Outdoor swimming and water parks in North Wales

With temperatures on the climb,  why not jump in the water and cool off? There’s nothing nicer than a dip in the fresh air, although it might take some courage to jump in!

Outside swimming and water parks are a great summer activity for kids and North Wales has some good places to get wet!

Greenwood

Greenwood is an activity centre which has a giant play park, and a water slide called Solar Splash. The Solar Splash is the first solar powered ride in the UK.

Climbing to the top of a 12 foot tower, you’ll slide down 60 metre shutes and are pretty much guaranteed to get wet and have lots of fun!

Surf Snowdonia

Although not technically a swimming pool, Surf Snowdonia is the world’s first manmade surf lagoon and an ideal place to learn some surfing skills.

Kids and adults alike can take surfing lessons, or try the Crash and Splash family session where you’ll experience a watery obstacle course. For children who aren’t water babies there’s a soft play shack with two separate age range areas.

Hafan y Môr Holiday Park

Set on a Haven Holiday Park, the pool and water park has recently been renovated and provides lots of opportunities to have fun getting wet!

The water park has so much to do; flumes and slides, a big heated indoor pool, a multi lane slide, bubble pool, lazy river and wave pool. Other activities including pool kayaking,  aqua jets that propel you around under the pool and paddling boats.

Outside you can ride a pedalo for a gentle glide around the park.

Although it’s a holiday park, you can buy a day pass which is a very affordable way to visit, and will give you fun for all the family.

Penmaenmawr Paddling Pool

With views across to Anglesey, the Penmaenmawr Paddling Pool is ideal for kids to have a paddle and parents to enjoy an ice cream and a coffee whilst the kids splash and play.

There’s an on the beach cafe, and the area is fenced off for safety. There’s also a nearby children’s play park.

Llyn Padarn, Snowdonia

If you prefer a wilder watery experience then wild swimming might be for you. There are some great places to go wild swimming in Snowdonia. Llyn Padern is a glacier pool, near Snowdon.

There’s lots of parking near the site, as well as public toilets making it easy to get changed. The lake is suitable for all sorts of abilities, and has been classed as designated bathing water, so you can feel assured of where you’re swimming.

Beware though, the lake is deep in some areas and really cold as you get deeper. There’s also slate waste in the bottom of the lake, so be really careful as this can cut your feet badly.

Bala Lake

Another wild swimming favourite is Bala Lake. Another natural lake in a glacial valley, the water is clear, crisp and cool.

It does get really cold in the middle, so best to stick closer to shore. You need to purchase a permit from the Lake Warden’s Centre or pay and display machines, but you can swim at any time. 

The Llangower side of the Lake has public toilets for a quick change.

After all the swimming, come and relax in our quirky bar with a glass of wine, or an ice cold beer or sit back and dine al fresco in our beer garden.