Riverside Meadows Paddling Pool

The paddling pool at Riverside Meadows sits right on the edge of Stourport-on-Severn, where the Severn does most of the heavy lifting but this shallow basin gives younger kids a proper safe place to splash about without the river's current. It's straightforward stuff - a designated paddling area with clear water, the kind of thing that works brilliantly on a hot afternoon when you've had enough of walking but don't want to pack up camp yet.

Best for families with under-eights, really. The older ones will want the river itself or the wider Severn Valley to keep them occupied. On a decent summer's day it fills up quickly, so arriving mid-morning beats the afternoon rush. Free to use, which is the only way it should be.

The location is its strongest card - you're steps away from Walshes Farm Caravan Park and the other sites dotted along the Severn, so it slots perfectly into a caravan holiday without needing a car journey. Lickhill Manor and Lincomb Lock are both close enough for an easy walk. If you're based at any of the glamping spots further out - Amber's Bell or Pinewood Retreat - you'll need transport, but it's worth the short drive for a change of pace.

The Severn itself offers far more adventure for older kids and serious walkers, but this paddling pool is the practical answer when you need somewhere contained, shallow, and genuinely child-friendly. Don't go expecting grandeur. Go expecting tired toddlers to grin.