Alexandra Recreation Ground, SE26 5ND. Popular paddling pool within a fenced area, open during school summer holidays. Lovely playground under shady trees in the adjacent part of the park.
Beckenham Place Park, BR1 4LB. Rather run down splash pad available in the playground in the summer months.
Brockwell Park, SE24 0PA. Lovely sand and water play area including paddling pool, rock pools, stream, and shady grass for picnics. Water operates late May -Oct.
Croydon Road Recreation Ground, BR3 3PR. Extremely popular on a sunny day, with trees for a shady picnic and playground adjacent. This paddling pool is badly in need of replacement - to save this fantastic local resource, please donate to the fund if you can.
Danson Splash Park, DA6 8HL. Fantastic wet and dry play area with interactive water features. Secure perimeter fencing encloses the refreshment kiosk, seating area and toilets. Can't believe it's free!
Hilly Fields, SE4 1LE. Small area of sand and water play throughout the summer months, including a sand pulley system. There's also a large train-shaped climbing frame, fallen tree trunks for climbing, and a child-friendly cafe.
Myatts Fields, SE5 9LP. Beautiful modern playground with water jets operating late May to October. There's an apiary and greenhouses to look at, and a social enterprise cafe.
Summer's Here!
Paddling Pools & Splash Play
Norwood Park, SE19 1DZ. This extensive sand and water play area is exciting and challenging for older children, while younger tots would find much to enjoy but require a lot of supervision.
Ruskin Park, SE5 8EL. A giant paddling pool in a lovely park, just re-opened for the summer. Another pool under threat: you can support the volunteers who saved the 2016 summer season here.
Swanley Park, BR8 7PW. The ultimate in free water play, there is a large paddling pool and splash park with interactive jets and tipping buckets. More than enough to make a day of it with large playground, boating lake, cafe, miniature train and seasonal bouncy castle.
Sydenham Wells Park, SE26 6RF. Small splash pad and water spray area in the main playground during the summer months. There is also a zip wire, separate play area for under 5s, and a sensory garden.
Health and safety, maintenance, weather and funding mean the availability of splash play areas is unreliable - please check before you promise your toddler anything!
There are lots of tips for getting the most from your local area on our website. We would like to expand this section so if you can contribute an article (or just an idea for one), contact [email protected], we'd be delighted to receive it!