Splash parks are one of the most fab free places to take your kids to cool down when its hot. We’d heard really positive things about the one in Verulamium Park in St Albans and with sat nav saying it was less than 40 mins from where we live in Milton Keynes and a relatively easy journey down the M1 we were very excited to try it out. However, if you take one thing away from what you read its this… PREPARE FOR IT TO BE BUSY! Make sure you read my parking advice further down this page. Back to the splash park… With a number of spray water jets including a cool purple dragon and ones in the floor there is plenty of water for children to run around in. My 3 year old wore his all in one swimsuit, as did my baby boy and they both got very wet. As did I which was fine as it was hot when we went and I dried off quickly, but make sure you take towels and changes of clothes just in case. The splash park itself is gated although constantly open with children going back and forth. You can sit right next to it though. There are large trees which surround the splash area so there is shade if you have babies.
Once we finished playing we then had a picnic and strolled over to the lake for a walk and watched the ducks and my baby boy had a nap. We then walked back the way we came and carried on past the café which looked absolutely lovely but the wait for food was about 30 minutes. The play area is nice enough with several metal climbing frames of different sizes. My 3 year old loved the rocket that goes back and forth. There are big swings and baby swings. There was also some rides there when we visited in August 2016. There is also a really good sized beach although it appears to just be for playing volleyball and you have to book in advance to use it.
All in all a fab fun cheap day out and well worth the trip. It was indeed a relatively easy journey there, the problem was parking. AL3 4SW gets you to the car park that you would want to park in if you want to be closest to Verulamium Park. It was full by the time we arrived at around 11am on a sunny weekday in the school holidays and at least 20 cars were circling and trying to get a space. We ended up driving away and then going back and were lucky and got a space as someone was leaving. It was £1.50 for 3 hours or £3.60 for all day. You can pay by card or cash. However if you don’t manage to get a space or would rather park in town and walk then a St Albans friend has advised that the best alternative car park is Russell Avenue AL3 5EB and then walk down to the park. Want to see more? Have a look through the gallery of pictures below and watch my short film of our visit. The splash park is open every day from 10am until 11th September 2016.
Verulamium Park
A selection of images from our visit to Verulamium Park in August 2016
I'm Laura, mum of two boys - aged six and four. I started this website at the end of Sept 2015 whilst on maternity leave. I now work four days a week and do this blog late at night once the little boys are sleeping. It's won several awards over the last four years and I continue to run it for free and mostly focus on free, cheap, and good value days out. Do drop me an email laura@miltonkeyneskids.com if you want to contact me. Don't forget to follow all of our latest adventures on facebook, instagram and twitter and have a look at all of the videos of the places we visit on the Milton Keynes Kids YouTube Channel - subscribe to it for notifications every time I add a new place. And remember... you may been reading this post months after we visited, do check with the destination you're visiting for up to date opening times and prices. If you find this blog useful then please do comment on my posts and leave me a Facebook review - it makes doing this all the more worthwhile.
