makes for a great open-air waterpark location. The New Forest Water Park splash attractions are split into two aqua parks: Neptune and Poseidon. The two sites are fairly similar, but beware that you have to choose one and can’t move between them. The main difference is that Poseidon has an ‘action tower’ whilst Neptune has a ‘springboard’ – both have monkey bars, a trampoline and quarterpipe. When you’ve done the aqua park, the New Forest Water Park also boasts wakeboarding or kneeboarding at Wake Park, plus open-water swimming, kayaking and a campsite. This is not one for very young children, as those under six can’t go in the aqua parks.

From £22. New Forest Water Park, Ringwood Road, Fordingbridge, Hampshire, England SP6 2EY. Opens at Easter

Indoors

Best for: A splashpark with a punch.

The Lagan Valley LeisurePlex isn’t the biggest waterpark on this list, but it makes up for its smaller size with quality attractions. On the Mission Inflatable assault course, you’ll face demolition balls, rollers, slides and the Giant’s Causeway, while the leisure pool boasts classics including the Master Blaster slide, a Space Bowl, Falling Rapids, waterfalls to swim under and a lazy river. There’s plenty of gentle stuff at Lagan Valley, too, like the Aqualand interactive play area with its own slides and see-saws for younger children, as well as parent-and-toddler sessions. There’s a gym and a spa on site, too, if you’d like to unwind after all the fun.

£6. Lagan Valley LeisurePlex, 18 Lisburn Leisure Park, Lisburn, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland BT28 1LP.

Indoors

Best for: Catching waves all year-round.

Sure, the Welsh coastline has countless surf spots, but one thing LC Swansea has going for it compared to the natural alternative is that you don’t need to worry about weather conditions or temperature. This indoor surf simulator is as ideal for budding surfers wanting to hone their skills as it is for experienced wave-riders wanting to get in reliable practice. All you need is a boogie board or a surfboard and the desire to have a go. If you’re not into surfing, the LC has stuff for you, too, like white-water rollercoaster Masterblaster, a lazy river and wave pool. For the youngest visitors there’s Volcano Bay and an interactive pool with a mini slide, while elsewhere there’s a climbing wall, soft play area, indoor sports facilities and a spa. 

From £5.90. LC Swansea, Oystermouth Road, Swansea, Wales SA1 3ST.

Indoors

Best for: Tropical climes in the West Midlands.

Not only is Waterworld a year-round tropical escape from cold, rainy days and nights in Stoke, it’s got an excellently diverse roster of rides. You can’t miss the iconic Thunderbolt, which was the UK’s first ever trap door drop water flume when it opened in 2019, the 19mph Cyclone slide, the Stormchaser (which is the longest ride in the park) and the Space Bowl, in which a flume shoots you into a bowl. For younger children, there’s the Python, recently refurbished, and of course, classic rapids and a wave pool. To truly transport yourself mentally to the tropics, lounge on a sun bed by the pool with a snack and a book or sit in Water’s Edge Restaurant with a burger or pizza.

£24. Waterworld, Festival Park, Etruria, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England ST1 5PU.

Indoors and outdoors

Best for: Natural light and eco-friendliness.

Blue Lagoon, which is part of the Bluestone Resort in Pembrokeshire, is brighter and airier than most waterparks – that’s thanks to the huge glass windows that let in plenty of light. Worry not, however, it’s perfectly well insulated with subtropical indoor temperatures making sure you almost forget you’re in Wales. Zoom down the four flumes, bob along in the wave pool, lay back on the lazy river, then zen out in the outdoor spa. Nippers Cove provides gentle water fun for kids, and young ’uns over six can enrol in Merschool for the day and become a mythical creature. Blue Lagoon visitors are doing their bit for the environment, too, as the whole park is heated by biomass produced by local farmers for the nearby energy centre.

Free for guests of Bluestone Resort. Blue Lagoon, Canaston Wood, Narberth, Pembrokeshire, Wales SA67 8DE.