If you're looking for some serious fun, there are two water parks in the New Forest...
Our summer holidays have been full of friends, family, adventure and sunshine. We were lucky enough to visit two of the water parks in the New Forest. There is one in Lymington www.lymingtonseawaterbaths.org.uk and one in Fordingbridge www.newforestwaterpark.co.uk
Both of these water parks have a WIBIT but this is where their similarities end.
Let me explain what a WIBIT is……the name comes from a German company Wibit Sports GmbH who manufacture very strong and durable inflatables for water. These inflatables are anchored into the ground under the water and form a large playground or obstacle course over the water. Obviously slippy and slidy they are extremely fun but also quite demanding on your body.
Lymington Sea Water Baths
This is the oldest lido in the UK, built in 1833.It is 110 metres long and 50 metres wide.The pools use filtered and chlorinated sea water; we had assumed that they were just salt water from the neighboring sea as there was no chlorine smell at all and no one got red chlorine irritated eyes. As always we were there till the bitter end when everyone was leaving and watched the chlorine being poured in. Their web page has also confirmed this.
The water is not deep; there are no safety presentations but lots of life guards and safety floats around; this is a low cost park with no official parking. Entry prices start at £2.50 for spectators and go up to £8 for a full day adult swim and inflatables.You can book a swim only but I wouldn’t recommend it as the inflatables take over!
To access the baths you have to drive through the gorgeous New Forest town of Lymington.Follow your sat nav past the High Street and then turn left into a narrow road and you’ll discover you are by the sea.Eventually you will come to a Pay & Display car park at the end where you can park.You may be lucky enough to get street parking but this will mean a walk to the water park.Once parked you will see a sign for the water park and once you have paid your entrance fee or submitted your name for your online reservation (you must book online the day before entry) there is a small turnstile gate to go through.You will be given an armband that is proof of your payment that you mustn’t take off whilst you are there. Walk through to see the massive Wibit adventure course in an enclosed gated sea water pool.This is separated into two sections and there is a junior family obstacle course for under 7’s.There are about two sets of steps to get in but these are not necessary as there is a ridge to the pool before it gets a little deeper.The water is not deep so you can stand easily; no need for swimming or life vests here.Around the edge of the pool is a small sitting area with enough room for some white plastic chairs and round tables.Most adorned with towels and bags as people have abandoned them for a splash and a play.The Bath are right on the sea front so the seating area backs onto boats.
There are other activities available such as paddle boarding, giant paddle boarding and aqua jousting.You can also hire a wet suit for £5 per person if needed.
My friend bought four children and so did I.We did the 3-6pm session and bought our own snacks and drinks.There is a café to get refreshments and ice cream, but bringing your own was not frowned upon.There were two jacuzzi’s available for hire on one side of the large pool and behind them were the changing rooms which I was really surprised at.They were clean and relatively new.There were showers and optional private changing areas which came in very useful for shy little girls and boys in the initial throws of puberty.
This water park was great value for money. There were no safety presentations or airs and graces but the whole place was really well staffed and we all had so much fun.
