London’s weather is unpredictable but when the sun shines, it’s one of the best places to be in the UK.
There are plenty of places to cool down when it’s feeling hot in the city, including dozens of splash parks, lidos and outdoor swimming pools.
So, if you are feeling the heat (or simply planning ahead) the following are some of our favourite splash parks in London to keep cool – just remember to bring your swimmers!
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Map Key: Splash parks are marked in purple and the pools and lidos are marked in blue.
The best splash parks in London for keeping cool
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You will find splash parks sprinkled all around London from the centre of town in places such as Coal Drops Yard in Kings Cross and the Appearing Rooms on Southbank, to splash play areas in residential parks, such as the one in Clapham Common.
Some of the lidos form part of Leisure Centres, such as the London Fields Lido (a personal favourite) that is managed by Better. During busy time and summer months you may have to book your swim slot in advance. You do not have to book spots at any of the London splash parks.
The Appearing Rooms on the South Bank
The wonderful Appearing Rooms on the South Bank is one of the best outdoor splash parks in London and the perfect place to spend a sunny afternoon.
Designed by Danish artist Jeppe Hein, the jets of water shoot from the ground seemingly at random, creating ‘rooms’ as they rise and fall. Work out the algorithm and you may be able to standing within the walls of water without getting wet (spoiler: it’s almost impossible to solve the algorithmic challenge!).
The jets of water are soft, however, meaning that the splash pool is suitable for young children as well as their older siblings.
The Appearing Rooms play fountains stand outside the Southbank Centre – you’ll hear the joyful cries of children before you spot the splash pool itself! – and open from 28 May to 25 August 2025.
Do bring shoes that the kids can wear in the fountain and children are asked to wear either a t-shirt or a rash vest over their swimming costume.
The Granary Square Fountains
We love the fountains at Granary Square. On a sunny day, this corner of Kings Cross transforms into an urban beach with hundreds of happy kids running in and out of the jets of water.
There are 1,080 jets, individually controlled, providing hours and hours of fun. Visit at dusk when the fountains are illuminated with multicoloured lights for some fun family photo opportunities. This really is one of the best water parks in London.
On hot days and during the summer holidays you’ll often find a Ruby Violet ice cream van handily parked just near the fountains. During the school holidays and weekends you will have to share your water fun with crowds of kids but visit during term time and it’s a lot less crowded.
The fountains are open daily during daylight hours. There are benches nearby that double as picnic areas for post-splashing fun.
Kensington Memorial Park
You can easily spend the whole day at Kensington Memorial Park. As well as tennis courts, a football field and a recently refurbished children’s playground with a sand pit, there’s a fantastic enclosed water playground and splash pool area.
Expect lots of fun water features here including sprinklers and buckets for getting well and truly soaked. It’s completely free to use.
The Kensington Memorial Park Water Play Area is open daily during summer months and there are changing rooms and a kiosk. The water play facility is due to open at the end of April 2025.
John Madejski Garden Fountains, V&A Museum
Once you’ve finished exploring the galleries at the Victoria and Albert Museum in South Kensington head to the John Madejski Garden. In the centre of the museum’s peaceful central courtyard stands a stepped elliptical pool that invites gentile splashing (forget bringing any water guns here!).
The steps make it perfect for younger kids to enjoy and the garden cafe is a great spot for post-paddle ice creams and cold drinks.
Diana Memorial Fountain, Hyde Park
Located in Hyde Park on the banks of the Serpentine River is this memorial to Diana, Princess of Wales. Constructed from 545 pieces of Cornish granite, it was designed “to express Diana’s spirit and love of children” with water flowing in two directions and meeting in a calm pool at the bottom.
It’s a particularly fun London splash park for little kids who can toddle and wade to their heart’s content. Bring a picnic and enjoy an afternoon here.
The fountain is open from 10am to 8pm April to August, until 7pm in September, until 6pm in October and March, and until 4pm from November to February.
Leicester Square Fountains
If you need to cool down while in the heart of the city then head to the Leicester Square Fountains. This is not my favourite splash park in London but it’s a good option for cooling down if your kids are feeling the heat from too much sightseeing.
Located not far from Covent Garden in the heart of the West End, this fountain sits under a 19th-century statue of Shakespeare with water jets shooting up at different heights.
More London Fountains
Enjoy a splash with a view at More London Fountains that sit almost alongside Tower Bridge on the South Bank. There are over 200 jets of water spurting, spouting and generally bringing much joy to the many kids jumping around.
Elephant Springs
**Elephant Springs is currently closed for maintenance** updated July 9 2025
Located in Elephant Park in south east London, the Natural Play Area Elephant Springs got its name from Elephant & Castle and is a wonderful urban escape on sunny days.
This outdoor water park has been designed to feel very much at one with nature. Water cascades down rock formations into channels perfect for splashing. The various water effects include hand operated pumps and jets that you can chase or spurt, and others that you dance around.
And, as with any good London splash park, there are jets of water that spout unannounced, drenching unsuspecting visitors in the process.
Remember your bucket and spade when you visit, too, as the nearby sand pits are perfect for building.
Elephant Springs is open from 9am to 6pm during spring and autumn and from 8.30am to 10pm during summer months.
Edmond J Safra Fountain Court, Somerset House
The Edmond J Safra Fountain Court stands in the centre of Somerset House and is a great place to cool down on a hot day. Surrounded by Neoclassical buildings, it’s a pretty spot to splash about – 55 jets spurt intermittently resulting in shrieks of delight from kids of all ages.
There’s also a cafe here so you can grab a coffee while the kids play. The fountains are not always on, however, so make sure to check before you go.
Clissold Park Splash Pad
Based in pretty Clissold Park, this free outdoor splash park is brilliant for children of all ages. The splash pad is filled with features guaranteed to spray, splash and soak, providing hours of summer holiday fun. A small kiosk on site sells cold drinks and snacks.
Clissold Park Splash Pad will reopen on 28 April, 2025.
Diana Memorial Playground
One of London’s best playgrounds is also home to a fun water and sand play area. Beneath the enormous wooden pirate ship in the large playground, is a sandy area with water channels fed from hand-operated pumps creating pools and streams for kids to play around in. This is best suited to younger kids.
The Diana Memorial Playground operates a child-and-adult-entry policy meaning that you can only enter if you’re accompanying a child. There’s also a kiosk selling ice cream for a post-splash treat.
Merchant Square Fountains
One of the best things to do in Paddington with kids is to take them to Water Maze in Merchant Square for an afternoon of paddling and splashing fun.
Some 320 water jets have been placed in three spiralling circles and the challenge, if you dare, is to make your way through them without getting wet. There’s plenty of space on the grassy lawns nearby to sit and keep an eye on the kids as you stay dry.
Merchant Square is also home to the Floating Pocket Park a 700 sq m of green space that floats on Paddington Basin. With benches, green lawns, flowerbeds and even a special ramp for the ducks, the floating park is a great place to stop for a picnic lunch on sunny days.
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park Splash Fountains
Located to the south of Olympic Park, very close to the ArcelorMittal Slide (a hit with teens in London) is The Water Labyrinth in the South Plaza.
These 195 individual water jets are great fun for the whole family. Stand between the winding pathway of the fountains and you’ll find yourself surrounded by computer-controlled walls of water – see if you an find a way out without getting too wet!
The fountains operate daily from 10am – 5pm from March – October, except on major event days.
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is also home to a great adventure playground as well as the Olympic Aquatics Centre, home to Aqua Splash and the closest thing you will find to a water park in London.
This fun inflatable obstacle course comes with slides, wobbly bridges and climbing walls and is suitable for ages 8+ who are confident swimmers. The Olympics Aquatics Centre is also a great option for rainy days in London.
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is also home to a thrilling playground.
Clapham Common Splash Park
This refurbished water play area in Clapham Common in south London is a thrilling space with interactive play areas featuring water pistols, twirly water jets and colourful gushing fountains.
The Clapham Common Splash Park is likely to open on 25 May 2025 and will stay open during summer months until early September. The nearest tube is Clapham Common.
Russell Square Garden Fountain
In the heart of central London is Russell Square, one of only three London squares designed by Humphry Repton, described as the last great English landscape designer of the eighteenth century. It retains many of its original features including the horseshoe-shaped path and lime walk.
What’s a little different today is the bubbling fountain that sits in the centre of the square and is a favourite spot to cool off for kids walking through the gardens. This fountain is not large but its perfect for a paddle on a hot summer’s day.
Greenwich Park Playground
There’s been a playground in Greenwich Park since the 1940s although the facilities today look a lot different from the original designs. Today a maritime theme runs through the playground offering children of all ages and abilities fun, creative play opportunities including a basket swing and a roundabout.
The best area on a sunny day, however is the sand and water play area which features a boulder-strewn channel fed with water from hand-operated pumps. There are small gates in the channel bed allowing the water to be dammed and create shallow pools perfect for splashing and playing. It’s great fun and the perfect trip after a visit to one of the nearby museums such as the National maritime Museum or the Cutty Sark.
Union Park Splash Pad
Union Park South in Wembley Park was once a car park but is today is a large park in northwest London offering locals and visitors respite from the urban sprawl. The best corner for kids is the splash pad and play area with a shallow paddling pool. There are also fountains in Arena Square which bubble and spout when events aren’t on.
Danson Splash Park
Located in Bexleyheath, south-east London, the Danson Splash Park has a fun interactive area with plenty of water features to keep kids busy. As well as the splash park there’s a fun playground, a welcoming picnic area and a lake with rowboats for hire.
The splash park is open from May to September.
Splash Park Barking
You’ll need to travel outside of central London to get to this splash park but it’s well worth the journey. The Splash Park Barking London is a truly splashtastic water park located in the heart of Barking Park. There are dozens of fountains to play in with water jets spouting at different interval, a dance-loving park mascot, Splashy, and walk-on-water balls.
The park is also home to Bounsea, an enormous bouncy castle, and the Magical Unicorn Lake where you can hire unicorn pedal boats for a trip around the lake. The nearest station if travelling by train is Barking.
Thorpe Lakes Aqua Park
Out past Hampton Court Palace is Thorpe Lakes Aqua Park, an enormous inflatable assault course with water slides that everyone – particularly older kids – will love.
Run, bounce, tumble and jump as you make your way across this bouncy course. The minimum age for unaccompanied children is 8 although children aged 6 can take part providing they are accompanied by an adult.
The park also runs under 13 and under 16 sessions throughout the day when adults will not be allowed on (unless accompanying younger kids).
The Aqua Park gets very busy during the summer season and at weekends so make sure to book well in advance.
London’s Best Outdoor Lidos and Pools
London is also home to some great outdoor pools, the following are some of our favourites.
Parliament Hill Lido
Located in North London, the Parliament Hill Lido is a glorious 50m unheated outdoor lido on the edge of Hampstead Heath. It first opened in 1938 and is famous for its stainless steel bottom. It’s open-year round and has a loyal number of cold water swimmers doing laps daily throughout the year, whatever the weather conditions. The Parliament Hill Playground is not far away.
The nearest tube is Gospel Oak
Park Road Lido
Located in Crouch End, Park Road is another 50m outdoor lido that’s been welcoming swimmers for decades (it will celebrate its centenary in 2026!). Unlike Parliament Hill, however, this lido is heated. There’s a small children’s leisure pool outside next to the main lido as well. Check timings for the main pool as mornings are dedicated to lane swimming.
Tooting Bec Lido
In south London there’s Tooting Bec Lido, the largest open-air swimming pool in the UK measuring 90m in length. Amazingly, it was built in just four months in the spring of 1906. It was originally known as Tooting Bathing Lake and was designed partly as a place for locals to bathe as very few homes had their own bathrooms at the time.
Brockwell Lido, Brockwell Park
The 50m Brockwell Lido is surrounded by Grade II Art Deco buildings home to the Lido Cafe as well as exercise studios. In next-door Brockwell Park there’s a playground with a water and sand area too.
Charlton Lido
Positioned in the heart of Greenwich is Charlton Lido, a beautiful 50m pool that underwent an enormous £2 million refurbishment. Today the swimming pool is heated and enjoys two sun terraces with a cafe for that post-swim coffee.
London Fields Lido
If the sun’s out you can guarantee that London Fields Lido will be busy. Located in the heart of Hackney this 50m outdoor swimming pool is one of my favourite places to swim in London. Mornings are dedicated to lane swimming so check the timetable carefully before booking.
