Oh my goodness, where do I even begin?! We just had the most incredible day at Splashdown Quaywest, and I'm still buzzing from all the fun! It's truly the UK's BIGGEST outdoor waterpark, and it absolutely lives up to the hype. As a family of four, with our energetic 7-year-old Bodhi Honey (who has Autism and ADHD) and our adventurous 4-year-old, we were a little unsure what to expect, but it exceeded all our hopes. It's truly a place where summer dreams come true for families!
First off, a massive tip: definitely wear wetsuits! We heard this recommendation and it was a game-changer. Even though it was a bright day, the wetsuits kept us perfectly warm and comfortable, allowing us to stay in the water for hours without a shiver. This was especially great for Bodhi Honey, as staying warm helps make the whole experience more enjoyable.
What I loved most was the sheer variety of ways to experience the slides. We weren't just limited to one type of ride – we could choose to go on a body slide, grab a mat for head-first thrills, or jump on a tyre for a more relaxed (but still exciting!) journey. We literally did them all, and it felt like a different adventure each time! Both Bodhi Honey and our 4-year-old loved the different sensations.
We started by conquering some of the quicker, more intense slides. The Screamer was an absolute blast – true to its name, it's a short, sharp burst of speed that leaves you breathless and giggling. And the Wild Kamikaze? Oh wow, that one really gets your heart pumping with its three steep drops! Both kids were absolute troopers on these, though the Wild Kamikaze definitely isn't for the faint-hearted! We weren't quite brave enough to face the legendary Devil's Drop this time (it looks intense!), but it gives us something to aim for on our next visit.
The tyre rides were a fantastic experience for the whole family. The Raging Rapids had us spiraling and spinning through twists and turns, with a wonderfully bumpy finish. Bodhi Honey particularly enjoyed the unexpected splashes. And the Surf Lagoon was a classic serpentine ride with plenty of twists and turns that really gave us a good tumble. It was so much fun to ride together and hear everyone's laughter.
The mat rides, like the Sidewinder and Corkscrew, were also fantastic. The Sidewinder had us weaving through open and closed tubes, giving you glimpses of the sky before diving back into darkness – such a thrill! And the Corkscrew, despite its "shallow descent," definitely left us in a spin with its 360-degree turns. For a slightly gentler introduction, the Wet and Wild was perfect – still lots of twists and turns, but a great way to warm up to the bigger slides. Our 4-year-old, being just over 1m, was able to join in on so many of these and his excitement was infectious!
When it was time for a break, Captain Lewey's Shipwreck Island was our go-to spot. It's such a vibrant and fun area, and it's surrounded by plenty of seating and sunbathing terraces, so we could really relax and soak up the atmosphere. We grabbed a hot food and drinks meal deal from Captain Lewey's for £8.95, and it was delicious and surprisingly good value. Plus, it's only a short walk from the toilets, showers, and changing rooms, which made life super easy. Just a quick heads-up: remember to bring a 20p coin for the lockers! It's important to note that for the main waterpark, riders need to be at least 1m tall and confident around water. Our kids fit the bill perfectly, and it meant they could enjoy almost everything the park had to offer. There's also a 20m long swimming pool in the heart of the park, which is 1.2m deep – perfect for a refreshing dip or just chilling out after all the excitement.
Honestly, we had such a fantastic day filled with laughter, splashes, and unforgettable moments. Seeing Bodhi Honey so happy and engaged, and our 4-year-old so confidently tackling the slides, made it truly special. Splashdown Quaywest truly provides a brilliant day out for families. We're already planning our...
Read moreThis place is very badly managed with lots of bad behaviour. It is also very dirty.
There are numerous groups of young boys acting dangerously on and around the slides. The very young staff are extremely ineffective at handling them. They tell them off / blow their whistle 1 in 20 times. The other 19 times they don’t see them because they are standing somewhere that is not near the “hot spots” and talking to colleagues or ignore them. Particularly on the flumes with the rubber rings they wait for each other and act in a boisterous / dangerous manner. They also stand in the line for the rings and try to put their arms in the way of the people on the slide risking serious injury. Even after being told not to they continued to do this as there was no consequence whatsoever. This could be fixed by staff if they stand in those areas and also by ejecting repeat offenders but this was not done. This definitely affected my experience and that of my 9 year old daughter who commented on the fact that these boys were being dangerous when in the slides and she was knocked off her rubber ring on one occasion. I saw a number of other children who came off the rubber ring flumes having hurt themselves although I don’t know the details of how they hurt themselves to be fair.
In addition this place is absolutely filthy. There is actual trash floating in the children’s slide area. And not just one little piece but many, many pieces of trash with no attempt to clean it. Also the changing rooms were absolutely disgusting. The floors had standing water everywhere and there was rubbish in every changing room I tried. Also grime and dirt in many areas in the toilets and changing rooms. We didn’t use any other facilities like sunbeds or food stalls as I literally wanted to get out of there as soon as possible.
I did plan on telling someone my comments when I left but there was no opportunity to do this on the way out as there was a shop but there were no staff around who seemed like this would have been interested.
It’s a real shame as the slides were okay if therms had been managed properly we would have had a lot of fun. It cost nearly £100 for my family to visit and we visit Devon every year but I will definitely not...
Read moreA Fun-Filled Outdoor Water Park! 🌊💦
Splashdown Quay West is the perfect place for a fun, action-packed day, whether you're with family, friends, or just looking for a refreshing adventure. As the biggest outdoor water park in the England, it has a great selection of slides and attractions, making it an ideal spot for thrill-seekers and those who just want to relax in the sun.
Since it’s an outdoor water park, it’s only open during the summer months. One thing to note is that the water can be quite chilly, especially if the weather isn’t particularly warm. I’ve even seen people wearing wetsuits, though I’m not sure if they’re officially allowed. I’d definitely recommend visiting on a hot day, as waiting for the rides can feel a little cold otherwise. The good news is that the queues move really fast!
The slides were fantastic, with a mix of high-speed drops and more laid-back rides. My favourite as a thrill-seeker was Devil’s Drop, a near-vertical slide that gives you an intense adrenaline rush from start to finish—definitely not for the faint-hearted. I was really surprised that there was virtually no queue for this ride, which meant more turns for me! Wild Kamikaze was another fast and exciting ride, giving a great free-fall sensation, while Raging Rapids added an element of unpredictability with its twists and turns, making it one of the most enjoyable attractions.
The park is well-maintained, and the staff were friendly and helpful, ensuring that everything ran smoothly. Even though it can get busy during peak times, the queue times were reasonable, and there was plenty of space to relax between rides. The changing rooms and facilities were also clean, which is always a plus.
Overall, Splashdown Quay West is a fantastic place for water park lovers. With thrilling slides, a fun atmosphere, and a stunning coastal location, it’s the perfect spot for a summer adventure. Highly recommended...
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