Blackburn with Darwen's leisure team has put two new things into Darwen Leisure Centre on The Green. Total Splash Out is a giant inflatable that floats on the main pool, packed with slides, obstacles and splash zones, and the council bills it as the largest pool inflatable in the North West. Total Tots is a small indoor soft play inflatable for babies to five year olds, with mini slides, soft climbing and balance obstacles.
Splash Out is for over-5s only, and under-8s must have an adult with them. Sessions last an hour, are all ticketed and cost £9.50 a person at the introductory rate. The first ten minutes go on fitting buoyancy aids and a safety briefing, so be on time. Sundays run at 11am, 12.30pm and 2pm, and resume on 18 October after a break for events.
Total Tots is £3.50 a child, no booking, Tuesdays and Thursdays 9am to 3pm and Saturdays 10am to 4pm. The changing rooms are a family village with big cubicles and baby change, which helps with mixed broods. Parking on site is free for three hours if you log your registration at reception. Wet-side lockers take a returnable £1 coin. The centre opens until 5pm at weekends, and there is a 25m pool and a teaching pool for ordinary swims.
What it costs: Total Splash Out: £9.50 a person (introductory rate), all sessions ticketed, over-5s only. Total Tots: £3.50 per toddler, pay and play, no booking. Free parking for up to 3 hours for centre users.
Worth knowing: Pool inflatable is for over-5s only.
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