Cambridgeshire Families Splash Mad at Five New Water Pads 2026

Key Points

• Temperatures across Cambridgeshire have soared above 30°C again this week, prompting families to seek outdoor cooling options.
• Five splash pads are highlighted as top family-friendly water play sites in Cambridgeshire: Abbey, Coleridge, King’s Hedges, Bretton Water Park, and St Neots Splash Pad.
• Abbey Splash Pad in Cambridge has 11 water features, including showers, buckets, water cannons and sprinklers.
• Coleridge Splash Pad near Davy Road, Cambridge, offers 14 water features, including a tractor-themed play piece and a 2ft deep paddling pool.
• King’s Hedges Splash Pad in CB4 features an outer-space themed area with 14 water elements on the “pulley” play zone.
• Bretton Water Park in Peterborough runs from 16 July to 30 August, open Tues–Fri 10am–4pm, closed Mondays, and is free for families.
• St Neots Splash Pad, the newest in the county, opened in April at the former St Neots Lido, with hydro blast, aqua tent, water arch and multiple jets.
• St Neots Splash Pad charges £3 per child for two-hour sessions, available Tuesday to Sunday.
• The article is reported by Cambridge News and highlights these facilities as “great places to take the kids during the summer”.

Cambridge (Cambridge Tribune) July 11, 2026 – It’s been another hot one this week, and people across Cambridgeshire are looking for anywhere they can cool down. Temperatures have hit over 30°C again this week across the county, reviving concerns about heat-related risks for children and older adults.

Whether that’s a visit to the local lido or swimming pool, families are searching for somewhere to cool down safely and affordably. In Cambridgeshire, residents are lucky to have a range of great splash pads on offer to take the kids to and splash about in, as reported by Cambridge News in its guide, Five Cambs splash pads for families to cool down in during the heatwave.

As the warmth continues, local authorities and community groups have emphasised that splash pads, open water parks and recreationally managed pools are among the most practical options for families who do not have access to private swimming facilities.

Which Splash Pads Are Now Open Across Cambridgeshire?

The Abbey Splash Pad, located at Abbey Leisure Complex Pools on Pool Way in Cambridge (CB1 3EW), is one of the most established family water sites in the city. According to Cambridge News, this splash pad near Coldham’s Common has a range of showers to run under. There are also buckets, water cannons and sprinklers, making up a total of 11 water features.

As with many such sites, the Abbey Splash Pad is designed for younger children and is typically used in short bursts during the hottest part of the day. Parents are advised to ensure children wear appropriate footwear on hot surfaces and to bring sun protection and water for hydration.

Coleridge Splash Pad: Tractor Theme and 14 Water Features

Coleridge Recreation Ground on Davy Road in Cambridge (CB1 3QW) hosts the Coleridge Splash Pad, which the Cambridge News guide describes as having 14 water features, including a tractor-themed play piece. There are also other interactive features and a crawling tube. The paddling pool at the splash pad is 2ft deep.

The tractor theme makes this site particularly popular with younger children who enjoy imaginative play. Like Abbey, Coleridge is a free, publicly accessible site, and is generally used during daylight hours when temperatures are high.

King’s Hedges Splash Pad: Outer Space Theme on the Pulley Play Area

King’s Hedges recreation ground on Jedburgh Close in Cambridge (CB4 2XH) is home to the King’s Hedges Splash Pad, situated on the “pulley” play area of the recreation ground. It features 14 water features and the splash pad has an outer space theme.

As reported by Cambridge News, the space theme includes design elements that encourage children to imagine planets, rockets and galaxies while playing in the water. The site is another free public facility, and is regularly used by families from across north Cambridge during summer heatwaves.

Where Can Families Find Free Water Play in Peterborough and Beyond?

Bretton Water Park in Peterborough (PE3 8EJ) is described by Cambridge News as a “great place to take the family for free”. There are lots of fountains for children to run and play in, providing a more open, park-style water experience compared with the enclosed splash pads in Cambridge.

The park opens from 16 July and is open until 30 August. It’s closed on Mondays, but open from 10am until 4pm from Tuesdays to Fridays. This limited schedule means families planning a visit must check opening days carefully, especially if they are combining the trip with other local activities.

The free nature of Bretton Water Park makes it particularly important for households on lower incomes, as it offers a low-cost cooling option without the need for expensive pool tickets or travel to distant leisure centres.

What Is New in St Neots This Summer?

One of the newest splash pads in Cambridgeshire is in St Neots. The splash pad only opened in April and is based at the former St Neots Lido, as noted by Cambridge News. The park features a hydro blast, aqua tent, water arch and a mixture of jets. It costs £3 per child and they can enjoy two-hour sessions from Tuesday to Sunday.

According to reporting by The Hunts Post and Cambridge News, the St Neots Splash Park project faced years of delays and setbacks before its eventual opening. A spokesperson for the park had previously said they would be giving “local families the first opportunity to enjoy this new inclusive outdoor play space” during a soft opening on 2 May, in time for the bank holiday.

The transformation of the former lido into a modern splash park represents an £800,000 investment, as reported by Time Out in April 2026. The site now stands as a significant addition to recreational infrastructure in Huntingdonshire, filling a gap that had existed for many years.

How Should Families Use Splash Pads Safely During High Temperatures?

While splash pads provide an effective way to cool down, health and safety advice remains important. As temperatures rise above 30°C, local public health messaging has urged parents to:

• Ensure children drink plenty of water, even when they are playing in water.
• Apply sunscreen and reapply as needed, particularly before and after water play.
• Avoid using splash pads during the peak afternoon heat if children are particularly vulnerable to heat.
• Supervise children closely near any pools or deeper water sections, such as the 2ft paddling pool at Coleridge.

These recommendations are consistent with guidance issued by local authorities in previous heatwaves and are echoed in community notices linked to splash pad locations.

Background: How Did Cambridgeshire’s Splash Pad Network Develop?

The current network of splash pads in Cambridgeshire reflects a long-term strategy to provide affordable, outdoor cooling facilities for families, especially in areas with limited access to private gardens or swimming pools. Facilities such as Abbey, Coleridge and King’s Hedges have been in operation for several years, serving communities around Cambridge.

The St Neots Splash Pad represents the most significant recent development in this network. As reported by The Hunts Post and Cambridge News, the project faced years of delays and funding challenges before St Neots Town Council agreed to provisionally grant the St Neots Splash Park committee £650,000. The eventual transformation of the former St Neots Lido into a modern splash park, completed at a cost of around £800,000, has been widely welcomed by local residents.

The addition of Bretton Water Park in Peterborough further extends the county’s range of free or low-cost water play options, reinforcing the idea that splash facilities are not just recreational but also part of a broader public health response to increasing summer temperatures.

Prediction: How Will This Development Affect Families in Cambridgeshire?

This expansion and enhancement of splash pad facilities is likely to have a direct impact on families across Cambridgeshire, particularly those with young children and those on lower incomes. With heatwaves becoming more frequent and temperatures regularly exceeding 30°C, accessible water play sites such as St Neots Splash Pad and Bretton Water Park offer a vital cooling option.

For families in St Neots and surrounding Huntingdonshire areas, the new splash pad closes a long-standing gap in local recreational infrastructure. As reported by The Hunts Post and Cambridge News, local residents have reacted positively to images of the completed park, indicating strong community demand for such facilities. In the longer term, if summer temperatures continue to rise, demand for splash pads and similar public water play sites is expected to increase, potentially prompting further investment in similar projects across the county.

For parents in Cambridge and Peterborough, the continued operation and promotion of these sites means more reliable, low-cost options for keeping children safe and comfortable during the hottest parts of the year.