Outdoor swimming and other water based activities in Hertfordshire- have fun on the water this summer
OK, so the summer may have been a little damp so far but predictions are that the sun is set to return in August- YAY!
Here’s my suggestions for where to head to cool down in Hertfordshire. From outdoor swimming, splash parks, stand up paddleboarding, kayaking, aqua parks and white-water rafting, you can find all this and more in Hertfordshire.
Lee Valley White Water Centre
Lee Valley stretches between Waltham Abbey in Essex and Broxbourne in Hertfordshire, in the Hertfordshire end of the park, you’ll find Lee Valley White Water Centre where adrenaline junkies can have a go at white water rafting along the Olympic-standard 300 metre white water course, hydrospeeding or tackle the Water Wipeout obstacle course. For those not as daring, there is kayaking and stand up paddleboarding and for those that choose to stay dry, there is The Terrace Bar & Café where you can relax and watch the rapids.
Stanborough Park, Welwyn Garden City
Stanborough Park is a beautiful countryside park, with two lakes covering an area of 126 acres, on the outskirts of Welwyn Garden City. Stanborough Park Watersports Centre is located on the South Lake and offers a range of water-based activities including Sailing, Kayaking, Canoeing, Stand Up Paddleboarding, Rafting and areas for outdoor swimming in open water.
On the North Lake on weekends and school holidays from April to September you can hire rowing boats and pedalos. A short stroll from here is Splashlands which is a pirate themed play park and splashpad.
Fairlands Valley Park, Stevenage
With the 120 acre Fairlands Valley Park there’s Fairlands Valley Outdoor Activity Centre which features an 11 acre sailing lake. Here you can hire pedlos or rowing boats and go sailing or rowing. Back on dry land you can have a go at the high rope course and there is an aqua play area for kids.
Rickmansworth Aquadome
This Is a beautiful nature reserve located just outside the small town of Rickmansworth. We often come here to wonder around the lakes and the kids love the playground here. Rickmansworth Water Ski Club is located at the Aquadrome, this family friendly club holds beginners lessons for kids and adults throughout the summer.
H2O Rampage at Westmill Farm near Ware
There are a host of different water-based activities on offer here including open water swimming, stand up paddleboarding, SUP yoga as well as an incredible state of the art Inflatable Aqua Park.
One hour long sessions are available at the state of the art Aqua Park and are suitable for kids aged over six.
For an alternative fitness session, fun vinyasa style yoga sessions are held on Stand Up Paddleboards and include regular paddle sessions before and afterwards.
Splash Parks
You can find splash parks all over Hertfordshire, in parks, attractions and lidos.
Cassiobury Park Paddling Pools, Watford
Great place to head to with small kids, the paddling pools are right next to a large playground so the kids can run round there and then cool down in the water.
Kids (and adults!), can splash about in the two paddling pools, plus there are water jets, and fountains and 30 state-of-the-art splash pads. Daisy’s Café overlooks the paddling Pools and serves delicious pizzas, along with other main courses, as well as freshly made cakes, pastries and drinks. They also have a hatch by the pool, from which you can purchase ice-creams, drinks and some snacks.
it’s advisable to book your entrance, which is free, in advance. This is done via the Everyone Active App (free to download) or via their website.
Splash’n’Play
In Milton Keynes, Willen Lake has one of the UK’s largest splash parks, Splash’n’Play, which has over 60 water features and is suitable for kids up to 13. As well as general entry, they have dedicated SEN sessions as well as separate times for under 5s.
Sessions run for 45 minutes and cost just £5 per child. Accompanying adults go free.
Splash Park at Verulamium Park, St Albans
Another very popular kids water-based play area. Bring a picnic and spend the day in the park enjoying the splash park as well as the other facilities within this 100 acre park, which include Crazy Golf, kids play area, a café, model boating lake, Verulamium Museum and much more.
The splash park can be booked via the 1Life website
Paradise Lagoon, Paradise Wildlife Park, Broxbourne
There is so much to do at Paradise Wildlife Park in addition to viewing the animals. On hot days you can cool down at Paradise Lagoon- a shallow pool with a small ‘Aztec Slide’. There is grassed seating area around the pool, with some deck chairs and benches, where you can stretch out in and catch some rays and dry off before exploring more of the park.
Entrance is free with a day ticket, which costs from £15.95 for adults £12.00 for children and under 3 years are free.
Outdoor Swimming
There are a number of outdoor public swimming pools located across Hertfordshire.
Kimpton Pool Club is the last remaining family run lido in the country and dates from 1934. The pool is 23m long and has changing rooms on each side with a café and play area. It is open to the membership-paying
Letchworth Outdoor Pool is a 50m heated pool surrounded by a grassed sunbathing area, it has a toddler pool and there is a café in the terrace area.
Woburn Lido was given to the people of Woburn in 1911 as a gift from His Grace the Duke of Bedford. It is an iconic piece of history that provides a lovely day out for the family.
Ware Priory Lido has a 30 metre pool as well as a smaller teaching pool, which is ideal for smaller children. Both pools are heated and there is a small toddler play area.
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