Outdoor paddling pools and splash parks in the North West

When the weather starts to improve there is one thing that children gravitate to and that is the water. Finding an option to enjoy as a family can be difficult, especially if you are not lucky enough to live close to the seaside. Swimming is a great option, but I have something that is even better. There are some amazing outdoor paddling pools and splash parks in the North West and they are well worth a visit. Find more family days out North West England here.

These paddling pools and splash parks are suitable for children of all ages, and they enable you to have some fun outside. They are often located in park areas so many are free to enter, and on a warm day, they can be a welcome way to cool children down. However, where are these outdoor paddling pools and splash parks? I wanted to share with you where some of them are. 

Outdoor paddling pools and splash parks in Lancashire

Lytham St Annes Splash pad and paddling pool 

Where can you find it: Promenade Gardens, Lytham St Annes FY8 1LZ

Entry costs: £2 (splash park) – online booking, the paddling pool is free and doesn’t require booking

Opening dates – Paddling pool now open, splash park open from 1st May 2026

This is one of those long-standing splash pools that has been around for many years. It has been regenerated over the years. The splash park is in the centre of amphitheater-style seating and it is suitable for children of all ages and abilities. Younger children will need adult supervision and help. There are water buckets, water sprays, and lots of other little sections where children can enjoy time in the water.

It is on the seafront so you can enjoy a day on the beach as well. This does require booking and a small entry fee which you can book on the website. 

The paddling pool is on the seafront as well, before you get to the splash park. It’s free to use and doesn’t require any booking.

Book the splash park here – Splash Park Water Play Area

Thompson Park 

Where can you find it: 111 Ormerod Rd, Burnley BB11 3QW

Entry costs: Free of charge to enter. The car park is £2.50 for all day. 

Opening times – the website says the pool is filled from April to September and open on sunny weekends and school holidays .

Open during the school holidays and on sunny weekends this is a lovely location to visit if you are looking for a splash park that you don’t need to book. A large paddling area where there are water jets and spray features. Plenty of places for you to relax and supervise the children while they are having fun. The park is large, with lots to see and do while you are there including picnic areas and play areas. 

You can find out more information here – Thompson Park

Paddle and play area at Martin Mere WWT

Where can you find it: WWT Martin Mere, Fish Lane, Burscough, Lancashire, L40 0TA

Entry cost: included in general entry to the wetlands attraction, from £48.11 for a family ticket. Annual passes available.

Opening date – 10am – 5:30pm from 28th March – 23rd October 2026 before being closed for the winter.

Brand new for 2025, this is an all-natural wet play area. It has been designed with accessibility in mind. Splash and scream your way through the rain curtain. Play an epic game of ‘the floor is lava’ on the timber tangle. Control the flow of the play stream by raising and lowering the sluice gates. Or see how high you can jump in the in-ground trampolines.

The wet play area is aimed primarily at under 4s, but open to all ages.

Find out more here – Paddle and play

Find our full guide to Martin Mere WWT here.

Happy Mount Park 

Where can you find it: Marine Road East, Morecambe LA4 6AQ

Entry costs: £4 per person, £1 per spectator. Card payments only. You can purchase a wristband at the green kiosk in the park. 

Opening date – From May 2026 through to September every Saturday and Sunday (term time) and every day during school holidays (weather depending).

This is an amazing splash park for younger children. So much to enjoy and it is a larger area meaning that you can ensure the kids will be able to explore the paddling pools safely. There are water jets and spray features, and plenty to enjoy. The park itself is a great location with lots to see while you are there so you can definitely enjoy a full afternoon or day here. There are four daily sessions for the splash park to help control the numbers. 

You can find out more information here – Splash Park at Happy Mount Park

There are also water fountains on the prom that children enjoy. you can find them located at the opposite end of the prom to Happy Mount Park.

Marine Splash Fleetwood

Where can you find it: Fleetwood Health and Fitness Centre,

Entry costs: under 3s free, children 3- 12 years £3

Opening date: From May half term to September, weather permitting

Includes interactive water features, fun obstacles, and plenty of space to splash around, Marine Splash offers a family-friendly fun for children up to 12 years.

Sessions run for 40 minutes, followed by a 20-minute interval to allow the system to refill.

Book here – Marine Splash

Splash pad, sand and water play area, Park view 4u, Lytham – Water may not be switched on at this one!

Where can you find it: Queen Elizabeth II Park View Playing Fields, Park View Rd, Lytham FY8 4JE

Entry costs: free but there are donation boxes as it costs £100 a day to run it.

Opening times: The sand play and play areas are open all year round but there are signs up saying the water play and splash pad are only switched on in the 6 week summer holidays (readers have said the water is no longer switched on but I can’t confirm this).

Park view 4u has loads of fantastic play areas for kids including the sand and water play area. The water was not switched on when we visited in June and the splash pad is looking sandy. It looks like it is a fantastic place to play and cool down in the summer holidays.

Find out more here – Park view 4u, Lytham.

Outdoor paddling pools and splash parks in Cheshire

Congleton Paddling Pool

Where can you find it: 19 Park Rd, Congleton CW12 1DP

Entry costs: Free of charge. 

Opening dates – Open now until 30th August 2026. Open every day during half-term & summer holidays and Wednesday – Sunday during term-time

Opening at the end of May this is one of the larger outdoor splash pools that you can head to and kids love it. It is free to enter and the online booking system is not in use this year. There are 140 people max at a time and it is first come, first served. There are two sessions a day, 10am – 1pm and 2pm – 5pm. It is a big area with lots for children to enjoy. Children of all ages can enjoy the paddling pool but all children need to be supervised by an adult. 

You can find out more information here – Congleton Paddling Pool opens Saturday 24… – Congleton Town Council

Splash Pad at Victoria Park 

Where can you find it: Birchfield Rd, Widnes WA8 7SU

Entry costs: Free of charge.

Opening dates – summer months only

Victoria Park in Widnes is vast with plenty to enjoy. You have the play areas, the lake with the ducks, and the water splash park that opens in the summer. This is perfect for a warm and sunny day. The area is shallow enough for all children to enjoy with adult supervision, and once the kids have cooled down, you can explore the park, get ice cream, and have fun in the play areas. A great option for the whole family this summer. No booking is required and it is free to use, but be mindful that on a warm day it will likely be busy, so get there early. 

Church Walk Paddling Pool 

Where can you find it: Percy Street, Northwich CW9 5QG

Entry costs: Free of charge but online booking is required

Opening dates – Late May – September 2026. Booking required

A great outdoor paddling pool and splash park for your children to enjoy this summer. Opening at the end of May and available to enter until September, this is a great option for the whole family. It is free to enter, but booking is required online. They have a number of spaces available and your session isn’t guaranteed if the weather takes a turn for the worse. But, it is a large splash area with plenty to keep the children occupied. Suitable for kids of all ages with adult supervision. Adjacent to the pool is a big park with lots of play facilities as well. 

You can find out more information and book here.

Sandy Lane Aqua Park 

Where can you find it: Sandy Lane, Chester CH3 5UL

Entry costs: Free to use

Opening dates for 2026 – open from May – September.

A great park area that is situated just 2.5 miles outside of Chester on the banks of the River Dee. The splash park has a 10-feature spray facility which I am sure the kids will love. There is plenty of space with a big grassy picnic area to the side. Booking is not required and it is free to use. The park has also got some great play areas for the children to explore. It opens at the end of May and will be available to use throughout the summer months. There is also a ferry that can take you across the River to the meadows at a cost of £1 per fare. A great day out for the whole family. 

You can find out more information here.

Outdoor paddling pools and splash parks in Manchester

Stamford Park Splash Area

Where can you find it: 235 Stamford St, Stalybridge, SK15 1QZ

Entry costs: Free of charge

Opening dates – The Aqua Park and toilets are only open during the summer season (May – September), between 11am – 5pm

Stamford Park is a lovely park located just outside of Ashton-Under-Lyne in Stalybridge. The park itself has a great woodland walk, play areas for all ages, and even an aviary with some birds. There is a big cafe located next to the splash park offering lots of treats and drinks.

The splash park is open at the end of May, and is not a paddling pool, but more of an area where spray jets go off and kids can run through them and enjoy playing in the water. It does get busy, but there are plenty of grassy areas and places to sit and enjoy a warm day. Across the road from the main park, you also have the boating lake where you can hire a pedalo. 

You can find out more information here – Stamford Park

Outdoor paddling pools and splash parks in Liverpool

Bubbles Soft Play

Where can you find it: New Brighton The Wirral

Entry costs: £8.00 for one hour of entry and 50p for adults. Card payments only.

Opening dates: no details yet for 2026

This is a lovely splash area for your children to enjoy. You can’t book this online, but you can walk in and pay the admission. There are sessions available throughout the day. Bubbles soft play has a lot of facilities inside for children where you can explore different areas of soft play. Only suitable for children under 12.

Make sure you check the website before visiting as it isn’t open every day.

You can find out more information here – Puddles Outdoor Splash Water Play Area

Outdoor paddling pools and splash parks in Lake District

Bitts Park, Carlisle

Where: Within the play area, Bitts Park, Carlisle, CA3 8UL

Entry cost: free

Opening dates: between April and October, temperature dependent.

Find more details about the park here – Bitts Park Carlisle

I hope this has given you plenty of inspiration for some of the best outdoor paddling pools and splash parks in the North West.

More summer days out North West England

Why not visit a Pick your own farms in North West England this summer?

Another great summer activity is a maize maze. Find loads of ideas here – Maize maze North West.

Fancy an ice cream and a play? Find my review of Billy Bob’s Preston here.

Find lots of Family events North West in June here.

Find the Best parks in Lancashire here.

Find all the pick your own Sunflower fields North West here.

Outdoor theatre is a great summer activity, find all the best Outdoor theatre North West.

Fancy an ice cream? Find the best places for ice cream across the North West here.

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