Water parks are a great way to spend an afternoon and the whole family can enjoy a day of thrills and spills.
They're great because you won't have to worry about bad weather so hours of fun can be had - even if it's raining outside. Plus unlike the beach, the water is always warm at indoor water parks and you won't have to keep topping up your sun cream if the sun is scorching.
With attractions to keep the kids happy and on-site cafés to keep everyone going all day, it'll surely be a successful day spent. We've picked some of the best water parks within easy reach to Liverpool.
READ MORE: Things to do in Liverpool: Best 33 Liverpool attractions and activities
Liverpool Watersports Centre
Liverpool Watersports Centre is an award winning aqua park in the heart of the city centre that boasts exciting activities and stunning views of the waterfront. It won the award for Small Visitor Attraction of the Year at the 2017 Liverpool City Region Tourism Awards.
The centre is part of Local Solutions, a charity working with disadvantaged groups around the Liverpool City Region and North Wales. There is plenty to get up to at the watersports centre including paddle boarding around Liverpool’s famous Albert Dock, bouncing on a water trampoline and tackling the slippery assault course.
Costs: Prices vary by activity, for more details, visit Liverpool watersport centre
110 Mariners Wharf, Queens Dock, Liverpool , L3 4DG
Bubbles World of Play
The outdoor play area is an addition to the Bubbles soft play centre on Kings Parade on New Brighton. The activity playground features a big ship with fountains, tipping buckets and water cannons.
Drive time from Liverpool city centre: 18 minutes
Admissions price: Varies by age. Full details can be found at Bubbles World of Play
Marine Point, New Brighton, Wirral
Cheshire Aqua Park
Cheshire Aquapark has inflatable climbing walls, trampolines, balance beams, and blast bags for people to jump, climb and slide off. The aqua park is open to anyone aged eight and over and above 1.2m tall. And best of all it's under 40 minutes drive from Liverpool city centre.
Drive time from Liverpool city centre: 39 minutes
Admissions price: £25 for a 50-minute weekday fun session or an adrenaline session, visit Cheshire Aqua Park for more information
Manley Mere, Manley Lane, Manley, Frodsham, Cheshire, WA6 0PE
Sandcastle Water Park
Blackpool is home to the UK's largest water park as it boasts 18 rides and attractions. Whether you want thrills and spills or time to unwind there is plenty to choose from. Plus they have the world's first indoor white knuckle sidewinder which is an almost vertical drop down the half pipe.
Drive time from Liverpool city centre: 1 hour 15 minutes
Cost: 11+ £24pp; Child 8-10 years £20pp; Child 3-7 years £15pp, under 3 years free; Seniors £15pp, Disabled guests and carers £15pp
South Beach, Blackpool, Lancashire FY4 1BB
Splash World
From the lazy river to the fast speed freak flume there is something for all of the family at Southport's Splash World. And they have their own water-themed mascot Murtle the Turtle who can be spotted around the water park. Plus if you collect three stamps you can get a fourth visit completely free. Find out more on the Splash World website.
Drive time from Liverpool city centre: 46 minutes
Admissions price: Prices vary for 1.5 hour stay and there is an all-day pass. Visit Splash World to take a full look.
The Esplanade, Southport, PR8 1RX
Splash Zone
One for the younger kids is Splash Zone in Gullivers World which promises hours of fun on its super slides, streams and spinners. It now features a fun Splash Wipeout an assault course where you complete challenges to earn points including a dunk tank and water blasters. Find out more on the Splash Zone website. *UPDATE ON JUNE 2 - SPLASH ZONE IS CURRENTLY CLOSED BUT WILL REOPEN
Drive time from Liverpool city centre: 35 minutes
Admissions price: Adults £2; Child £8; Child under 1m £4; Senior £2
Warrington WA5 9YZ
Alton Towers Water Park
A little further afield is Alton Towers Water Park which won't disappoint once you're there. Just as thrilling as the park itself you can ride on the Master Blaster Water Coaster or chill out in Lagoona Bay or on the Lazy River - floating around as many times as you like. For more information, visit AltonTowers.com
Drive time from Liverpool city centre: 1 hour 50 minutes
Cost: Admission into the waterpark starts from £14.50
Farley Lane, Alton, Stoke-on-Trent, ST10 4DB
WaterWorld
This is the UK's number one indoor tropical water park with plenty of slides, rides and flumes available for hours of fun including a black hole slide which leaves riders in complete darkness as they shoot to the pool at the end. Find out more on the WaterWorld website.
Drive time from Liverpool city centre: 1 hour 17 minutes
Cost: Various prices starting at £21pp and £18pp for a child under 1.1m tall. Visit WaterWorld for all the prices.
Festival Park, Etruria, Stoke-on-Trent Staffordshire, ST1 5PU
