Planning permission has now been granted for the Isle of Wight’s first outdoor, floating, inflatable Aqua Park to be constructed at Tapnell Farm, with plans to open Spring next year. Around 6 new jobs will be created.
Located in the centre of Tapnell Farm, the Aqua Park lake (measuring approximately 50m x 80m) will feature a floating, inflatable course with a range of obstacles, suitable for confident swimmers and fun lovers. There will also be a safe area for recreational use; kayaking, paddle-boarding, free swimming and having fun! Operating separately to the existing businesses at Tapnell Farm, the Aqua Park will also include shower and changing facilities and a viewing platform allowing spectators to join in the fun too.
Tom Turney, owner of Tapnell Farm, said, “We are continually looking at new ways to diversify our tourism offer, extend the season and attract new visitors. We are delighted to be opening the Isle of Wight’s first outdoor, floating, inflatable Aqua Park at Tapnell Farm next year. It will not only fill the current gap in the market but provide a safe outdoor water sport facility on the Island for both Islanders and visitors to enjoy. The Aqua Park has been designed to complement everything else we have on-site; the accommodation, Farm Park attraction and The Cow Restaurant & Bar, with the intention that the Aqua Park gives visitors even more reason to enjoy a whole day at the farm.”
The Aqua Park assault course is being designed specifically for Tapnell Farm to create a water attraction the whole family can enjoy. It is envisaged that the Aqua Park will be open for the season from May – September when the weather is warmer, making it a more enjoyable experience for all visitors, including school groups.
Will Myles, Managing Director, Visit Isle of Wight, said, “This is an amazing addition to both Tapnell Farm and the Island’s tourism products, another reason for visitors to come to the Isle of Wight and discover what is on offer. It is testament to the vision and continuing investment by the Turney Family and it is fascinating to watch diversification taking place before our very eyes at this award-winning location.”
Councillor, Wayne Whittle, said, “It’s good to see a great Island family attraction investing in its leisure offer and growing to meet market expectations. The regeneration of Tapnell Farm gains a head of steam, I wish them every success for this and coming seasons.”
As part of the development at Tapnell Farm, the existing animal encounter will be moved to an improved, purpose-built area within the paddocks. Improvements will also be made to the main road junction to cater for anticipated additional traffic.
Run by the Turney Family for almost 40 years, Tapnell Farm used to be one of the biggest dairy farms on the Island with over 800 cows producing an amazing 24,000 litres of milk every day. Today, it is the Isle of Wight’s leading eco-tourism business and home to award-winning Tom’s Eco Lodge glamping accommodation, Tapnell Farm Park, an award-winning all-weather family attraction and The Cow Restaurant & Bar.
Sustainability is at the heart of everything the company does, whether it’s taking water from the on-site bore hole to supply the Farm and accommodation, using the sun to make electricity for hundreds of homes, powering their heating systems with their own biomass boiler or growing acres of new woodland and hedgerows – their over-riding ethos is to have minimum impact on the environment.
