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Looking for an adrenaline-pumping adventure or a fun-filled day out with the family? Look no further than the best theme parks in the UK.
In this guide, we’ll be exploring the top 10 theme parks in the UK and answering all of your burning questions about them. So get ready for a roller coaster ride of thrills, spills, and unforgettable memories!
Uncover the top UK theme parks below…
UK Theme Parks FAQs
10 Best Theme Parks in the UK
UK Theme Parks Map
Thorpe Park is hailed as the top-rated theme park in the UK. Not only is it situated under an hour away (via train) from London, but the park stretches over 490 acres. These acres are filled to the brim with things to do and see; it’s a day out you won’t forget.
It wouldn’t be fair to say that Thorpe Park is better than Alton Towers, as both UK theme parks have amazing features! What we will say, though, is that if you’re situated near London, Thorpe Park may be a better option, and if you’re in or near Staffordshire, head to Alton Towers.
Legoland Windsor is reported as being the most visited theme park in the UK, attracting over 2 million visitors each year (according to Britain Visitor).
Alton Towers is the biggest theme park in the UK at 550 acres.
The UK is home to over 40 theme parks, and we’ve highlighted the top 10 in this blog.
We’re starting off our guide to the best theme parks in the UK with the worldwide phenomenon of Legoland! Whilst this theme park is dotted all over the globe, we’re lucky enough to house the Legoland Windsor resort.
The park is split into different “lands,” offering something for all ages to enjoy. For the little ones, we recommend treating them to a visit to DUPLO® Valley. They can ride the DUPLO® Express, make a splash in the Splash Safari, and tour Fairy Tale Brook.
One spot that will mesmerise the whole family at this UK theme park is Miniland. Here, you’ll see a range of the globe’s greatest landmarks, all built with Lego! Explore mini versions of London, Amsterdam, France, and even the US!
Suitable for: Families
Postcode: SL4 4AY
Ticket prices: Group tickets from £20; annual passes from £49; short breaks from £59.25 pp
Explore Legoland Windsor’s park map.
When it comes to the best theme parks in the UK for the little ones, Gulliver’s Land in Milton Keynes is the place to go. This park has been bringing joy and entertainment to families for over 40 years, thanks to its wealth of child-friendly attractions and rides.
For must-try rides, The Whirlwind, Jungle River Ride, and Gulliver’s Giant Tea Cups are perfect choices for those visiting with young children. If you have older children in tow, we recommend boarding the more daring rides, such as Jungle Falls and Dragon Siege.
In between rides, why not explore this UK theme park’s attractions? Wander through the Adventure Land Maze, let the little ones jump and swing on the Monkey Climb or sit back and unwind as your toddler enjoys the Forest Ball Crawl.
One major highlight of Gulliver’s Land is its jam-packed events schedule! Come and meet Bing & Flop, embark on the Family Fun Run, or partake in a range of seasonal events.
Suitable for: Families
GPS Coordinates: MK15 0Dt
Ticket Prices: Adult/Child ticks from £27; senior tickets from £25; under 90cm tickets are free; concessionary tickets from £15. If you book Online Advance tickets, you can save up to £6!
Explore the Gulliver’s Land park map.
If you’re looking for a UK theme park with multiple locations across the country, then Diggerland UK is located in Kent, Durham, Yorkshire and Devon.
If you love all things construction or are simply after a unique day out at a theme park, you’re bound to love Diggerland! There are plenty of exhilarating rides to choose from here, including a range of truck rides, from Skittles and Spindizzy to SkyShuttle and JCB Rides.
Visiting with kids? Don’t worry, there are several child-friendly activities they can enjoy, including the go-karts, Little Tikes and Dig-A-Round ride.
Alternatively, enjoy an adult experience day here. This outing is designed specifically for those over 17 years old and offers a range of things to do. Dumper racing, JCB experiences and the Monster Digger experience are a few outings to choose from.
Suitable for: Families and adults
Postcodes: Kent, ME2 2NU; Durham, DH7 9TT; Yorkshire, WF10 5NW; Devon, EX15 2PE
Ticket Prices: Adults to age 65 & children over 100cm tickets from £32; adults over 65 tickets from £16; children under 100cm tickets are free; disabled visitor tickets from £32. If you book at least one day in advance, you can save up to £6.05
For this UK theme park, we’re taking you to the coast! Blackpool Pleasure Beach has been providing visitors with access to thrilling rides and seaside attractions for over 120 years, making it a firm local favourite.
Geared towards all types of theme park goers, there’s something for everyone here. If you’re up for a bit of excitement, we recommend heading to the Thrill Seekers area, home to a range of crazy coasters! The Big One, Infusion, and Revolution are a few highlights here.
If you’re looking to keep the little ones entertained, they will love Nickelodeon Land. They can embark on an adventure with the Backyardigans Pirate Treasure ride, make a splash on Rugrats Lost River or catapult through the air on Krusty Krab Order Up.
Plenty more rides await, however, if you want to simply kick back and relax with a show, you’ll be pleased to find a regular schedule of performances here. Comedy, fireworks shows, variety shows and pantomimes are a handful of genres you can enjoy at this theme park in England.
Suitable for: Families
Postcode: FY4 1EZ
Ticket Prices: Prices vary based on when you visit in the week. Adult tickets from £31; junior tickets from £27
Explore Blackpool Pleasure Beach’s park map.
Dubbed the nation’s “most thrilling theme park”, there’s no doubt that Thorpe Park would make our best UK theme parks guide.
A whole host of rides await at Thorpe Park, leaving you spoilt for choice! Why not try some of the theme park’s most famous coasters, such as Stealth, Colossus, and Nemesis Inferno? Alternatively, spook yourself by riding Ghost Train, Saw: The Ride, and The Walking Dead: The Ride.
Alternatively, enjoy the calmer rides such as the Dobble Tea Party and Flying Fish. A range of must-try attractions are also available that are great for the whole family, including the Black Mirror Labyrinth and Amity Beach.
After wearing yourself out on Thorpe Park’s plethora of rides, you might be wondering where to grab a bite to eat! You’ll be delighted to find a variety of eateries dotted throughout the site, from the Pizza & Pasta Buffet to Camden Junction Bar.
Suitable for: Families
Postcode: KT16 8PN
Ticket Prices: Day tickets from £64 (save £30 if you book online in advance); annual passes from £99
Explore the Thorpe Park map.
Alton Towers is another top theme park in the UK and a must-visit destination for a complete day out that will appeal to all ages.
It’s well-known for its vast selection of rides, attracting up to 15,000 daily visitors, and it’s easy to see why with thrilling coasters such as Oblivion, The Runaway Mine Train, Rita, and THI3TEEN being among the many favourites.
Alton Towers isn’t just a haven for roller coaster enthusiasts, as it offers a wide variety of other activities as well. You can enjoy the indoor water park, play a round of crazy golf, or relax in the spa, to name a few.
For families with younger children, we recommend checking out the park’s shows, which are hosted in Cbeebies Land. The Furchester Hotel Live and Teletubbies Big Band Show are just two of the highlights you can enjoy here.
Suitable for: Families
Postcode: ST10 4DB
Ticket Prices: Day passes from £68 (save £32 by booking in advance online); waterpark passes from £24 (save £6.50 by booking in advance online); golf 18 holes passes from £6; annual passes from £99
Explore the Alton Towers park map.
When it comes to the best UK theme parks with a unique twist, we recommend Chessington World of Adventures. What is the twist, you might ask? Well, this theme park is also home to a zoo!
A variety of animal-themed roller coasters await at this theme park, including Mandrill Mayhem, Mamba Strike, and Ostrich Stampede. A range of other themed rides can also be enjoyed, such as the River Rafts, Tomb Blaster, and the magical adventure of Room on the Broom.
After enjoying a thrill on Chessington’s many rides, be sure to visit the on-site zoo. Over 1,000 animals have a home at Chessington, from the Western lowland gorilla to reindeer. An aquatic centre also rests on site, where you can meet seahorses, sharks and more.
Suitable for: Families
Postcode: KT9 2nE
Ticket Prices: 1 day tickets from £60 (save £26 by booking online); Merlin annual passes from £99
Explore the Chessington World of Adventures zoo & park map.
Drayton Manor is a fantastic park to add to our list, being one of the best theme parks in the UK for families! Home to a zoo, Thomas Land, Adventure Cove and Vikings rides; there’s something to suit all thrill-seekers here.
The kids will adore Thomas Land, where they can ride a range of tank engine-themed roller coasters. What will they try, Thomas & Percy’s Submarine Splash or James & The Red Balloon?
If a nautical adventure is on the horizon, make your way to Adventure Cove. The Wave Swinger, Tidal Towers and River Rapids are just a handful of the exciting rides here.
Alternatively, head to Drayton Manor’s zoo. This 15-acre attraction is packed with wonderful animals you can view up close, from red pandas to amethyst starlings.
Suitable for: Families
Postcode: B78 3TW
Ticket Prices: Day tickets from £45 (save £15 by prebooking); flexible tickets from £45; annual passes from £99
Explore Drayton Manor’s park map.
The Flamingo Land Resort is another UK theme park enjoying its very own zoo. With over 35 rides to enjoy and a packed events schedule, a day out here is bound to be unforgettable.
The more daring in your group can try one of the “thrill rides” such as Sik, Hero, and Flip Flop. Alternatively, all the family can enjoy a ride on the Twistosaurus and the Lost River Ride. When it comes to the kids, they can enjoy gentler rides such as the Frog Hopper.
Once you’ve tired yourself out on the roller coasters, why not head to the zoo? Admire the California sea lions, donkeys, Humboldt penguins, and of course, the flamingos!
This theme park in the UK also has a vibrant events schedule. Thanks to the park’s daily shows, you can enjoy meet & greets with iconic characters, watch animal events, or embark on a pirate adventure.
Suitable for: Families
Postcode: YO17 6UX
Ticket Prices: Standard admission from £52.50 (save up to £13.50 by booking in advance); senior citizens tickets from £41 (save up to £10 by booking in advance); disabled guests tickets from £52.50 (save up to £13.50 by booking in advance); family tickets from £179 ( save up to £64 by booking in advance)
Explore Flamingo Land Resort’s park map.
We’re concluding our guide to the best UK theme parks with Paultons Park. While Paultons Park is famous for housing Peppa Pig World, there’s more to this theme park than that!
The Lost Kingdom Dinosaur Theme Park is a must-visit area of the park and will transport you back to the Jurassic era. The Velociraptor and Dino Chase are a couple of must-ride roller coasters here.
Alternatively, head back to a different era by visiting the Tornado Springs Theme Park. This American-themed area contains a variety of rides enjoying a 1950s vibe, including Al’s Auto Academy and the Farmyard Flyer.
The Wild Lands Zoo is another major highlight of Paultons Park. A plethora of animals live here, and you can enjoy a range of feeding experiences with penguins and meerkats.
Suitable for: Families
Postcode: SO51 6AL
Ticket Prices: Individual tickets from £41.75; family of 3 tickets from £125.25; family of 4 tickets from £167; family of 5 tickets from £208.75; large group tickets (minimum 15 people) from £521.25; annual passes from £155
Explore Paultons Park’s map.
Ready to enjoy a day out to remember at one of these theme parks? Do it from a fabulous holiday cottage, which can be booked with ease using the Sykes Holiday Cottages App.
Image Credits: Dave Catchpole – CC BY 2.0; Blake.Hammond – CC BY-SA 4.0; Paultons Park Home of Peppa Pig World – CC BY 2.0
Hi, I'm Lola and I joined Sykes in 2021. My favourite holiday destination in the UK has to be Suffolk, I have so many happy memori...
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