Splash

The Splash Centre in Milton Keynes is basically what it says on the tin - a water park that's been around since the 1990s and gives families a proper reason to spend an afternoon away from the retail parks. You get indoor and outdoor pools, a wave machine, slides ranging from gentle to genuinely heart-stopping, and shallow areas for toddlers who haven't quite worked out they're terrified of water yet.

It's the sort of place where kids will happily lose two to three hours without complaint, which is exactly what you need when you're based at somewhere like Ekeney House Campsite just up the road. The outdoor pools are decent in summer, though British weather being what it is, you're banking on a decent day. The indoor bits keep things ticking over when it's drizzling.

Real talk: it's busy. Genuinely rammed during school holidays and weekends. If you're after a peaceful experience, go on a wet Tuesday morning in term time. The facilities are clean enough, though the changing rooms feel a bit dated. Admission costs money - it's not free - and you'll need to budget for parking as well.

For families with children aged four to fourteen, this works. Teenagers might find it a bit tame. Adults without kids won't get much out of it unless you're genuinely into competitive wave riding. It's a solid backup plan rather than a destination in itself, but that's fine. Sometimes that's exactly what a family holiday needs.