⛱️ Our ever popular beach will be back on the Market Place, Hitchin for 6 weeks during the summer holidays! Running from 20th July until 31st August 2026, 10am until 4pm!

🤩 WHAT TO EXPECT
Sands, buckets and spades, music and deck chairs will turn this part of Hitchin into the seaside!

🎨 THURSDAY'S IN AUGUST 2026
Also, every Thursday in August, Cutie Mark Face Painting, will be there to add to the fun atmosphere (they accept both cash and cards).

📖 FRIDAY'S IN JULY & AUGUST 2026
We have an exciting addition to this year’s Hitchin Beach. Please join us for our free Hitchin Beach Time Stories sessions every Friday morning!

These interactive story sessions are perfect for pre-school children to enjoy with their parent/carer and will be delivered by the wonderful teams from Hitchin Library and Next Page Books.

The beach is supported by Brookers and Sponsored by Cloud Nine Baby and The Puppet Company.

💦 WHAT ELSE TO DO?
There is a Free Splash Park & play park at Bancroft Recreation Ground, Hitchin.

🌞 Ready for a summer adventure? 
Bring the whole family along to Jordans Mill and join our Summer Games Trail this 2026. A fun challenge that turns your visit into a playful quest around our beautiful grounds.

🗓 2026 DATES
▪️Saturday 18th July – Wednesday 2nd September 2026 (Open 7 days a week)

⏰ Time: 9:30am – 3:30pm

🤩 WHAT TO EXPECT
Take on 10 exciting games and activities along the trail, including a 50m sprint, football shootout, limbo challenge, pinball game, obstacle course and more. Record your scores as you go and see if you can become the ultimate Summer Games champion!

☕️ THE RIVERSIDE CAFE
Details & menus can be seen here.

💷 COST: £4 per child
Includes trail sheet and a prize. No booking required. Pay on entry.

👀 HAVEN'T BEEN BEFORE?
Check out Whatsup Bedfordshire's Facebook Post from a previous visit here.

🌸 Join us on THE LAWN at Waresley Park Garden Centre this August 2026 for a delightful summer escape!

🗓 2026 DATES
▪️1st August - 31st August 2026

🤩 WHAT TO EXPECT
Dive into affordable family fun with an array of lawn games and activities perfect for children!

Savour our special summer menu & tuck in to delicious ice creams. Picnic blankets will be provided, but please feel free to bring your own. No booking is required - just bring your loved ones and enjoy the sunshine!

📖 MENU
You can view the menus here.

🥪 CAFE OPENING TIMES
▪️Mon - Sat: 9.00am - 4.45pm
▪️Sun: 9.30am - 3.30pm

​🐶 DOG INFORMATION
Although dogs are welcome throughout the shop, our Café is a dog free area (except assistance dogs). Dogs are allowed on our outdoor patio, which can be accessed via the plant canopy.

♿️ ACCESSIBILITY

ℹ️ ENQUIRIES
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us: 01767 650249 or info@waresley.co.uk

💦 Have splash-tastic fun exploring our 2 giant inflatable Aqua Park courses on the lake. Buoyancy aid, safety briefing & free car parking included! Click Here To Find Out More!

🗓 SUMMER 2026 TIMES
▪️Monday - Friday: 12pm - 5pm
▪️Saturday- Sunday: 11am - 4pm

👨‍👦‍👦AGE & HEIGHT RESTRICTIONS
Must be aged 6yrs + and over 1.1m tall (110cm+)

🤩 WHAT TO EXPECT
Our Aqua Park is suitable for all ages 6yrs+ and over 1.1m tall. The ultimate outdoor watersports experience for families & groups - climb, leap, bounce & splash your way around both inflatable courses packed with fun obstacles. Explore 2 giant courses during your session (rotating after 30-mins) - twice the fun for the same price! How long will you stay dry?

🧦 Grip socks (or soft-sole water shoes): Optional, but recommended for extra comfort and grip. Socks are available to buy on the day. Wetsuits are also optional, but recommended & can hired on the day or pre-booked.

🏊‍♂️ Participants must be able to swim at least 50 metres while wearing a buoyancy aid and be comfortable falling into open water.

👨‍👧‍👦 Children aged 6-9yrs:
Must be accompanied by an adult on the Aqua Park aged 17yrs+ (1 adult : 3 kids ratio).

👨‍👦Child Supervision Policy:
For the safety and wellbeing of all guests, children aged 16 years and under must remain under the supervision of a responsible adult (aged 17 years or over) at all times while on site.

🕙 Arrival Times:
Please check-in at least 45 minutes before your session. This gives you time to check-in at reception, kit up & attend the group safety briefing (10-mins before). If you’re running late, we’ll do our best to get you onto your booked session, but this may require re-scheduling to the next available session or day.

🌧 Cancellations & Weather:
All bookings are non-refundable. However, if you notify us more than 7 working days prior to your scheduled session, we’ll be happy to discuss rescheduling your booking or issuing a credit for future use.

In the event of extreme weather conditions - such as lightning, high winds or flooding - Box End Park may need to cancel sessions for safety reasons. Should this occur, we will offer the option to reschedule your booking or provide a credit.

🎟 TICKET COST
▪️Individual Ticket: £17.50
▪️4-Person Ticket: £60.00

🎫 OPTIONAL COSTS
▪️Wetsuit Hire: £5.00
▪️Grip Socks: £2.50

ℹ️ ENQUIRIES
📧 Email: info@boxendpark.com

⛱️ We've brought your seaside holiday to Rushden Lakes this summer 2026, and we want you to come and have fun open untill Monday 31st August 2026.

🗓 OPENING TIMES (Weather Permitting)
▪️Monday - Friday: 10am - 7pm
▪️Saturday: 10am - 8pm
▪️Sunday: 10am - 7pm

🧒 RESTRICTIONS
Up to 30 children on each beach at any one time.

🦆GAMES
It's not just the beach you'll find here; we've rolled back the years with a Hook a Duck stall, Alley Can game and Darts. Try your best and win prizes!

🍓 SUMMER TREATS
Summer holidays wouldn't be complete without delicious goodies. Enjoy Chocolate strawberries, Greek wraps, Churros, Slush, Eton Mess and Sweets!

🐶 Dog Information
Dogs are welcome at Rushden Lakes, whilst on a lead, but pets are not permitted within the sand play area.

♿️ Is the beach wheelchair and pushchair accessible?
The surrounding event area is accessible, although movement on sand may be more difficult for some wheelchairs and pushchairs.