Splash Parks, Fountains and Lidos in Essex (including FREE Splash Pads) Summer 2025 Guide
- Essex Parks
- Apr 30
- 6 min read
Updated: Jul 18
The Essex Splash Pad Guide 2025
Are you looking for somewhere to COOL DOWN in Essex? As temperatures in Essex start to rise, you may be looking for somewhere to keep cool. Here at Parks of Essex we have a guide to kid friendly splash pads in Essex. Here you will find fantastic splash pads across Essex including in Harlow, Brentwood, Clacton-on-Sea, Grays, Maldon and Southend-on-Sea.
This post has been updated for Summer 2025 and has all the latest information as of June 2025. However, many splash pads are weather dependent, so please check directly with the splash pad before visiting.
This post features the several splash parks, water parks, lidos, paddling pools and water fountains Essex (click to scroll to the attraction):
Free Splash Pads in Essex
Splash Parks, Water Parks, Outdoor Pool/Lido in Essex
FREE Beachside Fountains - Jubilee Beach OPEN!
📍Jubilee Beach, Southend-on-Sea, SS1 2EN
There are water fountains at Jubilee Beach in Southend-on-Sea. The Southend Water Fountains are a great FREE way to cool off. The fountains are located at City Beach in central Southend. During the low season the splash fountains operate on weekends between 12pm and 5pm.
The fountains are close to lots of family favourite Southend attractions including Adventure Island, the Sealife Centre, Adventure Inside, Southend Pier and the many classic seaside arcades.
The fountains are a permanent attraction! There is also a small play area on the beach close by, suitable for primary children. Read More about the playground at Jubilee Beach HERE.
There are several playgrounds close to the beach in Southend - check out the below post to find everything you need to know about beach side playgrounds in Southend-on-Sea.
FREE Harlow Splash Pads
OPEN!
📍 Potter Street Splash Park: Southern Way, Harlow CM17 9EJ
OPENING 21st JULY 2025
📍 Bush Fair Paddling Pool: Tilegate Road, Harlow CM18 6NQ
📍 Staple Tye Splash Park: Great Parndon Community Centre, Abercrombie Way, Harlow CM18 6YJ
📍 Norman Booth Paddling Pool: Norman Booth Recreation Centre, Harlow CM17 0EF
📍 Sumners Paddling Pool: Sumners Leisure Centre, Broadley Road, Harlow CM19 5SJ
📍 Town Park Paddling Pool: Harlow CM20 2FF
Town Park is also home to two playgrounds, a cafe and FREE Farm.
📍Hartswood Pavilion, King Georges Playing Fields, Ingrave Road, Brentwood, CM13 5AW
The Brentwood Splash Park is is open! You can find water jets, fountains, sidewinders, directional jets and cylinder spray at the Splash Pad at King George's Playing Fields in Brentwood. The Splash Pad at King Georges Playing Fields opens when the weather is over 15 degrees. Sessions run between 10am and 3pm. Sessions must be prebooked. All sessions are 25 minutes long. All children must attend with an adult. Adults without a child cannot enter. Children £4.75 Adults Free.
King Georges Splash Park opened for the season in April 2025! Sessions are available on selected weekday and weekends. Book Here
The Splash Pad is next to the large playground, which was revamped in 2022. The playground has so much equipment suitable for toddlers to teenagers.
📍Barking Splash Pad, Barking, IG11 8SS
Barking Park Splash Pad opened for the season in April 2025! There is a great outdoor Splash Pad in the middle of Barking Park! The splash park has several fountains and a safe soft, flat ground. Barking Splash Pad also run SEN sessions. Sessions are 90 minutes long - Children £8, Under 2s FREE, Adult £5. Sessions can be prebooked (Book Here) and walk ins are also accepted.
Other attractions at Barking Park include Bounsea (giant inflatable) and the Magical Unicorn Pedalo Boats.
There is also a great playground at Barking Park! The play area at Barking Park is primarily sand based. The playground has a boat theme. There are several large wooden climbing structures with different climbs - nets, steps etc. There is also a lot of sand play tables with different pulleys. There is a small baby swing and ride of equipment. Read More about Barking Park Playground
📍Promenade Park, Maldon, CM9 5JQ
The Maldon Promenade Park Splash Park opened for the season in May 2025. Sessions are available during the school holidays and weekends. Sessions run from 10am to 4pm. Prebook your 25 minute sessions via the Places Leisure Website. Adult & child under 8 £3.70, Adult & 2 children under 8 £6, Adult & 3 children under 8 £8.50, Additional Child over 8 £2.80, Additional adult £1.00. Under 8s must be accompanied at all times. Book Here
Maldon Prom Park is a great day out in Essex! Promenade Park has something for everyone. The park hosts several playgrounds including a pirate themed park (The Valley) and inclusive Secret Garden play area. Other attractions at Maldon Promenade Park include a petting zoo, adventure golf, skateboard park, BMX track, model boating lake and plenty of places to eat. - Promenade Park attraction Guide
Splash Pad - Grays Riverside Beach OPEN!
📍Grays Riverside Beach
RM17 6JP
There is a Splash Pad at Grays Riverside Beach. The Grays Splash Pad opened in May 2025.
The Grays Riverside Beach Splash Park is open from 11am until 6.30pm (weather dependent). Wristbands for the Splash Pad can be purchased from Lightship Cafe on the day. The price per person for the Grays Splash Pad is £3.50 for 30mins and £4.99 for 1 hour. Check out the Lightship Cafe Facebook Page for latest opening times and any queries.
There is also a great play area here which is sand based. The highlight is the large pirate ship. Read more about Grays Riverside Beach Playground
Brightlingsea Lido OPEN!
📍 Promenade Way, Brightlingsea, Colchester, CO7 0HH
Brightlingsea Lido is an open air swimming pool situated on the coast of Brightlinsea. Brightlingsea Lido is run by volunteers. The main pool is 50m long, 25m wide and 1.9m deep. There is also a 12m wide paddling pool.The pool is not heated, but there are hot showers available in the changing rooms.
Swimming sessions prices for Brightlingsea Lido 2025 Season
Lane Swimming £5.50 for Adults 16+
Lane Swimming £3.50 for Adults 65+
General Public Admission £7.50 for Adults 18+
General Public Admission £5.50 for children 2-18 and Adults 65+
General Public Admission £0 for babies <2
Tickets can be prebooked - Book Here
There is also a great playground nearby - Pawsons Playground! This brightly coloured playground can be found beach side at Brightlingsea beach.
This playground has a strong beach/nautical themed. Equipment includes two ship climbing frames, climb-on equipment, baby swings, swings and a nest swing and a zipwire. The playground is suitable for toddlers to teenagers.
The Pavilion Water Park OPEN!
📍Pavillion Water Park, Clacton, CO15 1PT
The Waterpark at Clacton Pavilion looks brilliant! The Clacton splash park has a pirate theme. You can find climbing frames, slides, water spray and bucketfuls of water fun. The water park is open all week, sessions 10am - 12pm, 12 - 1.30pm, 1.30 - 3pm, 3 - 4.30pm. You can also find adventure golf and lots of seaside attractions at the Pavilion. Sessions are available during the school holidays and weekends.Peak £7.99 per person. Off Peak £4.99 per person. Book Here
Destination @ Lakeside OPEN!
📍The Destination at Lakeside, Lakeside Shopping Centre, Grays, Thurrock
Destination @ Lakeside has announced the summer opening dates for 2025 (plus a brand new tipping bucket!). The Destination @ Lakeside Beach is open from 12th July to 31st August. The Destination @ Lakeside is open from 12pm-9pm throughout the summer holidays. The Splash Pool closes at 6pm. 20 minute session times apply.
Entry to the beach is FREE. Entry to the pool and tipping bucket is through the purchase of tokens.
20 minute sessions costs 4 tokens.
Day access costs 6 tokens. There is a queuing system and at busy times persons with day access may be asked to leave the pool and re-enter the queue.
1 token - £1.20
10 tokens - £10
If you are looking for more great days out take a look at our list of popular days out in Essex
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