Families are invited to make a splash this summer when Littledown Park’s paddling pool reopens.
Set in 47 acres of parkland, the paddling pool is a popular free-to-attend attraction open during the summer months. Other park features include a large lake packed with wildlife and a children’s play park with swings, climbing frames, and a slide. There is also a miniature railway run by volunteers which opens Wednesdays, Sundays and bank holidays from 11am-3pm with rides costing just £1 per person. The park also has a cricket pavilion, a one-mile running route, outdoor toilets and free parking for up to 3 hours seven days a week.
A pop-up café with outdoor seating will be situated nearby serving up a delicious selection of hot and cold drinks, ice creams and snacks. Furthermore, Lookout at Littledown Bar provides a more casual al-fresco dining experience for those wanting to enjoy a meal and a drink overlooking the park.
In recognition of the park and its facilities, Littledown Park won a Green Flag Award in 2019.
The running of the paddling pool is to be managed and operated by registered charity BH Live, in partnership with BCP Council.
Work will get underway this Spring to ensure the pool is ready for the summer holidays. Repairs and servicing will also be carried out.
Rob Cunningham, BH Live’s Associate Director of Leisure said;
“The paddling pool in Littledown Park remains a fantastic free to attend attraction for the local community and is enjoyed by so many families every year.“A great day out, the facilities have something for everyone and we hope that by keeping the facility open, more families will be encouraged to enjoy valuable time together and get active in nature by exploring Littledown’s parkland. It’s the perfect way to cool down on a hot day – we can’t wait to welcome everyone back this summer!”
Amanda Barrie, Director of Commercial Operations, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council said:
“Littledown Park has always been hugely popular with the local community and BCP Council is thankful for the continued support shown by BH Live to enable this much-loved community facility to reopen once again over the warmer months.
“Community facilities like this play such an important role in bringing people together and providing recreational opportunities for everyone, and it’s wonderful to see local support and collaboration in keeping these spaces thriving.”
The park and children’s play area are open year-round. Paddling pool opening dates will be announced in the coming months.
Children must be supervised in the paddling pool at all times by an adult (16+). Opening hours for both the paddling pool and pop-up café are weather-dependent and may be liable to change.
-ENDS-
Notes to Editors:
- Visitors can enjoy up to three hours of free parking seven days a week in Littledown centre’s car park. Customers who require longer than three hours parking can pay by scanning the displayed QR code on site.
- Littledown is a dog free park
- Further information about Littledown Miniature Railway can be found at co.uk
For more information about BH Live please contact:
Daisy Saunders, PR & Communications Executive
E: press.office@bhlive.org.uk
About Littledown Centre
Littledown is operated by 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.
The venue has one of the largest gyms in the UK with personal training, an exercise referral and children’s activity programme. Hundreds of weekly group exercise classes are offered including the Les Mills programme.
Indoor facilities include a 25-metre swimming pool, 17-metre teaching pool, a splash pool and spa. There is a large sports hall for events and multi-sport activities including trampolining, badminton, table tennis, football and gymnastics. The venue also has a café, bar and soft play facility.
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.
For more visit bhliveactive.org.uk.
Get social with us:
X @bhliveactive
Facebook @littledowncentre
About BH Live
BH Live is a leading operator of leisure and event venues; a registered charity and social enterprise that designs and builds engaging experiences to inspire people and enrich lives.
Our social objectives are to:
- Encourage more people to take part in physical activity– by providing leisure facilities to encourage active communities and improve health and wellbeing.
- Attract bigger entertainment audiences– with a diverse range of cultural and artistic events that appeal to a wide variety of tastes.
- Deliver economic benefit– by hosting major conferences, exhibitions and events that benefit the local, regional and international economy.
With more than five million visits a year we are changing lives and are at the heart of the UK’s growing social economy.
For more visit bhlive.org.uk.
Get social with us:
LinkedIn and X: @BHLIVE_UK
Facebook: @SocialEnterpriseBHLive