Love water rides and water slides? We scouted the country’s water parks and theme parks for white-knuckle flumes, speedy tyre rides, laid-back lazy rivers and adrenaline-pumping water rides and after buckets of wet and wild fun, we picked out the 10 best water rides and water slides in the UK that you should experience with your kids. Time to get soaked!
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Spacebowl at WaterWorld Stoke, Staffordshire
Indoor
Let’s kick this list off with our favourite water slide at WaterWorld Stoke – the Spacebowl. This awesome water ride starts of with a short, mild flume ride, but don’t let that fool you! Before you know it, you’ll find yourself inside the Spacebowl which will draw you in, spin you around and upside down, before launching you into the water below. The ride is designed to be fun for kids but it packs enough excitement to make you go on it again, and again, and again…
What’s more, WaterWorld Stoke is an entirely indoor attraction, so you can head over there for a water adventure any time of the year, no matter what the weather has in store. Chances are – once you have a go on the Spacebowl, it will become one of your personal must-do water rides too!
Requirements: Must be at least 1.1m tall and a strong swimmer
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Tidal Wave at Thorpe Park, Surrey
Outdoor
Fancy a breath-taking thrill ride that will have you absolutely soaked? Well, then Tidal Wave at Thorpe Park is the water ride to do. Sat in a large boat, you will slowly climb 85ft (26m) up the track. Seconds later, you’ll plunge down into the water below in an exhilarating drop that ends with a MASSIVE splash.
Requirements: Must be at least 1.2m tall
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Gruffalo River Ride Adventure at Chessington World of Adventures, Greater London
Indoor
If a relaxing family ride is more your cup of tea, then you should take the kids on the Gruffalo River Ride Adventure at Chessington World of Adventures. This lazy river journey will take you through the deep dark wood where you’ll come up close with your favourite characters from the world of The Gruffalo.
Requirements: Kids shorter than 1.10m must be accompanied by an adult
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Storm Force 10 at Drayton Manor, Staffordshire
Outdoor
With three drops and a heart-stopping twist, Drayton Manor Theme Park’s famous Storm Force 10 is a stomach-churning, white-knuckle water ride, perfect for daredevils who don’t mind getting wet. Ready to face the storm?
Requirements: Must be at least 1.2m tall. Anyone under 14 must be accompanied by an adult aged 16 or over
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Masterblaster at Sandcastle Water Park, Lancashire
Indoor
Get ready for a water ride you just couldn’t pass on! Measuring at 250m in length, Masterblaster at Sandcastle Water Park is the world’s longest indoor roller coaster water slide.. What water-loving thrill-seeker wouldn’t be excited by that?
Requirements: Must be at least 1.2m tall, less than 18st and aged 8+
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Snow Storm at Alpamare Water Park, Scarborough
Indoor
Alpamare Water Park is famous for its awesome water slides and it was incredibly hard to pick our favourite but in the end the fast and furious Snow Storm won us over. We love this big blue giant because you take on it in a float for four, which makes it a great shared experience for the whole family.
Requirements: Must be at least 1.2m tall and aged 8+
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The Falls at Blue Lagoon Water Park, Pembrokeshire
Indoor
Here comes an unmissable Welsh entry on our list – Blue Lagoon Water Park! The park is home to 6 family-friendly water slides. Our favourite is The Falls – an open flume for two riders which pops outside the building and then re-enters into a plunge pool.
Requirements: Must be at least 1.1m tall
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Master Blaster at Alton Towers Water Park, Staffordshire
Outdoor
Master Blaster is a water ride definitely worth queuing for! This speedy ride twists and turns through the entire Alton Towers Water Park and ends with a splash in the pool. It’s just one of the best water slides for kids of mixed ages, so the whole family will enjoy having a go.
Requirements: Must be at least 1.1m tall. Riders between 1.1 – 1.2m must ride on a double ring
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Valhalla at Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Lancashire
Indoor
Up for a ride down the world’s biggest indoor dark ride? Head out to Blackpool Pleasure Beach and enter the thrilling world of Valhalla – it’s a speedy, multi-sensory water ride that is sure to make an impression on you. Adrenaline junkies, both big and small will love this one!
Requirements: Must be at least 1.17m tall
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Mississippi Drifter with Grand Canyon extension at Splashdown, Dorset
Indoor/Outdoor
The Mississippi Drifter at Splashdown Water Park is one of the best water park slides all year round. It’s a single-tyre ride which is great if you want to ride alongside your kids. If you come during the summer, you can also enjoy the Grand Canyon extension to the ride – it sucks you into a dark twisting flume which takes you to the outside pool.
Requirements: Must be at least 1m tall
Enjoyed our list of the best water rides and slides in the UK? You might also like these articles on our blog:
Best Inflatable Water Parks | Top UK Theme Parks | Best Theme Parks for Under 7s | Best indoor water parks in the UK | Best UK Lidos and Outdoor Pools