1. Calypso Cove Waterpark, Barnsley

It’s in the middle of Barnsley (worth getting the satnav loaded as it’s down a backstreet) but is only around a 45-minute drive from Wharfedale.  

There are 3 big slides* (Terror Torrent, Eruption, Kraken) only Eruption has a 1.2 metre height restriction (there is a drop into a deep pool at the end so advisable only for strong swimmers) and then a slalom slide which the younger ones can also use (either on their own or with you). There is also a wave pool, a normal pool and a diving pool with 3 different heights of diving board. (You can even watch them dive into the pool from an underwater viewing area!)

Last summer they opened a dedicated area for younger children, Barnacle Bay, it says it is suitable for the under 8’s but I would suggest it is more suited to under 5’s.  The pool in Barnacle Bay is shallow and there are lots of water features, a mini slide, a submarine to play in and lots of squirting water!!

In the main pool there is a Pirate Ship which has a slide coming from it and water cannons to squirt!

There is a large mixed gender changing area, lockers (you need a £1) and showers but these got very busy.

You can either pay for a 1.5 or 3-hour swim.

MUMBLER ADVICE would be to get there early. It opens at 10 am with a small queue but by 11.30am expect a larger queue.  You can book priority tickets online to avoid the queues. 

Calypso Cove is part of the larger leisure complex at the Metrodome and there is also a bowling alley, restaurants and games area.  There is lots of free parking available.

Make sure you check the admissions policy before visiting regarding adult: child ratio.

Price: 1.5-hour family swim (without priority booking) is £24.00.

Closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day & New Year’s Day.

Metrodome Leisure Complex, Queens Ground, Queens Road, Barnsley, S71 1AN

Website

*On the large slides adults are not allowed to ride with children

Find more Family fun in Barnsley on our sister site: Barnsley Mumbler

COVID UPDATE MAY 21: Slides and water features will remain closed until further notice
Access to the pool is permitted by booking only and walk in’s will not be granted access at this time. Please ensure you have pre-booked your tickets as booking on arrival is not permitted.

2. Huddersfield Leisure Centre Waterpark

About an hour from Wharfedale & Craven, watch out if Huddersfield Town are playing at home!

The Splash Park is ideal for all ages and is a nice size meaning that if you have confident swimmers you can see them on most parts of the splash park.  A key point to note is the two main slides have a height requirement of 1.2metre and they are strict on this.   The Splash Park operates a band system which gives you 90 minutes to enjoy the park but also means it is never too busy.

The Splash Park has a fun pool for the younger ones which is warmer than the main pool and has a few ‘animals’ which the children can sit and slide on.

In the main pool there is a lazy river, toddler area with slide, “things” to turn and twist and a water bucket.  There are two slides (a water flume and Slidewinder) which you ride in inflatable rings (single and double), three water guns and an area where you can have free play.  The Sidewinder! might not look much from the ground but apparently, it feels almost vertical when you go down it!

One thing to note is there is a lot of squirting water, so little ones might need goggles on!  Included in your entrance there is also another pool where you can do length swimming!

There is also a great little viewing area which means that swimming with adults isn’t a necessity if your children are competent and confident swimmers. (Check admission policy of child: adult ratio before visiting.)

There are a cafe and snack bar (open when cafe shuts) on-site for refreshments.  There are other activities including climbing and soft play as part of the Leisure Centre if you wanted to make a day of it.

Price:  Family ticket for 90 minutes in the splash park is £15.95, pre-booking is advised. In addition, you need to pay for parking at the Leisure Centre but it is not expensive.

** Check timetable for Splash Park before visiting as Huddersfield school holidays can be different to Leeds, Bradford & North Yorkshire.

3. Doncaster Dome 

The Dome is just over an hour from Wharfedale & Craven.

Swimming in The Lagoons (7 interlinked pools) at the Dome is fun for all of the family, from parents with toddlers, to teens and tweens who want the fun-packed action of the big slides!  The slides include The Falls, Serpent and The Blackhole, children have to be 1.2 meters tall to use the slides.

There is a lovely, quieter paddling area for little ones behind the slides, which has a little climbing frame, plus jets of water and fountains that are fascinating for babies and toddlers.  There is a larger pool for some proper swimming and then there is an area which has fountains, jets, airbeds and a hot tub, plus an outside area with rapids if you’re brave enough in this weather – although it is heated!

There are plenty of family changing rooms, you need a £1 for the locker system.

If you’re planning to make a day trip of your visit the Dome also have a play zone, soft play area, bowling and ice rink too!  There are numerous places serving food throughout The Dome.

Price:  Family ticket for the swimming area is £20 during the weekend ‘Big Splash’ sessions.   The Dome currently have an offer where a family of four can skate and swim for £25 on the same day (need to book online for offer).  There is free parking available onsite.

Closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day and reduced hours New Year’s Eve (7 am-3 pm) and New Year’s Day (11 am-4 pm).

Doncaster Lakeside, Bawtry Rd, Doncaster, DN4 7PD

Website

Find more Family Fun in Doncaster on our sister site: Doncaster Mumbler

COVID 19 UPDATE MAY 21: Please note we have introduced a number of booking and safety procedures to keep you as safe as possible.

Reduced number of people in the pool during every session
One way entry and exit system in place
Extra cleaning and sanitisation between every session
A queuing system with social distancing in mind
All customers are advised to arrive beach-ready if possible
Showers will re-open on 29th May
Masks to be work when queuing and exiting (not required in the pool)

4. Alpamare, Scarborough

Alpamare has two outdoor heated swimming pools, including an Infinity Pool with massage jets, whirlpools and bubble benches. Indoors there is one large swimming area, which includes a wave pool, four slides (includes matt racer and double tube slide!), as well as a toddler play area with slide.

The slides are for children 6 years and over but the outdoor pools are also a big hit with younger children as is the wave area.  Under 6s are also free.

There are restaurants and cafes serving food and drink on site, once on the ‘wet side’ everything is done via a cashless system, you settle your account when leaving.

Price: Family ticket £64, Adult ticket £20 and Child ticket £16

Closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day 2019

Burniston Road, Scarborough, YO12 6PH

Website

COVID 19 UPDATE MAY 21: Re-Opening May 2021 We expect to be very busy: Make sure you BOOK ONLINE in advance.

5. The NEW Swimming Pool at York Community Stadium – Better York Leisure Centre

York Mumbler went along to the brand new swimming pool, toddler splash pool and leisure centre at the York Community Stadium – The Better York Leisure Centre.
“They have such brilliant facilities here – we’re so excited for it to fully open as it will include an amazing clip & climb centre (the eldest mini mumbler can’t WAIT for that to open) and also a cafe, library and more classes and sports facilities.” You can read their full review here

You can book either in the main pool or in the splash pad & learner pool.

The main pool 25m and is for lane swimming, general swimming, school and club hire. More suited to confident swimmers.

The Learner Pool is an ideal pool to learn and gain water confidence with a max depth of 0.9m. The Splash Pad is shallow water paddling pool with interactive water play area with a slide for children under 8 years old. Perfect for water babies and water confidence building.

The learner pool and splash pad tend to be booked up more quickly at the moment – if you book here and there is capacity in the big pool then they may let you go in there too – but this is very dependent on numbers and up to the discretion of the lifeguard. If you book in the main pool you’re unlikely to be able to go into the learner pool and splash pool due to number restrictions.

Booking & getting there
At the moment it is pre-booked only – you can do this via the Better App. Swimming places are released 5 days in advance (7 days for members)

You need to wear a mask on entry to the building – it was VERY spacious in the foyer with lots of hand sanitiser and room to space out very safely. They have staggered start times so that there should never be much of a queue or many people in the changing room at the same time.

Price: £5.35 per adult and £3.75 for over 3s

Kathryn Avenue, Monks Cross, York, YO32 9AF

Website

6. Pools in and around Wharfedale & Craven that have ‘fun’ swimming sessions

• Ilkley Lido has “Fun Splash” and “Family Swim” sessions at weekends and during the holidays. They also offer a “Toddler Splash” session for the under 5’s – who go free (adults £3.10) with kids snacks/drinks provided afterwards. These sessions include toys and floats and are aimed at families and young children. For more details and session times visit their website.

Indoor Pool Christmas opening times:

• Shipley Pool has “Fun Splash”  and “Family Swim” sessions at weekends and during the holidays. These sessions include toys and floats and are aimed at Families and young children. For more details and session times visit their website.

Christmas Opening Times:

• Aireborough Leisure Centre, have ‘Big Splash Family Swimming’ and ‘Fun Sessions’ on a weekend. These sessions can include floats and toys available for children to play.  For more details on these sessions including times visit active.leeds.gov.uk

• Sedbergh Sports & Leisure Centre has “Family Swim” sessions running at weekends and during the holidays. These sessions include toys and floats and are aimed at families and young children. For more details and session times visit their website.

Christmas Opening Times:

• Holt Park Active & Kirkstall Leisure Centre have ‘Big Splash Family Swimming’ and ‘Fun Sessions’ on a weekend. These sessions can include floats and toys available for children to play.  For more details on these sessions including times visit active.leeds.gov.uk
• Hydro Swimming Pool, Harrogate has a ‘Fun Session’ on a Saturday and Sunday The pool is filled with floats, toys and the large inflatable aqua run. (You must be able to swim 25m unaided to use the aqua run.)  The fun session is aimed at children 8-16 years.
• Eccleshill Pool in Bradford has a main pool, learner pool, 20-metre water slide and diving boards.  They also have sessions specifically for under 8’s and fun splash sessions when toys and floats are available. (*The slide and diving boards are only available on certain sessions.)

If you fancy a drive Bridlington Leisure Centre also has a great splash zone with two slides and an interactive waterplay structure.

*Prices and details correct at time of publishing, December 2019.  Please check timetables before visiting as changes can be made especially during school holidays.  Also, make sure you check the adult to child ratio at individual waterparks prior to visiting.