Quick answer
Do not count on Playworld or the pedalos in November or December 2026. Hemsworth Town Council’s page says it hopes to keep Playworld open until the end of September, weather permitting. It publishes no winter or 2027 dates for Playworld or the pedalos, so phone 01977 617617 before planning either. Out of season, this is a lakeside park at Kinsley with two lakes, sandy beaches, picnic lawns and the Boathouse Café. It is outdoors, so it is not a rainy day pick. Parking is £3.00 per vehicle for all day parking, charged at weekends and in school holidays between 9.00am and 5.00pm. Paddling or swimming is not permitted in the lakes.
Is it right for my child?
- Lake walkers: the council says the park has two lakes. The largest has sandy beaches and is the pedalo lake. The smallest sits in a more secluded area to attract wildlife.
- Picnic and games fans: the council says there are plenty of grassed areas for picnics and games.
- Playworld fans: Playworld is an outdoor adventure playground inside the park, with a tower slide, climbing frames and a toddlers’ sandpit area. The council says it suits children of all ages. Its page gives no winter or 2027 opening dates.
- Young anglers: the council says fishing is available all year round, with child day permits. See the fishing rules below.
- Toddlers and under 5s: the beaches run down to open water. Our own advice, not a council rule, is to keep under 5s within arm’s reach near the lakes and beaches.
Plan your visit: a parent’s checklist
- Phone 01977 617617 first if Playworld or a pedalo ride is the reason for your trip. The council asks visitors to ring in changeable weather to confirm availability.
- Bring £3.00 for parking at a weekend or in the school holidays. Charges apply between 9.00am and 5.00pm. The page does not say how to pay for parking.
- Talk about the water before you set off. Paddling or swimming is not permitted in the lakes, even on the beaches.
- Pack wellies and warm layers for a winter walk, and keep away from any ice on the lakes.
- Leave the barbecue and tent at home. The council says barbecues and camping are not permitted.
Prices and tickets
The council page lists no charge to walk into the park. It lists charges for parking, Playworld, pedalos and fishing.
- Car parking: £3.00 per vehicle for all day parking. Charges are in force on weekends and school holidays between 9.00am and 5.00pm.
- Playworld: £3.00 per child, in its season.
- Pedalos: £8.50 per boat, and each boat seats four. Tickets are sold at the Pedalo pay point, which takes cash and card.
- Fishing day permits: adult £4.50 per peg and child £2.50 per peg, bought at the Water Park. You must give your rod licence number when buying any permit.
Local residents: residents of Hemsworth, Kinsley and Fitzwilliam can get a free parking permit and a free Playworld pass. Take a document showing your name and address to Hemsworth Community Centre.
Pushchairs, babies and toilets
- Paths and pushchairs: the council’s pages do not describe the paths or say whether they suit pushchairs or wheelchairs.
- Toilets and baby changing: the council’s Water Park and Boathouse Café pages do not mention toilets or baby changing. Ask at the café on arrival.
- Playworld for little ones: it has a toddlers’ sandpit area, but the council closes Playworld in wet weather because the surfaces get slippery. Rain the night before can also affect it.
Food and drink
The Boathouse Café is open Monday to Sunday, 9.00am until 5.30pm, the council says. It is the former Beach Shop, renovated as a café with indoor seating and an outdoor seating area. The council says it has views of the park, the lake and the wildlife.
The council says food is freshly cooked to order and that the minimum card spend is £2.50. The menus linked on its page are labelled summer 2026 menus, so check the menu at the counter. The official pages do not mention Christmas or New Year hours for the café.
For picnics, the council points to the grassed areas around the park. Barbecues are not permitted.
Getting there and parking
The council’s sat nav address is Hoyle Mill Road, Kinsley, Pontefract, WF9 5JB. The park is off the B6273, which links the A628 in Hemsworth with the A638 at Nostell.
- By car: cars and pedestrians can enter off Hoyle Mill Road, or directly off the B6273 using the Hemsworth Park Care Centre entrance road. Coaches must enter via Hoyle Mill Road, opposite the Farmers public house in Kinsley.
- Parking charges: £3.00 per vehicle for all day parking, at weekends and in school holidays, 9.00am to 5.00pm. The council page does not mention Blue Badge parking.
- By train: the council says Fitzwilliam is the nearest station, about a 10 minute walk away. It is served by the main Leeds to Doncaster or Leeds to Sheffield routes.
- By bus: the council says a bus stop is directly outside the park. It does not list routes.
When to visit
The council page does not publish opening hours for the park grounds. The Boathouse Café opens daily, 9.00am until 5.30pm.
Playworld: when in season, it opens weekends 10.00am to 5.00pm in term time, and every day 10.00am to 5.00pm in school holidays. It is closed Monday to Friday in term time. The council’s page says it hopes to keep it open until the end of September, weather permitting. It gives no winter or 2027 dates.
Pedalos: the page lists weekends 10.00am to 4.00pm in term time, and every day 10.00am to 4.00pm in school holidays. It gives no season dates. Its page data shows it was last updated in July 2025, so phone before you go.
Playworld and pedalo times are weather permitting, and the council says closures are posted on its social media page. The park does not suggest a visit length.
Frequently asked questions
Is Playworld at Hemsworth Water Park open in winter?
Do not count on it. The council’s page says it hopes to keep Playworld open until the end of September, weather permitting. It gives no winter or 2027 dates.
How much is parking at Hemsworth Water Park?
£3.00 per vehicle for all day parking. Charges are in force on weekends and school holidays between 9.00am and 5.00pm. Residents of Hemsworth, Kinsley and Fitzwilliam can get a free permit.
Can children swim or paddle at Hemsworth Water Park?
No. The council says paddling or swimming is not permitted in its lakes. Wakefield Council’s district water safety advice says open water is never safe to go in or on, even for strong swimmers. It adds that frozen water may look safe to walk on, but it is not.
Is there a café at Hemsworth Water Park?
Yes. The Boathouse Café is open Monday to Sunday, 9.00am until 5.30pm, with indoor and outdoor seating. The minimum card spend is £2.50.
Can children fish at Hemsworth Water Park?
Yes, with a child day permit at £2.50 per peg. Fishing is only from marked pegs, and all fish go back in the lake.
How do you get to Hemsworth Water Park by train?
The council says Fitzwilliam station is about a 10 minute walk from the park. A bus stop is directly outside the park.
Checked on 13 November 2026 against the official Hemsworth Town Council pages for Hemsworth Waterpark and Playworld, the Boathouse Café and services and local amenities, plus Wakefield Council’s water and fire safety page. Prices and times can change, so check before you travel.
