Summer is heating up, and families may be left wondering what to do to beat the heat in Oxfordshire at the weekends.
With temperatures rising to 30 degrees Celsius in Oxford this Saturday, June 21, a refreshing splash about in water might be what’s needed.
Luckily, the county is well provided with splash parks and pools to help you or the little ones get out of the heat and have some fun.
The newly upgraded splash park at The Leys, Witney is open for the first time this year, from May 22.
It has a range of features for all young ages and abilities and is accessible, and is operational from midday until 6pm each day.
Pools to try in Oxfordshire this summer (Image: Newsquest) Cutteslowe & Sunnymead Splash ‘N’ Play
The splash park is open in Cutteslowe Park from the first bank holiday in May each year. Its free to attend with onsite facilities including toilets, picnic tables, play areas including sand pits and splash play, and refreshments.
Cutteslowe splash park is currently closed due to a “technical issue”, according to Oxford City Council.
Hinksey Splash Park
Also a new addition to Oxfordshire’s splash park offering, a new water play and mini-wheels track opened in April at Hinksey Park in Oxford this year.
The splash park is free to use and open everyday until the end of the summer, with the “learn and play” balance bike and scooter track designed for younger children open year round.
Riverside Park And Pools, Wallingford
A campsite adjacent to the River Thames, Riverside Park and Pools is a great summer destination with an interactive water feature suitable for ages which was recently refurbished. Its free for public use with no booking required.
The site also boasts a heated outdoor pool, which can be booked through the Better UK app or online.
Didcot’s Edmonds Park has a fun water feature for children’s supervised play, offered by the town council.
Its open 10am to 4pm everyday until September, and toilet facilities and a refreshment kiosk are available onsite.
Splash parks are a great way for youngsters to beat the heat Wantage Memorial Splash Park
Just south of Wantage, the memorial gardens have a play area and an interactive water feature that is open during the summer months.
During the summer season, until early September, the splash pad is open from 10.30am to 7pm.
Woodstock Open Air Pool
Woodstock Open Air Pool in Shipton Road is a seasonal 25m 4 lane heated swimming pool with changing rooms, toilets, and a reception area to buy refreshments and ice creams.
Situated in the heart of West Oxfordshire and a short walk from Blenheim Palace, the pool also has a diving board and dive pit at a depth of 3.5m.
Chippy Lido
With its fully-heated 25m pool, café and large, tree-lined lawn, The Lido outdoor swimming pool describes itself as “an oasis of calm” in the Oxfordshire Cotswolds
The lido is located in Fox Close, Chipping Norton and is run by a local charity. Swim slots are available to book online.
Banbury’s Woodgreen Open Air Pool opened in May this year to the delight of residents following improvements from Cherwell District Council.
It will be open until early September and is available to book online.
Abbey Meadows Outdoor Pool
Abbey Meadows Outdoor Pool in Abingdon is a popular place to go during the summer months after more than 15,000 people visited last year.
The pool first opened on Thursday,
first open on Thursday and will remain open over the coming weekend.
After June 22 and until July 19 – the official summer season opening date – the pool on the banks of the Thames will open when the weather and staffing allow.
