My favourite holiday parks with indoor water parks for a rainy UK break – with flume rides and pirate ship attractions
HOLIDAY park guru Robbie Lane has visited dozens of sites across the UK, cherry-picking his favourite destinations with the best indoor water parks for an autumnal getaway.
From water parks with seaside-themed slides and 60ft-high flume rides to huge indoor pools and tipping buckets, Robbie has recommended the best of the best.
The former BBC journalist is the face behind the specialist website, Holiday Park Guru.
Robbie has covered everything, from adults-only trips to ski holidays and popular chains like Center Parcs and Butlin’s to little-known independent sites and budget-friendly breaks.
He recently told Sun Online Travel: “If you want a big range of activities and good swimming pools, then some good options include Butlin’s Skegness, Butlin’s Bognor Regis and Butlin’s Minehead.
“There’s also Craig Tara in Scotland, which is one of the larger Haven Resorts, and Trecco Bay in Wales.”
Robbie also added that other Haven and Parkdean sites also have “great swimming pools, splash parks and adventure villages”.
He added: “Center Parcs and Bluestone in Wales also have brilliant swimming pools and lots of activities; however, they tend to cost quite a lot more than the other brands.”
Butlin’s, Skegness
The main pool at Butlin’s Skegness finally reopened earlier this year after it was forced to close back in November 2023.
Along with the main pool, the wave pool and the lazy river also reopened in July.
There are plenty of other features at the Skegness-based water park, including the 60ft-high Vortex Fast Flume, which sends riders into a spinning bowl.
Other rides include the Family Riptide Raft Ride and a children’s pool called Rockpool Cove for younger guests.
Craig Tara, Scotland
The Splashaway Bay at Craig Tara is Scotland‘s biggest indoor water park, and it features two water flumes, a giant tipping bucket, a tots’ pool and water features.
One of the flumes has neon lights and three crystal-clear sections, so you can wave to your family while travelling down.
But it doesn’t end there. The other interactive flume allows you to time your ride and try to beat the fastest time of the day.
Although some activities are included, you could also add others for an additional cost.
The Haven’s holiday park also features an adventure village, crazy golf and a NERF training camp – described as a mixture of paintball and basketball.
There are even roller discos, slime-creation workshops and baby sensory rooms.
Butlin’s, Bognor Regis
The second Butlin’s water park Robbie recommended was Splash at Bognor Regis.
According to its website, the water park has been “designed to bring the best of the British seaside inside” with a Helter Skelter-themed slide, Seaside Garden rapids and Stick of Rock slides.
There’s also an Adrenaline Flume ride and Racer slides for those who are looking for something a little more exhilarating.
Other areas include a wave pool and a children’s pool for younger or less confident swimmers.
Trecco Bay, Wales
Elsewhere in Wales, Trecco Bay is a holiday park on a Blue Flag beach, making it ideal for those looking to enjoy a waterpark and sunbathe.
The ‘Splashland’ at Parkdean Resorts features a giant swimming pool with water chutes, waterslides, and a pirate ship attraction for children.
Plus, in the summer, there’s even an outdoor wet zone with shoots and water guns.
The park also has a high ropes course, an ‘Arts & Crafts Den’ and a climbing wall.
On top of that, there is a ‘Next Level Gaming Arena’ with the latest consoles and games to keep teenagers entertained.
Butlin’s, Minehead
Just like the two other Butlin’s sites Robbie recommended, Minehead Splash Waterworld is home to water flumes and rides.
One of those is Master Blaster, a raft ride with a series of twists and turns.
There are other rides too, including Black Hole, Space Bowl and Blue Comet – one of the fastest rides at the water park.
Five new water attractions opening in the UK
- Therme Manchester will have 25 swimming pools, 25 water slides and an indoor beach.
- Modern Surf Manchester will be a surfing lagoon offering lessons to both beginners and experts.
- Chessington World of Adventures Waterpark is set to have wave, infinity and spa pools as well as waterslides and cabanas.
- The Cove Resort, Southport is likely to have a water lagoon and a thermal spa with steam rooms and saunas.
- The Seahive, Deal plans to be the “surfing wellness resort” in the UK.
Last month, Robbie revealed England’s top three underrated holiday parks – with private beaches, indoor water parks and jet skis for kids.
And here are the other lesser-known holiday parks named among the best in the UK.