Splash parks in Hertfordshire to cool off in this summer
I’m sure it’s going to stop raining eventually, and when it does kids will be flocking to the splash parks in Hertfordshire. Splash parks are popping up all over the place – I’m sure we only had a couple to choose from near us when my children were tiny. Splash parks are a brilliant way to while away an afternoon in the sunshine, particularly if there’s a decent café close by and a patch of grass to spread your picnic blanket on.
Most splash parks in Hertfordshire are free and there’s no need to book – the only exception is the splash park in Watford. However, on hot days in the school holidays you’ll find some of the splash parks are packed so it’s worth arriving early or later in the day if you’d prefer to avoid some of the crowds (and don’t forget those sneaky inset days!).
Table of Contents
Map of Splash Parks in Hertfordshire and the surrounding area
Splash parks in the north of Hertfordshire
If you’re local to North Herts, you’re in luck come summer time, this area of Hertfordshire has more than its fair share of outdoor water fun. As well as the splash parks listed below, there’s also two lidos in North Herts to choose from.
Fairlands Valley Splash Park in Stevenage
- Park address: Shephall View, Stevenage, SG1 1RP
- Kiosk selling refreshments
- Toilets
- Free parking nearby: What3words
This is the splash park near me in Hertfordshire. It’s surrounded by a fence and beyond is the large Fairlands play area. It does get busy as the playground is quite a draw for kids of all ages.
There is a refreshments kiosk and toilets next to the splash park.
Fairlands Valley Park is huge and has lots of other things going on including boating on the lake and walks and cycle routes.
I used to always struggle to find the closest car park to the Fairlands splash park. The best car park to use is located just off Shephall View.
What3Words car park location for Fairlands Valley splash park: https://w3w.co/turned.flies.cover
Planning a visit to Stevenage Museum? Check out our review here.
Royston Splash Park at Priory Memorial Gardens
- Park address: Melbourn Street, Royston, SG8 9DX
- Café near by
- Toilets close by on Fish Hill
- Small car park
This lovely little splash park in Royston is located in the town’s Priory Memorial Gardens where you’ll also find play areas and a sensory garden.
There’s a café close by and a small car park.
Howard Park Splash Park in Letchworth
- Park address: Rushby Mead, Letchworth Garden City SG6 1RU
- Kiosk selling refreshments
- Toilets
- Payable car park
This is our favourite splash park in Hertfordshire. It’s never been overly busy when we’ve visited and it has a lovely setting amid the trees. The little play park next to it has always been really popular with my boys and there’s a decent cafe along with toilets.
The roads encircling Howard Park are used for parking by residents. There is a very small car park next to the park but I’ve only managed to find a space there once. The best option is to park at the Garden Square multi-storey which is around five minutes walk from Howard Park.
Avenue Play and Splash Park in Baldock
- Park address: West Avenue, Baldock SG7 5AZ
- Toilets
- Free car park (small)
This splash park in Baldock is part of the larger Avenue Park which has tennis, cricket and a variety of other sports available.
Bancroft Splash Park in Hitchin
- Park address: Bancroft, Hitchin, SG5 1NJ
- Kiosk selling refreshments
- Toilets
- Pay and display car park
The Hitchin splash park has a pirate theme. It’s located next to the main play area in Bancroft Recreation Ground where you’ll also find tennis courts and the bowling green. There’s a car park next to the splash park and a kiosk selling refreshments.
Splash parks in central Hertfordshire
Splashlands at Stanborough Park in Welwyn Garden City
- Park address: Stanborough Road, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6DF
- Kiosk selling refreshments
- Toilets
- Payable car park at the Mrs Elizabeth Howard Memorial Hall, accessed from Hillshott
The Stanborough splash park in Welwyn Garden City is the largest in the area. Unlike when it initially opened a few years ago, there’s no need to pre-book a slot now but it is worth arriving early or late in the afternoon as there is sometimes a queue on busy summer days.
There’s a refreshments kiosk and toilets next to the splash park.
Splash parks in the east of Hertfordshire
Bishop’s Stortford Splash Park
- Park address: Castle Park and Gardens, Bishops Stortford, CM23 2EL
- Cafe in the park
- Toilets in the sports pavilion or nearby on the High Street
- Nearest car park Jackson Square, CM23 3XH
The Castle Park in Bishop’s Stortford has lots to do. Across the river from the splash park there are play spaces for little ones and older kids, plus there’s a skate park and of course the remains of the castle.
Splash parks in the south of Hertfordshire
The Water Splash at Morris Way Playing Fields in London Colney
- Park address: White Horse Lane, London Colney, AL2 1JW
- Kiosk selling refreshments
- Toilets in the sports pavilion or nearby on the High Street
- Free car parking (limited) on White Horse Lane
This splash park is located in the Morris Way playing fields. There’s a kiosk selling refreshments and a small free car park.
Meadow Park Splash Park in Borehamwood
- Park address: Meadow Road, Borehamwood WD6 1TL
- Seasonal toilets at the splash park
- Pay and display car park accessed from Brook Road
Meadow Park splash pad is next to the park’s play area and sports facilities.
Splash parks in west Hertfordshire
King George Recreation Ground splash park in Bushey
- Park address: King George Avenue, Bushey WD23 4PZ
- Park toilets
- Refreshments kiosk
- Free parking at King George Recreation Park Car Park on King George Avenue
This splash park in Bushey is part of the much larger King George Recreation Ground which features play areas, sports grounds and walking routes.
Cassiobury Splash Park in Watford
- Park address: Cassiobury Park Avenue, Watford WD18 7LB
- Park toilets
- Café
- Small car park at Gade Avenue, Watford WD18 7LG
Unlike the other splash parks listed here, the Watford paddling pools need to be pre-booked as they get so busy. This has to be done through Everyone Active.
Cassiobury Park is vast with great facilities – a large café, good play area and lots of park and woodland to enjoy. The only drawback is the limited parking so arrive early or walk from town.
Gadebridge Splash Park Hemel Hempstead
- Park address: Leighton Buzzard Road, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 1DN
- Park toilets
- Queensway and High Street (Old Town) car parks both close by, payable
The splash pad area of Gadebridge park is located at the southern end of the park, between the Queensway car park and High Street car park.
I do not think there is a cafe at the splash park but there are some decent ones in the Old Town and no doubt an ice cream van makes an appearance over the summer.
Across the border: splash parks near Hertfordshire
There are quite a few splash parks in London so I’ve not put them in here but you can find a list of them in my guide about free things to do in London with kids.
And if you’d like to head to the beach, my article about sandy beaches near London by train is a handy guide for those of you living in landlocked Hertfordshire.
Harlow splash parks and paddling pools in Essex
Harlow is home to four outdoor paddling pools and two splash parks.
The four paddling pools are found at Harlow Town Park, Bush Fair, Old Harlow’s Norman Booth and Sumners. The town’s two splash parks are at Staple Tye and Potter Street.
Bennett’s Recreation Ground Splash Park in Dunstable
The splash park in Dunstable has a particular good cafe selling milk shakes and pizzas.
Cambridge paddling pools
There are three outdoor pools in Cambridge including the paddling pool at Lammas Land and the slightly deeper learner pool at Sheep’s Green.
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Where’s your favourite splash park in Hertfordshire? Let me know in the comments below.
Please could you take off the information about parking near the splash park in Rushby Mead, Letchworth. As a resident we have to pay for parking and there isn’t a traffic warden all the time. Please could you advertise the very reasonable priced parking at the multi-storey just on the next road to the splash park. Thank you.
The summer fills the residents with dread as the aggro and the grief we get from people parking outside our homes are awful! It’s permit only!
Thanks for this feedback. I’ve revised the article to suggest the multistorey. The reference to Rushmeads is the address of the park rather than a suggestion of where to park. Hope that’s ok.