Sandcastle Waterpark (Blackpool)

Sandcastle opened on 26 June 1986 on the site of the former South Shore Open Air Baths as a joint public/private partnership. Operation of the facility was taken back into Blackpool Council ownership in 2003. A significant investment in new attractions costing £5.5M was also agreed, which was delivered in two phases, with the second opening in 2006 on time and on budget. In 2012, Sandcastle opened two new Aztec-themed slides, one with a chamber called 'Aztec Falls', and a toboggan-like slide called 'Montazooma'. Sandcastle Waterpark celebrated its 30th birthday in 2016 with a monthlong series of events involving a variety of local charities and community groups. On 26 June 2016 as part of these celebrations, the waterpark regained the world record for most riders (529) down a waterslide in one hour. The previous record had stood to a Dutch waterpark at 396 riders. In 2022, management of the facility was awarded by Blackpool Council to Merlin Entertainments for a two-year period. By June 2025, Blackpool Council were operating the attraction in-house once again, and in August operation transferred to their new tourism company Blackpool Tourism Ltd. == Slides and attractions ==

Key: Other attractions • Swim Shack – Swimwear and accessories shop • WatersEdge Kitchen/Snack Bar – Food and drink outlet inside the Waterpark • Waterfalls – Food and drink outlet which is accessible to non-swimmers from the Promenade • Treetops Trading Post – Souvenirs and branded merchandise ==World records==

• 2016: Sandcastle Waterpark sets a new world record on Sunday 26 June 2016 for the most people down a waterslide in one hour when 529 people smash the previous record of 396. • 2014: Sandcastle Waterpark took part in the World's Largest Swimming Lesson, helping set the record at 36,564 participants over 22 countries. • 2013: Sandcastle Waterpark took part in the Worlds Largest Swimming Lesson. As part of the event Sandcastle Waterpark was recognised as hosting the largest number of participants in the UK. The Guinness World Record was set at 24,873 participants, 432 facilities in 13 countries. • 2012: Sandcastle Waterpark was an official host location for The World’s Largest Swimming Lesson, which set a new world record on 11 June 2012 for the largest simultaneous swimming lesson ever conducted. • 2008: Ten soldiers set a new world record for the longest distance spent on a water slide. Signaller Mark McCluggage and 9 other soldiers raised over £10,000 for charity by spending 24 hours continually sliding down the Thunderfalls slide. == In popular culture ==

• Mr Tumble and Justin Fletcher from CBeebies filmed at Sandcastle Waterpark for the TV series, Something Special in June 2012. • The Dandy Warhols used footage filmed outside Sandcastle Waterpark in the music video for their single "Autumn Carnival". ==References==