flume

COAST MEETS COMFORT

Posted on November 12, 2025

THE OUTDOOR HEATED pool is the perfect spot to soak up summer sunshine.

 

We visit Whitecliff Bay Holiday Park, a perfect balance of seaside adventure, on-park facilities, and mopdern accommodation...

Located on the eastern coastline of the Isle of Wight and just a short ferry ride from the mainland, Whitecliff Bay Holiday Park is a destination that blends natural beauty with family-friendly fun.

Operated by Away Resorts, the park has established itself as one of the island’s most inviting spots for holidaymakers looking for a mix of seaside relaxation, outdoor adventure, and entertainment on tap.

Whether visiting for a short break or a longer summer getaway, guests quickly discover that Whitecliff Bay is more than just a holiday park – it’s an experience that leaves lasting memories.

A LOCATION LIKE NO OTHER
The park’s crown jewel is undoubtedly its secluded sandy beach. Accessible only through the park or via a coastal path, this stretch of golden shoreline offers the kind of tranquillity and exclusivity that’s rare in today’s busy holiday destinations.

Families can spend hours here paddling in the surf, building sandcastles, or simply enjoying the views across the English Channel. For couples or solo travellers, the beach provides a serene escape, particularly at sunrise or sunset when the cliffs glow with a distinctive hue that gives Whitecliff Bay its name.

FOUR-LEGGED GUESTS are greeted with their very own welcome pack

ACCOMMODATION FOR EVERY STYLE AND BUDGET
One of Whitecliff Bay’s greatest strengths is the range of accommodation available. From exclusive luxury lodges equipped with hot tubs and contemporary interiors, to classic caravans, chalets, and camping pitches for those who prefer a more back-to-nature experience, there’s something for every type of visitor.

Families often gravitate towards spacious lodges with modern kitchens and open-plan living areas, while younger groups and couples enjoy the flexibility of affordable chalets and caravans. Campers are well-catered for too, with well-maintained pitches and access to on-site facilities, making it easy to combine a traditional camping holiday with the perks of a full-service holiday park.

A WEALTH OF FACILITIES
Whitecliff Bay Holiday Park doesn’t just rely on its stunning location to keep guests entertained. The facilities on offer rival those of larger resorts, giving visitors plenty to do whatever the weather. The indoor pool, complete with flume, is a family favourite, while the outdoor heated pool is perfect for lazy summer afternoons.

Younger children love the adventure playground, and the crazy golf course provides light-hearted competition for all ages. The arcade and on-site launderette ensure practical needs are met, while the bike hire service opens up a world of exploration, allowing guests to discover the island’s scenic cycling routes.

A well-stocked shop and welcoming reception make daily life on the park straightforward, while the on-site bar and club deliver entertainment and dining options that extend the holiday mood long into the evening.

A coastal escape where relaxation meets adventure!

FOOD, DRINK, AND ENTERTAINMENT
No holiday is complete without good food and lively entertainment, and Whitecliff Bay delivers on both counts. The bar and club are the social hubs of the park, offering everything from family-friendly performances and themed evenings to more relaxed dining experiences.

During peak holiday periods, Away Resorts often organises special entertainment programmes, with activities ranging from live music and kids’ clubs to outdoor cinema screenings. It’s this sense of community and vibrancy that makes a stay here feel like much more than just a trip away – it’s a chance to immerse yourself in a ready-made holiday atmosphere.

EXPLORING THE ISLE OF WIGHT
While the park offers more than enough to keep families busy, its location makes it an ideal base for exploring the wider Isle of Wight. Just a short drive away, visitors can discover iconic landmarks such as Bembridge Windmill, the Isle of Wight Zoo, and the dramatic Culver Down.

The island is known for its mild climate, scenic countryside, and abundance of attractions, from historic castles to adventure parks, making it a destination in its own right. With bike hire available on site, even car-free holidays are made easy, allowing guests to enjoy the island at a leisurely pace.

WHETHER IT’S A LUXURY LODGE with a hot tub or a cosy caravan, there’s accommodation for every style occasion

PERFECT FOR FAMILIES, COUPLES, AND GROUPS
Whitecliff Bay Holiday Park strikes a balance that appeals to a broad audience. Families love the safe beach, pools, and child-friendly facilities; couples enjoy the romantic coastal setting and peaceful walks; and groups of friends find plenty of opportunities for fun, whether on the beach, in the bar, or exploring the island together.

The variety of accommodation ensures that everyone, from luxury-seekers to budget-conscious travellers, feels at home. Whitecliff Bay Holiday Park on the Isle of Wight encapsulates the best of the British seaside holiday tradition while offering modern comforts and a wide range of facilities.

Its stunning private beach sets it apart, while its excellent accommodation, family-friendly activities, and vibrant entertainment make it a destination that keeps guests coming back year after year. For those seeking a coastal escape where relaxation meets adventure, Whitecliff Bay is a holiday park that truly delivers.

Whitecliff Bay Holiday Park
0333 242 9852
www.awayresorts.co.uk/parks/isle-of-wight/whitecliff-bay/

MAKING A SPLASH

Posted on July 31, 2025

Unlocking the potential of swimming pool at your site...

From serene morning swims to chaotic family splash sessions, swimming pools have long been a key draw for holidaymakers across the UK.

Whether it’s the thrill of a flume, the sensory joy of a splashpad, or the luxurious calm of a hot tub, aquatic attractions continue to be a powerful way for holiday parks to boost appeal, increase bookings, and improve guest satisfaction.

But in 2025, swimming pools are not just about water, they’re about experience, safety, accessibility and even profitability.

"Swimming pools are not just about water, they're about experience, safety, accessibility and even profitability."

A POOL IS JUST THE BEGINNING
A well-designed pool area is more than a place to cool off. It’s a hub of activity, a selling point on brochures, and increasingly, a profit centre in its own right. That’s where specialists like Ustigate Waterplay come in.

Their installations go beyond traditional pools to create immersive aquatic play spaces that work for all ages and abilities — even where space or staffing is limited. Ustigate’s innovative splash pads, for instance, are especially well suited for holiday parks. Because they don’t have any standing water, they require no lifeguards, and are therefore low-maintenance, safe, and accessible.

They’re perfect for outdoor play areas and create fantastic visual impact, with over 15 features capable of running from the same water management system as a traditional pool. According to Ustigate, the modern pool experience should not “stand alone.” It should be part of a broader strategy to maximise fun, inclusivity, and efficiency in every square foot.

Their installations often include lazy rivers, interactive water cannons, and customisable water features designed by their long-standing partner, Vortex Aquatic Structures International Inc, who offer a portfolio of over 300 products. We create a space that entertains a multitude of guests simultaneously, whether that’s kids racing through water tunnels, teens battling with spray cannons, or families relaxing under shaded structures by the pool.

FOR LEISURE OPERATORS, water testing isn’t just a routine task, it’s a critical part of keeping guests safe and happy.

TESTING TIMES
However fun or visually impressive your aquatic offering might be, nothing is more important than safety and that starts with the water itself. Enter The Tintometer Ltd, who provide vital equipment for routine and regulated water testing in pools and spas.

Their Lovibond® MD150 photometer is fast becoming a go-to for leisure operators across the UK, especially in parks with multiple facilities or hot tubs in private lodges. The MD150 allows for accurate and efficient testing of chlorine, bromine, pH, calcium hardness, alkalinity and cyanuric acid — all with a user-friendly digital interface.

Crucially, it also helps parks comply with HSG282, the Health and Safety Executive’s guidance for hot tubs and spa pools — which are now widely featured in glamping pods, luxury lodges and cabins. “Accurate, fast testing isn’t just about compliance,” says a spokesperson from The Tintometer Ltd.

“It’s about protecting your guests, your staff, and your reputation. The MD150 gives operators the tools they need to meet the high expectations of health officers, insurers and today’s savvy holidaymakers.” The device’s portability makes it ideal for large sites, and ongoing service and calibration support helps ensure long-term performance and peace of mind.

SPLASH ABOUT provide bespoke retail solutions and branded products, giving your swimming pool facilities the retail wow factor.

TURNING POOLS INTO PROFIT CENTRES
Swimming pools have traditionally been considered a cost centre — expensive to maintain, staff and heat. But what if they could generate income too? That’s the question answered by Splash About, who are helping holiday parks across the UK transform poolside areas into high-performing retail spaces.

Working with over 85% of UK holiday park operators, including household names like Haven and Center Parcs, Splash About brings what they call “retail theatre” to poolside merchandising. Their formula is simple but powerful: great products, clever displays, and a smart stock management system.

From UV-protective wetsuits and swim nappies to toys and goggles, Splash About offers a full range of swim and water play products. These are merchandised on custom-designed, durable displays that thrive in the humid, high-traffic poolside environment. Their unique back-end portal system even automates reordering, keeping shelves looking full without overloading on-site storage.

“This approach works,” says Managing Director Lesley Beach. “Some of our partners have seen poolside retail quadruple, moving pools from cost centres to profit centres.” For holiday parks looking to add a revenue stream without expanding their footprint, this is a proven solution.

THE YORKSHIRE SPA RETREAT were crowned overall Winner of Holiday Park Pool of the Year in the 2023 UK Pool & Spa Awards.

RECOGNISING EXCELLENCE
Of course, the holiday park industry is filled with innovation, creativity and quality — all of which are celebrated at the UK Pool & Spa Awards. These prestigious awards recognise excellence in design, management, and customer experience across all sectors of the wet leisure industry.

For holiday park operators, it’s a chance to benchmark standards, discover new suppliers, and even gain a valuable marketing edge by being shortlisted or winning an award.

From eco-conscious filtration systems to high-tech water features and inclusive splash zones, the awards provide a snapshot of the very best in British pool design and operation.

If you’re proud of your pool facilities, whether newly installed or lovingly maintained, the UK Pool & Spa Awards are a brilliant opportunity to showcase your efforts and earn industry recognition.

A USTIGATE SPLASHPAD is great because it offers water play without water depth, making it inclusive, accessible, safe and fun for everyone.

PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE
The way guests use pools is changing. They want more than just a dip, they want experiences, comfort, and personalisation. Meanwhile, operators need to balance this with safety, staffing, sustainability, and space constraints.

Today’s swimming pool offering needs to work hard, not just during peak summer weeks but year-round, come rain or shine. That might mean adding a heated splashpad for shoulder season appeal, investing in automated water testing to free up staff time, or turning your poolside into a miniature high street.

Whatever the size or style of your site, there are now smarter, safer, and more profitable ways to use aquatic facilities to their fullest. Whether you’re running a coastal caravan park, a woodland glamping retreat or a luxury resort, your pool can be a standout feature — one that guests remember, share, and return for. Now might just be the time to dive in!

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Lovibond Water Testing
www.lovibond.com

Splash About
www.splashabout.com

Ustigate Waterplay
www.ustigatewaterplay.co.uk

UK Pool & Spa Awards
www.ukpoolandspaawards.co.uk

THRILLS AND SPILLS

Posted on April 27, 2022

THRILLS AND SPILLS

Why settle for a pool when you can have an aquatic playground…

BODY SLIDES or board ‘n rides come with huge visitor appeal.

With the vast array of add-ons that are now available, mean that even the most modest swimming pool can be transformed into an aquatic playgrounds. A plethora of waterslide options offer varying journeys at a choice of speeds and travel in either an open or closed flume. A great water attraction is one that provides a form of aquatic play for everyone. An aquatic feature should be designed and developed to spontaneously entertain many visitors throughout its hours of operation. Body slides and waterslides sometimes require a raft to board and ride with some starting inside, venturing outside before completing the journey back indoors.

A GREAT WATER attraction is one that provides a form of aquatic play for everyone.


TOUCH PADS

Start and stop systems, with touchpad sensors and speedometers for competitive games, offer special effects such as LED rings, transparent sections and video projectors that provide virtual reality experiences. Boasting a fleet of engineers and an impressive 56 years of experience, aquatic play specialists, Ustigate, meet every enquiry with fresh eyes. Ustigate provide a full turnkey solution in the design, build and maintenance of water attractions and are proud to have designed and built over 100 water features and more than 100 aquatic play facilities as they approach their sixth decade in business.

“Our team expertise and experience expands with every project and more knowledge coupled with evolving modern technology enables us to conserve more and utilise wisely,” explains Ustigate’s Michelle Minns-Sykes. “It is an exciting industry to work in and our collaborations, team, partnerships and products enable us to move with the times and remain at the height of aquatic innovation and efficiency,” Michelle continues. “Our dedication is enhancing inclusive aquatic environments for everyone to enjoy whether it be a calming water feature or a large tipping bucket or faster flume that thrills.”

USTIGATE was a key supplier in the award-winning The Wave swimming pool design in Coventry.

UNIVERSAL APPEAL

Offering to deliver an inclusive aquatic play scheme that is fun for friends, families, all ages and abilities, Ustigate partner with global aquatic play giants, Vortex, for projects and products that have proven to last the test of time. “The best factor in our line of work is the ability to excite and exercise an inclusive audience at the same time,” says Michelle.

Ustigate Waterplay and Vortex International now offer much more choice and much more play value; there is a choice of 150+ Splashpad® Products and plentiful ground sprays too. The majority of the products are available with a Safeswap™ anchor enabling the exchange of products in the future, without the need to break the ground. A Safeswap™ anchor can be seen with an above ground item, a ground spray or capped.

This enables a splashpad to be built in phases and it also ensures the aquatic play facility will remain modern in years to come as new products can be easily introduced in the future. It is not just the product choices that have upped the aquatic play game. Vortex have incorporated a number of technologies into their product line; making play items more interactive and aquatic play activities more physical and fun.

EVEN MODEST SPACES can be transformed into an aquatic playgrounds. Pic. Ustigate.

INTERACTIVE FUN

Examples are the award-winning Explora collection that engages children to move, push, pull, spin and splash and a family of flush mounted features called Hop that invite children to bounce and splash. The technologies Turntec™ and Twirltec™ invite children to rotate features a full 360° which places the water direction in their excitable hands. Features that include Twirltec™ also provide the ability to rotate and create attractive, spiralling water patterns.

Ground sprays are offered in all shapes, sizes and heights; some arrive with gusto and others provide a nice gentle water effect, perfect to tickle the toes of novices arriving to experience water play for the first time. “A benefit of water play is that it engages children to interact with each other and this promotes positive social development,” Michelle points out. “The aquatic play activities that excite and exercise promote both physical and mental wellbeing.

Michelle says: “Timescales are generally no more than 12 weeks to finalise a design, procure, construct, complete, carry out a water test, commission, provide staff training and handover. “There is not a generic figure that can be produced for a project because all projects are unique in terms of the scheme, location and installation – the play value, plant room and connection to services.” An enquiry begins with gathering information, a meeting, site survey and design brief. So start gathering those aquatic play ideas straight away.

Ustigate Water Play
Tel. 01322 424445
sales@ustigate.co.uk
www.ustigatewaterplay.co.uk