Clifton Park — Attraction in Rotherham

Clifton Park has been one of my favourite places to visit all of my life. This is the first time I have written a review for it though, and have done so because of the new Watersplash. Second day of the school holidays, a Sunday, the park was well-populated, the Dotto train making regular trips and giving the whole place a jolly holiday atmosphere. Teens were singing along to the ancient tracks being played in the main funfair area which looked to have been updated recently too. The toilets were cleaner than I expected they would be, with hot water for washing hands.

The new Watersplash area looked brilliant, popular, young children shrieking with delight at getting soaked, and parents looked amused and entertained too. There were useful signs up about current festivals, even a poster advertising The Samaritans for anyone feeling low. Plenty of litter bins dotted about, shame a fair few of the general public disrespected this beautiful amenity by dropping water bottles and crisp packets all over the place.

Dog owners were respectful, with their animals on leads at all times.

The lovely ancient beech tree was protected with fencing, the memorial garden beautifully kept, and the flower beds by the main entrance and bench seating well-maintained. This park is something to be very proud of and all the staff involved deserve...

Actually this place is great for a full day out with the kids. Water park, sand pit, play area and rides were all used and enjoyed. This place would ordinarily be given 5 stars but it has two major issues at the moment for visitors. 1. The car park and 2. Toilets.

The car park is £8.30 for the full day, I don't mind paying this as we used the full day and the park itself is free (small cost on the rides but not extortionate). The issue is the prehistoric payment method. Only one working ticket machine so can get a long waiting time. The machine has a screen that isn't visible so is really difficult to operate. No card payments or notes, and in this modern world who has over £8 in coins? Paying is possible through the downloadable app, downside of this is the cost is more than the advertised price on the machine.

I hope a good part of the car park takings go into the park rather than on sandwiches for council meetings.

2 .The toilets. I'll keep this brief as I'm a boy and boy toilets are easy .But for the ladies and children changing after playing in the waterpark they need more toilets and some improved facilities. I saw a teenage boy getting changed next to the urinals whilst balancing on his trainers so he didn't get 'wet'.

Sort these two points out and...

You can't go wrong. So much to do. If your kids are 10(ish) and below the fair is great. Theres a water park which is very popular. Theres changing rooms (they smell awful) and toilets. Theres a small kiosk that sells drinks, ice-creams etc, a train you can go around the park on, for a small fee. There are amazing, & I mean amazing parks and grassed areas with a little water play next to the sand pit. Theres a park for the smaller kids and other parks for the older ones. Our kids always wanted to go to Clifton Park. We also absolutely love the museum thats just across the park too. Theres a lovely cafe and gift shop. Theres lots of other nice little areas if you prefer somewhere away from the crowds. The events they put on are great, however, the price of food (&The Reytons) was above extortionate. £15 for a 10in cheese pizza & £7 for an ice-cream. They did however have a good variety of foods. All over priced. Pints started from £7 a pint. £30 for a bottle of wine!! You were not allowed to take food or leave the venue. I think that's disgusting. I wouldn't book that venu again because its far too expensive for a family of 4. We always take a picnic and this wasn't allowed. The park itself is fab on a nice day and lots of parking...