Swimming is the perfect activity for this time of year, especially when you throw in water slides, floats and splash toys!
Unfortunately, we currently don’t have an indoor waterpark in Calderdale, but there are plenty of options within an hour (ish) drive.
The closest to Calderdale and a whole load of fun for all ages!
Credit: Huddersfield Leisure Centre
The splash park is a nice size and if you have confident swimmers you can see them from most parts. 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.
There is 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 fee is 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 is 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.
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 Halifax.
There are three 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 it’s 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 a wave pool, a normal pool and a diving pool with three 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 10am 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.
Metrodome Leisure Complex, Queens Ground, Queens Road, Barnsley, S71 1AN
*On the large slides adults are not allowed to ride with children
Find more Family fun in Barnsley on our sister site: Barnsley Mumbler
The Dome is just over an hour from Halifax.
Swimming in The Lagoons (seven 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, and children have to be 1.2 meters tall to use them.
There is a lovely, quieter paddling area for little ones behind the slides, with a climbing frame, jets of water and fountains that are fascinating for babies and toddlers. There is a larger pool for some proper swimming and an area with 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 £1 for the locker system.
If you’re visiting for the day, the Dome also has a playzone, soft play area, bowling, an ice rink and numerous places serving food.
Price: Family ticket for the swimming area is £20 during the weekend ‘Big Splash’ sessions. The Dome currently has 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.
Doncaster Lakeside, Bawtry Rd, Doncaster, DN4 7PD
Find more Family Fun in Doncaster on our sister site: Doncaster Mumbler
Richard Dunn Sports Centre has been recommended by other Mumblers as somewhere to go for indoor water fun. The sports centre is about 20 minutes from Halifax
The Jungle Adventure Pool features a 25m leisure pool with Cobra black hole waterslide and Zambezee tyre ride! You have to be over 1.2 metres to ride the slides.
The slides are only open weekends during term time, but timetables do change for school holidays so check the website for up-to-date details.
Price: A swim and slide family ticket is £20.75.
Rooley Avenue, Bradford, BD6 1EZ
The council-run pools have wild and wacky sessions with giant floats for kids aged 14 and under, 11 and under, and giant inflatables for children aged eight+ at Sowerby Bridge Pool. For the little ones, there are fun swims with bright floats for families with kids aged five and under.
Sessions vary during school holidays (check the website) and on a weekend sessions include:
Adults must accompany children under eight years into the pool.
Prices are £4.50 adults and £3.10 juniors (free for members and kids under three)
*Prices and details correct at time of publishing, January 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.
Thanks to Anna at North Leeds Mumbler for the fantastic information in this blog!
