One of Bournemouth’s popular community attractions is back for another sunny season!
Littledown Park’s much-loved paddling pool has officially reopened, offering free, splashtastic fun for families.
Nestled in 47 acres of beautiful parkland, the paddling pool is the perfect way to cool off and enjoy the outdoors this summer. Open throughout the warmer months (weather permitting), this free-to-use gem is a local favourite for families looking to make the most of sunny days.
But the fun doesn’t stop there — Littledown Park is packed with activities for all ages:
- A lake packed with wildlife
- A children’s play park with swings, climbing frames, and slides
- A charming miniature railway, operated by volunteers, offering £1 rides on Wednesdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays (11am–3pm) – find out more at littledownrailway.co.uk
- A cricket pavilion
When it’s time to refuel, families can relax at Lookout at Littledown — a casual, al fresco dining spot with views over the park. Or pop into the Terrace Café, open year-round with hot meals, snacks, and drinks to keep everyone refreshed.
New this summer! Don’t miss Julia’s House Children’s Hospice’s colourful Great Tail Trail community sculptures in centre – on display until Sunday 1 June 2025. Use the Great Tail Trail app to scan the centre’s giant sculpture and unlock a ‘tasty’ discount while you explore*.
“We are delighted to reopen this fantastic, free-to-attend attraction for the local community,” said Rob Cunningham, BH Live’s Director of Leisure and Business Development. “Littledown’s paddling pool is a summer staple for hundreds of families. It’s the perfect place to cool down, get active and enjoy everything the park has to offer.”
On behalf of BCP Council, Councillor Richard Herrett, Portfolio Holder for Destination, Leisure and Commercial Operations, BCP Council, said:
“The Littledown paddling pool provides so much fun for families every year, offering valuable free play opportunities for children. It is incredibly important to the local community and I’m looking forward to seeing it reopen… hopefully in time for some more sunny weather!”
Littledown Park and its children’s play area are open all year round. The paddling pool is seasonal, so please note that opening times depend on the weather and may change.
Important Info for Visitors:
- Children must be supervised by an adult (16+) at all times in the paddling pool.
- Free parking is available on-site for up to 3 hours, 7 days a week. Charges apply thereafter – please check car park signage on site.
- Other local paddling pools include the Quomps Splashpark in Christchurch and Redhill Park in Bournemouth.
- Outdoor toilets are available
- Littledown is a dog-free park.
Littledown Park and paddling pool is managed by registered charity and social enterprise BH Live in partnership with BCP Council.
To plan your visit and check opening times, head to bhliveactive.org.uk/littledown
-ENDS-
Notes to Editors:
*(T&Cs apply – download The Great Tail Trail app from your app store for more information. Learn more about the trail at juliashouse.org/tail-trail.
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. 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 and Croydon 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
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 Littledown Centre
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 venue 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 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 (18+ only), 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 only), 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