The fun Brentwood splash pad with water jets perfect to cool down in this week's heatwave

Essex is set to bask in glorious sunshine as a heatwave is well and truly here. Many of us in the county will get to enjoy scorching temperatures after months of wet and dreary weather.

It is set to get so hot, that four-day heat alert has been issued for Essex ahead of temperatures expected to reach 26C in the coming week. The yellow alert for heat was issued by the UK Health Security Agency and will be in effect between 8am on Monday (June 24) and 5pm on Thursday (June 27).

The alert said there is potential for 'significant' impacts across health and social care due to high temperatures. A way that many families enjoy to cool off during these hot and sticky summer months is through water - and luckily, Essex has plenty of splash parks and lidos for all to enjoy.

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In one Essex town, a "state of the art" splash pad facility offers a range of entertainment. It even allowed for your four-legged friends to enjoy the water jets too, with the park offering sessions to dogs too!

King George’s Splash Pad in Brentwood offers water jets, fountains, sidewinders, directional jets and a cylinder spray. All sessions are 25 minutes long and all children need to be accompanied by an adult.

In line with guidance, the Splash Pad will only be open when the temperature is 15 degrees or higher, meaning the splash pad can be enjoyed during this heatwave of the mid to late 20C.

All visits must be pre-booked with prices at £4.50. For more information on the splash pad including to book and times its open, click here.

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