The UK is home to some of the best theme parks in the world – so grab the whole family for a day of excitement and sensory overload. From big thrills and water rides to animals and gentle adventures for little ones, you’ll find something for everyone.
With its world-class roller-coasters, Alton Towers in Staffordshire is probably the most famous of the bunch, but there are others with their own unique selling points such as the hugely popular – and world’s first Peppa Pig World in Hampshire.
Sadly theme parks don’t come cheap but you can find some great deals around, especially with the vouchers from Kellogg’s products for the Merlin attractions. Or failing that, you’re always best to book in advance and online.
There are around 20 theme parks to choose from, with the best located in England. But we have also included our favourite theme parks from Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
England
Alton Towers, Staffordshire
Thrill-seekers young and old will have a ball at the UK’s largest (and most expensive) theme park, with more than 50 rides and attractions.
Set in 500 acres of countryside the park is split into 10 different zones, with spectacularly-themed rollercoasters including Nemesis, Oblivion, The Smiler, The Wicker Man, and the world’s first vertical freefall drop rollercoaster TH13TEEN.
Young children will be amazed by CBeebies Land, where they can meet some of their favourite TV characters and enjoy attractions based on TV shows including Hey Duggee’s Big Adventure playground, Postman Pat’s Parcel Post, Andy’s Dinosaur Dig, and the Magical Night Garden boat ride. Little explorers can also get their first rollercoaster experience at the Octonauts attraction.
What’s more, Alton Towers has its very own brilliant waterpark which is open all year round. There is a water coaster that shoots guests up and down on a circular loop around the giant lagoon.
There is also an Extraordinary Golf course, a first-of-its-kind rollercoaster restaurant, and varied accommodation options.
- Prices: From £36. Under 3’s are free.
- Opening times: The park is open every day from March 19th until November 6th, usually between 10am and 6pm.
- Fun fact: The Smiler holds the world record for having the most amount of inversions – 14. It also cost £24m to build, making it the fourth most expensive roller coaster in the world.
- Top tip: Make use of the cable cars as soon as you arrive to access the rear of the park and then work your way back towards the main entrance.
- Best for an all-round experience.
Chessington World of Adventures, Greater London
Located under an hour from England’s capital city, Chessington is also home to 1000 animals including lions, tigers, gorillas, monkeys, and penguins as well as home to one of the best aquariums in the country.
There are 40 rides and attractions, including the spinning rollercoaster Dragon’s Fury and the very popular suspended coaster Vampire. There are milder thrills for pre-schoolers too, with 18 dedicated rides including the Gruffalo River Adventure, Room on a Broom – A Magical Journey, and Elmer’s Flying Jumbos.
The park runs lots of seasonal events throughout the year during the school holidays, Halloween and Christmas. There is also a Go Ape course, featuring a fun four-person zip-wire.
- Prices: From £36. Under 3’s are free. During term time the park also offers a great pre-schooler and adult deal for £25.
- Opening times: The park is open most days from March 17th until October 30th between 10am and 6pm.
- Fun fact: The park was awarded GOLD for the best theme park for families at the UK Theme Park Awards 2020
- Top tip: If you stay at the Safari Resort hotel onsite you get great views of the giraffes in the savannah.
- Best for a day trip from London
Thorpe Park, Surrey
If it’s rollercoasters you want then this is your place with seven intense attractions. Adrenaline junkies will love Stealth, England’s fastest roller coaster which goes from 0 to 130kph in 1.9 seconds. You’ll also find a stomach-curling 100-degree vertical drop on Saw – The Ride.
But those with little ones shouldn’t be put off as there is still plenty for them to enjoy, including the fantastic Amity beach water park if the sun is shining.
- Prices: From £37.
- Opening times: Daily from March 25th until the end of October, 10am – 6pm.
- Fun fact: Illusionist Derren Brown was heavily involved in the design of the Ghost Train: Rise of the Demon which will make you scream, while barely moving!
- Top tip: Make sure you wear a poncho on Tidal Wave – or failing that have a change of clothes handy.
- Best for teenagers and adults
Peppa Pig World, at Paulton’s Park, Hampshire
Paulton’s Park has risen to prominence in the last decade because of the addition of the brilliant Peppa Pig World.
Inspired by the hugely-popular children’s animated TV series, the theme park was meticulously designed for very young children. You can drive Daddy Pig’s car, visit Peppa’s home, go on Miss Rabbit’s Hot Air Balloon, sail Grampy Rabbit’s boat or hop long on George’s favourite dinosaur.
- Prices: Tickets from £39.75. There are big discounts if you book a family ticket. Children under 1 metre tall go free.
- Opening times: Open every day throughout the spring and summer and selected dates in autumn and winter, usually between 10am and 5.30pm.
- Fun fact: The park was so successful it inspired the second park in Orlando, Florida.
- Top tip: The queues at Peppa Pig World are much shorter in the afternoon so you may wish to explore the rest of Paulton’s Park before arriving
- Best for toddlers
Legoland Windsor, Berkshire
No prizes for guessing what this park is all about – Lego! This exceptionally themed park is jam-packed with unique attractions including the LEGO City Deep Sea Adventure, the Laser Raiders, and the LEGO Ninjago ride, however, older children might find it all a bit tame.
The DUPLO Dino Coaster is perfect for young kids experiencing their first thrills while the Vikings’ River Splash and Pirate Falls are also fun.
- Prices: From £36.
Opening times: The park is open for most dates from March 18th until November 6th, from 10am-6pm. There is also a two-week Christmas event in December. - Fun fact: A staggering 25 million bricks were used to create all the models in the park – with one million used to create a giant T-Rex.
- Top tip: Download the park’s app for show times, queues, and dining information.
- Best for children under 12
Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Lancashire
With 125 rides and attractions and more than six million people visiting annually, Blackpool’s Pleasure Beach has some impressive stats.
The whole family will find something to enjoy at this old-fashioned style fairground, featuring the world-famous Big One rollercoaster, ICON, the award-winning Valhalla Water ride, and the brilliant Nickelodeon Land featuring The Paw Patrol and SpongeBob SquarePants.
- Prices: From £29.
Opening times: Daily from April 2nd until November 6th, usually between 10am-5pm. There are separate opening hours for Pasaje del Terror, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! and Adventure Golf.
Fun fact: The Pleasure Beach is the UK’s oldest theme park in operation, originating on Blackpool sands in 1896. - Top tip: Do the older rides such as the Big Dipper and Steeplechase first as the ride systems are slower and the queues get longer as the day goes on.
- Best coastal theme park
Scotland
M&D’s Scotland’s Theme Park, North Lanarkshire
While the park cannot be compared to that of Alton Towers or Thorpe Park for thrills, M&D’s has four rollercoasters, two water slides, fairground fun, and an indoor exotic animal enclosure called Amazonia. Set in Strathclyde Country Park, you’ll also find a bowling alley and a soft play.
- Prices: There is no charge to enter the park but you can pay online in advance for Fun tokens for individual rides. Amazonia costs £4.75/£6.20 for children/adults.
- Opening times: It’s best to check the website for exact days and times but the theme park opens in mid-March and shuts at the end of October, generally between 10am-6pm.
- Fun fact: The Giant Condor ride is the only one of its kind in Europe.
- Top tip: The pay-as-you-go rides can quickly add up so have a budget in mind before you go and stick to it!
- Best for tropical animals
Wales
GreenWood, Snowdonia
GreenWood hasn’t been voted Wales’ best family day out for seven years in a row for nothing. Beneath the trees in the Snowdonia National park, you’ll find plenty of eco-friendly fun including the world’s first people-powered roller coaster The Green Dragon.
You’ll also find a bare-foot trail, mazes, obstacle courses, and an enchanted river ride aimed at children under 12. There are also crafting and magic shows throughout the day.
Prices: From £16. Under3’s are free.
- Opening times: Open on weekends throughout the year and weekdays in the school holidays, from 10am-5pm.
- Fun fact: Solar Splash is the UK’s first and only solar-powered ride.
- Top tip: Bring a picnic and soak up the great outdoors.
- Best for something different
Ireland
Tayto Park, Co. Meath
Home to Europe’s largest wooden rollercoaster with an inversion, Cú Chulainn, Tayto Park has been a hit since its opening in 2010.
But if you want to see the Mr. Tayto mascot you’d better be quick as the theme park is being rebranded as Guinness Park from 2023.
The award-winning theme park also has as a fabulous zoo, an extreme climbing wall, and lots of fairground fun.
But expect bigger and better things to come over the next two years with a €30 million investment and three new rollercoasters anticipated.
- Prices: Tickets start from €33 for juniors and €37 for adults. Under 3’s are free.
- Opening times: May-October, 10am-6pm.
- Fun fact: You get given free crisps when you leave the park for the journey home.
- Top tip: Don’t miss the 5D cinema.
- Best for wooden thrills
*Please note the opening dates and times may vary.
