The UK’s tropical indoor waterparks MAPPED… with 30C temperatures, white-knuckle rides and slides, spas and VIP hot tubs

WHEN the unpredictable British weather strikes, a tropical indoor waterpark is the ideal escape for families. We’ve hunted down the UK’s absolute best indoor waterparks, packed with terrifying near-vertical drops for adrenaline junkies and giant interactive pirate ships to entertain the little ones. Alton Towers has its own on-site waterpark at the Splash Landings hotel Parents haven’t been forgotten either, as plenty of these indoor resorts have luxurious adults-only spas, bubbling spa pools, and peaceful lazy rivers to help you escape the chaos. Best of all, these waterparks won’t break the bank, with tickets from £5.31 for adults and £2.50 for kids. Sandcastle Waterpark, Blackpool Sandcastle Waterpark in Blackpool is the UK’s largest Credit: Sandcastle Waterpark Blackpool / Facebook As the UK’s largest waterpark, it’s safe to say there’s absolutely loads of indoor fun to be had at Sandcastle Waterpark in Blackpool. The attraction boasts 18 slides, ranging from the toddler-friendly treetops water chutes to a climbing frame where a giant coconut dumps 600 gallons of water onto unsuspecting swimmers. Older thrill-seekers can tackle five record-breaking white-knuckle rides, including the Sidewinder, the world-first indoor half-pipe, and the Masterblaster, the UK’s longest indoor water rollercoaster. While the kids run wild, adults can escape to the Sea Breeze Spa for an extra £7 to unwind in the sauna, steam room, and aromatherapy lounge. For the ultimate VIP day out, the £60 Tiki Cabana package gets you park entry, lunch and unlimited drinks, spa access, and a private retreat complete with a TV and hot tub. Standard tickets start at £24.95 for those aged 12 and over, £15.95 for kids aged three to seven, and under-threes get to splash around for free. Waterworld, Stoke-on-Trent Waterworld Aqua Park in Stoke on Trent has over 30 different rides and attractions Credit: Waterworld Leisure Resort This waterpark with tropical temperatures packs in over 30 different rides and attractions under one roof. Test your nerves on the lightning-themed Hurricane ride that descends at 17mph, or brave the Thunderbolt – the UK’s first trap-door flume that plummets you downwards at a terrifying 25mph. If you want something a bit gentler, toddlers will love the gentle twists of the newly refurbished Python slide, while the whole family can enjoy the swirling rapids and wave pool. When you need a breather, you can chill in the calming bubble pools and fuel up on pizza, bubble waffles, and milkshakes at the on-site restaurant. Outside of the waterpark, the wider leisure resort contains the M Club Spa and fitness centre as well as a tiki-themed adventure mini-golf course. General admission tickets start at £24pp. Blue Lagoon Water Park, Wales Zip down a rubber ring ride at Blue Lagoon Waterpark Credit: bluestonewales Beneath its giant, curved glass dome, the Blue Lagoon Water Park hides a massive wave pool, four high-speed flumes, a lazy river, bubbling spa pools and more. Here the kids can make a splash on mini slides and water cannons at Nippers Cove, or even join in on magical mermaid schools and pirate-themed events. While the pool complex is normally reserved for holiday park guests, you can still visit without booking an overnight stay by grabbing tickets to a public open day. The next public open day takes place on October 28 between 6.30pm and 9pm, with entry costing a budget-friendly £11.55 per person. The complex is completely free however for guests staying on-site at Bluestone National Park Resort, making it the perfect excuse to book in a staycation. You can bag a three-night break in a stylish wooden lodge sleeping four from £420, working out to £35pp per night. Alton Towers Waterpark, Staffordshire Alton Towers Waterpark at Splash Landings Hotel has tropical temperatures Credit: Alamy You don’t need to brave the theme park’s giant rollercoasters for an action-packed day out at Alton Towers. The attraction boasts its own massive tropical waterpark with toasty temperatures right in the Staffordshire countryside. Adrenaline junkies can tackle the epic Master Blaster water rollercoaster, twist down the indoor Rush ‘N’ Rampage slides, or brave the outdoor Flash Floods flume before splashing into the giant pool. Meanwhile, little ones can run wild in the Wacky Waterworks Treehouse, a sprawling play zone packed with over 70 interactive features including water cannons and tipping buckets. If you prefer a more relaxing pace, you can drift peacefully along the lazy river or simply kick back on a lounger with a drink while the kids wear themselves out. When hunger strikes, you can grab burgers and chicken strips at the Calypso Cave, or treat the family to ice cream sundaes and floats from the Ice Cream Shack. Standard tickets start at £18 when booked online, with kids under 90cm going completely free. There are also parent-and-toddler passes available from £23. Coral Reef Waterworld, Bracknell Kids can play in the pirate ship at Coral Reef Bracknell Bracknell’s Coral Reef Waterworld is one of England’s largest indoor water parks. With 30C temperatures and a giant pirate ship to play in, it makes for the ideal rainy-day family escape. Little ones can run wild in the pirate ship and battle against each other with water cannons, or even dodge the ‘eruptions’ of the giant water volcano. Older kids can tackle five high-tech waterslides, including the 67-metre high-speed Cannon chute and Poseidon’s Peril, a neon-lit, colour-changing raft ride built for two. If you need to catch your breath, the main swimming pool has plenty of calmer spots to float around, featuring a swirling rapid river and relaxing bubble pools. There’s even an adults-only Coral Spa where you can completely unwind on heated sun loungers, chill in a Japanese steam room, or sweat it out across three saunas. Tickets from £18.60 for adults and £13.20 for kids. Alpamare, Scarborough Alpamare has four intense water rides themed around ski runs Credit: TripAdvisor Scarborough‘s Alpamare is a totally unique waterpark that truly lives up to its claim of being “unlike any waterpark you’ve seen before”. Here you’ll find four massive, ski-themed waterslides: the Cresta Run, Olympic Run, Black Run, and Snowstorm. Each will send you flying through high-speed twists, turns, and giant spinning funnel bowls. There’s also a huge main indoor pool, which ripples with waves every 30 minutes. You can also brave the outdoor chill and take a dip in a heated outdoor infinity pool. Alpamare also has its own spa, which might just be the most unique of the bunch. The spa offers a hammam, LED ice showers, foot baths and even a Sauna World complex with plenty of room for sitting down and heating up. Plus there’s a totally bizarre Hay Bath aromatherapy experience, where you relax on a lounger surrounded by fresh local Yorkshire hay – where the natural scent is designed to soothe the senses. Tickets start at £10 for adults, £7.50 for kids, and £2.50 for toddlers when you book ahead online. The Wave, Coventry There are six water rides to choose from at The Wave in Coventry Credit: TripAdvisor The Wave is a giant indoor waterworld containing the UK’s largest wave pool, which churns over 20 million litres of water every single day. Zip down your choice of six high-octane flumes, including the stomach-churning Riptide – a massive half-pipe slide that blasts rubber ring riders down a terrifying near-90-degree drop. You can also take on the dizzying Cyclone ride that spins swimmers around a giant open bowl, while younger children can safely splash away from the big drops in The Reef, a vibrant play area packed with mini slides and fountains. If the parents need some well-deserved peace and quiet, they can escape the chaos and head over to the luxurious on-site Mana Spa. Here you can swim gentle lengths in a quieter pool, sweat it out in the sauna and steam room, or switch off in the soothing aromatherapy suite. Adult tickets cost £15, kids aged 11 and under £13, and babies under one go for free. Time Capsule Water Park, Scotland Time Capsule waterpark in Scotland is one of the most affordable on our list Credit: Active NL Time Capsule Water Park in Coatbridge, Scotland is a brilliant budget-friendly option that even comes attached to an indoor ice rink for the ultimate action-packed day out. Inside the massive water complex, you’ll find a lazy river, twisting waterslides, and kids splash zones lined with water cannons. Thrill-seekers will want to make a beeline for Tornado Tantrum, a tall flume packed with twisting drops alongside dramatic thunder and lightning effects. Younger kids can safely splash around the toddler-friendly Cove Island, or dry off and run wild in the Tiny Tots indoor soft play area. When it’s time to refuel the family, grab a cold drink and a poolside burger at the on-site Tsunami Cafe. This waterpark is one of the cheapest on our list, with adult tickets costing £6.50 and kids £4.50, plus the bonus of completely free parking. LC Swansea Waterpark, Wales Learn to surf on the Boardrider simulator at LC Swansea, Wales Credit: LC Swansea Taking the crown as Wales‘ biggest waterpark, LC Swansea goes way beyond your standard indoor pool and slide. Here you can learn to surf on the Boardrider simulator, or hop on a rubber ring ride that blasts you uphill before gravity sends you plummeting back into the pool. The Volcano Bay zone is the perfect place for the kids to burn off energy with interactive fountains, toys and tipping buckets. But you can always escape the madness by floating down the peaceful lazy river or sinking into the bubbling whirlpool. The fun doesn’t stop once you dry off, thanks to a massive underwater-themed indoor play area spanning four storeys of obstacles just next door, as well as a 30ft climbing wall. Plus there’s a Costa Coffee for well-deserved snacks and drinks and a handy shop for forgotten swim gear. You won’t have to empty your wallet to enjoy it all either, with tickets starting at £5.31 for adults and older kids. Toddler tickets (ages one to three) cost £2.97, and babies go free.