When it gets too hot for a day out in the city, there’s only one place for it…
When the weather heats up and the rain eases off (hey, we can dream right?), there’s no better way to spend an afternoon than by chilling at one of the best water parks in London.
Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly splash pool or are a thrillseeker searching for the highest and most terrifying water slides in the capital, these are the best water parks in London that you need to check out…
Best Water Parks in London
Barking Splash Park
Barking Splash Park London is an excellent outdoor water park near London for people who want to stay within the city limits but are still seeking a fun time cooling off.
Filled with plenty of obstacles (35, to be exact), this waterpark is one that the whole family will enjoy. Don’t leave the baby with grandma – bring them both along and spend the day splashing about in Barking.
Address: Longbridge Road, Inside Barking Park IG11 8SS, United Kingdom
Leyton Leisure Lagoon
Leyton Leisure Lagoon is our favourite indoor water park London boasts, with spots for swimming, flumes, tipping buckets, and plenty of interactive exhibits.
Got little ones? This is an excellent spot to take your children if you want to teach them how to swim in a super fun environment.
The best part? It’s open all year round.
Address: 763 High Rd Leyton, London E10 5AB, United Kingdom
Archway Leisure Centre
When it comes to London water parks, Archway Leisure Centre is an excellent bet.
It’s just outside of the city, and it’s a state-of-the-art facility with a vast pool, sauna, and plenty of opportunities for you and the family to play competitive games and watersports.
There are also plenty of saunas and steam rooms to relax in after a day of fun.
Address: 23 Highgate Hill, Archway, London N19 5LP, UK
Danson Splash Park
Danson Splash Park is an excellent place to take younger children, as their water features and interactive exhibits are appropriate for kids of all ages.
Although you can visit the park anytime you’d like, the water features are only open during the summer months. Admission to the park is free, making this one of the best free things to do in London.
Address: Danson Road, Bexleyheath, Greater London, DA6 8HL, England
Kensington Memorial Park
Paying a visit to Kensington Memorial Park is another excellent way to cool off in London. This park has your standard water features, alongside more interactive and exciting exhibits like waterslides.
Don’t fancy getting wet? No need to sweat it. There’s even a dry-land area at Kensington Memorial Park, featuring rollercoasters and rides for the whole family.
Address: St Mark’s Rd, London W10 6BZ, United Kingdom
Elephant Springs
Described as an urban oasis, if you’re looking for a water park that fuses nature and enjoyment together, Elephant Springs is the ideal option.
You’ll find plenty of different water features, like waterfalls, slides, and even a castle to explore. It’s far more laidback than the other options we’ve mentioned, though it’s certainly one of the prettiest.
Address: 21 Ash Ave, Elephant Park, London SE17 1FR, United Kingdom
Waterfront Leisure Centre
Waterfront Leisure Centre is a convenient spot to take your family right in the heart of London.
Boasting a huge swimming pool, slides, a wave machine, and plenty of interactive water toys, you’ll have a ball passing the afternoon at Waterfront Leisure Centre.
Address: Woolwich High St, London SE18 6DL, United Kingdom
Pavilion Leisure Centre
The Pavilion Leisure Centre is a perfect way to spend an afternoon as a family. With flumes that will land you in a giant swimming pool, a wave machine, and even pool parties available, there is watery fun to be had by the whole family.
But that’s not all that this leisure centre offers – dry off and take the kids for a spot of soft play, or work up an appetite with a game of bowling.
Address: Kentish Way, Bromley BR1 3EF, United Kingdom
Chessington World of Adventures
Venture just outside of the capital and you’ll find Chessington World of Adventures – trust us when we say it’s well worth the trip.
As with some of the top water parks in London in our guide, you’ll find all sorts of different activities on offer that are appropriate for the whole family.
There are terrifying and exhilarating flume rides, a laidback toddler area, and lots of family-friendly fun too.
Address: Leatherhead Rd, Chessington KT9 2NE
Coral Reef Waterworld
Bracknell’s Coral Reef Waterworld is an easy one-day trip from London and a great way to get out of the city and treat you and your family to a day of pure fun.
There’s a large area for the children and even an adult spa. Plus, tons of slides and thrill rides will please everyone in your group.
Address: Nine Mile Ride, Bracknell RG12 7JQ, United Kingdom
Fairlops County Water Park
Tucked away in rural Ilford, Fairlops County Water Park is an excellent option for people who want to experience nature during a fun-packed family day.
This park is much more rural than the majority of the others in this guide – swapping slides for paddleboarding or zorbing – but plenty of water sports and activities are still available.
Address: Forest Rd, Ilford IG6 3HN, United Kingdom
Liquid Leisure
This giant lake in Windsor has plenty of aspects to boast for people looking for water parks near London. Not only do they have an actually beach (probably fake but who’s counting), they also have heaps of obstacle courses to test your skills on.
Now don’t take that lightly because Liquid Leisure’s biggest claim to fame is without a doubt that it was the UK’s first Ninja Warrior assault course.
Think you’ve got what it takes? There’s only one way to find out…
Address: Aqua park, Horton Rd, Datchet, Windsor SL3 9HY
Splashdown
If you’re willing to travel a little further out of London you can include Splashdown to your Waterpark hitlist. The journey will be rewarded with a host of mega rides and slides that rival some of the biggest in our water parks guide.
The drive down there will take a couple of hours and it’d probably be about the same on the train which means it can feasibly be a day out. Leaving London also means you’re less likely to run into the mega crowds which clog up all the rides at the closer water parks.
Address: Tower Pk, Poole BH12 4NY
Thorpe Lakes Aqua Park
Don’t get this place confused with popular theme park Thorpe Park. They are very close to each other and they do have some things in common, but you won’t be getting yourself into crazy water-based theme park rides.
Instead at Thorpe Lakes Aqua park you’ll be taking on floating assault courses – and no doubt falling off them a bit – and getting stuck in with cool stuff like wakeboarding and waterskiing.
You’ll also find plenty of spots to chill by the lake and grab food if you just feel like chilling and watching your friends/family get soaked while you chill under the sun.
Address: Thorpe Lakes, Thorpe Road, Chertsey, Surrey KT16 8PH
Practical Tips for Booking
- When the weather gets warmer, the entire population of London flock to water parks to cool off – get there in advance to minimise lines and book your tickets beforehand to guarantee entry.
- Make sure you keep your valuables in lockers and bring plenty of sun tan lotion to prevent yourself from burning.
