One of Bournemouth’s much-loved community park attractions will be back for another sunny season.
Registered charity and social enterprise BH Live is reopening Littledown Park’s popular paddling pool on Saturday 2 May 2026, just in time for the May bank holiday weekend, offering free ‘splashtastic’ fun for families throughout the summer (weather permitting).
Set within 47 acres of beautiful parkland, the paddling pool is a local favourite, providing the perfect place for young visitors to cool off, play safely, and enjoy the great outdoors.
A day out at Littledown Park offers something for everyone, including:
- A children’s play park complete with swings, climbing frames and slides
- Littledown Miniature Railway, run by volunteers, offering £1 rides on Wednesdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays (11am–3pm). Visit littledownrailway.co.uk for more information
- A cricket pavilion and wide-open green spaces for picnics and play
- Paths around the park and lake to spot wildlife and other mini beasts
When it’s time to refuel, enjoy a hot drink or ice cream at the Paddlers kiosk situated next to Littledown’s Playpark, or a relaxed, al fresco dining experience at Lookout at Littledown, which offers scenic views across the park. Alternatively, the Terrace Café inside Littledown Centre, open all year round, serves hot meals, snacks and drinks, perfect whatever the weather.
Littledown Centre and park is owned by BCP Council and operated in partnership with registered charity and social enterprise BH Live.
On behalf of BH Live, Shelley Lincoln, General Manager, said:
“We’re delighted to welcome families back to Littledown Park’s paddling pool for another summer season. It’s a much‑loved, free facility that plays an important role in supporting active, healthy communities and helping families enjoy time outdoors together. We’re proud that Littledown continues to be a fantastic destination for local residents and visitors alike.”
Visitor information
- Littledown Park’s paddling pool is seasonal – opening times are weather dependent and may vary
- Children must be supervised by an adult (16+) at all times in the paddling pool and by the lake
- Free parking is available on site for up to three hours, seven days a week. Charges apply thereafter — please check signage on arrival
- Outdoor toilets are available
- Littledown is a dog-free park
- Other local paddling pools include Quomps Splashpark (Christchurch) and Redhill Park (Bournemouth)
Littledown Park and its children’s play area are open all year round, with the paddling pool available during the warmer months.
For opening times and to plan your visit, head to bhliveactive.org.uk/littledown
-ENDS-
Notes to Editors:
For more information about BH Live please contact:
Daisy Saunders, PR & Communications Executive
E: press.office@bhlive.org.uk
About BH Live
Champions of community engagement, health and wellness across Dorset, Hampshire, and London
BH Live, a registered charity and social enterprise, is a leading operator of sports and leisure centres, theatres, and event venues.
BH Live (Enterprises) Limited is a wholly owned trading subsidiary of the parent organisation, established to manage the non-charitable activities, primarily relating to Conferences and Exhibitions.
Our vision is to create sustainable and inspiring opportunities, deliver great experiences for our communities, and improve health and well-being.
With a strong commitment to accessibility and community engagement, BH Live continues to enhance the quality of people’s lives, health and wellbeing in the communities it serves.
BH Live was established in 2010. Local authority partners include BCP Council, Portsmouth City Council, Croydon Council, and Southampton City Council.
We are at the heart of the UK’s growing social economy. Together with our partners we are helping to change lives and make a positive impact in the community.
For more visit bhlive.org.uk.
Get social with us:
LinkedIn – BH Live
Facebook – @SocialEnterpriseBHLive
Instagram @bhliveuk
Head office address: Bournemouth International Centre, Exeter Road, Bournemouth, BH2 5BH, DORSET
BH Live is a leisure and cultural trust, established in 2010 as a ‘non profit distributing organisation’ (NPDO) for public benefit to promote participation in leisure and cultural events. BH Live is a Company Limited by Guarantee and Registered Charity. Charity No: 1138311. Company No: 07092112. VAT Reg No: 108 2248 37. BH Live (Enterprises) Ltd, is a Private Company Limited by Shares and a wholly owned subsidiary of BH Live. Company No: 07175626. VAT Reg No: 108 2248 37. Registered Office: Bournemouth International Centre, Exeter Road, Bournemouth, BH2 5BH. Registered in England and Wales.
About BH Live Active, Littledown
Littledown is operated by the registered charity BH Live in partnership with BCP Council.
Set in 47 acres of parkland, Littledown has some of the finest leisure, swimming, football and gym facilities in the country.
It is ranked among the top performing leisure centres in the UK, is accredited by quality scheme QUEST and is a National Fitness Award winner for the Local Authority/Leisure Trust Gym of the Year and finalist for the Best Group Exercise Gym of the Year.
It has more than 1.2 million attendances a year and is home to clubs including BH Live’s Swimming Academy, Swim Bournemouth, Littledown Juniors Football Club and Play Football. Indoor facilities include 25-metre and 17-metre swimming pools for lane swimming, public swimming sessions, pool-based classes and lessons. There is also a splash pool, steam room and sauna.
The centre has one of the largest gyms in the region complete with activity programmes for young people, and support for people recovering from an illness, injury or who are living with a long-term health condition. There are multiple training zones with ground level and lift access. There is something to suit every activity preference and level of fitness with cardio equipment, free weights and functional fitness training space. Hundreds of group exercise classes run seven days a week such as TechnogymTM Group Cycle sessions, circuits, yoga, Pilates, HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training) and Les Mills™ classes including BodyBalance, BodyPump, BodyCombat, BodyAttack, Sprint and more.
There is a large sports hall for events and multi-sport activities including trampolining, badminton, table tennis, football and gymnastics. Open to members and non members is Littledown’s Terrace Café (with soft play for under 5s) and Lookout at Littledown bar, each with free customer WiFi. Here you can buy all sorts of snacks, meals and drinks to enjoy indoors or outdoors for al fresco refueling, eating, drinking and socialising.
Outdoor features include six floodlit 3G rubber crumb training pitches, grass football pitches, parkland for recreation and events, a cricket pitch and pavilion, lake, children’s playground, a paddling pool (open summer months), outdoor catering and free customer parking for up to three hours seven days a week. Littledown Park is also home to Littledown Miniature Railway.
ANPR is in operation at BH Live Active, Littledown. Customers get free customer parking for up to 3 hours seven days a week. Charges apply for longer stays.
For more visit bhliveactive.org.uk/littledown
Get social with us:
Instagram @bhliveactive
Facebook @littledowncentre
Address; BH Live Active Littledown, Chaseside, Bournemouth, BH7 7DX, DORSET
About BH Live Hospitality
BH Live’s hospitality division sits under BH Live (Enterprises) Limited; a wholly owned trading subsidiary of the parent organisation, BH Live. It has been established to manage the non-charitable activities, primarily relating to Conferences and Exhibitions.
BH Live Hospitality provides event and retail catering services at leisure centres and cultural venues across Dorset, Hampshire and London.
Terrace cafés, bars and vending services operate at venues, leisure centres and attractions including Bournemouth Pavilion, Bournemouth International Centre, Littledown, Pelhams, Stokewood, Sir David English Sports Centre, Queen’s Park, Corfe Mullen, Mountbatten Leisure Centre, Pyramids, Exploria, The Quays and Fairfield Halls.
Elevate Brasserie and Bar at Bournemouth International Centre provides indoor and outdoor seating with stunning sea views, serving up a selection of hot and cold meals, snacks and drinks. Private hire is also available.
Lookout at Littledown (Leisure Centre) is a lively bar with indoor and outdoor seating overlooking Littledown Park. As well as value for money food and drinks, there are regular live music evenings, quiz nights, sporting event screenings and more. Private hire is also available.
Bournemouth Pavilion’s South Terrace operates throughout the spring and summer season, serving a delicious range of hot and cold drinks, grab-and-go items, and hot food from pop-up stalls and container bars. The Terrace Bistro serves a seasonal menu, offering an indoor and alfresco dining experience.
The South Terrace at Pyramids is a café and container bar open throughout the spring and summer season, offering refreshments and stunning views in an outdoor setting overlooking the Solent.
The Terrace Bistro at Fairfield Halls offers drinks and light bites for pre-show dining, perfectly tailored for theatre lovers seeking a relaxed yet elegant beginning to their night.
For more visit
- bhlive.org.uk/hospitality
- elevatebrasserie.co.uk
- bhliveactive.org.uk/littledown/lookout-at-littledown
- fairfield.co.uk/food-drink/bistro
Head office address: Bournemouth International Centre, Exeter Road, Bournemouth, BH2 5BH, DORSET
BH Live is a leisure and cultural trust, established in 2010 as a ‘non profit distributing organisation’ (NPDO) for public benefit to promote participation in leisure and cultural events. BH Live is a Company Limited by Guarantee and Registered Charity. Charity No: 1138311. Company No: 07092112. VAT Reg No: 108 2248 37. BH Live (Enterprises) Ltd, is a Private Company Limited by Shares and a wholly owned subsidiary of BH Live. Company No: 07175626. VAT Reg No: 108 2248 37. Registered Office: Bournemouth International Centre, Exeter Road, Bournemouth, BH2 5BH. Registered in England and Wales