What is it?
A waterpark is an amusement park based around recreational activities in water, such as wave pools, water slides, water playgrounds, tube slides, swimming and hot tubs. They are more popular in warmer weather, with some establishments shutting down in the colder months, but you can also find indoor parks that are open year round.
What does it involve?
Going to a waterpark is about having fun! They are purely recreational establishments, and involve various slides, pools, jets and inflatables to interest with the water.
Why do it and what are the benefits?
Waterparks can be a great way of encouraging exercise for those who see ordinary swimming as a little boring! These kind of parks keep the adrenaline pumping and can encourage interaction with watersport in the future; if a student enjoys interacting with the water in such an enviroment they are more likely to seek it out themselves at a later time.
What equipment do we need?
You will need to provide/make sure each student has their own swimwear as its rare for waterparks to provide these; towels and toiletries for drying off afterwards would also be a good idea to bring along.
Who is it suitable for?
People of any ages will love waterparks! Young children especially will see a trip to a waterpark as a great treat - even those who aren't keen on swimming and large bodies of water should find something to enjoy.
Costs?
The price of admission to waterparks will vary greatly depending on the size of the venue, as places can vary from having pool and a few slides to a much bigger network of equipment - where you go and the cost of your trip will depending on your location and budget!
Issues/Things to think about? (unsuitable for age groups, medical conditions etc)
Young children will always need to be supervised around water, so large groups will need many adults to accompany them!
How do we include?
Some of the larger waterparks may be set up for those with disabilties, but smaller venues may have trouble accomodating you; as waterparks require a lot of independent movement and travelling to elevated platforms to go down slides individually, those with limited movement may not be able to join with a waterpark visit. If your group of students has special needs then consult with the venues you are considering to see what they are set up for - the bigger the establishment, the more likely they are to cater for those with disabilities.
Doing it abroad?
The waterparks abroad are often much more elaborate than here in the UK, as the countries they are situated in tend to have much warmer climates! The colder countries are more unlikely to have a waterpark, but any warm country that is a popular holiday destination will be likely to have a great one.
Main website:
Visit here for some good general information about waterparks, but always consult individual websites for specific information about a venue.
Coral Reef Waterworld is one of the most popular visitor attractions in the South East and next year will undergo a fantastic £11m+ facelift.
When you come back to us after the year long transformation you’ll enjoy five exciting new flumes, including two iconic thrill rides: the Crazy Cones and the Super Crater, which will be exclusive to the South East of the UK.
Welcome to Center Parcs, the award-winning number one short break provider in the UK. Our five Villages are nestled within beautiful and secluded woodland, providing an ideal location for a unique short break to remember.
Britain's first fully themed indoor family resort and amusement park. A magical world of fun, thrills and experiences for all the family. Now including the indoor Galactic Play Zone!
Twinlakes Park offers the very best in family entertainment jam-packed with a breath-taking variety of family Rides, Attractions, Animals and even a Waterpark!
Set in 70 acres of glorious countryside, where you'll find unlimited action and play zones, a massive 125,000sqft indoors plus rides and attractions galore. All weather action all year round!
Children here can play in amongst the interesting jets, Silly Showers and other interactive wet play features during summer: great idea if you are looking for summer family days out in Northamptonshire.
Lakes formed from the flooding of a disused gravel pit, surrounded by woodland, wetland and meadow that supports a wide range of wildlife, with one mile surfaced path around the lake.
Local groups include model boating and angling regularly use this site. The site is managed for recreation and conservation by East Staffordshire Borough Council.
Brean Leisure Park in Somerset is the ideal destination for a great family day out. With Brean Theme Park our on site theme park, Brean Splash Waterpark, Brean Golf Club, The Tavern and Dickies entertainment venues and a wide variety of eateries and restaurants you and the family will be spoiled for choice.
Bognor Regis is a traditional West Sussex seaside town. We’ve got three contemporary resort hotels, a funky spa, a restaurant by celebrity chef Brian Turner, a 2012 Quality Coast Award beach and the South Downs National Park on our doorstep.
Skegness is a lovely traditional coastal town in Lincolnshire. This is where Butlins all started back in 1936 but a lot has changed since then! You’ll find some lovely restaurants and a beautiful blue flag sandy beach right on your doorstep.
Heated outdoor swimming pool with a beach area at one end and an integrated fountain, with a dedicated wet-play area besides the main pool.
Situated at the heart of the idyllic Lido Park, the historic Droitwich Spa Lido is a fantastic summer’s day out!
It's a remodelled 44 yard by 22 yard heated swimming pool with a 'beach' area at one end and an integrated fountain.
Our favourite resort to explore the great outdoors. Minehead is a beautiful seaside town in the heart of Exmoor in Somerset. Here’s where you’ll find our contemporary Blueskies Apartments, some lovely new restaurants and a beautiful sandy beach right on your doorstep.
Clarence Pier Southsea is one of the largest amusement parks on the south coast and boasts all manner of amusements, rides and activities for all the family.
The Arcades and Pirate Pete's Indoor Adventure Playground are open all year. We also have plenty of food and drink outlets including our 100 seat Wimpy Express fast food restaurant.
We look forward to entertaining you!
WaterWorld attracts over 400,000 visitors a year making it a leading visitor attraction in North Staffordshire & the UK’s No.1 indoor tropical aqua park!
Indoor and outdoor adventure play including water games, trampoline, desert island with ship wreck, sand pit and hammocks, a forest area including tepees and fire pit plus a racing track!
We provide a full range of outdoor activities to suit all ages and interests. Based on idyllic Loch Ard, within the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park activities include gorgewalking, our unique waterpark, canoeing, climbing/abseiling, cliff jumping, archery, mountain biking, orienteering and many more.
Theme park and CBeebies Land with great kids attractions; white-knuckle roller coaster rides including the Smiler, Air and Oblivion; special events and much, much more.
You can stay at our Alton Towers Resort hotel too.
Education
LEGOLAND® Malaysia Resort brings together a LEGOLAND Park, Water Park and Hotel in one LEGO® themed location. It is a family holiday destination with more than 70 hands-on rides, slides, shows and attractions.
Enter a world of pirates, cowboys and explorers and enjoy a fantastical adventure at the Heide-Park Resort. With 40 rides to choose from, you can shoot down the Colossos, Europe's highest and fastest wooden rollercoaster; be exhilerated by the world's highest Gyro-Drop-Tower, 'Scream'; or experience the perilous adventures of pirates on the Lake Stage.
The Bushcraft Company offer residential school trips with a difference, taking students into the wild and giving them real back-to-nature experiences they will never forget.
A 15-year-old boy fell 60ft over the edge of a cliff whilst on a geography school trip, miraculously only suffering minor injuries.