Turning tips into memories

London's best fountains to splash around in

By Jen Barton Packer on 5/7/2019

On hot and muggy London days, there's nothing quite like dipping your feet into some cool, glorious water – or splashing around in a lovely fountain.
Sure, London has plenty of indoor and outdoor swimming pools to enjoy, but on those days when you need something a little less intense than full-swimwear changes with the whole family, we've got the solution: go and explore some of London's best play fountains.
Located in squares and parks around the city, these paddling pools and water play activities don't require any effort (or flotation devices). Check out our favourite London play fountains below.

Best for xxx: Granary Square Fountain, King's Cross

Best for a kid-centric play fountain experience: Granary Square Fountain, King's Cross

Granary Square makes parenting beyond the home front so pleasant, with on-site soft play, the Skip community garden and Handyside play park with sand pit, and, of course, the incredible play fountain experience. Kids can run through and splash around in 1,080 choreographed jets, enjoying a fountain show of aqua-choreography (this alone mesmerises little ones; being able to run and play in it is just the cherry on the cake). At night, there's a light show to accompany the water works. Teens will also be obsessed – the fountain can be controlled via smartphone to turn into a game of Granary Squirt, aka Snake for the modern era.

WHEN

open daily

WHERE

Granary Square, King’s Cross, London, N1C 4AA

Best for utter bliss: John Madejski garden pool, V&A

Best for the total experience: John Madejski garden pool, V&A

Imagine walking through the latest fashion exhibition or perusing Asian art before relaxing in a picturesque garden while the kids play in the fountain jets and splash around in the pool... If that level of serenity and calm sounds impossible to achieve post-kids, it's because you haven't yet explored the V&A outdoor pool and garden with kids in tow. It's bliss – and your surroundings couldn't be more picturesque. Turn it into an educational experience and get the kids a backpack at the information centre so they can become experts in some aspect of the museum's vast collection, like animal art or interiors. Don't just block out an hour or two; this will quickly become a half or full-day experience that you'll want to repeat on a weekly basis.

WHEN

open year-round

WHERE

V&A, Cromwell Road London, SW7 2RL

Best for the full paddle: Serpentine Lido paddling pool, Hyde Park

The Serpentine Lido is popular with grown-ups – who doesn't fancy a dip in the middle of Hyde Park surrounded by swans and geese? – and the neighbouring paddling pool is fun for kids, with a fenced children's playground and grassy bank for parents to sit on. With a view of the Serpentine (who knows, maybe the kids will fancy an art excursion afterwards?) and facilities on hand (lifeguard, sandwich shop), it can't be beat. The cost is £4.80 per adult, £1.80 per child (or £12 for a family ticket).

WHEN

June - August, 10am-6pm

WHERE

Serpentine Lido, Hyde Park, South Kensington, London, W2 3XA

Best for XX: Merchant Square fountain, Paddington

Best for trying with friends: Merchant Square Fountain Maze, Paddington

Merchant Square has plenty going on to delight kids and their parents: giant board games, table tennis, a floating park, paddle boarding, street food and the Fountain Maze, which turns an afternoon splash into a challenge – perfect for your child and their pals. With 320 jets arranged across three concentric circles, the fountain becomes a playful game: can you get back and forth without getting wet? Can you find new ways in and out of the maze? A totally fab idea when you want to while away a hot and sticky summer afternoon.

WHEN

Summer, 7.30am – 8pm on weekdays and 10am – 6pm at weekends

WHERE

Merchant Square, 7 Harbet Road, London, W2 1AJ

Best for xx: Edmond J. Safra fountains, Somerset House

Best for total-body splashing: Edmond J. Safra fountain court, Somerset House

We love visiting Somerset House with the kids in tow whenever we're in central London – it's always worth checking out one of the brilliant Somerset House exhibitions or that Vincent Van Gogh sans ear painting at the Courtauld Gallery. With 55 jets to run through, the fountains in the Somerset House courtyard are particularly delightful for little ones; make sure you bring a change of clothes because hesitant toe dips and testing the waters will quickly turn into running through the jets with full abandon.

WHEN

Spring and summer months, 10am - 11pm

WHERE

Somerset House, Strand, London, WC2R 1LA

Best for dipping your toes in: Diana Memorial Fountain, Hyde Park

On days when you just need to dip your toes in the water, this tranquil spot – a memorial to Diana, Princess of Wales – is made from 545 pieces of Cornish granite and is a meditative reflection on Diana's life. It cascades and bubbles at the top and pours down into a calm pool at the bottom. Kids will like running across the three bridges and walking along in the water – more likely to represent the chaos than the calm.

WHEN

open year-round

WHERE

Hyde Park, W Carriage Dr, London W2 2UH

London's best fountains to splash around in

Best for a kid-centric play fountain experience: Granary Square Fountain, King's Cross

Best for the total experience: John Madejski garden pool, V&A

Best for the full paddle: Serpentine Lido paddling pool, Hyde Park

Best for trying with friends: Merchant Square Fountain Maze, Paddington

Best for total-body splashing: Edmond J. Safra fountain court, Somerset House

Best for dipping your toes in: Diana Memorial Fountain, Hyde Park

Kids

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London's best fountains to splash around in

Best for a kid-centric play fountain experience: Granary Square Fountain, King's Cross

Best for the total experience: John Madejski garden pool, V&A

Best for the full paddle: Serpentine Lido paddling pool, Hyde Park

Best for trying with friends: Merchant Square Fountain Maze, Paddington

Best for total-body splashing: Edmond J. Safra fountain court, Somerset House

Best for dipping your toes in: Diana Memorial Fountain, Hyde Park

Kids

Things to Do

Summer

The best kids' swimwear brands

Best family friendly festivals

The best UK family holidays

Kids' room decor ideas

Kids' fancy dress ideas

Sustainable parenting ideas

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