Hampshire &amp; Isle of Wight

<p>The Ventnor paddling pool is small but lovely.</p>


<p>Thanks for letting us know what is available all in one article!  Will be taking the kids this week.</p>



<p>Heatwave? Hurrah! Hampshire and the Isle of Wight are blessed with miles of fabulous shoreline and beaches to cool us off. </p>



<p>If you&#8217;re not right by the coast or feeling the whole ouchy shingly walk to the&nbsp;waves &#8211; or the thought of sand getting EVERYWHERE is filling you with dread &#8211; relax. We&#8217;ve also got some amazing outdoor lidos and splash parks* for some water-based fun. Without the whole beach&#8230; thing.</p>



<p>Grab that beach towel, slap on some sunscreen, get out there and ditch the supermarket paddling pool for a fab weekend or after-school splash around.  </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-aldershot-lido">Aldershot Lido</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="960" height="668" src="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2021/08/Aldershot-Lido.jpg" alt="Aldershot Lido" class="wp-image-23476" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2021/08/Aldershot-Lido.jpg 960w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2021/08/Aldershot-Lido-300x209.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2021/08/Aldershot-Lido-720x500.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2021/08/Aldershot-Lido-768x534.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2021/08/Aldershot-Lido-754x525.jpg 754w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" /></figure>



<p>Starting off with outdoor pools, we head first to <a href="https://www.rushmoor.gov.uk/lido" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aldershot Lido</a>. One of the most impressive in Hampshire (and possibly the country), it&#8217;s less lido and more waterpark with no less than three water flumes, fountains and a big old sandpit for the toddlers. It&#8217;s open at weekends in June, then daily from Sat 1 July 2023.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="855" src="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2021/05/Petersfield-Open-Air-Swimming-Pool.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-22365" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2021/05/Petersfield-Open-Air-Swimming-Pool.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2021/05/Petersfield-Open-Air-Swimming-Pool-300x257.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2021/05/Petersfield-Open-Air-Swimming-Pool-585x500.jpg 585w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2021/05/Petersfield-Open-Air-Swimming-Pool-768x657.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2021/05/Petersfield-Open-Air-Swimming-Pool-614x525.jpg 614w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Over in&nbsp;Petersfield, the 25m heated <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://petersfieldpool.org/" target="_blank">Petersfield Open Air Pool</a> has a big local fan club. Open daily until Autumn, the trustees that run it keep it in brilliant condition and organise lots of BBQs and other events. They also offer swimming lessons and inflatable sessions. Keep an eye on the <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Facebook page (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.facebook.com/petersfieldopenairswimmingpool" target="_blank">Facebook page</a> for all the latest.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lymington-seawater-baths">Lymington Seawater Baths</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image alignnone size-full wp-image-14184"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2019/07/Lymington-Sea-Water-Baths-Southpoint-Films.jpg" alt="Lymington Sea Water Baths Southpoint Films" class="wp-image-14184" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2019/07/Lymington-Sea-Water-Baths-Southpoint-Films.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2019/07/Lymington-Sea-Water-Baths-Southpoint-Films-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2019/07/Lymington-Sea-Water-Baths-Southpoint-Films-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2019/07/Lymington-Sea-Water-Baths-Southpoint-Films-720x480.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption>Photo: Southpoint Films</figcaption></figure>



<p>Down in Lymington, the awesome <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="http://www.lymingtonseawaterbaths.org.uk/" target="_blank">Lymington Sea Water Baths</a> have been open since 1833. The 110m pool is filled with seawater and has an incredible inflatable obstacle course, standup paddle boarding sessions&nbsp;and even aqua jousting (whatever that is!). Being in a prime Summer tourist spot it gets super busy, so pre-book on the website to make sure you get in.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-forest-water-park">New Forest Water Park</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="672" src="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2021/08/New-Forest-Water-Park.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-23477" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2021/08/New-Forest-Water-Park.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2021/08/New-Forest-Water-Park-300x202.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2021/08/New-Forest-Water-Park-720x484.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2021/08/New-Forest-Water-Park-768x516.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2021/08/New-Forest-Water-Park-781x525.jpg 781w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>If you can&#8217;t get into the Lymington spot then just down the road is the <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.newforestwaterpark.co.uk/" target="_blank">New Forest Water Park</a>&nbsp;in Fordingbridge with its 4,000 square metre aqua park. As well as taking a punt on the water inflatable obstacle course, you can also book in to try out some cable wakeboarding and stand up paddle boarding as well. It&#8217;s also home to the Hampshire Open Water Swim Centre for some wild swimming adventures.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hilsea-lido">Hilsea Lido </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="904" height="528" src="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2021/09/Hilsea-Lido.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-23671" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2021/09/Hilsea-Lido.jpg 904w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2021/09/Hilsea-Lido-300x175.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2021/09/Hilsea-Lido-720x421.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2021/09/Hilsea-Lido-768x449.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2021/09/Hilsea-Lido-900x525.jpg 900w" sizes="(max-width: 904px) 100vw, 904px" /></figure>



<p>Having secured welcome investment, this popular volunteer-run pool will be closed until 2025 for a major revamp &#8211; keep an eye on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hilsealido" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Facebook page</a> for updates. However, the brilliant Hilsea Jubilee <a href="https://www.visitportsmouth.co.uk/things-to-do/hilsea-jubilee-splash-pool-p873341" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">kid&#8217;s splash park</a> is right outside which is open and free to enter.  </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tapnell-farm-park-aquapark">Tapnell Farm Park Aquapark</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2021/08/Tapnell-Farm-Park-water-park.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-23478" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2021/08/Tapnell-Farm-Park-water-park.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2021/08/Tapnell-Farm-Park-water-park-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2021/08/Tapnell-Farm-Park-water-park-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2021/08/Tapnell-Farm-Park-water-park-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2021/08/Tapnell-Farm-Park-water-park-787x525.jpg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>A bouncy, splashy assault course, the Isle of Wight’s only <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="aqua park (opens in a new tab)" href="https://tapnellfarm.com/play/aqua-park" target="_blank">aqua park</a> at <a href="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/tapnell-farm-yarmouth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Tapnell Farm Park (opens in a new tab)">Tapnell Farm Park</a> makes the perfect playground for over sevens to jump obstacles and cascade down giant free-fall slides. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ryde-waterside-pool">Ryde Waterside Pool</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="563" src="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/06/Ryde-Waterside-Pool.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-27185" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/06/Ryde-Waterside-Pool.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/06/Ryde-Waterside-Pool-800x450.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/06/Ryde-Waterside-Pool-768x432.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/06/Ryde-Waterside-Pool-900x507.jpg 900w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Also on the Island, there&#8217;s the <a href="https://www.watersidepool.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Ryde Waterside Pool</a> which is a 25-metre pool with a retractable roof. It&#8217;s open year round &#8211; so perfect for summer showers and any random heatwaves we might have in September.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-super-splash-pools">Super splash pools</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="668" src="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2021/08/Child-with-ice-cream-beside-pool.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-23481" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2021/08/Child-with-ice-cream-beside-pool.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2021/08/Child-with-ice-cream-beside-pool-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2021/08/Child-with-ice-cream-beside-pool-720x481.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2021/08/Child-with-ice-cream-beside-pool-768x513.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2021/08/Child-with-ice-cream-beside-pool-786x525.jpg 786w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>If you&#8217;re looking for smaller splash parks for the little ones there are a huge amount across the area. Basingstoke has the recently refurbished <a href="https://www.basingstoke.gov.uk/playareas" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Chineham Splash Pad (opens in a new tab)">Chineham Splash Pad</a> at Chineham Park in Popley, and the centrally located <a href="https://www.basingstoke.gov.uk/eastropimprovements" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="paddling pool at Eastrop Park (opens in a new tab)">paddling pool at Eastrop Park</a>.  </p>



<p>Portsmouth has a <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.portsmouth.gov.uk/ext/leisure/swimming-pools-splash-pools-and-watersports" target="_blank">few splash parks</a>  &#8211; all free to use &#8211; including one located by Canoe Lake on Southsea Seafront, just to east of South Parade Pier. There&#8217;s another one slightly further along outside the D-Day Museum (and located right by Watkins &amp; Faux cafe, who do a pretty good lunch).&nbsp;And Gosport also has its own <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="on the seafront at Stokes Bay (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.gosport.gov.uk/gosportsplashpark" target="_blank">on the seafront at Stokes Bay</a>.</p>



<p>Over in&nbsp;the Totton and Eling areas, there is <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Testwood Paddling Pool (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.totton-and-eling-tc.gov.uk/Living_In_The_Town/Play_Areas.aspx" target="_blank">Testwood Paddling Pool</a>&nbsp;and Hanger Farm Pool &#8211; though these tend to rotate between which is open and can be closed at short notice.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="628" src="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2021/08/Fleming-Park-paddling-pool.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-23485" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2021/08/Fleming-Park-paddling-pool.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2021/08/Fleming-Park-paddling-pool-300x188.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2021/08/Fleming-Park-paddling-pool-720x452.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2021/08/Fleming-Park-paddling-pool-768x482.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2021/08/Fleming-Park-paddling-pool-836x525.jpg 836w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Hedge End also has its own paddling pool at the <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.hedgeend-tc.gov.uk/services/paddling-pool-play-areas/" target="_blank">St Johns Recreation Ground</a> and there&#8217;s a bit of free parking and an ice-cream stand there as well (I&#8217;ll have a Cornetto, please!). And Eastleigh has <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Fleming Park Paddling Pool (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.facebook.com/EastleighBC/photos/a.1428053680554583/4966312193395363/" target="_blank">Fleming Park Paddling Pool</a> (above), just off&nbsp;Passfield Avenue.</p>



<p>The <a aria-label="East Cowes Paddling Pool (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.eastcowestowncouncil.co.uk/council-facilities/esplanade/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">East Cowes Paddling Pool</a> on the north of the Isle of Wight is open until October. And further south there&#8217;s the fun, Insta-worthy <a aria-label="Ventnor Paddling Pool (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.visitisleofwight.co.uk/things-to-do/ventnor-beach-p970021" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ventnor Paddling Pool</a> with a giant replica model of the Isle of Wight in the middle, located at the foot of the cascade.</p>



<p>*<em>Info correct at the time of writing but do check websites and Facebook pages where possible for latest updates. </em></p>


The best lidos and splash parks

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