Top Picks for London's Fountains to make a splash & Lido's
Appearing Rooms - Southbank
This was installed in 2006 and makes an annual appearance every year. Adults can sip a cocktail or two whilst keeping a watchful eye on the kiddos.
Jets send walls of water high into the air creating 'rooms'; they then disappear as quickly as they emerge. After cooling off - Kids can have a play in the playground which is a little further in between Royal festival Hall and the London eye.
Diana Memorial Fountain - Hyde Park
There are three bridges you can cross into the centre without getting your feet wet: but really, it's a great place for kids (and grown-up kids) to paddle.
The two sides are supposed to represent the two sides of Diana's life: happiness in the calmer pool; and turmoil in the choppy waters.
There's plenty else to do in Hyde park, like the pirate ship afterwards. Just be careful you don't slip, some people have been sent to hospital. Don't let that put you off though!
Granary Square fountains
Granary Square features 1,080 individually controlled and lit water jets. The result is a brilliant splash park for kids of all ages; the perfect way to cool off on a warm day.
They start off quite mellow first thing in the morning (at 7.40am), then get more boisterous as the day goes on.
After dark, their personalities change again, with the addition of colours to the seemingly random squirt patterns.
If you need more excitement from your London play fountain, download the Granary Squirt app: from 4pm-5pm, you and up to eight of your mates can control the fountains from your phone. Yes, really. It's a bit like playing Snake, but wetter.
More London fountains - London Bridge, City Hall
Silly name but 200 play fountains, and some really cool water features.
Approach from the Scoop ampitheatre from London Bridge. The fountains have 200 sprouting jet with views of City Hall and Tower Bridge.
Head off to Borough Market for some well deserved drinks and food after.
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park fountains
Head to the south of the Olympic Park to find the Waterworks Fountains; 195 individual jets creating walls of water in a kind of maze to splash through and cool off.
Just remember: the fountains aren't available on major events days.
John Madejski Garden fountains, V&A
Inside the inner courtyard at the V&A you'll find a calming pool dotted with the occasional fountain water jets.
It's a fantastic space to sit and enjoy some tranquility after the bustle of the museum.
And on hot days, it makes for a very sophisticated, secluded paddling pool.
Edmond J Safra Fountain Court, Somerset House
The 55 jets that make up the playful Edmond J Safra Fountain Court inside Somerset House aren't always available to run around in.
They will be available, however, between 5-17th August.
Russell Square Gardens fountain
The pretty garden in Bloomsbury's Russell Square gained a fountain when it was re-landscaped in 2002.
It gushes from the centre of the square: small, yes, but still offering a perfect paddling opportunity for kids and kidults alike.
