Thousands of visitors help make the Riverside summer season a sizzler!
Published 21 October 2025
Over 22,000 visitors enjoyed the facilities at Riverside Park and Pools in Wallingford this summer.
South Oxfordshire District Council and its leisure provider GLL, who manage the site at Riverside Park and Pools on behalf of the council, saw a 45 per cent increase in visitors compared to 2024.
The pool remained a vibrant hub of activity throughout the summer, with a strong community of regular swimmers keeping the energy high even on rainy days and the splash pad, which was refurbished in 2023, was as popular as ever with young families.
Earlier this year a range of accessible improvements were made to the site, including the installation of Changes Places facilities and work was carried out on the existing access path, roadway, ramp and moorings to provide easy access for people with disabilities and to enhance the whole riverside site for visitors use and enjoy.
The summer season featured a variety of activities, including aqua aerobics and Summer Solstice Swim. Thanks to the dedication of staff and the enthusiasm of local residents, the pool was rarely empty, proving its value as a cherished community asset. The Better leisure team hosted a First Aid and Water Safety Day, handing out information on water safety to raise awareness on the hidden dangers of swimming in the river.
The end of the season also saw the return of the very popular Dog Swims, with a high number of bookings, building on last year’s success.
The campsite also had another successful season, with consistently positive feedback from guests praising the cleanliness of the facilities and the smooth operation of the site. Occupancy remained strong throughout the summer, with most weekends fully booked.
A key highlight this year was the introduction of an additional camping plot, which allowed more visitors to use the site, while enhancing the overall layout and atmosphere.
Cllr Georgina Heritage, Cabinet Member for Communities at South Oxfordshire District Council said: “Riverside Park and Pools has once again proven to be a cornerstone of community life in Wallingford. This summer’s incredible turnout highlights the value of inclusive, well-run spaces where residents of all ages can come together, stay active, and feel connected.”
Kevin Williams Partnership Manager – South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse at GLL said “Our 2025 summer season has been hugely successful, seeing a 44 per cent increase in visitors compared to 2024.
“We welcomed both visitors to the town and a strong community of regular swimmers, while our programme of activities including weekly Aqua Aerobics proved very popular. We also hosted a number of ‘one off’ events such as the Summer Solstice Swim and to round off the season, our very popular Dog Swim. We hope to build on these successes next year.”
Looking ahead to next season, the council and its leisure provider are planning to introduce clearer signage to help guests easily identify their plots on the campsite, and plan for another successful summer.
