1. Cassiobury Park, Watford - This is our favourite although the kids have outgrown it a little bit but still a great one to splash about. It has now been newly refurbished with 2 paddling pools and water. Jet area! It is also fully accessible. Why not make a day of it with a great park next to it, a little train where it takes you through woods. If you go further along, there's some beautiful woods and also a river where you can also splash about! There's also great Eateries around!
2. Hampstead Heath Paddling Pool- If you combine it with a trip to the Golders Green Park which has a mini zoo, playground and flower garden you can take a very long walk all the day down the Hampstead Heath which has a great paddling pool and a playground next to it. We went there a couple of years ago and again was enjoyed by my kids. Not too far away is the open pool which we haven't been but apparently one of the best!
3. Hampton Pool, Hampton - Talking about open pool, we went to Hampton Pool in May. It was the worst! The water was dirty. I got so itchy. The children's pool was heated but a cloudy colour! We only last led less than 1hour. And let's not talk about the changing room!
4. The Serpentine, Hyde Park - yes you can really swim in the big lake after a long day exploring Hyde Park. There's a dedicated swimming area and the water is so refreshing! It was quite an an experience but fun! There's also a smaller paddling pool on the terrace! The changing rooms are quite small though. We teamed up the day with a visit to Kensington Palace and Diana Memory Fountains!
5. Ruislip Lido, Ruislip - although we can't swim i the lake, there's a small splash park. Again, make a day of it with a walk in the woods which has a theme of the solar system! There's also a mini train that'll take you through the woods! So cute!
That's all we've done so far! So get your swimming clothes out!
