Whisper it: summer’s here! And the paddling pool just isn’t cutting it. If, like me, you can’t face the traffic jam to the coast, have no fear. Here’s the Muddy-approved lowdown on all the best local spots for cooling off, whether you’re a toddler, intrepid teen or grown-up water baby. Just make sure those bikini straps are firmly secured before you cannonball in, okay?

OUTDOOR POOLS

Thames Lido, Reading

Thames Lido Best pools, water activities, and waterparks in Berkshire

A Muddy Award-winning Edwardian Lido and spa that reopened in 2017 after a huge £3.5 million renovation (read our review here). Now, it’s a membership holder’s hotspot and swish restaurant, welcoming guests for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with a variety of value swim and spa packages for non-members. It’s sandwiched between Reading train station and the River Thames – a welcome oasis of calm in a bustling town. It’s popular though, so you’ll need to book ahead if you’re not a member. Muddy’s booked in for a dip in August.

Northcroft Lido, Newbury

Love a lido but want to keep the costs down? Head to Newbury’s newly refurbished outdoor pool at Northcroft Lido. A whopping £5m has been splashed out to create a 50m pool (slightly smaller than the original 72m whopper), fun splash park for littlens, and waterslides for older kids and, ahem, fun-seeking adults. No shame.

The Retreat Elcot Park, Newbury

The Retreat Elcot Park, Newbury Best pools, water activities, and waterparks in Berkshire

A pool with a view at this grade II listed 18th-century country house, set in 16 acres between Hungerford and Newbury. The Retreat Elcot Park is a design mavens dream. Whispering Angel rosé on tap, indulge in a delicious light lunch, and dip in that beautiful outdoor pool. The spa facilities are utterly gorgeous. Just saying.

Wycombe Rye Lido, High Wycombe

Wycombe Rye Lido, High Wycombe — Credit: Historic Pools of Britain

For peeps living in Maidenhead and Windsor, Wycombe Rye Lido is probably your closest al fresco outdoor pool. The historical lido is a 33m x 12.5m pool and is open all year round. You need to book and pay online in advance and you’ve got 50 minutes to waft about in the heated pool. It’s not quite the summer cool off you may have planned but a dive in the water is lovely.

Nirvana Spa, Wokingham

Nirvana Spa, aka the big daddy of all spa days, is where it’s at. We’re talking five pools, including a hydrotherapy version with 51 jets, thermal suits, celestial floatation, and a room brimming with hot beds. When it’s a scorcher though, you’ll want to make a light-toed dash for the outside pool and loungers. Pure bliss. Race you there.

Cliveden Spa, Cliveden House Hotel, Taplow

Cliveden Spa, Cliveden House Hotel, Taplow

For a bit more refinement sans the offspring, strip like a Sixties show girl and loaf in luxury at Cliveden Spa. The Grade II listed pool is a stunner and the scene of Christine Keeler and John Profumo’s scandalous heavy petting. Book a spa day and enjoy a well-deserved pamper. The pretty garden view from your sun lounger and a sedate dip to cool off when you’re feeling hot hot hot.

Fairmont Windsor Park, Old Windsor

Fairmont Windsor Park Vitality outdoor Pool with hanging egg chairs

While we waft about in the lap of luxury, Fairmont Windsor Park is another luxe solution to keep your cool. The spa and wellbeing centre has a stunning Courtyard Hydrotherapy Vitality Pool for you to to soak up some rays and health benefits. There’s also an outdoor gym and tennis courts. But spa treatment and a cocktail sounds pretty darn perfect.

WATER PARKS

Lagoona Park, Reading

Lagoona Park, Reading Best pools, water activities, and waterparks in Berkshire

On the outskirts of Reading is another aqua park with an obstacle course, paddle boarding, and the handy new addition of a castle course for littlies aged 2-6. Set on a 25-acre lake just off J11 of the M4, Lagoona Aqua Park, is suitable for ages 8+. In costs £20pp for a 50 minute session.

Coral Reef Waterworld, Bracknell

One of the largest interactive water worlds in England, Coral Reef in Bracknell has it all. Expect thrilling giant waterslides, rapids, an erupting volcano, bubble pool, a pirate ship and lots more. Suitable for all ages including an area for toddlers too.

WATER ACTIVITIES

Bray Lake Watersports, Bray

Trio of windsurfers on Bray Lake Berkshire

Bray Lake has it all going on – beautiful location and the largest independent water sports club in the country offering kids clubs and more water sports than you can paddle at. Learn to windsurf, sail, paddleboard or enjoy open swimming. They also run brilliant kids holidays courses. Drag them away from the tech and sign ’em up during the summer break. They’ll learn a brilliant skill and love the outdoors.

if you’re closer the Sandhurst then Horseshoe Lake Activity Centre also offers the same water sports tuition and hire. Equally pretty, just on the other side of the county.

Blue Lemon Paddleboarding, West Berks and South Ox

Blue Lemon Paddleboarding, West Berks and South Ox Best pools, water activities, and waterparks in Berkshire

Ready to make a splash? Float down to Blue Lemon Paddleboarding, a BSUPA (British Stand Up Paddleboarding Association) affiliated school for bespoke group bookings, lessons, and tours. There’s a range of activities on offer. Join their Guided Paddleboard Tours, Sunset Tours or brilliant two hour courses to learn all the proper insider techniques to meander around gracefully without nose diving in a blur of flailing limbs. Tours are just £39pp and numbers are kept purposely low (max of 12) so you know it’s going to be SUPer chilled out. Sorry, couldn’t help it.

Dinton Activity Centre, Wokingham

You can do it all at Dinton Pastures lake – choose from pedalos, paddleboards, canoes, and single or double kayaks starting from £9 for half an hour. There’s a giant eight person SUP if you’re with a group and fancy giving it a go. With 94 acres of lake, it’s the perfect spot to practise your water skills before heading to local rivers or further afield. Or bring your own equipment and grab a lake access pass with a range to suit your needs.

Looking for even more places to go paddleboarding and boating in Berkshire? Check this out.

SPLASH PARKS

Wellington Country Park, Riseley

Wellington Country Park play area with splash zone Best pools, water activities, and waterparks in Berkshire

Pitch up at Wellington Country Park and let the kids run wild. There’s 350 acres to explore, hiding dinosaurs, train rides, epic slides and a splash zone. It’s particularly great for little ones, but I think if you’re hot enough, the big kids and adults won’t mind a drenching. There’s always loads going on, including the big inflatable takeover. Great place to go in the summer hols.

California Country Park, Wokingham

A supersized paddling pool that beats your teeny, tiny garden inflatable any day of the week. C alifornia Country Park has plenty to keep everyone entertained for a day out. There’s a small extra charge for this, but it’s not expensive. Situated next to the pool is a shady woodland play area; there’s also a café and a larger playground too. Picnic, go for a wander. It’s a place to chill and keep your cool.

Beale Park, Pangbourne

If you have young children with the attention span of a goldfish (comes with the teeny territory), Beale Park is perfect. Animals, a train, large adventure playground, sandpit and a big paddling pool. Happy kids, happy parents – gin consumption could be kept to a minimum on this day (just a suggestion) – as this is a day out that always ends on a high.

More, more, more…

It’s worth noting lots of playgrounds across the county have splash parks and paddling pools. So if you need to cool your kids off, head to LEGOLAND Windsor and let them go wet and wild at Drench Towers and the Splash Safari. For something a bit easier on the pocket, there are splash pads at Victoria Park in Newbury, Great Hollands Recreation Ground and Jocks Lane Recreation Ground, both Bracknell, and Locks Ride in Winkfield Row.

MESS ABOUT ON THE RIVER

What Berkshire lacks in beaches, it makes up for in rivers and we have one of the prettiest stretches. Don’t take my word for it, author Kenneth Grahame loved this neck of the woods (and river) so much so, he wrote a book about it – The Wind In The Willows. You may have heard of it (*wink wink).

The Swan at Streatley, Streatley on Thames

Self-drive day boat hire on one of the most beautiful stretches of the River Thames – yes please! PureBoating know all the insider intel for where to picnic, good riverside pit stops (essential surely?) and the best places to see kingfishers and Loddon lilies. Or, if you fancy getting closer to the water, you can book paddleboarding at the Swan too. And if your picnic doesn’t fill you up, a table at Coppa Club is always a good idea or go the whole hog and book an overnight stay!

Thames River Cruise, Caversham

Thames River Cruise, Caversham boating in berkshire

Now this is a truly unique experience – eating Sunday roast al fresco on a narrow boat. Join Thames River Cruise for a slap up roastie with all the trimmings one Sunday each month as you gently meander through Wind in the Willows country. Lunch is freshly prepared and homemade by local passionate chefs with two courses (including a pud) to sink your teeth too. The on board bar will help the three hour cruise pass just nicely. It sets sail from Caversham Pier and costs £55 per adult. A ton of other river trip options also available.

WILD SWIMMING

wasing Best pools, water activities, and waterparks in Berkshire

Wild swimmers, meanwhile, should head to Pangbourne, Hurley or Streatley– for safe stretch of the Thames that inspired literary greats or Colne Brook in Wraysbury. For a paddle, there’s Bucklebury Ford, a favourite with my kids, for a paddle. No frills, outdoorsy fun when the sun shines.

Check out our full guide to the top spots for wild swimming here.

Feeling hot hot hot? Splashy spots to cool off locally

You may also like