There’s something so refreshing about taking a dip in an outdoor swimming pool and in our experience, kids love splashing about for hours in any kind of water! So, here is our guide to the best outdoor pools and water parks in Kent and East Sussex for you to enjoy with the family this summer. Please check opening hours and whether you need to book before traveling and don’t forget your costumes, towels and sun cream
The best outdoor pools and water parks in Kent and East Sussex…
♥ Who will wipe out first on the 1500sqm meter inflatable Aqua Park at Bewl Water? Open to anyone age 6 and over (or 1.2m in height), tickets cost £23 for a 50-minute session plus car parking charge. There are lots of other activities to do while at Bewl Water too, making it a fab family day out!
♥ St Andrews Lakes are based in a former quarry in Rochester and have been transformed into a superb beautiful blue lake reserve with a super range of water and land based activities for all ages.
♥ Swanley Park (BR8 7PW) has a wide range of activities for little ones (some chargeable), with the main draw during the summer months being the large paddling pool and watersplash feature. Parking fees apply.
♥ If you need to cool off in a hurry, Tonbridge Outdoor Swimming pool is the closest option to Tunbridge Wells. The heated pool has a beach area (shallow for little ones) and a couple of water features to play with, seating area and lawn. Under 3s £1.30, non-members over 3 £8.70 and there are family passes too. There’s a 90-minute maximum stay policy and tickets need to be pre-booked.
♥ Take a lovely drive out to Lewes Pells Pool, a freshwater outdoor swimming pool, with paddling pool, snack bar and picnic area. It’s unheated but warms up naturally over the season. Entry is £3.70 for adults (1-hour session), £1.50 for children and free for under 2s.
♥ If you head down to Brighton, choose from the paddling pool and sandpit near the West Pier on Kings Road, play fountains at The Level, Saunders Park or the sheltered little paddling pool, both on Lewes Road and the popular, traditional paddling pool at Hove Lagoon. There’s also the newly opened Sea Lanes, which is a fab brand new lido built on the beach. You can get the electric train to the lido from the pier. Just ask for a “halfway ticket”. There’s a playground just next door, as this pool is strictly lane swimming only. Of course you can just have a terrific time splashing about on the beach!
♥ If your kids love mucking about in rivers, the National Trust’s Ightham Mote near Sevenoaks has a natural play area set around a river, suitable for damn building and paddling. It’s fairly compact but worth a visit…
♥ Situated next to the beach and surrounded by lawns the traditional paddling pool at Walmer Green (CT14 7HX) offers safe water-fun for little ones. This free facility has changing rooms, a lifeguard on duty, refreshment kiosk and large play area next door.
More of the best outdoor pools and water parks in Kent and East Sussex…
♥ If you’re heading over to Drusillas Park on a warm day, pack the kid’s swimwear for ‘Get Wet!’. A splash pad and kids water park, with water jets, ground geysers, swirling streams and sprays.
♥ The recently restored Saltdean Lido near Brighton has something for everyone. A large 40m heated pool, paddling pool and splash area, lawn picnic area and refreshment kiosk. Parking is free, peak time swim prices are £6 for adults and £3.50 for 3-17-year olds and under 3s are FREE!
♥ Make the most of a summer day at Strand Leisure Park, Gillingham. Get your bearings when you arrive by riding the historic miniature railway, then cool off in the 25m (unheated) saltwater lido, paddling pool, slides and lazy river or try your hand at water zorbing.
♥ Dive into the 33m heated Faversham Pools (ME13 8PW), slide into the paddling pool and splash your way around the wild-water rapids. Adult entry £8, child £6.50, 2 and under are £1.
♥ For safe lifeguarded outdoor swimming or a bigger challenge beautiful settings, confident swimmers from age 7/8+ can join TriSwim Open Water club, with open water swimming venues at Haysden Lake, Tonbridge; Chipstead Lake near Sevenoaks, and Penshurst Place. Children can also swim for free with an accompanying adult.
♥ Or maybe you just want to go to the good old fashioned beach??! Here are our favourite beaches for families in Kent & East Sussex!
Here’s a round-up of several blog posts which you may find useful too:
♥ The Summer Guide – 125+ things to do around Tunbridge Wells this Summer – read the full post HERE.
♥ Summer camps and classes for kids in Kent! – read the full post HERE.
♥ 50+ family days out in Kent & East Sussex – read the full post HERE.
♥ 50 things to do for FREE in Kent & East Sussex – read the full post HERE.
♥ 50 things to do in Kent when it’s raining – read the full post HERE.
♥ 9 of the best family bikes rides in Kent and East Sussex – read the full post HERE.
Have we missed anything? If you have any more recommendations for the best outdoor pools and water parks in Kent and East Sussex please do comment below or email me clare@mytunbridgewells.com with your suggestions. Thanks for reading!