Brave rapids & conquer slides at the best water parks near Leeds!
Our crew (plus the sprogs) don’t need the blazing sun to fling ourselves down water slides, float through lazy rivers, or meet a rogue wave straight to the chops. Who knows, maybe we were mermaids once—or just really not into staying dry.
Trouble is while Leeds has the River Aire flowing through it, the city isn’t exactly overflowing with water parks. (Yorkshire’s usual downpour doesn’t count.)
But hey, there’s no need to look glum. We have the lowdown on the best water parks near the city!
Hemsworth Waterpark & Playworld
– From ab_fisher_
Address: Hoyle Mill Rd, Kinsley, Pontefract
Contact Details: 01977 617617
Operating Hours: Daily – 9 am to 5:30 pm
Drive from the Leeds CBD: 1 hr and 2 mins
Hemsworth Waterpark & Playworld earns its place on this list for its outdoorsy charm. With two lakes—one for fishing, the other for pedalo-powered cruises—it’s an easy pick for a laid-back splash about with the fam.
Last visit, most of our kiddos’ time went into the said pedalo rides, but they also moved to the shallows and sandpits for hands-on playtime with nature. After that, it was straight to the picnic areas to lounge on the grass.
Tips:
- Feel free to bring a mobility scooter. The waterpark is designed with them in mind.
- Dogs are allowed, but they must be leashed and well-behaved.
The Dome
– From doncasterdome
Address: Doncaster Lakeside, Bawtry Rd, Doncaster
Contact Details: 01302 370777
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Fri – 6 am to 10 pm
- Sat to Sun – 7 am to 7 pm
Drive from the Leeds CBD: 1 hr and 15 mins
Dragging the kids away from The Dome’s slides was like trying to pry a seagull off a chip—near impossible. Can’t blame them though, as even the grown-ups didn’t want to move from the lengthy and swirling slides like The Serpent and The Blackhole.
We also like that we never have to bump heads with others just to paddle or slide, with seven pools all linked up.
The downside is there’s a 1.2-m height rule applied to the sprogs. But hey, at least there’s a more relaxed lazy river for those not qualified, and it’s decked with water jets and fountains.
Tip: For a more exclusive experience—or just a splashy way to treat yourself—consider booking their function spaces for private use.
Barnsley Metrodome
– From barnsleymetrodome
Address: Queens Ground, Queens Rd, Barnsley
Contact Details: 01226 730060
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Fri – 6 am to 10 pm
- Sat to Sun – 8 am to 8 pm
Drive from the Leeds CBD: 1 hr
Barnsley Metrodome knows how to dish out thrills, and it’s not just the kids who lap it up. There’s a solid lineup of slides here, including Terror Torrent, one of the UK’s fastest indoor flumes, and Barnacle Bay, a toddler-friendly section with interactive elements.
Eruption is hands-down the favourite for our team because it fires folks out of a ‘volcano’ directly into a pool! The gang’s other half prefers the family-friendly Splash Ahoy, with four open slides that are often brimming with kids and kids at heart.
Tips:
- If you’re a rookie swimmer, try their swimming classes.
- You may bring your own floats.
- Bringing your food isn’t allowed. However, you can eat at the restos here; just remember to email [email protected] if you’re a large group.
The Web Adventure Park
– From webadventureparkyork
Address: Clifton Gate Business Park, Wigginton Rd, York
Contact Details: 01904 692221
Operating Hours: Daily – 9:30 am to 6 pm
Drive from the Leeds CBD: 54 mins
If you reckon a water park should include foam parties and giant water pillows, book a trip to The Web Adventure Park, ASAP. It has plenty of those, with the addition of a wet sandpit meant for sandcastle building and mini river digging.
The cherry on top is the water zone that’s safe even for the tiniest of humans. An afternoon there means chilling in the paddling area, showering under a ‘magical tree,’ and taking water blasts from fountains!
Tip: Don’t forget to check if there are any membership promotions or specials offered before booking.
Rivelin Valley Park Water Playground
– From frances.e.beaumont
Address: Rivelin Park Rd, Sheffield
Contact Details: 0114 250 0500
Operating Hours: Daily – 10 am to 4:30 pm
Drive from the Leeds CBD: 1 hr and 4 mins
We don’t consider summer officially started until we’ve had a day at Rivelin Valley Park Water Playground. Tucked away in Sheffield’s green belt, it’s where water play meets nature, making it the place for kids (and big kids) to get thoroughly drenched.
Buckets tipping, water jets firing, and tables for splashing chaos—it checks all the water park essentials. To top it off, it’s free and highly accessible—think anti-slip flooring, ramp access, and water wheelchairs offered for loan to those who need them.
Tip: You’ll find a small car park adjacent to the pond. Be early if you want to secure space, especially during the peak days of summer.
Welton Waters Adventure Centre
– From wwac_outdoor
Address: Common Ln, Brough
Contact Details: 01482 668277
Operating Hours: Tue to Sat – 8:30 am to 2:30 pm
Drive from the Leeds CBD: 1 hr and 15 mins
Welton Waters Adventure Centre might not have slides, but it has something better—thrills that come straight from Mother Nature herself. Perched on the Humber River, great times here mean spending a day sailing, powerboating, or even kitesurfing.
Now, don’t go thinking only adrenaline junkies have a corker of a time here. Even the little nippers and leisure lovers have fun too, thanks to the sit-in kayaks on sheltered waters and the supersized paddleboards for fams!
Tips:
- Their kit prices can vary, so be sure to check ahead and factor the costs into your budget.
- They cater to people with disabilities. Just dial the digits above to learn the process.
- Spice up your trip by testing their Bear Grylls-esque bushcraft sessions. You’ll learn the details by emailing [email protected].
Sheffield Cable Waterski & Aqua Park
– From bradsheffers
Address: Rother Valley Country Park, Mansfield Road
Contact Details: 0114 251 1717
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Fri – 10:30 am to 8 pm
- Sat – 10:30 am to 7 pm
- Sun – 9 am to 7 pm
Drive from the Leeds CBD: 1 hr and 8 mins
Sheffield Cable Waterski & Aqua Park isn’t just North England’s biggest; it’s easily one of the area’s most heart-racing spots too!
Our lot spent an afternoon going Ninja Warrior—zooming down inflatable slides, scrambling up walls, and bouncing off aquatic trampolines.
It’s open for the 7+ crowd as well, so our kids got in on the parkour-inspired chaos. Boy did they love the Blast Bag, a ridiculous contraption that catapults people into the air with a powerful blast!
Tips:
- They open in April, but bookings start as early as the second week of February. Be an early bird; this one is pretty popular.
- Call the number if you want to throw private group events like stag and hen parties.
North Yorkshire Water Park
– From northyorkshirewaterpark
Address: Long Causeway Rd, Wykeham, Lakes
Contact Details: Daily – 10 am to 8 pm
Operating Hours: 01723 865052
Drive from the Leeds CBD: 1 hr and 29 min
If half your crew fancies to laze off while the other half craves water frenzy, book a trip to North Yorkshire Water Park. The daredevils can defy gravity at the inflatable courses, while the chill-seekers can go for a Wykeham Lakes tour in mini electric ships and pedalos.
Meanwhile, toddlers can bounce to their heart’s content at the castle-inspired Splash Kingdom, located on the safe shallows. And once the splashing is over, there’s a dog-friendly cafe dishing out hefty pizzas and comforting hot chocolate.
Tip: Booking isn’t required, but we strongly recommend it. Queuing is almost guaranteed if you don’t!
Hatfield Outdoor Activity Centre & Campsite
– From hatfieldoutdooractivitycentre
Address: 1 N Ings Rd, Hatfield, Doncaster
Contact Details: 01302 841572
Operating Hours: Daily – 24 hours
Drive from the Leeds CBD: 58 mins
You’d have to work pretty hard to get bored at Hatfield Outdoor Activity Centre & Campsite, one of this list’s most action-packed locations.
The biggest draw is the now-even-bigger inflatable Aquapark, where you can climb, swing, and spectacularly bellyflop your way into the water.
Kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards are up for hire too, but if you fancy a tougher challenge, swim in the natural pool. Once it gets too nippy, warm up at the 14-metre climbing wall or test your accuracy at the archery and axe-throwing lanes!
Tips:
- There is no need to pack buoyancy aids or wetsuits. They’re part of the deal.
- You’ll be asked to remove your glasses, so make sure to bring contacts or prescription goggles.
- As the name suggests, there’s a family-friendly campsite for those who want to avoid the hassle of heading home the same day they arrive.