We all love theme parks! You can’t beat that thrill of going on a ride, whizzing down a roller coaster and a day full of adventure and fun. We are lucky in the UK to have a fair few dotted around the country. Our list of the best theme parks in the UK will help you choose the perfect one for you.
Alton Towers
Alton, Stoke-on-Trent ST10 4DB
Alton Towers Resort is a theme park and resort complex in Staffordshire. They have themed hotels, stargazing pods, and an Enchanted Village set in over 500 acres of countryside. Originally inspired by Disneyland, the modern park was designed to be home to multiple spaces. The theme park opening at Alton Towers included the Corkscrew – Britain’s first double-loop roller coaster – plus the Pirate Ship, Cine 2000 and the Wildlife Museum. Alton Towers is the largest theme park in the UK, spanning 550 acres of land, and it is home to over 40 rides and attractions. The main ten main rollercoasters are the stars of the show, each with record-breaking elements. With 20 attractions aimed at young children and families, Alton Towers is the only place in the UK where you can meet some of CBeebies best-loved characters.
Thorpe Park
Chertsey KT16 8PN
Thorpe Park Resort is an amusement park located in the village of Thorpe between the towns of Chertsey and Staines-upon-Thames in Surrey. It is home to thrilling rides, attractions, live events and a themed hotel. It features some of the UK’s most popular roller coasters and amusement park rides. Stealth is the UK’s fastest roller coaster launching riders to 205ft at 80mph in just 2.5 seconds. Take flight on Swarm, or face one of Jigsaw’s most twisted traps with Saw – The Ride, the world’s first horror-themed roller coaster featuring a 100ft “beyond-vertical” drop. Plunge down the 85ft drop on Tidal Wave, get drenched on the 64ft descent on Storm Surge and play splash roulette on the Island’s ferocious Rumba Rapids as you experience the UK’s wettest water rides.
Drayton Manor
https://www.draytonmanor.co.uk/
Fazeley, Mile Oak, Tamworth B78 3TW
Drayton Manor Resort is a family theme park, zoo and accommodation on the grounds of the former Drayton Manor in Drayton Bassett, Staffordshire. Drayton Manor Resort has over 50 theme park rides and attractions, including plenty of family fun rides, Europe’s only Thomas Land, a 15-acre zoo, and a 4-star onsite hotel. They welcome guests of all ages here at Drayton Manor Park, but the minimum age unsupervised is 12. Children under 12 must be supervised by a responsible adult aged 18 or above.
Chessington World of Adventures
Chessington KT9 2NE
Chessington World of Adventures Resort is a theme park, zoo and hotel complex in Chessington, Greater London. The theme park consists of over 10 Themed lands from Wild Asia to Wanyama. Vampire is Chessington’s largest roller coaster, offering guests the chance to take a ride from Dracula’s gothic-themed Castle and fly through the woodland graveyard like a vampire bat before climbing high over the rooftops of the nearby Transylvanian village. Chessington World of Adventures Resort also has a fantastic variety of rides and attractions, including a Zoo and SEA LIFE Centre and Go Ape, so there is something suitable for all ages.
Blackpool Pleasure Beach
Ocean Blvd, Blackpool FY4 1EZ
Blackpool Pleasure Beach is an amusement park on Blackpool’s South Shore in the county of Lancashire. There’s something for everyone at Pleasure Beach. From ICON, The Big One and Valhalla to the UK’s only Nickelodeon Land! This amusement park has a unique blend of legendary rides and famous shows, making fun-packed days out with the kids. With so much to do, you’ll have to split your time between 125 rides and attractions. Children can ride 19 rides at Blackpool Pleasure Beach, irrespective of their height.
LEGOLAND Windsor
Windsor SL4 4AY
Legoland Windsor Resort is a theme park and resort in Windsor, Berkshire. At the LEGOLAND Windsor Resort, there are over 55 rides and attractions where children can fly through the treetops to escape dragons, ride the rapids with a Viking fleet, join LEGO divers on a magical underwater adventure, and so much more. The LEGOLAND park has lots to offer for families with children between 3 and 12 looking for adventure – enough for several days of fun and action. The experience continues even after park closing time in the Resort Hotels, where visitors can spend the night in fully themed bedrooms.
Flamingo Land
https://www.flamingoland.co.uk/
Kirby Misperton, Malton
Flamingo Land is a theme park, zoo, and resort in Kirby Misperton, North Yorkshire. This theme park attraction has an award-winning zoo and a luxury Resort Village. There’s a huge amount to do at Flamingo Land, particularly when the park’s zoo is considered; its active play area is designed to bring animals and children closer together, creating a truly enjoyable and educational environment. There are plenty of rides here, including one of the steepest roller coasters in the world – Mumbo Jumbo has a 112-degree beyond vertical drop!
Paultons Park
Romsey SO51 6AL
Paultons Park is an amusement park located in the New Forest National Park, near the village of Ower, in Hampshire. It is very popular and has over 70 exciting rides and attractions, set within 140 acres of beautiful parkland on the edge of the New Forest National Park. Paultons is also home to the UK’s only Peppa Pig World with nine fun Peppa-themed rides. Enjoy roller coasters, thrill rides, family rides, indoor and outdoor play areas, water splash parks, entertainment, and a collection of birds and animals at Paultons Park.
Oakwood Theme Park
Canaston Bridge, Narberth SA67 8DE
Oakwood Theme Park is a theme park in Pembrokeshire, Wales. Whether it’s an adrenaline-fuelled experience or a magical adventure, Oakwood Theme Park has thrills for all ages. Oakwood boasts toddler-friendly rides, fast thrills (including the UK’s favourite wooden roller coaster – Megafobia) and spooky Halloween events, late-night riding seasons, food and drink, as well as free, comfy dog kennels. Explore the wonderful world of Neverland with themed rides and an indoor soft play area. Hop aboard the child-friendly roller coasters for children two years and above. Plus rollercoasters for braver children – and adults!
Fantasy Island
https://www.fantasyislandresort.co.uk/
Ingoldmells, Skegness PE25 1RH
Fantasy Island is an amusement park located in Ingoldmells on the East Coast of Lincolnshire, close to Skegness and just a stone’s throw from the beach. There are so many things to do at Fantasy Island, including exhilarating rides and roller coasters that will test even the bravest thrill-seekers’ nerves, while those looking for something more family-friendly still have plenty to choose from. They have a Discovery and Adventure for the thrill seekers and Little Explorer for the little ones.
Lightwater Valley Adventure Park
https://lightwatervalley.co.uk/
North Stainley, Ripon HG4 3HT
Lightwater Valley Family Adventure Park is a theme park in North Stainley, North Yorkshire. It is home to over 40 rides and attractions tailored to the under 12’s, so it is perfect for a full day of fresh air and entertainment for children aged 12 and under. There is also a programme of daily entertainment on offer. New for 2023, you can experience the fantastic Rex Meet & Greet and Jurassic Dino Dig, and don’t miss the return of the firm family favourite, Skate Karts.
Gulliver’s Theme Parks
https://www.gulliversfun.co.uk/
Four UK locations
In the tales of Gulliver’s Travels by author Jonathan Swift, the explorer travels to “several remote nations of the world” – 45 years after the opening of Gulliver’s Kingdom, the group operates theme parks in four different parts of the UK. Each of its sites is based loosely on the world of Lilliput. With parks and resorts also in Warrington, Cheshire (Gulliver’s World); Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire (Gulliver’s Land); and Rotherham, South Yorkshire (Gulliver’s Valley). Whilst Gulliver’s Kingdom Matlock is geared for kids aged 2 to 13, ages 6-9 is perfect. Kids who are 110cm+ will be able to go on all of the rides. At Gullivers World, you can enjoy more than 30 rides from Apache Falls, Togo Tower and Pirates Cove to classics like the Log Flume, Pirate Ship, Wooden Coaster and Dodgems.
Adventure Island
https://adventureisland.co.uk/
Western Esplanade, Southend-on-Sea SS1 1EE
Adventure Island is a theme park in Southend-on-Sea, Essex. It is a free-admission theme park (so you will only pay for people going on the rides) that has over 40 rides and attractions. They are right next to the pier, dominating the skyline day and night. Rage is a Gerstlauer Euro-Fighter model roller coaster (the 6th overall to be built). At 97 degrees, it is steeper-than-vertical and tied for the third steepest roller coaster in the United Kingdom.