One thing we always love in the warmer months is finding a pool or splash park that we can enjoy in the sun. It’s the perfect way to spend the day – being able to paddle or swim whilst having a picnic in the nice weather.
So I thought I’d put together all our favourite open air pools, splash parks, water parks and water play areas in Hampshire to give you some inspiration for your next nice weather day out. Most are free to visit and open throughout the summer – and a few are even open all year round.
Outdoor Swimming Pools in Hampshire
Aldershot Lido – Guildford Road, Aldershot, Hampshire GU12 4BP.
Aldershot Lido is a fantastic open air community swimming pool with flumes, diving boards, picnic areas and a cafe. It’s the perfect place to spend a sunny day.
Opening times: Open throughout the summer season. Check prices here.
Cost: From £9.50 per adult, £6.50 per child. Concession prices and family tickets available.
Petersfield Open Air Pool – Heath Road, Petersfield, Hampshire GU31 4DZ.
The Petersfield Open Air Pool is a lovely, heated pool in the Hampshire countryside. There’s a cafe kiosk and spectators are welcome.
Opening times: Opening times vary throughout the season, check website for details.
Cost: Prices vary depending on length of swim, check website for details.
Hilsea Lido – London Road, Hilsea, Portsmouth, Hampshire PO2 9RP
Hilsea Lido is closed until 2025.
Opening times: Currently Closed
Cost: Currently Closed
Ryde Waterside Pool – The Esplanade, Ryde, Isle of Wight PO33 1JA
The Waterside Pool is a great community pool with a retractable roof right on the seafront. It’s fully accessible and they have various swimming sessions throughout the week.
Opening times: Session times vary – check website for details.
Cost: From £5.50 per adult and £3 per child.
Lymington Sea Water Baths – Bath Road, Lymington, Hampshire SO41 3SE
An unheated open air sea water pool with a shingle bottom. Wetsuits and water shoes are recommended. Includes plenty of seating, changing rooms and a refreshments kiosk.
Opening times: Open 10am to 4pm daily.
Cost: £4 per adult, £2 per child.
Outdoor Paddling Pools in Hampshire
Ventnor Paddling Pool – Ventnor, Isle of Wight PO38 1SZ
Ventnor Paddling Pool is a fantastic seaside pool with a model of the Isle of Wight at its centre. With public toilets and a cafe nearby, it’s a great spot to spend a sunny afternoon.
Opening times: May through to September
Cost: Free
Hedge End Paddling Pool in St Johns Recreation Ground – St John’s Road, Hedge End, Southampton, Hampshire SO30 4AF
The Hedge End Paddling Pool is a great addition to a day at the park! It has the paddling pool, splash area and fountains.
Opening times: May – September, 10.30am – 5.00pm
Cost: Free
Fleming Park Paddling Pool – 161 Passfield Avenue, Eastleigh, Hampshire SO50 9NF
The Fleming Park Paddling Pool includes lots of different water features alongside a play area and sandpit with a safe space around for spectators.
Opening times: May to September, 10.00am – 7.00pm
Cost: Free
East Cowes Paddling Pool – Esplanade, East Cowes, Isle of Wight PO32 6AT
The East Cowes Paddling Pool sits alongside the fantastic Esplanade Play Park, making it a great base for families to spend a sunny day.
Opening times: 8am to dusk from May to the end of September
Cost: Free
Testwood Paddling Pool – 147 Salisbury Road, Totton, Southampton, Hampshire SO40 3LJ
Opening times: Open every day, 10.30am – 6.00pm.
Cost: Free
Hanger Farm Paddling Pool – Totton, Southampton, Hampshire SO40 8FT
Currently closed for refurbishment.
Opening times: Currently closed.
Cost: Currently closed.
Splash Pads in Hampshire
Hilsea Jubilee Splash Pool – London Road, Portsmouth, Hampshire PO2 9RP
This splash pool is a whole adventure play area of water based fun! There are two shallow water pools, play features,new toilets and baby change facilities as well as plenty of seats and picnic tables.
Opening times: 6 May 2023 to 30 September 2023, 11am to 6pm daily
Cost: Free
Eling Splash Park – Totton, Southampton SO40 9JG
Currently closed.
Opening times: Currently closed.
Cost: Currently closed.
Southsea Splash Pool – Clarence Esplanade, Southsea, Hampshire PO5 3NS
Southsea Splash Pool has two paddling pools as well as play equipment like a mini trampoline and seesaw.
Opening times: 6 May 2023 to 30 September 2023, 10.30am to 6pm daily.
Cost: Free
Chineham Splash Park – Chineham Park Court, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG24 9BL
Opening times: 10am to 7pm during the spring and summer.
Cost: Free
Gosport Splash Park – Gosport, Hampshire PO12 2BL
Opening times: Currently Closed
Cost: Currently Closed
Lee Splash Park – Lee-on-the-Solent, Hampshire PO13 9LA
A fantastic outside play facility with traditional all year round play equipment and water features which are open in the Summer only. A great mix of playground and splash park in one.
Opening times: 10am to 7pm daily
Cost: Free
Outdoor Swimming in Hampshire
There are also plenty of places you can go swimming outdoors in Hampshire. Here are a few official options but I’m sure there are plenty more wild swimming spots – including the vast majority of beaches in Hampshire – just make sure you check any guidelines before getting in the water!
Water Adventures Hampshire
As well as traditional swimming pools, paddling pools and splash parks, there are also a few places to have real water adventures in Hampshire – something the whole family will love.
Lymington Sea Water Baths – Bath Road, Lymington, Hampshire SO41 3SE
Challenge yourself to this inflatable obstacle course! There are swings, slides, ladders, balance beams and more for you to run, jump, slide and splash around on!
Opening times: Evening term times and weekends and school holidays.
Cost: From £10 Adults and £7.50 Child
New Forest Water Park – Ringwood Road, Fordingbridge, Hampshire SP6 2EY
Explore the course – Beat the obstacles – Race your friends & family – and watch them totally wipe out..! The UK’s first and biggest Witbit Aqua Park. Full of trampolines, monkey bars, flippers, slides, hurdles, springboard, rockers, rollers, an overhang climbing wall, swings and much more.
Opening times: Open throughout the week.
Cost: From £20 per session.
Tapnell Farm Park Aquapark – Tapnell Farm House, Isle of Wight Aqua Park, Yarmouth, Hampshire PO41 0YJ
The Isle of Wight’s bounciest and wettest attraction with over 20 obstacles to tackle, plenty of giant free-fall slides and fun (but challenging!) elements to explore!
Opening times: Open throughout the week.
Cost: From £22 per session.
Other Outdoor Swimming Options in Hampshire
There are other outdoor swimming options in Hampshire too. If you fancy a break away that also has an outdoor swimming pool then there’s Burley Manor, Tylney Hall, Rhinefield House, Chewton Glen or have a holiday park break at Shorefield Country Park. You can read our review here.
If you want to swim outside regularly, David Lloyd membership could be just the thing. With great facilities for the whole family and outdoor pools at their Southampton, Southampton West End and Port Solent centres, it’s a great base for so many family activities and quality time together.
Indoor Pools in Hampshire
As well as all the outdoor options, if the weather isn’t great then you can’t beat an indoor pool and we have quite a few leisure centres and sports centres with pools in Hampshire. Here are some suggestions:
- Basingstoke Aquadrome
- Taro Leisure Centre
- Alton Sports Centre
- Shirley Swimming Pool
- Hart Leisure Centre
- Red Lodge Community Pool
- Romsey Rapids Sports Complex
- Winchester Sport & Leisure Park
- The Quays Swimming and Diving Complex
I hope that helps you plan some water based fun this summer. If I’ve missed our your favourite place to swim then please do let me know and I’ll add it in as soon as I can.
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