Slip n Slide on their Giant Inflatable Aqua Park
Alderford Lake is a family-friendly destination in Shropshire for water fun, outdoor activities, and festivals. Enjoy the aquapark, paddleboard and canoe hire, escape islands and their seasonal events such as Firework Night and Christmas Island.
Checking the weather one weekend in the summer holidays we spotted Sunday was going to be mega hot so we took this opportunity to go along to Alderford Lake to have a go on their Aqua park. Nestled in the heart of stunning landscapes, in Shropshire their Aquapark is a thrilling playground on the water, perfect for individuals, families, and groups seeking an unforgettable experience.
As well as the Aquapark they also have paddleboard, canoe and kayak hire, open water swimming, a waterfront restaurant, food stalls, farm shop, children's playground and even an Escape room on an Island!
Top Info
💦 Aqua Park sessions
🕐Open 10.30am till 3.30pm (lake open till 8pm during summer)
🧒 SEN Sessions throughout the summer (info at bottom of page)
⏰ 50 minute session (plus a 5 minute safety briefing)
🕑 Please arrive at Alderford at least 45 minutes before your session in order to ensure you have enough time to get ready and watch the safety briefing
🏊♂ Your ticket includes a buoyancy aid for the duration of the session but does not include a wetsuit. Wetsuit hire is available separately
💧 Your aquapark ticket includes full access to the lake all day
🎟 Any spectators for the aquapark will need to purchase a separate full day admission pass (£7.50 Aug 2024)
🥪 Lakeside Kitchen Restaurant
🚗 Free Parking for first 3 hours ( up to 4 hours £3, All day £5)
🌎 Tilstock Rd, Whitchurch SY13 3JQ
We literally felt like we were abroad with the sun, atmosphere and people sunbathing on the grass next to the lake.
We arrived in good time and were pleased we did as i think everyone else had had the same idea so the place was busy. We queued to get in and were pleased we had pre booked as they actually reach capacity later on in the morning.
Getting Ready
Once we had shown our booking we got given wrist bands to wear and went to get changed. As it was a warm day we opted to wear swim suits with shorts and t-shirts over the top. We had a full change of clothes and towels ready for afterwards. There are changing facilities as well as showers so great facilities. Included in the price is hire of a buoyancy aid. You can pay extra and hire a wetsuit if you would like. This would be needed in colder months.
While we waited for our timed slot we watched the people currently on the aqua park having lots of fun so this really got the girls and myself excited.
You get 50 minutes on the aqua park. Before you go on you have to watch a safety video and you get a little talk from a member of staff and have the opportunity to ask any questions. Then its a case of jumping straight into the water.
The Aqua Park
The first jump in was a bit of a shock with the water still being a bit cool but we soon got used to it. You swim across to the aqua park and you have to pull yourselves up. At certain parts there are steps and handles to get on and off, but you still need a good amount of strength to get on to it. And i must say my body ached the next day from all the exercise.
Our 50 minutes went so quickly as we were loving it so much. It was quite tricky to run around as every step you take you are slipping and sliding but this just adds to the fun. At one point me and my daughter were trying to get over a small walkway and both totally slipped and landing in the water.
The best bit had to be the massive slide. You climbed up and you could choose to slide off or to jump off. There was a bit of a queue on this as it was a busy session so we would have liked to get more goes on this as was definitely the most fun park of the aquapark.
Food & Drink
After our time on the aquapark we had a bit of a rest at one of the picnic tables and then went to get some lunch. There is the Lakeside restaurant on site but as we were still wet we chose to order some food from the take away fold stalls and eat in the sun. We got paninis, a salad and a kids chicken and chips.
You can easily bring a picnic to eat at Alderford Lake, Lots of people had big set ups, bringing them in on those beach trolleys.
Paddleboard Hire
As we were still wet and it looked so nice out on the lake we decided we would hire a paddleboard. This was £16 (Aug 2024) for one which we could all get on and included buoyancy aids
On the paddleboard my 9 year old took charge of the paddling. She has got a lot better this summer at holding the paddle and knowing how to dig into the water. She led us around the islands in the middle of the lake.
We went past so many interesting water devises. People had brought lots of things to go on the water. There were canoes, kayaks, lilos and small blow up boats.
Even though the lake was busy and lots of people were on the water, everyone was really cautious and made sure we didn't knock into each other. We spent a good hour and a half on the paddleboard before heading back in.
We got dry and changed and then were ready for an ice cream and were pleased to see a Snugburys Ice Cream stall. The girls cooled off with them and then had a play on the children's play area.
Children's Play Area
This is only small but was a nice bonus that we found it by the side of the lake. There is a wooden climbing frame with a slide and a basket swing.
Parking
Parking is free for the first 3 hours, then you just pay for the extra if you are there for longer.
Up to 4 hours is £3, and all day is £5
Our Final Thoughts
We loved our time at Alderford Lake and have already said we want to go back. The Aqua park was so much fun and something we had never done before and the girls always enjoy Paddleboarding. It is a beautiful setting and well worth the drive from Cheshire.
Lots of people had come in big groups and had set up on the grass with beach tents, picnic blankets and deck chairs. Spending the whole day in and out of the water with their own paddleboards and other water devices. This looked a great idea and something we will do on our next visit.
SEN Sessions
Their SEN aquapark sessions offer a more relaxed environment for children or adults who have special educational needs. With a small capacity, and an increased lifeguard to child ratio, these sessions are designed to make the customers feel more at ease.
They offer free carer tickets for these sessions.
The dates are below:
21st July – 11:30am
31st July – 11:30am
7th August – 1:30pm
10th August – 12:30pm
21st August – 11:30am
24th August – 2:30pm
28th August – 12:30pm
1st September – 11:30am
Press Visit Aug 2024
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