If your kids have too much energy to burn, Splashdown is the answer.
Featuring 13 thrilling indoor and outdoor flume rides, this is not your average local swimming pool—it is a dedicated waterpark built for excitement. Whether you are plunging into the dark abyss of the ‘Black Thunder’ or racing your friends on the ‘Colorado Coaster,’ it delivers hours of high-speed fun. And because it sits within Tower Park, you can easily turn a two-hour swim into a full day out.
Located at Tower Park, the park is incredibly easy to reach with fantastic facilities.
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By Car: Drive straight up the A348 (Ringwood Road) to the Tower Park Leisure Complex. The site has a massive, free car park with hundreds of spaces right outside the waterpark doors.
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By Bus: The Morebus Route 6 and 17 run regularly from Poole Bus Station directly into the Tower Park complex.
Splashdown is incredibly popular, so timing your visit is key to maximizing your ride time.
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Rainy Days: This is the go-to attraction in Dorset when it rains, so expect it to be busy! Booking well in advance is essential.
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Summer Months: During the summer, the park opens its fantastic outdoor flumes and the ‘Grand Canyon’ outdoor river, making it a great choice even when the sun is shining.
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Evening Sessions: Look out for their special evening/twilight sessions during the holidays, which often feature disco lights and music inside the flume tower.
Due to the nature of the attraction, full physical accessibility is somewhat limited.
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The Rides: Accessing the flumes requires climbing multiple flights of stairs within the main slide tower, which is not suitable for wheelchair users or those with limited mobility.
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The Pools: There is level access into the spectator areas, the cafe, and the changing rooms.
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Spectators: If you aren’t swimming, you can buy a discounted spectator ticket to sit in the cafe overlooking the pools and watch the family.
Opening hours vary heavily depending on the local school term times.
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School Holidays: Generally open daily from 9:00 AM to early evening.
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Term Time: Often closed on weekdays, opening only on weekends and Friday evenings.
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Pre-Booking: You must book your 2-hour or 3-hour session online in advance. Walk-ins are rarely accepted, especially during peak seasons.
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Map Directions
Thrills for the Adrenaline Junkies
Splashdown is famous for its high-octane flumes. If you are feeling brave, step up to the Screamer—a high-speed, near-vertical drop that takes you from the top of the tower to the bottom in under five seconds. For a disorientating thrill, the Spacebowl drops you into a massive watery funnel where you spin like a coin before plunging into the plunge pool below. Meanwhile, the Infinity bowl features laser lights and music that you select yourself before you slide!
Fun for the Little Ones
You don’t have to be a teenager to enjoy the water. Splashdown caters brilliantly to younger children. Ricky’s Reef is a dedicated, shallow toddler pool designed specifically for children under the age of 7. It features interactive water play areas, mini-slides, and a 3D reef effect. Just next to it is the Buccaneer SplashZone, an interactive water playground with tipping buckets and water cannons that is perfect for slightly older kids building up their confidence before hitting the big tower.
The Tower Park Complex
The best thing about Splashdown is its location. It is the anchor attraction of the Tower Park Leisure Complex. Once your swimming session is over, you don’t even need to move your car to keep the family entertained. You can walk straight out of the waterpark and into a massive Cineworld multiplex, challenge the kids to a game at Hollywood Bowl, or grab a meal at one of the many family-friendly chain restaurants like Nando’s, Pizza Express, or TGI Fridays located right on the piazza.
