In recent years, splash pads have taken off as one of the best ways to entertain young children in the heat. Unlike traditional swimming pools and paddling pools, these are those areas with fountains shooting up from the ground, before draining back into the ground.
As a result, there’s no standing water — meaning while swimming is out of the option, there’s also almost no risk of drowning. That makes them far safer for young children: in place of deep ends and slippery tiles are ground-level fountains, misting arches, and the occasional tipping bucket, all set on non-slip surfaces. Children can run and dart through the spray to their hearts’ content, and parents needn’t stress quite so much. The other advantage of no deep ends is that there’s no bombing and no rough play, meaning little ones are less likely to get in an accident.
They’re also accessible: no swimming ability required, and no arm bands or goggles to remember. London boasts dozens, from the dancing fountains of Granary Square to leafy Clissold Park in Hackney.
As they’re much of a muchness — distinguishing features are few and far between — here is a straightforward list of all those across town.
Central
- Edmond J Safra Fountain Court, Somerset House
- Russell Square Gardens, Bloomsbury
- Coram’s Fields, Bloomsbury
- Jeppe Hein’s Appearing Rooms, Southbank Centre, Waterloo
- Causton Street Playground, Pimlico
- Marylebone Green Playground, Marylebone
- Princess Diana Memorial Fountains, Hyde Park
North
- Rosemary Gardens, Islington
- Highbury Fields, Islington
- Barnard Park, Islington
- King Square Gardens, Islington
- Paradise Park splash pad, Islington
- Priory Park, Hornsey
- Granary Square, King’s Cross
- Lordship Recreation Ground, Tottenham
- Bruce Castle Park, Tottenham
- Whittington Park, Archway
- Gloucester Gate Playground, Regent’s Park, Camden Town
- Parliament Hill Paddling Pool, Hampstead Heath, Hampstead
- Queen’s Park Padding Pool, Queen’s Park
- Union Park, Wembley
- Arena Square, Wembley Park
- Finsbury Park, Finsbury Park
- Elthorne Park, Hornsey
- Kilburn Grange Park, Kilburn
East
- Barking Splash Park, Barking
- Victoria Park, Hackney
- Gauging Square, Wapping
- Goodman’s Field, Aldgate
- Stratford park, Stratford
- St John at Hackney Churchyard Gardens, Hackney
- London Fields, Hackney
- Clissold Park, Stoke Newington
- Fellowship Square fountains, Walthamstow
- Stubbers Adventure Centre, Upminster
- Broadgate Exchange, Liverpool Street
South
- Battersea Park Children’s Zoo, Battersea
- Charlton Lido, Charlton
- St. Mary’s Churchyard Park, Elephant & Castle
- Elephant Springs water play, Elephant & Castle
- London Bridge Water Fountains,
- Wimbledon Sprinkler Park, Wimbledon
- Myatt’s Fields, Camberwell
- Sir Joseph Hood Playing Fields, Motspur Park
- Kingston Market Square fountains, Kingston
- Danson Splash Park, Bexleyheath
- Southwark Park, Bermondsey
- Brockwell Park, Lambeth
- Tamworth Recreation Ground, Mitcham
- Royal Arsenal Riverside fountains, Woolwich
- Ruskin Park, Denmark Hill
- Rookery Paddling Pool, Streatham Common
- North Sheen Recreation Ground, Richmond
- Vine Road Recreation Ground, Barnes
- Wells Park, Sydenham
- Greenwich Park Playground, Greenwich
- Peckham Rye Park, Peckham
- Beddington Park, Sutton
- Croydon Road Recreation Ground, Beckenham
- Beckenham Place Park, Beckenham
- Magic Garden water play, Hampton Court Palace
West
- Fountain Park Way, Wood Lane
- London Wetland Centre, Barnes
- Castlenau Recreation Ground, Barnes
- Ravenscourt Park, Hammersmith
- Thorpe Lakes Aqua Park, Thorpe/Chertsey
- John Madejski Garden, V&A, South Kensington
- Kensington Memorial Park, Ladbroke Grove
- Kew Gardens Children’s Garden, Kew
- Duke of York Square, Chelsea
- Duke’s Meadows, Chiswick
- Merchant Square, Paddington
- Bishop’s Park, Putney
- Ruislip Lido, Ruislip
- Palewell Common & Fields, East Sheen
