Welcome to the third in our series of articles on family-friendly days out. For the third installment of this series we headed to Sandcastle Water Park in Blackpool.

Sandcastle Water Park is the UKs Largest Indoor Waterpark. The Waterpark features over 18 slides and attractions including water slides, fun pools, wave machine, water chutes, burger bars, snack bars, arcades, swim shop and much much more. So, if you’re looking for things to do in Blackpool and fancy a great day out make sure you visit the Sandcastle Waterpark. They cater for families with children of any age and can even organise birthday parties. The Sandcastle Water Park is opposite the Pleasure Beach on the sea side of the promenade.

What to expect:

• We parked in a pay and display car park next to the water park – we were there all day and parking cost £7.50
• You are not allowed to take a picnic into the water park, but there are a number of places to eat both inside the entrance and on the poolside
• Pushchairs are allowed onto the poolside, but there is also a buggy park inside, opposite the changing rooms
• There are large family change rooms so you can all go in together if that makes things easier and these are equipped with a baby change table and nappy bin
• You will need to pay £2 to get an electronic wristband which operates your locker – this is refundable, collect this in the shop before you head into the changing rooms
• You will not be allowed to take photographs or film whilst on the pooliside

What they have spot on:

• Great for families with children of a range of ages
• A good day out for all the family – perfect for taking grandparents or non swimmers too
• Good baby change facilities
• Highchairs on the poolside
• Poolside cafés
• Cafes in the dry area outside
• Chewing gum specific bins
• Lots of lifeguards
• Lots of bins
• Family change with large cubicles and plenty of them
• Can take prams and pushchairs poolside
• Staff constantly cleaning to keep every where nice
• Loads and loads of seating and tables around the edge
• Non swimmers can easily watch other family members
• Attentive lifeguards – very responsive to anyone who might be struggling or any first aid requirements
• Very clean
• Lots of variety
• An attraction for all the family
• Plenty of toilets and baby changing areas, you don’t have to go back into the changing rooms as there are poolside toilets and changing facilities
• Toddler seats in shower area

What they need to work on:

• They need a small splash area for tiny tots that is all on one level and has none slip matting – the tree house is fantastic but there are lots of steps and the floor is quite slippy
• Some of the other areas are very slippy, there were quite a lot of falls but some of this is because children rush around in excitement
• It is quite expensive for a family day out BUT when you take into account that you can be there all day and how inclusive it is, then compared to lots of attractions it seems better value
• They need more options for babies and small children with regards to food considering you cannot take your own

We think this is a wonderful family-friendly day out and we give it a Mummy Fever rating of 4.5/5 but it really wouldn’t take much to make it 5/5.