A trip to Water Meadows

I think we’re very lucky to have Water Meadows in Nottinghamshire. Located in Mansfield, Water Meadows is both a family orientated swimming centre as well as a place for the more serious swimmer with a 25 meter competition pool. It’s the fun pool that tends to draw the crowds and last Sunday I took my youngest daughter to experience swimming there. Sophie is only two and a half and I’m beginning to introduce her to swimming to help build her confidence before we consider lessons in around a year. The first thing to bear in mind when arriving at Water Meadows is that car parking comes at a cost given the attractions close location to the town centre. However, the fee you pay is refunded on entry when you enter the swimming baths. The fee for myself and my daughter for entry once the £1.50 car parking fee was removed was just £3.60. I think what makes Water Meadows so successful is the great variety of fun things to do at the leisure pool. There are three water slides which are excellent, including the white water flume which is designed to take two people. At certain periods, you’ll also find a waves machine in motion in the main area with the man-made beach. The only source of frustration for visitors are the changing facilities, which in busy periods can lead to waiting for space, particularly for family booths. As a reasonably regular visitor, I’ve come to search out the available team changing at the back, which usually has some space. The swimming baths nicely back onto Titchfield Park where you’ll find a children’s play area, sports facilities (basketball, five-a-side football, etc). The park is a great place for a gentle stroll by the River Maun. On top of all these great things going on, I do think Water Meadows is a fantastic option for young families visiting on holiday if they’re staying at a holiday cottage, BB or hotel. On a recent holiday of my own in the UK I found the family struggling for ideas when the heavens opened and I remember thinking that swimming would have been a great option. Yet in the area where I was, there was nothing. To have Water Meadows as an extra dimension to both day visitors and overnight holidaymakers is a definite advantage.