Summer’s approaching and, with restrictions easing, we now have more freedom to go out together and have fun! No matter the weather, these indoor water parks are the best places to go on a day out, and they’re not that far from home.
Woodford Leisure Centre
Holderness Road, Hull | Website
The wave pool, kids pirate ship slide and large flume slide – photo: David Harrison BBC 
A view of the wave pool at Woodford Leisure Centre, Hull – Photo: NPS Group
Much closer to home, Woodford Leisure Centre on Holderness Road in East Hull is a decent little fun water park. It’s small but they have a wave pool, a big slide and a splash area for the kids, making it a perfect place to go as a family for a quick bit of afternoon fun.
We’ve not managed to get confirmation as yet, but last month, they were confident of the Leisure Pool reopening from 17th May. As almost all other water parks are opening from that date, it’s very likely that Woodford will be too. You’ll need to book online here when it does.
East Riding Leisure Bridlington
Promenade YO15 2QQ Bridlington (About 45 mins drive from Hull, trains & buses direct too!) | Website
The East Riding Leisure Centre in Bridlington has lots of fun activities and facilities, especially their swimming pool and Splash Zone pool. Their kids Splash Zone is pretty impressive with a huge bucket of water which splashes a ton of water every few minutes while the kids play. There’s a small slide for the little ones, while older kids and adults can enjoy two fast flumes with a race time and scoreboard at the end. There’s a shallow pool and a full size swimming pool and a spectator area.
Once again, we’re unable to confirm that the splash area and slides will reopen from 17 May. However, when speaking to them last month, they were hopeful it would happen. As many others are opening around the UK, it’s very likely East Riding Leisure, Bridlington will also reopen it from this date. In the meantime, swimming is available and you can book online here.
East Riding Leisure Goole
North Street DN14 5QX Goole (About 45 mins from Hull) | Website
Ok so Goole might not look like one of the best water parks on this list with only one main slide. However, it’s a good main slide which has recently been refurbished. Combined with the small kids pool with a small slide, and the inflatables they bring out on certain sessions, the Leisure Centre in Goole is a pretty decent wet afternoon out that’s still within the county. It also has a fantastic 25 metre family leisure pool and jacuzzi.
The slides aren’t currently in operation, although family swimming sessions are going ahead and you can book here.
The Dome Doncaster
Booth Ave DN4 7PD Doncaster (About 1 hour from Hull) | Website
The Dome 
The Big Splash
In Doncaster, the Dome has lots of different sports and leisure facilities, including the Big Splash. This is their indoor water park with seven interlinked pools, water canons, a giant flume rides, and the Amazonia Fall water slide. There’s something for everyone!
The Dome have confirmed that they’ll be reopening the Big Splash every weekend and school holiday from Saturday 22 May. You’ll be able to book your session here.
Calypso Cove Waterpark
The Metrodome, Barnsley (about 1hr 15 from Hull)
Calypso Cove is a really great water park, especially if you have little ones. It’s part of Metrodome’s Leisure Centre in Barnsley, and has three large flume slides, a large splash area for toddlers, a wave pool with a pirate ship and kids slides, a full size swimming pool, a 4-lane open slide and a diving pool with boards.
And on your way out, you can treat yourself at The Hideout, the poolside café. The park is open for all ages although, due to current restrictions they will only allow groups of six from the same household or support bubble.
The water slides and wave pool will reopen again in Step Three of the lockdown roadmap on 17th May. They are currently on a restricted timetable which changes in term times and holidays, which you can see here. You must book ahead, which can be done on their website.
The Beach Leisure Pool
Hillsborough Leisure Centre, Sheffield (about 1hr 15 mins from Hull)
Another South Yorkshire pool on this list, this time in Sheffield. Hillsborough Leisure Centre incorporates The Beach Leisure Pool which has a wave pool, wide slide and flume slide. There’s a kids splash area too with a pirate ship and kids slide.
More info and ticket availability here.
Alpamare Water Park, Scarborough
Burniston Road YO126 Scarborough (About 1 hr 15 mins from Hull) | Website
Alpamare 
The indoor Splash and Play area
As water parks in the UK go, this is pretty much one of the big daddies! This water park in Scarborough has both outdoor and inside facilities, connected by four impressive water slides you can see in the picture above. The slides Cresta Run and Olympic Run are for ages 6+, and Black Run and Snowstorm are suitable for ages 8+. However, all ages can enjoy the Splash and Play area as well as the main pool which is indoors.
Alpamare is opening on the 22 May and you can book your tickets here.
