Yipee, the sun is shining in Bristol and it’s hot, hot, hot! If you’re looking for inspiration for the best places to swim or cool down for free this summer., then you’ve come to the right place!
My top 10 outdoor water spots in the South West
1. Did you know the Mall at Cribbs Causeway has an outdoor beach, play area, fountains and ice cream? You do now and the best thing is it’s free!
2. When it’s sizzling hot I used to enjoy taking Little Miss Diva to Millennium Square where she could splash about in the square’s water fountains.
2. If you’re off to Weston-super-mare for a bit of beach action you may want to take the kids to the Water Adventure Play Park where they can get soaked by sprinklers for just £2 per child, adults free.
3. With hot weather predicted, Portishead Open Air Pool could be busy this weekend. Prices aren’t too bad – £3.50 for the kids and £5 per adult.
4. The River Yeo in Yatton is a hotspot once the sun comes out! It’s not a million miles from Bristol, but it feels like a whole different world. It’s also not far from Yatton train station if you don’t have a car.
5. This summer I’ll definitely be taking Little Miss Diva to Chew Stoke Waterfall. Park the car in Chew Stoke valley and take a family walk into the woods where you can cool down at the end underneath the waterfall.
6. Take the kids on a short train ride to Bradford-on-Avon where you often see younger children playing and paddling in the water in the summertime.
8. Cotswold Country Park and Beach is now open and a family ticket starts from £12 although you will have to pay extra for additional water-based activities.
9. St Andrews Park has an outdoor paddling pool for children and although recent budget cuts have threatened its future it is open for business as usual at the moment, keep an eye on the website for further details.
10. Thanks to reader Sue Mackel for the last tip. She suggests paying a visit to Blaise Castle, where there is free parking, a kids play area, free museum, and you can walk through the woods and go river walking.
Do you know any great places in and around Bristol to take a dip? Please feel free to share your tips on our Facebook page and don’t forget to like our page so that you never miss an update. You could also check out my post on Bristol’s best outdoor markets and car boots.
