Fancy making a splash in the sun? Here’s our guide to outdoor pools and play parks with splash pads in and around the North East
Haltwhistle Swimming & Leisure Centre, Haltwhistle
About: There are 3 heated open air swimming pools at Haltwhistle – the paddle pool, the learner pool and the main pool.
Address: Greencroft, Haltwhistle, Northumberland, NE49 9DW
Carpark: ✅
Food/Drink Options: ✅
Price: Family Swim from £15.50
Reopening: Now open but with restrictions so booking is essential
Toilets: ✅
Website: http://www.haltwhistleleisure.co.uk
Stanhope Open Air Swimming Pool
About: The only heated open air swimming pool in County Durham. There’s a main pool with a springboard and a smaller pool with a slide. Both pools are heated to 27°c (82°f)
Address: Castle Park, Stanhope, Co Durham, DL13 2LU
Carpark: ✅
Food/Drink Options: ✅
Price: TBC
Reopening: Planned for 26th July 2021
Toilets: ✅
Website: https://stanhopepool.co.uk
Carlisle Park, Morpeth
About: Carlisle Park is a multi-award winning park in the heart of Morpeth, Northumberland. It contains formal gardens, an aviary, play areas, a paddling pool, ancient woodland, picnic areas, tennis courts, bowling greens, a skate park and much more.
Address: Morpeth, NE61 1YD
Carpark: ✅
Food/Drink Options: ✅
Price: Free
Reopening: 21st July 2021
Toilets: ✅
Website: https://www.northumberland.gov.uk/Local/Carlisle-Park-Morpeth.aspx
Hirst Park, Ashington
About: The park features a play park, splash park, a woodland, relaxing gardens, bowling greens, tennis courts, community pavilion and lovely areas of greenery.
Address: Ashington, NE63 9FX
Carpark: Street parking available
Food/Drink Options: ✅
Price: Free
Reopening: 29th May 2021
Toilets: ✅
Website: https://www.northumberland.gov.uk/Local/Hirst-Park-Ashington.aspx
Ridley Park, Blyth
About: Ridley Park provides many fun and recreational activities for people of all ages to enjoy, including a water play area, woodland walking and a bowling green.
Address: Wensleydale Terrace, Blyth, NE24 3HF
Carpark: ✅
Food/Drink Options: ✅
Price: Free
Reopening: 17th June 2021
Toilets: ✅
Website: https://www.northumberland.gov.uk/Local/Ridley-Park-Blyth.aspx
Riverside Park, Chester-Le-Street
About: Children of all ages can enjoy the play area or get their feet wet in the splashpad. Take a riverside walk or relax in the gardens, each of which is inspired by a different planet or star.
Address: Ropery Lane, Chester-Le-Street, Durham, DH3 3PL
Carpark: ✅
Food/Drink Options: ✅
Price: Free
Reopening: 12th July 2021
Toilets: ✅
Website: http://www.durham.gov.uk/riversidepark
Whitley Bay Water Park, Whitley Bay
About: Whitley Bay Water Park is a great facility for younger children. The water park has a variety of splash and spray features as well a water rill with channel and damn leading to a pooled area. There is also a multi-use sports area near the park so children can play ball games in a safe enclosed space.
Address: Park Road, Whitley Bay, NE26 1EJ
Carpark: ✅
Food/Drink Options: ✅
Price: Free
Reopening: TBC
Toilets: ✅
Website: https://my.northtyneside.gov.uk/facility/1025
Essential Items To Bring
Even though Evie and Harry are 10 & 9 years old, if we’re going anywhere near any of the parks listed above, I always throw these items in to the boot just in case they fancy a play (which they almost always do despite being “too old for that now”)
• Change of clothing
• Goggles
• Suncream
• Towels
• Water toys
Thanks for reading. Let me know in the comments which water feature is your favourite and if there are any I’ve missed off which are worth a visit.
North East Eats and Kids 