Kent has several public leisure centres with flumes and water slides, alongside outdoor pools, lidos and wild-water rapids for family swimming. If you’re looking for swimming pools with slides near you across the UK more broadly, our national guide covers the main options by region. The best options range from Larkfield Leisure Centre’s 60-metre Slipstream waterslide and Space Bowl, to Cascades Leisure Centre in Gravesend with Typhoon and Twister flumes, and The Strand Lido in Gillingham — the only riverside saltwater lido in the UK. This guide covers the pools in Kent that have flumes, water slides and family pool features, along with current prices and facilities.
- Larkfield Leisure Centre (near Maidstone) has the Slipstream 60m waterslide, Space Bowl, Lazy River Rapids and wave machine — adult admission £11.00, family (2 adults + 2 children) £31.50. Leisure pool sessions must be booked in advance.
- Cascades Leisure Centre in Gravesend has Typhoon and Twister flumes alongside a beach-style pool with waves. Managed by GCLL. Open Mon–Fri 6am–8:30pm, Sat–Sun 8am–6pm.
- Maidstone Leisure Centre’s 2024 £3 million refurbishment removed the flume and river rapids; the centre now has a wave machine, Aztec splash pad and a yellow waterslide, with a new focus on younger children’s water play.
- Faversham Pools has wild-water rapids, a toddler pool with slides, and a 33m outdoor pool open May–September (adult £7.00, child £6.00). It is a registered charity providing affordable community swimming.
Kent Leisure Centres with Flumes and Waterslides
The leisure centres in Kent with the most developed flume and slide facilities are concentrated in the Maidstone and Gravesend areas. Most are operated by independent trusts or councils on a casual-admission or membership basis. Booking in advance is required at some venues during school holidays.
Larkfield Leisure Centre
Larkfield Leisure Centre, operated by tmactive in Larkfield near Maidstone, has Kent’s most varied leisure pool: the Slipstream — a 60-metre waterslide — alongside a Space Bowl (a funnel slide), Lazy River Rapids, wave machine, water cannons and spa pool. The centre also has a 25-metre fitness pool, teaching pool and toddler pool. Casual admission prices are: Adult £11.00, Under 3s £1.40, Family (up to 2 adults + 2 children or 1 adult + 3 children) £31.50. Leisure pool sessions must be booked in advance during peak periods due to ongoing changing room renovation works. The centre is off the A20 in Larkfield, approximately 5 miles north of Maidstone town centre.
Cascades Leisure Centre, Gravesend
Cascades Leisure Centre in Gravesend (Thong Lane, DA12 4LG), managed by GCLL (Gravesham Community Leisure Limited), has a beach-style pool heated to 30°C with a tropical beach screen, wave machine, and two named flumes: the Typhoon and Twister. The centre also has a gym and fitness classes. Opening hours are Monday–Friday 6am–8:30pm and Saturday–Sunday 8am–6pm. Contact the centre on 01474 556000 or via gcll.co.uk for current pricing, which is available on a pay-as-you-go or membership basis.
Maidstone Leisure Centre
Maidstone Leisure Centre at Mote Park (ME15 7RN) completed a £3 million refurbishment in 2024 (£2.5 million from the council plus £500,000 from Sport England). During this work, the flume and river rapids were removed — management confirmed the rapids were “no longer functioning effectively” and the flume had “seen better days.” The centre now has an Aztec-themed splash pad with interactive water jets and fountains, a shallow circle pool for younger children, a revitalised wave machine, a yellow waterslide, and a Totem Pole target game. A diving pool and Aqua Challenge remain for older children. Parking is free. Families with older children or those specifically seeking tube flumes should note Larkfield Leisure Centre (5 miles north) as an alternative.
Outdoor Pools and Wild-Water Attractions in Kent
Beyond the indoor leisure centres, Kent has outdoor pools and specialist water facilities worth visiting for family swimming with slides and water features. Two stand out for their distinctive character: Faversham Pools for its wild-water rapids and outdoor pool with springboards, and The Strand Lido for its unique saltwater setting.
The Strand Lido, Gillingham
The Strand Lido in Gillingham is Medway’s only open-air pool and the only riverside lido in the UK that uses filtered saltwater from a river — in this case, the River Medway. The Strand complex includes a main lido, a 300-metre lazy river, slides, paddling pool and sunbathing areas. The pool opens on weekends from May and runs 7 days a week during school summer holidays. Sessions must be booked online in advance; the site is card-only and cash-free. Approximate prices are Adult £6.20, Junior £4.10, Under 3s free. The Strand is operated by Medway Council.
Faversham Pools
Faversham Pools is a registered charity in the heart of Faversham, a short walk from the train station and Faversham’s central car park. The outdoor facilities (open May–September) include a 33m pool with 1m and 3m springboards and a 5m diving board, a wild-water rapids pool with splash zone, and a toddler pool with slides. An indoor heated pool with Jacuzzi is open year-round. Admission: Adult £7.00, Child (3–15 years) £6.00, Under 2 £1.00, Family (up to 5, max 2 adults) £25.00. Annual unlimited swim passes are available at £450.
| Pool / Centre | Location | Key Features | Admission |
|---|---|---|---|
| Larkfield Leisure Centre | Larkfield, near Maidstone | 60m Slipstream slide, Space Bowl, Lazy River, waves | Adult £11.00, Family £31.50 |
| Cascades, Gravesend | Thong Lane, DA12 4LG | Typhoon + Twister flumes, waves, 30°C pool | Pay-as-you-go (contact GCLL) |
| Maidstone Leisure Centre | Mote Park, ME15 7RN | Aztec splash pad, wave machine, yellow slide (flume removed 2024) | Free parking; check maidstoneleisure.com |
| The Strand Lido, Gillingham | Gillingham, Medway | Saltwater riverside lido, 300m lazy river, slides | Adult £6.20, Junior £4.10 |
| Faversham Pools | Faversham town centre | Wild-water rapids, 33m pool, toddler slides | Adult £7.00, Child £6.00, Family £25 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which swimming pools in Kent have flumes?
The main pools in Kent with flumes are Larkfield Leisure Centre (60m Slipstream slide, Space Bowl, Lazy River Rapids) and Cascades Leisure Centre in Gravesend (Typhoon and Twister flumes). Maidstone Leisure Centre removed its flume in 2024 during refurbishment, and now has a yellow waterslide and Aztec splash pad. Faversham Pools has wild-water rapids and outdoor slides. The Strand Lido in Gillingham has a lazy river and slides.
Does Larkfield Leisure Centre have flumes?
Yes — Larkfield Leisure Centre has the Slipstream (60m waterslide), Space Bowl (funnel slide), Lazy River Rapids, wave machine and water cannons. Adult admission is £11.00; family tickets (2+2) are £31.50. Leisure pool sessions must be booked in advance during peak periods. The centre is on the A20 in Larkfield, approximately 5 miles from Maidstone town centre, operated by tmactive.
Does Maidstone Leisure Centre still have a flume?
No — the flume and river rapids at Maidstone Leisure Centre were removed in 2024 as part of a £3 million refurbishment. The centre now has an Aztec-themed splash pad, wave machine, yellow waterslide, shallow pool for younger children, and a Totem Pole water game. A diving pool and Aqua Challenge remain for older children. For tube flumes in the Maidstone area, Larkfield Leisure Centre (5 miles north) has the Slipstream 60m slide and Space Bowl.
What is Cascades Leisure Centre Gravesend?
Cascades Leisure Centre at Thong Lane, Gravesend (DA12 4LG) is a leisure centre managed by GCLL (Gravesham Community Leisure Limited). Its pool complex includes Typhoon and Twister flumes, a tropical beach-style pool heated to 30°C, wave machine and water features. Open Mon–Fri 6am–8:30pm, Sat–Sun 8am–6pm. Pay-as-you-go and membership pricing — contact 01474 556000 or gcll.co.uk for current rates.
Are there any outdoor pools in Kent with slides?
Yes — The Strand Lido in Gillingham is an outdoor saltwater lido (the only riverside saltwater lido in the UK) with a 300-metre lazy river and slides. It opens weekends from May and daily during school summer holidays. Faversham Pools has an outdoor 33m pool, wild-water rapids, toddler slides and springboards, open May–September. Both require advance online booking during peak season.
