Bedford Oasis Beach Pool

...The most recent being The Bedford Oasis Beach Pool, which we came across on a recent search on the internet.

The internet site was very informative and the photographs displayed looked very inviting, and wanting to amuse the children as well as fit in a little ‘normal’ swimming this seemed to fit the bill very nicely.

Although it was a little further afield we arrived in less time than we expected, driving ...
.../> **Contact Information**
Bedford Oasis Beach Pool
Cardington Road
Bedford
MK42 0BZ

Tel: 01234 272100
Fax: 01234 272088

Opening Times:
Normal programme: 09:45am to 11:00pm (with varied timetable)
Holiday programme: 09:00am to 11:00pm (with varied timetable)  ... more

My fiancé and I like to take our children swimming quite regularly and so have visited quite a few swimming pools in and around the county. The most recent being The Bedford Oasis Beach Pool, which we came across on a recent search on the internet.

The internet site was very informative and the photographs displayed looked very inviting, and wanting to amuse the children as well as fit in a little ‘normal’ swimming this seemed to fit the bill very nicely.

Although it was a little further afield we arrived in less time than we expected, driving at a steady pace on a fine Sunday morning, some would call us Sunday drivers on this occasion but we were in no hurry and so enjoyed listening to the kids guessing where we were going by the road signs and winding each other up in the back. We hadn’t told them we were heading for the pool, as we had secretly stashed the swimming gear in the boot of the car the previous evening, we wanted to ‘surprise’ them and so we did.

OK so what has this pool got to offer… where do I begin??

**Bubble Beds and Bubble Burst!**
In this part of the pool you can sit back and float away your troubles in a separate area of wonderful bubbles. There is a raised area along the edge which you can comfortably sit on (still beneath the water level) and several jets that shoot water from underneath. In the middle of this area are more vigorous jets that shoot quite high out of the water to keep the kids happy. As with all of the other jet systems in the pool, these were turned on and off at different intervals, and so when they were on this part of the pool became very crowded with kids hurling themselves into the water jets from every direction!

**Relaxing Spas**
If you fancy a break from the cooler temperature of the main pool, then head off up the stairs to one of the two warm and relaxing spas. Children must be accompanied by an adult in these areas and only 6 people are allowed in each, as they are fairly cosy. I have to admit after sitting in here for 5 minutes I could have easily stayed put and enjoyed the massaging warm bubbles for the rest of the day, but besides risking ending up looking like a prune the kids dragged me out for yet another ride down the flumes – noooooooooo.

**Wacky Water Flumes**
It made a nice change to be able to stay within the pool area and not disappear up yonder stairs virtually outside the building, half a mile away, freezing your bits off to queue for an hour just to ride a flume that lasts 5 seconds. The flumes here are located in the middle of the main pool area… yes inside!! And up only a few flights of spiral(ish) stairs. When you reach the top you are still able to see most of the main pool below, which is a nice idea, providing you are not scared of heights.

There are 2 flumes here, the 55 metre ‘yellow screamer’ and the 45 metre red turbo ‘flume of doom’. They say that these are two of the greatest water flumes you will ever experience, having been on others I wouldn’t agree totally with that one although they did provide a few rides of fun for me and the kids loved them; perhaps I’m just getting old. Anyway, these flumes are both partly covered and open to add to the enjoyment. At the top it is covered for obvious safety reasons and then once you’ve hurled yourself down and get into the swing of things the cover is removed and those queuing to ride can see you in your full motion glory so watch your expression and mind you’re not wearing a wandering bikini! When you are almost to the end of the ride it is once again covered and you are thrown into a small area of water… now looking at your very best to be greeted by your kids at the bottom saying ‘wow look at your speed’. Yes… these are the first flumes that I have seen with speedometers at the bottom to clock your speed!!

**Beach Area**
For the younger ones this area is designed like the seaside with shallow walk-in water rather than steps, getting deeper the further you go in. It is deep enough for the learners to swim in but also shallow enough to be able to stand. In the centre of this area is a large mushroom fountain which operates on and off throughout your stay… but the fountain shoots out freezing cold water (bbrrrrrrr).

**Beachcomber Café**
Just up a few steps up alongside the pool is a fully licensed café, which boasts an extensive range of hot and cold foods. Being situated only steps away from the pool it is an ideal location to step out and enjoy refreshments before dipping your toes in once again, or for spectating with a newspaper and relaxing in general.

**Outdoor Pool**
From April to October at weekends and holiday weekdays the outdoor pool is a breath of fresh air (obviously weather permitting). Here you can let the gentle flow of the water float away your cares as you let the water guide you around the gentle rapids in the fresh air. When it’s time to return to the rest of the pool, you simply fight against the current and go back through the door where you came out. Although this part of the pool is only suitable for competent swimmers and most swim-aids are not permitted here, the rapids are not that fast and so we found that provided your novice swimmer is accompanied by an adult you will all enjoy the ride in safety.

**Lazy River Ride**
If you fancy taking it easy inside the pool, jump on one of the big floats available and let the indoor mini rapids pull you around before returning you to the main pool at the end.

**Images Health Studio**
Under the same roof here you will also be able to put yourself through a great work out at Images, the health studio.

**Special Sessions**
~~relax and swim~~ the adults chance to take a relaxing swim without children in the pool or the water features on.
~~parent and toddler~~ to help teach the young ones about water.
~~adults only~~ a chance to meet friends and have a good time in a different environment.
~~aquarobics~~ why not try a work out in the water.

**Miscellaneous**
There is a crèche facility for those parents who wish to work out alone, should you arrive and realise you’ve forgotten to pack an item of your swimming gear you can pop in to the Humphrey’s swim shop on site, you can hold kids birthday parties here where they will be let loose to swim have fun and eat and you can also hire the pool for private functions with a difference.

**Overview**
My family and I enjoyed our time at the pool, it cost merely £12 for 5 of us to go in (under 5’s are free) and we spent a good 2/3 hours inside. The pool itself is one complete complex and so once in the water you needn’t get out to join separate bits, which is a nice feature, you just float around into the different areas. The temperature inside the pool was warm compared to other pools we’ve visited, there was always plenty of staff and lifeguards around and with the lockers and changing rooms being just beside the pool we didn’t have to make a hasty exit to a distant and cold part of the building to get changed whilst pneumonia set it. We will definitely be going back!!!

**Contact Information**
Bedford Oasis Beach Pool
Cardington Road
Bedford
MK42 0BZ

Tel: 01234 272100
Fax: 01234 272088

Opening Times:
Normal programme: 09:45am to 11:00pm (with varied timetable)
Holiday programme: 09:00am to 11:00pm (with varied timetable) 

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