Manchester Dad’s Backyard Water Park Goes Viral

A dad from Wythenshawe has drawn huge attention online after transforming his garden into a mini water park complete with a large swimming pool and waterslide.

Liam Tandy, 40, said the setup was initially kept fairly quiet until a guest staying at a nearby Airbnb filmed it and shared the footage on TikTok. The videos quickly gained widespread attention, with clips showing his son racing down the slide and landing in the pool attracting hundreds of thousands of views.

The mechanic, who has owned the pool since 2024, joked that his impulsive decision-making played a part in the project.

“That’s just how I am,” Liam said. “Once I get an idea in my head, I just have to have it.”

After returning from a summer holiday, he found himself wanting to recreate the poolside experience at home. Having recently moved into a property with a garden for the first time, he decided to make the most of the space.

“I thought, I want my own pool at home,” he explained. “I started looking online before the holiday even ended.”

Liam flattened much of his back garden to fit the 12ft by 24ft pool, which he estimates cost around £1,000. He later added a waterslide using a former playground slide bought on eBay.

Using his mechanical skills, he built a raised platform above his garage roof and attached the slide to it, creating a dramatic route into the pool below.

Despite some people questioning the setup, Liam believes it is safe and says he has taken precautions.

“I’ve made it easy to get up there and put netting around the sides,” he said. “I’ve spoken to my neighbours and they don’t have an issue with it.”

For Liam, the project is ultimately about creating fun family memories.

“As long as my kids are happy, I’m happy,” he said