With more hot weather to come, you’re going to want to go somewhere both you and the kids can cool down and have fun – without breaking the bank. There’s nothing better than escaping the winter blues, than a visit to one of our local splash parks.
Let’s be honest, nothing yells summer sun more than a visit to a Splash Park. Pack a picnic, get your bather and swimming shorts on and head off for a day of splashing. Sprinklers, water jets, fountains and so much more. These are the best places to visit when it’s hot and you don’t have to clear up the mess in your own back garden either.
So here is the SOUTH WALES LIFE quick guide to a few of the best Splash Park’s around town. Most of them incidentally are completely free.
BLACKPILL LIDO – SWANSEA
BLACKPILL LIDO in Swansea is in such a lovely setting It’s between Clyne Gardens and the sea. It’s not only the water you can splash around in. There’s also a picnic area, a playground, and a cafe. The Lido is open till September.
With plenty of attractions nearby including the award winning Clyne Gardens, the Bay Rider and Swansea Bay there is plenty to do to ensure a great family day out.
To check out the Lido, just go here. BLACKPILL LIDO it’s open every day from 9am to 5pm through till 22nd September.
Deck chairs are available to hire for £2.75 per chair for the day.
With plenty of attractions nearby including the award winning Clyne Gardens and Swansea Bay there is plenty to do to ensure a great family day out.
SKEWEN PARK
They have lots on offer at SKEWEN PARK, with a paddling pool, children’s play area, public toilets and perfect areas for a picnic. Coedffranc Community Council owns and maintains the Paddling Pool and it is open daily all Summer. A member of staff will open the gates on an adult request, or you can pop to the office around the side of the Memorial Hall.
The park is on Wern Rod in Skewen, Neath.
AMMANFORD PARK SPLASH PAD
AMMANFORD PARK SPLASH PAD in Llanelli has been around for a while and the locals absolutely love it. The nice thing is, it’s minutes away from the train station so you don’t have to worry about parking or driving. The Splash Pad is well worth a visit. If you want something a little more sedate you can head down to the paddling pool at Crown Park and Parc Howard, just a few minutes away.
To see what is going on in the park, and when, visit here. AMMANFORD PARK SPLASH PAD
AQUADARE – ABERDARE PARK
AQUADARE is great fun within Aberdare Park, which is always worth a visit.
- Season – April to September
- Times -10am to 6pm
- Days – Sunday to Saturday
They do aim to stay open all season but if there are adverse weather conditions or events that prevent park entry then they will notify you on social media of any changes.
From time to time they may need to limit numbers into the splashpad on an adhoc basis. This is to ensure safety and security of all who use the Splashpad. Please remember that everyone involved in FOAP (Friends of Aberdare Park) are volunteers so please treat everyone with respect.
For more details, check out their site HERE.
LIDO PONTY
LIDO PONTY in Pontypridd is the National Lido for Wales and really is must visit. Even better now the season has been extended.
Tickets for all sessions up to June 3 are on sale now.
Tickets for all sessions June 3rd – July 30th go on sale 9am, Monday, May 20th
With three pools; a main pool, an activity pool and a splash pool, Lido Ponty offers fantastic swimming opportunities for people of all ages and abilities.
For just £2.50, you can also enjoy everything from fun inflatables to Aqua Peddlerz and Water Walker.
Aimed at the smaller visitors, the splash pool is complete with an umbrella water fountain that your little ones will love. They can bring their buckets and watering cans and play in the warm water in this safe and happy environment.
On warmer days, simply dip your toes in the heated water and relax on the sun terrace.
It is important that everyone has a great time with at Lido Ponty, the National Lido of Wales, therefore it is vital that you stay safe. You can check their guidelines HERE.
The swimming pool is heated and has specific swimming lanes if you’re pretty serious about the water. Most of all though, it’s great fun. With a splash pool, water umbrella and a play area for the kids. If you need to take a break from the excitement they have a visitor centre and cafe.
To find out exactly what the Lido offer in the way of swim, play, catering and learning, go here – LIDO PONTY
MORGAN JONES PARK – CAERPHILLY
MORGAN JONES PARK in Caerphilly is in the Green Flag Award winning park, the aqua splash pad is a perfect summer play experience and certainly lives up to its name of the ‘Wetter The Better.’ Away from the water they have, a maze (leave plenty of time to get out), and a wildflower meadow.
The “Wetter the Better” aqua splash pad provides a truly unique summer play experience. Four different jets keep the water coming at you from all directions and will certainly keep you cool in summer. The splash pad is available throughout the summer.
There are also relaxed sessions for children with additional needs available every Thursday between 10 & 11am. No need to book, just come along and have fun!
For more information and times, just head to their site here. MORGAN JONES PARK
PENCOEDTRE SPLASH PARK
PENCOEDTRE SPLASH PARK in Barry is one of so many attractions in the town and on the island. Plenty of water, of course but also a play area for the toddlers, a basketball court and skate park.
The Splash Pad at Pencoedtre Park is open seven days a week from 10:00am until 6.00pm during the summer months.
The entrance to the car park, which has ample parking space, is off Pencoedtre Road.
To find out more about the park, go here. PENCOEDTRE SPLASH PARK
VICTORIA PARK SPLASH PAD – CARDIFF
VICTORIA PARK SPLASH PAD in Cardiff is in a perfect setting and in the Canton area of the City. They have something for everyone here, spread over 3 zones, Toddlers – Juniors – Families. With a host of sprays, jets, a tunnel and a tipping water bucket (which is so much fun) this is again a must visit if you can.
The park itself is steeped in history.
- Grade 2 listed historic park: Listed on the Cadw Register of Landscapes, Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in Wales.
- Cast iron bandstand: Original installed February 1897, recast replica installed in 1996.
- Cast iron fountain canopy: Presented by I. Samuel Esq. in memory of his parents and brother, Louis Samuel, MP in 1908, this is one of several presented for parks between 1907 and 1915. The canopy was restored and relocated to its current position in 1996.
- Billy the seal sculpture: Bronze sculpture created in 1997 by artist David Petersen, recalling the Victoria Park Zoo and the park’s most famous resident.
For more details just head to their site here. VICTORIA PARK SPLASH PAD The Splash Pad is now open. It will reopen on Saturday 25th May and close on Sunday 1st September.
The park times are from 7.30am – 30 mins before sunset all year round.
SPLASHPAD OPENING TIMES
| Term time and school holidays | Open | Close |
|---|---|---|
| Weekends | 10am | 7pm |
| Weekdays (term time) | 11am | 7pm |
| Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday (school holidays) | 10am | 7pm |
| Wednesday (school holidays) | 11am | 7pm |
| Term time and school holidays | Open | Close |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday (term time) | 11am | 12pm |
| Wednesday (school holidays) | 10am | 11am |
MONKEY ISLAND – CWMBRAN
Cheeky Monkeys Soft Play, Cwmbran is a safe, fun and stimulating play centre for children under 12 years of age.
Monkey Island is open for Summer and is inside Cheeky Monkeys Children’s Soft Play Centre. It’s the perfect way to spend a hot summers day, having some fun with the family, splashing around outside.
They have an outdoor pool, sandpit, palm trees and benches and ideal place to visit with the kids. This is like going on holiday, but right here at home.
Open all summer, from March/April time to September/October. (They aim to open it every day, but this depends on the weather.) they recommend phoning on the morning of your visit to check if the pool is open that day.
Please remember your swimwear/ swim nappies when using this area. Unfortunately, children cannot use the pool without these.
They have lots of deals on offer. Monthly passes, loyalty cards and the like. Head over to their site MONKEY
CYFARTHFA SPLASHPAD – MERTHYR TYDFIL
Cyfarthfa Park, Merthyr Tydfil is one of those ‘spend a full day’ places. The Active Zone is a real treat offering a Splash Pad and Playground for younger visitors to enjoy.
The pad is open seasonally: April to August from 11:00am to 6:30pm.
This ‘Splash Pad’ is real a state-of-the-art interactive play facility within the Park which is sure to provide hours of fun for the family. Ideally situated within sight of the Canolfan Cyfarthfa’s café, the ‘Splash Pad’ promotes safe water play for children of all ages and abilities. Just remember the seasonal opening times are in play here (when it reopens).
On the subject of play, the adjoining Playground offers year round fun and includes swings, climbing frames and slides.
The Miniature Railway Engineering Society and Miniature Railway Company’s steam train rides provide brilliant family entertainment in Cyfarthfa Park. Right next to the beautiful Cyfarthfa Lake picturesque fun-filled trips are available throughout the year with themed rides regularly advertised.
As for the Grade II* Park itself, it’s actually one of the most frequently visited free tourist attractions in Wales.
Covering 65 hectares it occupies a prominent position overlooking the town of Merthyr Tydfil and the historic site of the Cyfarthfa Ironworks. The Park also provides a beautiful backdrop to the Grade I listed Cyfarthfa Castle, former home to the illustrious Crawshay family, and is recognised as being the best example of a 19th century Ironmaster’s residence to have survived in South Wales.
See what we mean about spending the whole day there? Take a look at their website here, they really do have so much on offer – CYFARTHFA or you can give them a call on 01685-727371.
The Playground includes swings, climbing frames and slides; perfect for children of all ages and abilities. The Playground is open year-round.
ABERCYNON PADDLING POOL
Their committee is called Action for Abercynon War Memorial Paddling Pool and they work really hard to keep this pool going. The aim is to ensure it is FREE for the children to enjoy.
Not much else to say about this, other than the best of luck to the committee, supporters and everything they are trying to achieve with the pool, which we only understand will open in the summer school holidays for 6 weeks.
You can follow everything they are doing on their Facebook page here – ABERCYNON
CROWN PARK & PARC HOWARD – LLANELLI
Not so much a splash, but nevertheless a fantastic paddle in stunning grounds of Parc Howard. As for the pool in Crown Park, we haven’t been able to get any information, as yet. We are on the case and will update when we do.
Parc Howard is stunning and really is a magnificent jewel in Llanelli’s crown. It was gifted to Llanelli by the Howard family in 1912, and is very much the towns’ park. To this day continues to be embraced and enjoyed by the tens of thousands who visit the parkland every year.
From family fun days to fascinating reminders of its past, Parc Howard has it all and for FREE.
- Informal lawn of some 24 acres to the north-west of the house
- A small, slightly formal grassed terrace to the front of the house
- Duck pond
- Bandstand
- Bowling greens
- Tennis courts
- Children’s play area.
Usually open during school holidays, the paddling pool is FREE. For more details, go here – HOWARD
LLANELLI HAVELOCK PARK PADDLING POOL
Llanelli Town Council fund this Fun Paddling Pool which is open during the summer school holidays
The Paddling pool is at Parc y Dre on Park Crescent in Llanelli.
MILFORD HAVEN PADDLING POOL
The pool is open on dry days through the 6 weeks of the summer holidays. It’s suitable for under 8’s who must be accompanied by an adult. Open Monday to Friday from 10am until 6pm and Saturday – Sunday from 10am until 4pm and is free to use.
The pool is at The Rath in Milford haven.
ABERAVON AQUA SPLASH
Aberavon Aqua Splash is the ultimate splash pad adventure. Come and soak up the fun on a sunny summer’s day featuring more than 30 water features including fountains, jets and ‘waterfalls’ Get ready to let the kids loose, they won’t want to leave once they get started!
Free seasonal splash park open from Whitsun May Bank Holiday weekend to September.
Aberavon Aqua Splash is the ultimate splash pad adventure! Come and soak up the fun on a sunny summer’s day featuring more than 30 water features including fountains, jets and ‘waterfalls’! Get ready to let the kids loose, they won’t want to leave once they get started!
There will also be new seating areas and facilities surrounding the Splash Pad site, so parents can kick back and relax whilst the kids don their swimming costumes and dive through the watery splash park. Watch as your little water babies slip and slide their way across the fun-filled playground; jumping from one stream to another. It’s fountains of fun for all the family!
Don’t forget to bring your swimming gear you really won’t want to miss out!
Appropriate clothing must be worn.
Please note, during extreme weather conditions, such as thunder, lightning and high winds, the attraction may be closed. Aberavon Aqua Splash will not open in temperatures below 10 degrees Celcius
There is no need to book with visitors allowed in on a first come, first served basis free of charge
Take a look at what they’re doing here – ABERAVON
Opening Times
| Day | Time |
| Monday | 10am – 7pm |
| Tuesday | 10am – 7pm |
| Wednesday | 10am – 11am (Inclsuive Session) |
| 11.30am – 7pm | |
| Thursday | 10am – 7pm |
| Friday | 10am – 7pm |
| Saturday | 10am – 7pm |
| Sunday | 10am – 11am (Inclsuive Session) |
| 11.30am – 7pm |
SPLASH CENTRAL – CARDIFF
This is not quite the same as the others but the team have put so much hard work in, we wanted to tell you about them.
Splash Central is a culmination of 7 years hard work. Splash Swim School started first, providing over 3’s lessons in Barry, a few years later, Baby Splash started its Parent and Baby swimming programme in Penarth.
The overwhelming success of Splash, led to the team looking for an opportunity to have their own pool, purely for the provision of water based classes. A few attempts of achieving this, over the last 2 years, were always met by stumbling blocks. Happily, they are now open on Ocean Way in Cardiff.
They will be offering the same high standard of lessons that have become accustomed with Baby Splash, with fully qualified Parent and Baby instructors who are full of compassion, energy and knowledge. A 10 week course costs £90. Coupled with this, they will be offering the same high standard lessons that are synonymous with the Over 3’s lessons – a ratio of 6 children to 1 instructor (usually 6:2 for our beginner classes).
All of the water based instructors are qualified to the Swimming Teachers Association standard, insured and DBS checked. Lessons are £7 per week, per half an hour lessons, usually payable in blocks of 10 weeks (£70).
We think anything that gets our kids into the water, swimming and having fun, has to be a good thing, so the best of luck to them all. For more details, go here – SPLASH
We have so many more ideas on our other pages. Take a look at the links below.
Here’s a few more of the OUR SOUTH WALES features which will give you some idea of what is right on our door step.
