Families in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, can now visit Splashlands water park and adventure playground following its official reopening for the 2026 season on 3 February 2026. Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council confirmed the facility at Stanborough Park North is open this month to provide a free leisure option for the community ahead of the half-term holidays.
The site features a 600-square-metre splash pad equipped with 67 interactive water jets that can reach about 1.5 metres in height. Visitors will also find a meandering paddling river and a large nautical-themed adventure playground centered around a wooden pirate ship.
In a change from previous years, the facility is free to use with no advance booking required — visitors are invited to turn up and play. Day-to-day operations are managed by GLL (trading as Better), which runs the site and is responsible for operational maintenance and safety, with technical contractors engaged for specialist servicing as required.
The £2.2 million park originally opened in July 2020 as part of Welwyn Garden City’s centenary celebrations, replacing the town’s historic outdoor lido, which closed in 1999. By opening in February rather than waiting until Easter, the council says it aims to make greater year-round use of the facility.
The water jets are activated by floor pads when children step on them. The council’s briefing also notes distinct toddler and older-child zones to ensure safe play. The council has not indicated that the splash pad is heated, so water-play operation in very cold weather may be subject to operational restrictions.
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