Splashdown Waterpark – Poole

Splashdown Waterpark in Poole is a watery paradise for families – whether you’ve got fearless teens, adventurous older kids, or little ones who think a shallow splash pool is the height of excitement. With a flume for every family member – from the bold teens to the cautious toddlers – this aquatic wonderland serves up a menu of slides, waves, and enough water-related fun to fill a small ocean.

The park caters mostly to the adventurous crowd so active kids will be in their element and can race from the adrenaline-packed Screamer to the disorienting Spacebowl.

If your kids are all about thrills, Black Thunder and The Screamer are the slides to hit. The former flings you into pitch-black chaos, while the latter offers a vertical drop that will have your heart racing before you even reach the top of the tower. A definite hit with the teens.

If you’re thinking of bringing younger children under eight, then prepare them for some serious speed as the majority of the slides are fast, furious, and definitely not designed for the faint of heart. In fact the park recommends visiting first thing with younger kids, as that’s when it is usually quietest.

That said, Splashdown does have areas for the little ones like the Little Buccaneers SplashZone and Buccaneer Bay, but a lot of the fun here is geared toward kids who can handle a fast drop, so little ones might spend more time watching older siblings zip past than enjoying the action themselves. But hey, if your toddler gets their kicks from splashing around in shallow water and watching the big kids scream, then welcome to heaven.

When you’re chasing toddlers or trying to keep an eye on fearless teens, safety is key – and Splashdown has this nailed. With a high number of lifeguards on duty and a helpful traffic light system to control the flow on slides, you’ll feel confident that your kids can enjoy themselves in a well-supervised environment.

For those looking for something a little more relaxed (aka parents who’ve had their fill of adrenaline), the Mississippi Drifter is the park’s version of “chill mode.” Drift along lazily and pretend, for a brief moment, that you’re on a serene river… while your children zoom past at warp speed on the neighbouring slides.

For parents juggling multiple age groups, the Twilight session is your golden ticket. Running in the evenings, it’s quieter, and you’ll be thankful for the shorter queues and more relaxed atmosphere, especially if you’ve got older kids or teens eager to hit the big slides. Plus, after a full day of adventure, they’ll be ready to conk out by bedtime. For younger kids, this quieter session also means they can enjoy the smaller splash areas without being overwhelmed by crowds.

With a maximum of three hours, it’s a great way to tire out the kids and ensure everyone gets their fill of water-filled fun without spending an entire day at the park.