Bewl Water near Lamberhurst annouces plans for Bewl Aqua Park

A giant water playground is coming to Kent - just in time for summer.

Plans to open a new 'Total Wipeout' style inflatable water attraction, the first of its kind in Kent, have been revealed by Bewl Water near Lamberhurst.

The 3,000 square metre floating obstacle course, named Bewl Aqua Park, is set to open at the end of May - just in time for summer.

Some of the features of the giant water playground include climbing walls, trampolines, balancing bars, rockers, rollers and blast bags.

Participants must be aged eight and above to take part and be more than 1.2 metres tall (3.9 feet) but there will also be special sessions held for six and seven-year-olds. Everyone aged eight to 15 must also have a responsible adult on the shore for the duration of their session.

All customers must be able to swim at least 50 metres unaided but wearing one of the buoyancy vests provided and everyone will get a 10 minute safety briefing before sessions, which will be timed throughout the day, get underway.

Andrew Daniells, chief operating officer of Markerstudy Leisure which operate Bewl, said: “This is a great attraction that complements our existing activities and will encourage people to get even more active and enjoy the great outdoors."

Bewl is already home to the largest stretch of water in the south east, with a host of activities available on and off the water including fishing, laser challenge, cycling, and sailing.

Similar water park style attractions at Rutland Aqua Park and The New Forest Waterpark have proved ‘immensely popular’, Andrew Daniells added.

Female and male changing including locker space for valuables are going to be provided as well as free parking for participants.

Visitors will be able to book and pay in advance for their session when the attraction is up and running but until then interested course-goers can register an interest by visiting bewlwateraquapark.co.uk

Deirdre Wells, chief executive at Visit Kent said: “We are delighted to be welcoming a brand-new addition to our county’s already impressive tourism offering this summer.

“The aqua park will bring a unique and exciting contribution to Kent and is the first of its kind in the South East of England. We’re hoping for a summer as fantastic as last year’s so our visitors can make the most of everything Kent has to offer.”