Known for its gloomy weather, the UK has a sparse selection of water parks. Yet there are still some top choices. As outdoor water parks can operate for just a few months of the year, the majority of the attractions listed here are indoors.
Operators and suppliers can adapt even the largest water rides for inside environments. Parks can achieve this through creative design and new technology developed by ride designers, says Ray Smegal, chief commercial officer at ProSlide.
“The technology already exists. The limitations are beginning to become a nonissue,” adds Steve Rhys, retired former executive vice president of FORREC.
“The challenge is always going to be the cost of indoor space. Clever ways include layering rides and effectively pushing most of the structure of inherently large rides outdoors.”
Plans have recently been approved for Great Wolf Resorts’ first UK location in Oxfordshire. Therme Manchester, a new £413 million, 28-acre project water park and wellbeing resort, is expected to open in 2028.
We explore the wave pools, flume rides, waterslides, lazy rivers and splash zones at the top UK water parks, in alphabetical order. These can be found nationwide in areas such as Devon, Dorset, the Midlands, Lancashire, Yorkshire and Wales.
1 Alpamare, Scarborough
Alpamare in Scarborough, North Yorkshire includes state-of-the-art waterslides, giant wave pools, family-friendly splash and play areas, in addition to an alpine-style wellness spa.
The water park is home to waterslides including Snow Storm, Black Run, Olympic Run and the Cresta Run mat racer. The wave pool erupts every 30 minutes, and guests can also enjoy a warm garden pool and outdoor infinity pool. The wellness spa offers steam and sauna baths and bubble jet pools.
The attraction first opened in 2016. Flamingo Land took over its operations in 2024.
2 Alton Towers Waterpark, Stoke-on-Trent
Alton Towers Waterpark is, as the name suggests, a water park at Alton Towers Resort in Staffordshire. The water park opened in 2003, and its attractions include lazy rivers, the Master Blaster water coaster, interactive play areas, and high-speed waterslides such as Rush ‘N’ Rampage.
It also features the Wacky Waterworks Treehouse, which has more than 70 interactive water features for children. The Tipping Bucket soaks visitors in over 1,000 litres of water, while young visitors can splash in the shallowest pool, Little Leak.
During the summer months, guests can enjoy the outdoor Bubbly Wubbly pool and Flash Floods flume ride.
Alton Towers, also operated by Merlin Entertainments, is the biggest theme park in the UK, and is home to 10 themed areas across its 910-acre site. In addition to the theme park and water park, the resort includes three themed hotels.
Another Merlin attraction, Chessington World of Adventures Resort, has submitted plans for a “unique and immersive water park experience”.
3 Calypso Cove, Barnsley
Located in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, Calypso Cove is located in the Metrodome Leisure Complex, which opened in 1989.
The water park boasts slides, flumes, splash pools and a pirate-themed play zone. It also offers The Hideout, a poolside café.
Terror Torrent is one of the UK’s fastest indoor flumes, while Splash Ahoy is an open slide with four lanes. Visitors can select the music during their ride on the Kraken waterslide.
Showpieces include the Sunken Galleon pool, the Walk The Plank boards, and the Eruption waterslide.
4 LC Swansea, Wales
The LC Swansea boasts the biggest water park in Wales.
The attraction features a wave pool, lazy river, flume rides and thrilling waterslides, as well as the Boardrider indoor surf simulator. Younger guests can play and slide in the interactive Volcano Bay zone. Additionally, the LC Swansea features a four-storey aquatic-themed interactive play area.
The leisure centre is located in the city centre of Swansea. It launched in 1977 and reopened in 2008 following a £32 million refurbishment.
5 Sandcastle Waterpark, Blackpool
Sandcastle Waterpark is the UK’s largest indoor water park. It debuted in 1986 and has more than 18 slides and attractions, set in a tropical climate. These include thrilling ‘white knuckle’ slides, pools, a wave machine, and water play structures for younger guests.
The park’s five thrilling slides are Master Blaster, Sidewinder, Montazooma, Aztec Falls and Duelling Dragons.
Families and younger visitors can enjoy the Typhoon Lagoon wave pool, Treetops Water Chutes, Caribbean Storm Treehouse, Ushi Gushi River Creek ‘action river’, HMS Thundersplash play area and Fort Riptide slides.
Lynn Williams, Blackpool Council leader, said: “The Sandcastle Waterpark is one of the council’s big success stories. Over the years, it has received significant investment to enable it to retain and grow its immense popularity with visitors and residents alike.”
Furthermore, the water park is “viewed as an exemplar attraction in terms of its accessibility for people with a disability”, said Williams.
Previously part of the Merlin Entertainments family, the water park is now managed by the council’s tourism company, Blackpool Tourism Ltd, which is taking over several tourist attractions in the seaside destination.
6 Splashdown Poole, Dorset
lashdown Poole in Dorset is found at the Tower Park complex and launched in 1990. The water park has 13 thrilling indoor and outdoor flume rides and three splash zones for children.
Infinity, Zambezi Drop, Dragon’s Lair, The Screamer, Velocity and Baron’s Revenge are the park’s most thrilling attractions.
Additionally, it offers Ricky’s Reef, a toddler pool, the interactive water play area Buccaneer Splash, and Buccaneer Beach, which is an outdoor splash pool for warmer seasons.
7 Splashdown Quaywest, Paignton
Splashdown Quaywest opened in 1988 and is the biggest outdoor water park in the UK. Located near Paignton in Devon, the attraction boasts twisting tyre rides and slippery waterslides. Its most thrilling waterslides are Devil’s Drop, The Screamer and Wild Kamikaze.
Also available at the park are the Sidewinder, Corkscrew and Wet and Wild mat rides, and the Raging Rapids and Surf Lagoon tyre rides. Toddlers can enjoy splashing in the Blennies Tiddler Pool.
8 Waterworld, Stoke-on-Trent
Billed as the UK’s top tropical-themed indoor water park, Waterworld Aqua Park can be found at the Waterworld Leisure Resort in Stoke-on-Trent. In addition to the water park, Waterworld Leisure Resort offers tiki-themed mini-golf and a spa and fitness facility.
Waterworld launched back in 1989, and is home to more than 30 rides and attractions. These include Thunderbolt, the first trapdoor drop waterslide in the UK, which is part of the new Tornado Alley zone. The zone also features the UK’s highest and fastest waterslides.
The attraction’s pools include Rapids and Lily Pads, in addition to a wave pool and bubble pools. Attractions for children include the interactive Jungle House and slides for toddlers. In the summer, guests can relax in the outdoor pool.
9 The Wave, Coventry
One of the UK’s newest and biggest indoor water parks, The Wave opened in Coventry in 2019 and is operated by CV Life
The attraction features six epic waterslides – The Cascade, The Crestar, The Rapids, The Riptide, The Torrent, and The Cyclone.
The water park also boasts the UK’s largest wave pool, which churns 20 million litres of water every day, as well as a lazy river and a beach café.
Younger guests can have fun at The Reef, a large splash pad with jets, sprays and slides.
