Top 5 water parks in Cornwall

It’s been a long, chilly winter … and spring come to think of it, hasn’t it? But now that summer’s finally here and we can pack our bobble hats away for a couple of months, it’s time to get outdoors again and enjoy some family water fun in the sun! 

And where better to enjoy some quality time with your crew, than in the ever-beautiful region of Cornwall? The Duchy is, of course, celebrated for its stunning surf beaches and scenic coastal walks, but if you’re looking for family days out in Cornwall and perhaps in particular, some alternative water action, then look no further than our guide below, featuring the very best Cornwall water parks.

Whether you’re keen on a morning outing, an afternoon trip or a full day of activities for the family, our top five water-park picks are perfect for cooling off some of that school’s-out energy. Here, we give you the lowdown on the activities available at the top water parks in Cornwall, their locations and opening hours and how much you can expect to pay to enjoy them.       

Skip to:

• Retallack Aqua Park, near Padstow
• Giant Slip and Slide, near St Columb
• Kernow Adventure Park, Penryn
• Monster Slip and Slide, Widemouth Bay
• Adrenalin Quarry, Liskeard
• Water parks in Cornwall map

Retallack Aqua Park, near Padstow

The Retallack Aqua Park is just a 15-minute drive from the pretty harbour town of Padstow. Here, you can test out the ‘total wipeout’ themed, inflatable assault course, featuring a slide, trampoline and catapult! Sessions last an hour and there are picnic benches dotted around the lake as well as a cafe area which is a dog-friendly zone. The aqua park is suitable for fun-seekers aged six and over who can confidently swim at least 25 metres. Children aged 11 and under need to be supervised by an adult booked into the session. Wetsuits and buoyancy aids are provided (check the terms and required adult/child ratio on the website). 

Wanna surf like a pro? Check out Cornwall’s only Flowrider! Surfers need to be at least eight years old and 107cm tall and be adult-supervised. Again, sessions last an hour. If you fancy skimming across the lake on a towed-ringo, rides last 15 minutes and for those aged six and over. There’s a maximum of two people per ringo, with a maximum of four participants per timeslot. 

If you want to feel the adrenalin, wakeboarding sessions start with land-based coaching before you’re whisked off to the lake, kitted out in safety gear of course. Thrill-seekers need to be eight years and over and sessions are bookable in twenty-minute segments. But if calm and serene is more your holiday style, you can book a 45-minute standup paddleboarding session, available for those aged eight years and older. All activities can be booked online.

Giant Slip and Slide, near St Columb

Photo credit: Giant Slip and Slide

This Cornwall water park is another one of our must-visit Cornwall attractions! As the name suggests, at 440 feet long, this inflatable slip-and-slide is ginormous and heralds the title of the UK’s longest slip-and-slide! Based just off of the A39, near Winnards Perch, near St Columb, the attraction is set in a field in open countryside with ample parking on-site, at no additional charge.   

Hoops, rings and bodyboards are provided for extra launch-power and there are four waterslide lanes to choose from. You can also opt to book private lanes if there are lots of you, or if you’re planning a birthday party for example. You can hire a wetsuit or bring your own if you choose, though they’re not essential. To participate, slide-riders must be five years old to ride solo, be water-confident and able to swim. Little ones under four years old can ride for free with a paying adult. 

In 2023, the team launched its popular side attraction: Water Pistol Battle Park – the perfect place to indulge in some healthy family competition. Battles are booked in 45-minute slots, with equipment provided. As a heads-up, there are portaloos on site and well-behaved dogs are allowed to come along with you but should be kept on a lead. Book via  Giant Slip and Slide.

Kernow Adventure Park, Penryn

Another fantastic water park Cornwall can be proud of – you’ll find this one located just off of the A394 between Falmouth and Helston, set upon an idyllic freshwater lake sunk down into the earth. 

There are four activities to keep you busy here. The Kernow Adventure Park is suitable for those aged six years and over, and sessions last an hour (including the safety brief). The price includes a wetsuit and buoyancy aid hire. Set sail around the lake on an E-boat adventure! Charged up and ready to go? You can test your captain navigation skills by dodging buoys in the water, then sail up to the 40-metre cliffs to learn about the site’s geology, history and local wildlife. E-boats are suitable for ages two years and over and kids under 12 need to be with an adult. Trips last 20 minutes, including the short safety brief.  

Glide around the lake and explore the stunning surroundings on a standup paddleboard. Suitable for those aged eight years and over; children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Sessions last an hour and include a wetsuit and buoyancy aid.  

When your team’s feeling peckish, there’s a cafe on site for all your snack needs and if you have a dog with you, well-behaved pups are welcome. Book online! 

The Monster Slip and Slide, Widemouth Bay

Photo credit: Monster Slip and Slide

Yet another awesome water park Cornwall can shout about! Offering heaps of fun, this monstrous, inflatable 360-foot water slide aptly named Monster Slip and Slide is set in the open countryside, just a stone’s throw from the fabulous beaches of Bude! Make use of the supersonic bodyboards and inflatable rings to launch yourself off the ramp and whizz down the never-ending slide! 

There are four lanes to pick from and sliders need to be at least two years old to join in the fun with a parent/carer. Sessions last an hour and though it’s not essential to book, it’s highly recommended as of course, the attraction can get very busy during peak season. Children under four years can slide for free, as can carers with ID. 

What3words are given on their website, so you’ll have no trouble finding your way here. And once you do, there’s ample parking on-site at no extra charge. There are portaloos available and well-behaved dogs are welcome to come along but must be kept on-lead. And there’s a catering team on hand for those post-slide ice creams and treats. 

Adrenalin Quarry, Liskeard

Photo credit: Adrenalin Quarry 

With the adventurous marketing tagline, ‘Throwing people off cliffs since 2009’, you’ll find this fully pumped activity centre in Cornwall’s southeast. As well as boasting a top Cornwall water park on-site (which is actually the biggest inflatable water park in the world), you can feel the thrill of riding the zip line, throwing an axe, braving the giant cliff-top swing, testing out your Formula One go-karting technique, or honing your climbing and swimming skills during an instructor-led coasteering session. In fact, there’s enough here to keep everyone busy for days. 

Back to the Cornwall water park brief – sessions last an hour, where energetic participants aged six years and over can bounce across the world’s largest inflatable aqua park. Features include slides, trampolines, swings, monkey bars and more. Children under 11 years need to be accompanied by an adult, (maximum of three children under 11, per adult).   

There are food options and facilities on site, including plenty of free parking, and dogs are welcome on a lead. It should be noted that Adrenalin Quarry is fully cashless and rides need to be pre-booked online. 

Water parks in Cornwall map

Use our handy map to locate all our favourite water parks in Cornwall.

Stay at a self-catering holiday cottage in Cornwall

We hope this guide featuring some of Cornwall's top water parks has whetted your appetite for outdoor fun with your family team this summer! And if you’re looking for accommodation in Cornwall, then we have you covered. You can browse our fantastic range of holiday lets and cottages right here, including plenty of dog-friendly places to stay.