The perfect places to cool off and make a splash in the West Midlands as half-term heatwave beckons

With the temperatures across the West Midlands set to approach 30C over the next week during half term, you may be thinking of ways of staying cool.

Thankfully, there are a number of places in the county where you and the kids can chill out and cool down and have a lot of fun in the process.

There are six splash pads across the Black Country and Wyre Forest that families can visit, as well as a popular outdoor pool near Wolverhampton.

East Park, Wolverhampton

The East Park play area is an octopus and water splash play area, offering the perfect place for youngsters to cool down in the hot weather.

The water splash play at East Park is just one of the attractions at the play area, which was opened in 2023, and is open from 7.30am to 8pm.

Other fun activities include treetop towers, roundabouts, seesaws, wet-pour tunnels, firefighters pole, rockers, springers and bucket and rope swings.

Tettenhall Pool, Tettenhall

Situated in a beautiful location, Tettenhall Pool is the perfect place for families to enjoy a summer day out.

The pool offers a friendly and welcoming atmosphere and the water is treated with chlorine, ensuring a clean and safe swimming environment.

Conveniently located near the carpark, there are toilet facilities available for visitors. It is open from 8am to 6pm each day.

Mary Stevens Park, Stourbridge

This spot features a splash park with water jets, cannons, a flower water feature and an area designed for toddlers, as well as offering free parking.

The water system runs daily between 10am and 6pm.

Dartmouth Park, West Bromwich

The large splash park at Dartmouth Park is right next door to Sandwell Valley Country Park, which boasts a massive adventure playground, farm, high ropes aerial adventure course (fees apply), tea room and mountain bike trail.

Dartmouth Park also offers lakes for fishing, views of Sandwell Valley, floral displays and a sensory garden, as well as on-site parking.

The splash park is open between 12pm and 4pm.

Brinton Park, Kidderminster

Open daily from 11am to 5pm, the splash pad at Brinton Park offers a place for little ones to have some fun in the sun.

Walsall Arboretum

One of the most popular splash parks in the area with thousands of positive reviews online. Whether you want to splash, skateboard, or stroll, Walsall Arboretum has it all.

Parking is free, and there's also a park café nearby. The park is easily accessed by public transport too.

Victoria Park, Stafford

The park boasts a 7m high climbing net with a rope bridge to the 8m high tower which contains a slide at 5m, a small trampoline, interactive water play feature (which replaced the paddling pool), a sand pit with sand diggers, and a concrete skate bowl.

It will be open from 8am to 8pm.