Summer 2026; Yorkshire's top free lidos, paddling pools and splash parks to keep families cool
With summer sunshine and six weeks of school holidays stretching ahead, where better to spend time but in some of Yorkshire’s top lidos and splash pools?
Pool operators across the region have been racing to reopen in time before the summer rush with children out of school.
Now this is not a comprehensive list, but rather one mother’s guide to some of our favourite open-air settings, from council to charity run and with some private and family-run firms across the breadth of Yorkshire.
And, with many families feeling the pinch this summer, we’ve tried to focus on a good number that let children and young people play for free. So get the towels ready and some sunscreen to make the most of Yorkshire’s best weather.
Note; two pools including Knaresborough’s Bebra Gardens and Hull’s Pickering Park, at the time of going to print, haven’t quite opened for summer but are expected to be in action very soon and at the latest in time for August.
Ilkley Lido
An art deco open-air pool described as a "jewel" in Yorkshire's crown, Ilkley Lido is always a family favourite - although it isn't heated so can be ‘refreshing’ at times.
Run by Bradford Council, and supported by volunteers, it is open seven days a week, but booking online is strongly advised as it can be busy. Peak junior swims from £3.25 with a leisure card, and £6.20 for adults.
Helmsley Open Air Pool
Yorkshire’s only 25m heated open air pool, this popular setting is run as a charity to offer affordable outdoor swimming sessions.
Popular with holidaymakers and locals alike, it is open seven days a week with timed fun sessions, lane swims and events. Child prices from £3.95 and spectators for £2.50.
Ingleton Swimming Pool
An idyllic open-air 20m pool set by the riverside in Ingleton on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales.
Importantly, the pool is heated from May to September, although there is no car park and the nearest parking is at the community centre close by.
Run as a charity, and reliant on volunteers, it still pays a peppercorn rent to the parish council of 5p a year.
Adult tickets for non-members are £7.50, or £5 for under 15s. Booking is strongly advised especially on hot days when it sells out quickly.
Alpamare, Scarborough
A private waterpark and wellness spa, there are indoor and outdoor heated pools, with slides and water chutes and a wave pool.
High season prices run from £20.50 for adults and £15.75 for children, or with family tickets at £62.00 - local radio stations often offer half-price deals.
Harrogate Valley Gardens
A hugely popular open-air paddling pool in the middle of the extensive parks and gardens, run by the council and free to enter.
It opened later than usual this year, in mid June, after last-minute repairs, but is now fully open to the public for summer. There are toilet facilities and a cafe close by.
Bebra Gardens, Knaresborough - EXPECTED TO REOPEN SOON
Hidden away in a quiet corner of the parkland near Knaresborough Castle, this open-air paddling pool remains one of the region's best kept secrets.
This summer, as of July 19, it remained closed for maintenance and repairs. Work is "entering its final stages", North Yorkshire Council confirmed, with a date to be set soon.
Borrage Green, Ripon
Newly painted and refurbished, the paddling pool reopened on Friday just in time for the school summer holidays.
Free to visit, and with a play park nearby, it will be open daily until the first week of school in September.
Pickering Park, Hull - EXPECTED TO REOPEN SOON
A refurbishment of the paddling pool is now complete, Hull City Council confirmed on Friday, Jul 17, with water quality tests to be carried out in coming days before it fully opens.
This will be "as soon as possible", it said in a statement, while Emma Hardy MP suggested tests could be carried out early this week. Closed in 2023, more than half a million pounds has been spent, and it is believed it could reopen in the first week of the school summer holidays.
Hull parks and splash pads
A splash pad at East Park has reopened in time for the school summer holidays after refurbishment, with the return of its Grade ll listed water boat ride.
Three more at Alderman Kneeshaw, Bude and West parks remain open to the public, along with paddling pools at Ings Road and Oak Road parks.
Albert Avenue lido
An outdoor pool which reopened last year after an £11m rebuild, with a lido and children's splash pad and two more indoors.
Critically, it is heated to around 28 degrees, making it a popular spot in summer. Booking is strongly advised, and there is a timetable of events.
Adult prices for the lido start at £7.50, and children at £5.50, or family tickets for £22.
Filey Paddling Pool
A circular suntrap set right on the seafront at Royal Parade, this paddling pool is free to use.
Built in the 1970s, it has now been rejuvenated after falling into disrepair, and reopened with great fanfare after a major refurbishment.
Clifton Park Water Splash, Rotherham
A full acre of jets, paddling pool and streams, this water splash is a popular favourite with families and has changing rooms along with an ice-cream kiosk.
There are three daily sessions, from 11am, and while entry is free the council operates a wristband system to manage capacity. Arrive early on sunny days as the queue can be long.
Rivelin Valley Water Play, Sheffield
With paddling and a park, there is play equipment such as jets, sprinklers, bucket drops and water tables, as well as three large splash pads.
Council run, it is open daily until the first weekend of September, and is free to enter.
Mirror Pool, Bradford
A fountain more so than a pool, Bradford's mirror pool at City Park is an incredible display of jets to help people stay cool, right in the city centre.
As the largest urban water feature in the UK, it has more than 100 fountains, laser lights, and a thunderous 100ft water cannon, surrounded by smaller ones to splash in. Take water shoes as it can be slippery, entry is free.
Pool Bridge Farm, York
A family-run wild swimming site right in the countryside, there are saunas, camping, and events with yoga, moonlit swims and wellbeing.
The site has four lakes, with water sports, and lakeside settings for family picnics in nature. There are no lifeguards, and life jackets must be worn for children and sports. Booking is essential, as it often sells out, with day passes from £5.
North Yorkshire Water Park, Scarborough
A private adventure park at one of Yorkshire's largest water sports lakes, with a huge array of inflatables and warrior displays.
There are also sports from paddle boarding to kayaking, and wild swimming. Participants at the aqua park must be able to swim with a buoyancy aid. Online bookings are £20.00 per person, per session, per aquapark.