So, technically this is the Parsons Close Recreation Ground, but everyone knows it as Leighton Buzzard Splash Park. The splash park itself is completely free to visit (which makes it popular when the weather is nice) and over recent years they have added a little beach and a small cafe. There is also plenty of seating, green space and a decent playground so it’s now possible to spend all day here if you want to. In 2022 the playground here was fully refurbished and, whilst not bad before, is now amazing.
The Leighton Buzzard Children’s trail has three sculptures in Parsons Close Recreation Ground (read the review here) That gives you chance for a nice little break if you want to make the trail last longer.
Leighton Buzzard Splash Park
The Leighton Buzzard’s splash park has been here for a few years now and there are always a couple of the sprinklers that aren’t working whenever we visit. That usually doesn’t detract from the fun though! There is a reasonable number of sprinklers and the park is a decent size.
The splash park is right next to the cafe, skate park, playground, toilets and benches so it’s a great place to set up camp if you can get a seat. If not, there is plenty of space to stick a picnic blanket though. It also means that (if you’re not in the splash park with them) you can easily keep an eye on the kids whilst having a coffee. If you’re really lucky you might get a spot under the tree and bag some shade as well!
There are a couple of other things in Parsons Close Recreation Ground that mean a visit to Leighton Buzzard splash park can easily be a full family day out. There’s a beach (which is fenced off so it’s not full of cat poop). You do have to bring your own bucket and spade though. Or, if you’re lucky, you might find the odd toy hidden in the sand if you’re also a rubbish parent like me who forgot to take anything with you!!!
There’s also a good sized skate park which the boys absolutely loved. Again, these are right next to each other so if you had kids of various ages then they could all be doing their own thing but you can keep an eye on them at the same time.
The New Playground at Parsons Close Recreation Ground
In July 2022 the brand new playground at Parsons Close Recreation Ground opened. The main playframe is HUGE, designed to be more accessible (although more on that in a second) and all centres around getting you up to the tower, and down the slide. Despite being accessible via a ramp and having various points of interest for children of all heights and abilities, it very suddenly gets to a point of no return! To actually get to the tower you have to go all ultimate ninja! Except it’s too much for the little ones. There’s an easy route up for them though, you just have stop them before they get stuck!
The toddler area is actually really good as well. It seems to me that too often you only get one of the other that’s good. Not here! There’s two wicked playfames, including one in a sandpit. It’s got hidden fossils, a sand table, digger, pulleys and a sand chute. The smaller one has a climbing wall and a slide.
A favourite bit of mine was the barefoot trail. Considering lots of kids will be barefoot because of the sand pit and/or splash park it makes sense to have one of these. It’s not the most natural barefoot trail (aka it’s not natural at all) but it still serves its purpose.
Accessible equipment
As well as the main playframe being accessible there are several other pieces of equipment that are suitable for children of all abilities or accessible. There’s multiple swings and a roundabout that are both accessible. The heights of several pieces of equipment have been designed for wheelchair access and the large playframe is accessed via a ramp
If alllll of this wasn’t enough they’ve also got every permutation of swing you can think of (including a rope swing and a swing roundabout), rockers, a see-saw, tunnels, zip line, musical instruments and probably some other bits.
Our Parsons Close Recreation Ground and Leighton Buzzard Splash Park Review
This is such a great recreation ground. There’s lots of different parts to it so it’s perfect for families like ours that have a range of ages. The fact you have a cafe and loos means you can very easily spend an entire day here. There is literally nothing rubbish about this place. Okay, actually there are two things that are a bit rubbish about this place. 1) Sometimes there is a lot of litter around. I don’t blame the council for not picking it up because it’s clearly not old litter. I blame people for being too lazy to use the various bins right in front of them.
Then there’s 2) I lost Smallest Child here. Like properly, getting multiple parents to look for her shouting at the top of my lungs lost. I couldn’t find her anywhere. She was on the playground apparently, and she wasn’t hiding, but when it’s busy, the new playground is a bit rubbish for visibility. A wonderful woman found her for me. I still don’t know where she actually was. I was too busy crying, hugging SC and thanking the lady to ask!
Admission Cost
Free
Parking / How to get there
There’a a car park right around the corner on Duncombe Drive (LU7 1SD). Charges start at 50p for 30 mins. It’s £4 for 5 hours. Tuesday 1-6, Saturday 1-6, Sunday and Bank Holidays all free. You can pay with cash, card or on your mobile.
What Three Words for the splash park (because it’s not really on a road!) is ruins.vital.loops
Food
Cafe on-site. There’s plenty of benches and of course picnics are welcome
Toilets
There are toilets on site. They’re public toilets so they’re not exactly plush but they serve their purpose and actually they’re quite clean.
Hi, I’m Vicky. My husband and I live in Aylesbury with our three children; a 14 year old son, an 12 year old son and a 6 year old daughter. I (mostly) love spending time together as a family. We visit all kinds of places and we’re quite happy to drive a fair distance for a decent day out. A few years ago I decided to set up Free Time with the Kids as a way to share our experiences of these family days out.
You’ll find the essential information you need to know before your visit that can be surprisingly hard to find out. Where do I park? How much will it cost me to get in? Are there any discounts available? Are there loos? Can I take a picnic or get food? My aim is to be your go-to guide for all your free and cheap family days out across Bucks, Beds, Oxon, Herts & slightly beyond. I really hope you find the reviews helpful. If there’s anywhere that you’d recommend please get in touch contact@freetimewiththekids.com or get in touch via Facebook