The water park costs just £1.50 to enter for the day
With the current heatwave showing no sign of cooling off anytime soon, heading to a waterpark is one of the most enjoyable ways for families to stay comfortable in the heat. For South East Londoners, one gem of a park is just a stone’s throw away, offering water-based fun for kids of all ages.
Located across 60 acres between Swanley and Hextable on the borders of South East London and Kent, Swanley Park is well-loved by locals – but is less well known with Londoners travelling from further afield. With a recently refurbished water park, a stunning boating lake and a well-equipped play area, it has everything you could possibly need for a memorable family day out.
The centrepiece of the water park is the large splash pool, which has recently been refurbished. Designed to be shallow enough for the whole family to enjoy, the pool is overseen by trained professionals, making it a safe and fun environment for young children. Tickets for the splash pool are just £1.50 in advance or £2 on the day, or if you’d rather watch from the side lines, deckchairs can be hired for £3.
For those seeking a bigger thrill, The Plunge is not to be missed. Standing at more than 4 metres high, this inflatable waterslide sends riders shooting down into a pool of water below. It is open to children with a minimum height of 1 metre and a maximum height of 1.4 metres, making it ideal for younger adventurers.
After all that excitement, the park’s beautiful 3-acre boating lake offers a more relaxed way to enjoy the summer sunshine. Situated at the heart of the park, the lake is popular with wildlife and visitors alike. You can choose to pedal, row or kayak your way across the water, taking in the scenery and feeding the birds as you go. The striking swan and flamingo and dragon-themed pedalos have space for up to five people, and sessions last 20 minutes.
The park also boasts a large, well-equipped play area, which features swings, a climbing frame and a zip wire. There is also dedicated dog park with agility equipment for anyone wanting to bring their furry friends along, and a model steam railway with ride-on carriages that younger children will love.
Swanley New Barn Railway opened to the public in 1986, three years on from the opening of the park itself. This year, the railway is celebrating its 40 year anniversary with a gala on July 18 and 19, so be sure to go along for a ride and to learn more about the model railway itself.
If water slides and zip lines aren’t your thing, Swanley Park is also a brilliant place to go for a simple stroll. The lake itself is home to a number of bird species including Herons, Cormorants, Moorhen, Mallard and Canada Geese, while the meadows and woodland are the perfect setting to walk and ponder whether you’re actually in London or Kent.
Getting there
Swanley Park is only 10 minutes drive from Bexleyheath, and its address is Swanley Park, New Barn Rd, Swanley BR8 7PW. If you would rather get there on public transport, trains from London Bridge to Swanley take just 20 minutes.
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