Suffolk &amp; Cambs

If you can’t face the traffic jam to the coast, have no fear – here’s the Muddy-approved lowdown on all the best local lidos and splash parks for cooling off whether you’re a toddler, intrepid teen or a grown-up water baby. Just make sure those bikini straps are firmly secured before you cannonball in…



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lidos-and-outdoor-pools">Lidos and outdoor pools</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image alignnone size-full wp-image-12507"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="563" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2019/07/jesus-green-lido.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-12507" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2019/07/jesus-green-lido.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2019/07/jesus-green-lido-150x84.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2019/07/jesus-green-lido-300x169.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2019/07/jesus-green-lido-720x405.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Jesus Green Lido</figcaption></figure>



Need to cool down on the hottest day of the year? Cambridgeshire might be landlocked, but what we lack in seaside we make up for in amazing lidos and water parks. First up, it has to be the amazing <a href="https://www.better.org.uk/leisure-centre/cambridge/jesusgreenlido">Jesus Green Lido</a>. If you haven&#8217;t heard of this one you&#8217;re probably on the&nbsp;wrong website, as all Cambs residents have at the very least dipped a toe into this original 1920s lido, one of the largest outdoor pools in Europe. It&#8217;s seriously long (intended to give the illusion of swimming in a river) so if you&#8217;re not the strongest swimmer, I&#8217;d suggest widths rather than lengths.



<figure class="wp-block-image alignnone size-full wp-image-4768"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="734" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2017/07/Peterobrough-lido.png" alt="" class="wp-image-4768" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2017/07/Peterobrough-lido.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2017/07/Peterobrough-lido-150x110.png 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2017/07/Peterobrough-lido-300x220.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2017/07/Peterobrough-lido-681x500.png 681w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Peterborough Lido Outdoor Swimming Pool</figcaption></figure>



Not to be outdone, <a href="https://vivacity.org/vivacity-venues/peterborough-lido/">Peterborough&#8217;s Lido</a> gives Jesus Green a run for its money in the size and historical style stakes. It&#8217;s Art Deco chic and has not one, but three heated outdoor pools &#8211; a 50m main pool, a teaching pool and a paddling pool for the littlties. After all that exercise&nbsp;mini rumbling tummies will be delighted to hear there&#8217;s a café on site with hot and cold food, plus there&#8217;s space to sun bathe and a play area.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="469" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2019/07/sheeps-green-learner-pool.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-12516" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2019/07/sheeps-green-learner-pool.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2019/07/sheeps-green-learner-pool-150x70.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2019/07/sheeps-green-learner-pool-300x141.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2019/07/sheeps-green-learner-pool-720x338.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Sheep&#8217;s Green Learner Pool</figcaption></figure>



Then there&#8217;s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cambridge.gov.uk/lammas-land-pool">Lammas Land Pool</a> (most locals refer to it as the Newnham paddling pool), which is really shallow and most suited for kids to run through and splash in on a hot summer&#8217;s day. For more serious swimmers, head to the <a href="https://sheepsgreen.wordpress.com">Sheep&#8217;s Green Learner Pool </a>next to the Cambridge Canoe Club. It&#8217;s 0.9m deep throughout, making it ideal for learner swimmers and is right next to the wild water meadow on the River Cam. Both are near a really large play area, have changing facilities and a kiosk selling drinks and snacks, so are really good options for a cheap day out with the kids.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1113" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2022/07/beccles-lido.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-27324" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2022/07/beccles-lido.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2022/07/beccles-lido-800x594.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2022/07/beccles-lido-1000x742.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2022/07/beccles-lido-400x297.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2022/07/beccles-lido-708x525.jpg 708w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



Over in Suffolk <a href="https://www.beccleslido.com">Beccles Lido</a> is a must-visit on a warm day. With three pools (all heated to 28 degrees hurrah!) there&#8217;s something for everyone here. The main pool has a deep end going down to 3.7m with a springboard for any Tom Daley wannabes and a slide for those you prefer not to belly flop into water at speed! Little ones will love the 0.75 metre deep toddler pool for splashing around in or for babies there&#8217;s the 0.27 deep splash pool. When you&#8217;ve had enough of the water head to the adventure play area and family picnic area with all-weather exercise equipment for anyone with leftover energy. Finally there&#8217;s an on-site cafe for that all-important post swim refuel. 



Over the border into Essex, <a href="https://www.brightlingsealido.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brightlingsea Lido</a>, which dates back to the 1930s is an excellent place to head when temperatures soar. Sitting right by the seafront, there’s a large pool and a smaller one for tots. While you’re there, the town’s jetty is one of the top crabbing spots in the county (you can buy crabbing lines and buckets in the high street).



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/hitchin-lido.jpg" alt="Hitchin lido" class="wp-image-78354" /></figure>



Nearer the border with Herts? Don&#8217;t miss <a href="https://www.sll.co.uk/hitchin-swimming-centre/outdoor-pool/#main-content" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hitchin’s glorious</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sll.co.uk/hitchin-swimming-centre/outdoor-pool/#main-content">50-metre pool</a>, (above) complete with sunbathing terrace as well as the very popular <a href="https://www.sll.co.uk/letchworth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Letchworth Pool</a>, where you can kick back on the grass with an ice cream and a good book. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-aqua-parks">Aqua parks</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="544" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/06/cambridge-aqua-park-1000x544.jpg" alt="lidos and splash parks in Cambridgeshire aqua park with boy jumping on pillow" class="wp-image-40598" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/06/cambridge-aqua-park-1000x544.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/06/cambridge-aqua-park-800x435.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/06/cambridge-aqua-park-400x218.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/06/cambridge-aqua-park.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



If lidos are a little tame for your boisterous bunch, let them burn off some energy at one of the region&#8217;s amazing aqua parks (go on squeeze yourself into&nbsp;a wet suit, you know you want to). These have popped up over the last few years thanks to the popularity of TV shows like Total Wipeout &#8211; if you haven&#8217;t seen it, you have to indulge in at least a few minutes of mind-numbing but hilarious TV, as the contestants fly through the air at all sorts of ungainly angles always culminating in a belly flop. Anyway, us Cambs lot are much more graceful and will totally ace the challenges presented by <a href="https://cambridgeaquapark.com">Cambridge Aqua Park</a> at&nbsp;Hannam’s Wake Hub near Ely in the fens. There&#8217;s an inflatable obstacle course to challenge all ages (from 5 upwards) and for £22 you get an hour of fun (pretty sure our stamina wouldn&#8217;t last ten mins) plus the hire of a wet suit and lifejacket.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1002" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/06/southlake-aqua-park-cambridge-.jpg" alt="aqua park in cambridge green and blue inflatables on a lake" class="wp-image-40599" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/06/southlake-aqua-park-cambridge-.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/06/southlake-aqua-park-cambridge--800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/06/southlake-aqua-park-cambridge--1000x668.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/06/southlake-aqua-park-cambridge--400x267.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



It&#8217;s fairly water-logged over in West Cambs, with all its beautiful lakes and the Ouse running through it, so it&#8217;s no surprise that there another two brilliant aqua parks on that side of the county. First up &#8211; <a href="https://southlakeaquapark.com">Southlake Aqua Park</a> near St Neots. It&#8217;s a similar concept &#8211; lots of bouncy inflatables on a crystal clear lake and costs £18 for 50 mins. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="682" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2019/07/wyboston-aqua-park.png" alt="" class="wp-image-12514" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2019/07/wyboston-aqua-park.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2019/07/wyboston-aqua-park-150x102.png 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2019/07/wyboston-aqua-park-300x205.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2019/07/wyboston-aqua-park-720x491.png 720w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Just south of St Neots, on the border with Beds is <a href="https://rideleisure.co.uk/aqua-park/">Ride Leisure Aqua Park </a>in Wyboston. Again, it&#8217;s all about making a complete fool out of yourself on an inflatable course &#8211; this one is huge and can accommodate up to 100 people at a time, so you&#8217;re guaranteed a captive audience. If you&#8217;d prefer not to look like a right wally, you can try your hand at some more skill-based water sports here too &#8211;&nbsp;water skiing, wakeboarding, jetlev, jet surf and jet skiing.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-splash-parks">Splash parks</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1200" height="900" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2022/07/289836892_404033075101496_309711216863962990_n-2.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-27330" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2022/07/289836892_404033075101496_309711216863962990_n-2.jpg 1200w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2022/07/289836892_404033075101496_309711216863962990_n-2-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2022/07/289836892_404033075101496_309711216863962990_n-2-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2022/07/289836892_404033075101496_309711216863962990_n-2-400x300.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2022/07/289836892_404033075101496_309711216863962990_n-2-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image: Harlow Council </figcaption></figure>



Just down the M11 in Harlow, Essex a first of its kind splash park opened in 2022. The energy-friendly and super clean new facility has water arcs, water jets and blasts, water curtains and streaming showers as well as brightly coloured, non-slip flooring and artificial grass around the outside. 



Lovely <a href="https://www.north-herts.gov.uk/priory-memorial-gardens">Priory Memorial Gardens </a>in Royston has a less tranquil corner, with a fabulous water park that is a massive hit every time there&#8217;s a heatwave &#8211; seriously, you can hear the squeals of delight from the A505. There&#8217;s a May pole, interactive water streams and play streams for toddlers to get acquainted with, as well as nearby toilets and easy access to town for a quick bite afterwards. Plus there are two large play areas either side of the splash pad. 



In Cambridge town itself, there&#8217;s <a href="https://www.cambridge.gov.uk/cherry-hinton-water-play-area">Cherry Hinton Water Play Area</a> in the grounds of Cherry Hinton Hall. It has two paddling pools and a max depth of 0.4m &#8211; so you can take babies and toddlers and even be able to relax a bit yourself. It&#8217;s open from May &#8211; Sept and there&#8217;s an adjoining tennis court and picnic area to enjoy while the kids dry off. It&#8217;s also dog-friendly (although we reckon some parents might raise an eyebrow if your four-legged friend starts cooling down in the paddling pool too!).



Just north of the city at <a href="https://www.cambridge.gov.uk/splashpads">Coleridge Recreation Ground</a> there&#8217;s another splashpad to enjoy. There&#8217;s a shallow paddling pool with sprinklers and a tractor-themed play piece, as well as a lovely playground.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="620" height="300" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2019/07/abbey-pools-splashpad-01-620.jpg" alt="children playing in a splash park in Cambridgeshire" class="wp-image-12521" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2019/07/abbey-pools-splashpad-01-620.jpg 620w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2019/07/abbey-pools-splashpad-01-620-150x73.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2019/07/abbey-pools-splashpad-01-620-300x145.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 620px) 100vw, 620px" /></figure>



Finally&nbsp;there&#8217;s the <a href="https://www.cambridge.gov.uk/splashpads">Abbey Park splashpad</a>, just off Newmarket Road, near the Cambridge football stadium. This one was redone in 2014 so is in pretty good nick and features&nbsp;a variety of ground jets, along with a Dumping Bucket and Water Canons. There&#8217;s also a Toddler Bay to cater for the smaller children with some calmer spray features to provide a gentle introduction to waterplay.



In Suffolk, you&#8217;ll find a splash park in Ipswich&#8217;s <a href="https://www.ipswich.gov.uk/content/bourne-park">Bourne Park</a>. The paddling pool area is Sahara desert themed and to any children under 8. There&#8217;s also a play area and picnic area. On the other side of the River Orwell, Ipswich&#8217;s <a href="https://www.ipswich.gov.uk/content/about-holywells-park-0">Holywells Park</a> also has a water play area in the summer which is near the brand new children&#8217;s play area too.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="470" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2022/05/Thorpeness-Meare.jpg" alt="thorpeness mere" class="wp-image-26301" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2022/05/Thorpeness-Meare.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2022/05/Thorpeness-Meare-800x376.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2022/05/Thorpeness-Meare-400x188.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2022/05/Thorpeness-Meare-900x423.jpg 900w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Not exactly a splash park or lido, but for proper ‘messing about in boats’ day out, head to the Suffolk coast and Thorpeness Mere – a boating lake that has been attracting tourists since the 1920s. Choose from sailing boats, rowboats, dinghies, kayaks and canoes – there’s a great tea room too.

Best lidos and splash parks in Suffolk and Cambridgeshire

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