A fantastic new children’s soft play has opened at Prudhoe Waterworld just in time for the school summer holidays. 

The new piece of equipment is set to be a firm favourite with younger visitors and has been installed thanks to £60,000 of funding from Northumberland County Council. 

The woodland wildlife themed softplay incorporates slides, obstacles, balance beams and climbing apparatus spread out over three storeys. 

While the kids are letting off steam sliding and crawling around, parents and carers will have an opportunity to relax in the nearby seating area and get a cuppa and a snack from the cafe. 

Each session lasts 1 hour and 15 minutes and booking can be done via the Places Leisure app. Sessions cost £4.50 for children between the ages of 1- 8 years and £2 for under 1s.  The softplay can be used by all children 8 years of age and under. 

Northumberland County Councillor Jeff Watson, cabinet member for Improving Healthy Lives said: 

“We have an ongoing commitment to continually improve the standards and offer of sports and leisure facilities across the county and Prudhoe Waterworld is one of the centres we are investing in. 
 

“In addition to the softplay we have also committed to invest £1.5million to upgrade and refresh the centre and plans and costings are currently being worked up.” 

Local ward and county councillor Gordon Stewart added: 

“This is an exciting new addition for the town and I am sure it will be really popular and bring hours of fun for families with young children.” 

“It is so important our residents and visitors have great facilities to enjoy their leisure time and physical activity and the softplay will provide a great space for children to have fun, let off steam and be active. “ 
 

Prudhoe Waterworld was opened in 1990 and attracts around 140,000 visitors a year. It features a main pool, wave pool, gym, fitness studio, a café.  The existing soft play was closed last year due to its age. 
 

In recent years the gym and studio areas have been refurbished and the pool plant that runs and heats the pool was also upgraded with more energy efficient and environmentally friendly equipment. 
 

The playpark outside of Waterworld was also rejuvenated in 2020 thanks to £90,000 investment from the county council. 

The investment at Prudhoe is part of a multi million pound investment across the county.