Many might remember the days of visiting this water park that was renowned for its lagoon and dome ceiling, but today it paints a different picture as its left to rot away10:58, 01 Jul 2026Updated 10:59, 01 Jul 2026When most of us are dreaming about cooling down in an outdoor lido or planning trips to the beach over the weekend amid the blistering UK heatwave, there's one water park that lies eerily abandoned, without a visitor in sight.‌Having opened in 1976, the Oasis Leisure Centre in Swindon, or known simply as Swindon Oasis, became a standout attraction as a swimming pool, sports complex and entertainment venue all rolled into one. The Grade II-listed indoor water park boasted a lagoon, a wave machine, and colourful waterslides underneath its domed roof, providing hours of fun for the kids.‌The area was decorated with artificial rocks and foliage, with smaller slides for the little ones and even an Egyptian statue in one corner. It was once a colourful, vibrant space that has now become a haunting, neglected site.‌But back in the day, for those eager for a night out, there was the concert hall that could seat up to 1,620 people, or hold around 3,000 people standing. It famously hosted the rock band Inspiral Carpets in the early 1990s and even inspired the name of the band Oasis.Liam Gallagher is said to have latched onto the name Oasis after seeing the Swindon leisure centre listed as the venue on the Inspiral Carpets tour poster. Noel had worked with Inspiral Carpets and later joined the band Rain with his brother, Noel Gallagher, and they went on to call themselves Oasis. All thanks to the iconic dome attraction.‌While Oasis never performed at the venue, Liam did appear at the Oasis Leisure Centre in 2011 with his band, Beady Eye. Alongside its high-profile links, the complex welcomed thousands of visitors during its heyday and was one of Wiltshire's most beloved attractions.Yet, all good things come to an end, and after 44 years, the Swindon Oasis closed its doors forever. Its permanent closure in October 2020 followed five months without visitors due to the 2020 lockdowns, which required leisure facilities to halt operations.At the time, operator GLL said: "As a charitable social enterprise, we are not in a position to continue operating a facility that requires capital investment and is losing money, while accruing significant rent liabilities."‌Today, after five years left untouched, it remains eerily neglected. Photos released earlier this year show the inside of the water park rotting away, with its surfaces covered in grime and the remnants of shallow water a murky green.Article continues belowWith rotting slides, rusty rails and faded tiles, it's hard to imagine that just over five years ago, it was the first port of call for families looking for a day out or a dip in its iconic lagoon pool.In 2025, plans were made to replace the sports hall with 700 flats while keeping the swimming pool and dome. While the latter were approved, the council rejected plans for the flats. There were then hopes that it could reopen this year, but its future still remains uncertain.Do you have a travel story to share? Email webtravel@reachplc.com