When it gets hot and sunny, there’s nothing quite like cooling off at a splash pad, outdoor swimming pool of aqua park. There are lots of great options all around Oxfordshire
Oxfordshire Splash Parks
Oxfordshire splash pads are all free to visit. They usually open from around May half term and through to the summer.
- Cuttleslowe Park (Oxford) – open for 2025
- The Leys (Witney) – open for 2025
- Abbey Meadows (Abingdon) – open for 2025
- Riverside Jubilee Splash Park (Wallingford) – open for 2025
- Wellington Country Park (Riseley) open for 2025
- Edmonds Park Splash Pad (Didcot) open for 2025
- Manor Park Memorial Gardens (Wantage) – looking for info on opening date
Science Oxford have an amazing Water Lab outdoors which is a lot of hands on fun. Open spring and summer on their Science Oxford Family Days which run every Saturday.
- Beale Park (paddling pool) tbc
- Garth Park (Bicester) – tbc
Outdoor Pools in Oxfordshire
If you get a hot, sunny day then it almost feels like being on holiday when you can go swimming outdoors.
- Hinksey Outdoor Pool (Oxford) – open for 2025
- Woodstock Outdoor Pool – cool water swimming, heated pool from 20th July 2025
- Riverside Park & Pools (Wallingford) – open for 2025
- Woodgreen Leisure Centre Outdoor Pool (Banbury) open for 2025
- Chipping Norton Lido – open for 2025
- Abbey Meadows Outdoor Pool (Abingdon) open from 20th July 2025
The paddling pool at Hoghshaw Farm returns summer 2025 during the school holidays.
A bit further away in Newbury but definitely worth a mention is Northcroft Lido with it’s water slides.
- Northcroft Lido (Newbury) open for 2025 – family swim times on select days & times
Paddling & Wild Swimming outdoors in Oxfordshire
The water quality in Oxfordshire isn’t always the best with sewage releases from water companies. If you are paddling or swimming, do take care not to swallow any water.
- Minster Lovell – it’s wonderfully cool in the shade of the trees and in the river there are areas shallow enough to paddle and other parts deep enough to swim.
- Bourton-in-the-water has shallow, ankle keep water for paddling in the Windrush River.
- Wallingford Beach – there’s a easy shallow entry into the river Thames just under the bridge. Paid car park nearby (by the open air pool)
- Port Meadow at the Wolvercote end is easy to get into the water for a swim and a great spot for paddle boarding or kayaking.
Something Different for a Hot Day in Oxfordshire
- Wet n’ Wild (Berinsfield nr Oxford) open for 2025
- Oxford Ice Rink
Enjoy water play everyday at Hogshaw Farm in the Sand & Water Playzone and at Tumblestone Hollow
