Barnsley Metrodome Waterpark (Calypso Cove)

The Barnsley Metrodome's indoor waterpark - Calypso Cove - is the sort of place that keeps kids happy on those grey Yorkshire afternoons when the weather's turned and you've run out of outdoor ideas. It's got slides, pools, and the usual waterpark fare tucked inside a leisure centre in Barnsley town itself, so it's easy to find and requires minimal faffing about with directions.

Families with younger children will get proper value here. The setup includes shallow pools for littluns who aren't confident swimmers yet, and the slide selection means older kids stay entertained long enough for parents to actually sit down with a coffee. Expect a couple of hours maximum though - it's not sprawling enough to fill an entire day.

If you're camping at one of the nearby sites - Mapplewell Meadows Farm is only two miles away, making it a logical wet-weather backup - the Metrodome works as a rainy-day option rather than your main event. It's accessible, reasonably priced for what it is, and the facilities are decent enough. Just don't expect anything flashy or cutting-edge. This is solid local provision, the kind of place where you know what you're getting.

Best visited on quieter weekday mornings if possible, though school holidays will be rammed. Bring your own towels to save a few quid on hiring, and remember to pack goggles if your kids are fussy about chlorine in their eyes.