Sandy Lane Park is situated upon the banks of the River Dee, approximately 2.5 miles east of Chester city centre and includes Sandy Lane Aqua Park and a Children's play area which looks across the River Dee to the Meadows. It is free to use and has a free car park nearby.
Top Info
🛝 Children's Playground
💧 Splash Park open May - Sept 11am - 5pm
🚻 Toilets open May - Sept 11am - 5pm
🍦 Ice Cream Van
🛥 Views of the River Dee
🚗 Free Car Park
⛵ Small Ferry across the River Dee
🌎 Sandy Ln, Chester CH3 5UL
Aqua Park
The Aqua Park includes 10 different sprays which come on and off in a random sequence. This made the girls run around squealing every time a new one came on. There was one set of sprays not working during our visit, however this didn't stop the girls enjoying a good hour playing on the play equipment and then in the water.
We knew we were going so had taken a spare set of clothes and a towel. It would be a good idea to wear water shoes or beach sandals for walking between the aqua park and the toilets.
There are benches around the edge, facing the aqua park which are perfect for parents to sit and hold a towel while watching.
There aren't any official changing areas sadly so we used the toilets to dry off and get changed.
The Aqua Park and toilets are only open during the summer season
(May - September), between 11am - 5pm
Children's Playground
It is small play area but has all the usual equipment children enjoy, a roundabout, multiple swings, a climbing frame with slide. It is suitable for toddlers up to age 12.
Attendant on Site
An attendant is available to ensure that the toilets and the park are kept clean.
Carpark
It has it's own car park just by it which is free for 4 hours so that's a real bonus. The address for the car park is Sandy Ln, Chester CH3 5UL.
The View
The views of the River Dee are definitely what makes this park extra special. There is just the park fence and a footpath between the swings and the river. You can watch the City Cruise boats go past and see people self launching their canoes and paddleboards. It was a bustling river on a sunny Sunday afternoon in July.
Across the river is the Meadow, which has lots of walking paths and you can get across to the Meadow by using the small ferry by the park.
Refreshments
While we were there, an ice cream van was parked just by the park. Im not sure how often it is there but this was great to have to get a drink or ice cream. There are plenty of benches so bringing along a picnic from home is a good option for lunch.
There are some cafes in walking distance if you head back towards the city centre too.
Sandy Lane Ferry
There is the cute Sandy Lane Ferry service which runs in the summer, every weekend from the weekend of 25 May until the last Sunday in September.
The service takes passengers across the River Dee from Sandy Lane to the Meadows and back, between 10.30am and 4.30pm.
Fares (each way)
Adults: £1
Children, dogs and bikes: 50p
Pushchairs can be taken on-board..
Taking a Vessel on the Water
It has specially built boat ramps to allow for launching and landing of bigger craft, and offers great paddling in both directions along the river. The river here is usually calm, but can be affected by strong currents, high winds and overcrowding on certain days and paddlers should exercise caution when deciding whether to go out on the water.
River Dee Kayaking
Right next to the park is River Dee Kayaking. They offer lessons and Chester Kayaking tours which look really interesting and different. You can paddle down the river and see Chester from whole new angle and one tour even finishes at a pub!
Visit July 2024
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