With the beautiful weather that we’ve been having here in South Wales throughout May, the question everyone has been wondering is when does Victoria Park Splash Pad re-open for 2023? The Splash Pad is located in the Grade 2 listed park, alongside a large children’s play area, beautiful flower beds, a small sports field, tennis, basketball and 5 a side football courts. It might have opened in 1897 and be one of the oldest parks in South Wales, but Cardiff Council have stepped up their game by adding this free splash park to replace the old Victorian pool.
I use local Facebook groups and must have seen the question “When does Victoria Park Splash Pad open?” and “What time does Victoria Park open and close?” a dozen times in the last few weeks – so I thought I’d write the information out for you!
The answer is Saturday 27th May 2023
Victoria Park Splash pad itself is on the site which used to be a small padding pool but was converted a few years ago. It now has a soft surface to walk on, covered with sprays, jets, a water bucket and more. It’s suitable for everyone from toddlers upwards, but be aware that the water is very cold so is more suitable for those 12 months+.
Victoria Park Splash Pad Opening Times 2023
Victoria Park opens at 7:30am every morning and closes at dusk. It’s open 365 days a year.
Victoria Splash Pad is open every day from Saturday 27th May until the first week of September.
The timings are:
Weekends: 10am to 7pm
Weekdays (term time): 12pm to 7pm
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday (School Holidays): 10am to 7pm
Wednesdays (School Holidays): 11am t o 7pm
There will be additional relaxed sessions for children extra needs held on:
Wednesdays (Term Time): 11am to 12pm
Wednesdays (School Holidays): 10am to 11am
We’ve had some lovely weather so far in 2023 so take advantage of one of Cardiff’s best free children’s attractions and get down to Victoria Park!
Will there be any Coronavirus restrictions?
Cardiff Council have not confirmed if 2023 will have the same coronavirus restrictions, however in 2022 all of the coronavirus restrictions were removed. I will confirm if any additional restrictions are in place upon opening, but it seems unlikely that any additional restrictions will be added this year.
Photos of Victoria Park Splash Pad
It’s quite hard to get photos as Victoria Park does get quite busy and I don’t want to be taking pictures of other peoples children to use on my blog which I’m sure you can appreciate. I managed to take these pictures early on an overcast morning when the Splash Pad was empty.
Victoria Park Splash Pad Amenities
There’s a refreshment kiosk and basic toilet facilities right next to the splash pad and there’s now a new coffee shop/cafe – Bloc Coffi – at the start of the park as well which offers much healthier alternatives to fresh fries and ice cream. Bloc Coffi also has it’s own toilet with a pulldown baby change in it. Finally I can get a fresh coffee first thing in the morning as I walk around. Not to mention Pettigrew Bakeries directly across the road – ideal for grabbing a sandwich and a cake (their brownies are the best I’ve ever tasted!) and eating on the grass.
Note that there are no swimming changing facilities at Victoria Park and the toilets are very basic and not really suitable for changing in – so I’d recommend little ones wear their bathing suits underneath their clothes if going, and take a big towel! The toilet block could use being expanded and modernized, but there’s not a lot of space to work with. There is a pulldown baby change in both the mens and the ladies loo.
There is a single disabled toilet which is accessible with a RADAR key.
Victoria Park and Splash Pad are completely free, with free on-street parking surrounding the park (expect a 5-10 minute walk at very busy times) so this is a really budget-friendly day out for the family. It’s worth noting it is a small park so expect it to be very packed in the summer.
Dogs are allowed in Victoria Park and are allowed off the lead if under control, but are not permitted in the Splash Pad or Children’s Play Areas.
In addition to the splash park, Victoria Park has beach volleyball courts, tennis courts, 5 a side football courts, a large football-suitable field, basketball court, flowerbeds, plenty of seating and a large children’s playground with small zipline.
If you have any questions about Victoria Park and Victoria Park Splash Pad don’t hesitate to leave a comment and I’ll get back to you. I’m lucky enough to have lived an easy walk away for over 10 years now and this is my most visited park in Cardiff.
If you’re looking for more places to go in Cardiff check out these posts:
9 Comments
Thanks for this years update, very much appreciated. Looks like the weather is going to hold for this weekend so we’ll be there.
We went on Saturday and it was very quiet, but I imagine it will get busier with the weather. Looks like a bit of a cloudy and wet half term though.
The splash pad is ace, one of the best free things to do with the kids in a cardiff in the summer. You should do a write up on Ponty Lido, that’s really good too and only a small charge.
Hoping to visit here next Wednesday! Is it likely to be open do you think then? I live in Newport so hoping the journey won’t be wasted if it’s shut 😊
Yes it’s open every day now! Not until 12pm because it’s a weekday/term time though.
Thank you 😊
It is any charge here? From where we can but tickets?
Hi Luciana, the splash pad if a free public facility, no tickets needed, but it can get quite busy!
Is the splash pad going to be open this weekend. I can see it was closed last Sunday for some maintenance.