Mercer's Park

The splash pools and slides at Mercer's Park near Redhill are a proper summer lifesaver if you've got restless kids in tow. It's the sort of place where you'll spend a decent afternoon - not all day, but long enough that everyone leaves tired and happy. The water attractions are straightforward: slides that range from gentle to genuinely thrilling, pools for different ages, and plenty of space to spread out on the grass when you need a breather. Families with younger children will get the most from the shallow splash areas, while older kids tend to gravitate toward the faster slides. Bring a packed lunch - you'll want to stay put rather than trek back to the car.

If you're basing yourself at one of the nearby caravan parks, Mercer's works well as a half-day activity to break up the week. Alderstead Heath is closest at just two miles away, which is handy if the weather turns dodgy and you need to bail early. Betchworth Fort Park and Surrey Hills Park - both highly rated - are within reasonable driving distance, so it fits neatly into a broader holiday itinerary exploring the Surrey Hills.

The park gets rammed during school holidays and hot weekends, so go early or pick a quieter weekday if you can. Exact opening hours and admission prices vary by season, so check ahead before making the trip. It's casual, unpretentious fun rather than a theme park extravaganza, which suits the English weather and casual holiday rhythm perfectly.