The UK has some unimaginable theme parks to go to! There are heaps to select from and all have their very own attraction, thrill-seeking rides and even a number of the tallest curler coasters you’ll be able to think about! Honestly, you might be spoiled for alternative for all the perfect theme parks within the UK to go to which are dotted all throughout the nation. Though with a lot alternative, it may be arduous to whittle down a agency record of those you’d like most!
To assist you to get probably the most out of your theme park journey, I’ve jotted down the perfect, and dare I say, iconic theme parks within the UK it’s essential expertise. Best of all, most are fairly near main cities within the UK like London, Manchester and areas across the South of England. The solely sticking level is Scotland, the place there’s considerably much less alternative when it comes to theme parks.
Anyway, I’m rambling, check out a few of our all-time favorite theme parks that you simply actually want to go to. Have the perfect time exploring!
1.) Alton Towers
Alton Towers is arguably one of many UK’s hottest theme parks! It’s big, has heaps of rides and even has its personal resorts the place you’ll be able to keep to make a complete weekend of it. We love the Alton Towers Hotel, however there’s additionally Splash Landings Hotel, with its personal waterpark that’s completely enjoyable!
Over the years, we’ve visited Alton Towers many instances. It’s a extremely enjoyable theme park within the UK to go to and is definitely up there as among the best days out. I’d say it’s at all times finest to ebook these Alton Towers tickets upfront of your go to. This means, you’re not including further queuing time when you arrive and take the monorail from the automobile park.
Now, what Alton Towers does rather well is theming. The rides all have backstories and are like ‘experiences’. This makes it a lot extra enjoyable than simply having a random curler coaster plonked in a park.
One of the traditional rides is Nemesis Reborn, a looping, floorless coaster that’s completely wonderful. Talking of curler coasters, you’ve additionally acquired Thirteen, Rita and the Wicker Man, that are completely wonderful. Oh, and don’t overlook about Galactica, a lay-down curler coaster that feels such as you’re flying!
Don’t fret if curler coasters aren’t your factor! You’ve additionally acquired immersive rides like Hex, which is located inside the Dark Forest space of Alton Towers. We adore it!
Finally, two issues to notice when you’re visiting Alton Towers. The queue for rides could be lengthy! Like, we now have been to Alton Towers earlier than and solely managed 4 rides in a complete day of being there. Think 2 hours of queuing for every journey! It was intense and never one thing I can say was pleasing. That being mentioned, on our future visits, we’ve at all times opted for his or her Fast-track Pass. Yes, you pay further, however actually, at peak instances, it’s so price it.
Also, one other factor to notice at Alton Towers is that each one the rides are beneath a sure top. You gained’t discover the tallest rides within the UK right here. This is as a result of native planning legal guidelines prohibit constructing buildings over a sure top above the encompassing timber.
Read extra: Best issues to do in Manchester
2.) Thorpe Park
Thorpe Park homes a number of the quickest and largest rides in the entire of Europe! This makes Thorpe Park among the best theme parks within the UK to go to when you’re one thing of a thrill seeker! Once right here, you’ll be able to attempt the super-fast Stealth, the petrifying Saw – The Ride or the terrifying Swarm. All of that are a lot enjoyable and completely intense. That being mentioned, the large canine must be Hyperia. It’s the tallest curler coaster in the entire UK and you may even see it from Heathrow Airport!
Talking of location, Thorpe Park is inside the Greater London space. This makes it the proper theme park to go to when you’re primarily based in London or within the wider London space, in locations like Windsor.


You can simply spend a complete day at Thorpe Park, however make sure that to reach early to have sufficient time to get round every of the areas. Oh, and you’ll want to get these Thorpe Park tickets earlier than you set off. Tickets can promote out at peak instances of the 12 months.
Also, identical to Alton Towers, you’ll be able to truly keep on website at Thorpe Park. Though, in all honesty, it’s inside the Greater London space and you’ve got heaps of resorts to select from. This means it’s not at all times essential to remain at Thorpe Park when you fancy a distinct lodge expertise.
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3.) Paultons Park
Located in Hampshire’s New Forest National Park, simply shy of Southampton, Paultons Park is a must-see park when you’re having a visit with your loved ones. There are 4 themed areas within the park – Critter Creek, the principle park, The Lost Kingdom and the world of Peppa Pig. The latter is the large draw for youthful youngsters, and it’s the one theme park within the UK that has a Peppa Pig-themed area.
There are good and mild rides, too, like Magma and the Sky Swinger, which is a lot enjoyable. Magma is a volcanic-themed tower the place you spin down, whereas the Sky Swinger brings you up within the space and spins you.
Whilst right here, you too can discover go-karts and water rides in Paultons Park. One international phenomenon is Peppa Pig, which is cherished by, in fact, nearly each baby! This alone makes Paultons Park among the best theme parks within the UK to go to. Visits will take round 6-8 hours, and it’s actually the proper place to go to with youthful kids.
Also, don’t overlook, you’ll be able to simply jump over to the Isle of Wight (from Southampton) when you fancy an extended street journey across the south of England. It’s a stunning island to go to, and you may take the automobile on the ferry that departs a number of instances a day. We adore it there.
Read extra: Best issues to do in Southampton
4.) Legoland


Perched on the outskirts of the historic metropolis of Windsor, Legoland is the UK’s dwelling of all issues Lego. Best of all, it’s one of many theme parks to go to that’s nice enjoyable for all of the household. You see, you’ve acquired the combination of model-building workshops and LEGO-themed rides and a few fairly epic rollercoasters, that are nice for youthful family members.
Best of all, you’ll be able to spend the entire day wandering round Legoland. It’s stuffed with cute LEGO cities, parades, and a lot extra. Just make certain you get these tickets earlier than arriving at Legoland. Ticket costs on the gate are usually increased, and there’s no must spend greater than it’s essential.




Over the years, we’ve visited Legoland many instances, and the one factor that actually is a gripe for me is the meals choices. There are a lot of locations to eat and seize snacks, however the principle cafeteria eatery is at all times so full and by no means has something aside from fried meals or burgers. Not that I’m judging, it’s scrumptious, however it could be good to have had another choices, too.
Read extra: Best issues to do in Windsor
5.) Chessington World of Adventures
Another family-friendly theme park within the UK, Chessington World of Adventures, is a very incredible day trip for the entire household. Plus, identical to Thorpe Park, it’s inside the wider Greater London space and straightforward to go to from Central London.
Now, earlier than you go, make sure that to ebook these advance tickets. This means, you’ll keep away from the premium ‘at-the-gate’ cost, which is at all times increased than truly making the plans upfront. These tickets offer you whole entry to the theme park and zoo components of Chessington World of Adventures, which is a lot enjoyable for kids.
Once right here, you’re going to get to discover the completely different worlds, which, identical to Alton Towers, are themed and completely enjoyable. Be positive to take a look at The Gruffalo River Ride Adventure, Kobra, Dragon’s Fury, Tomb Blaster and Vampire. Oh, and don’t overlook in regards to the World of Jumanji, too!
You will encounter some queues for a number of the extra fashionable rides at peak instances. If you don’t wish to wait, you’ll be able to pay a bit further and go for the tickets that embody the ‘Reserve and Ride’ possibility. This means, you’ll be able to minimise the downtime and journey as a lot as humanly potential.
Visits can be a whole-day occasion, and it’s a lot enjoyable.
Read extra: Best issues to do in Central London
6.) Drayton Manor Resort
Located in Staffordshire, not too removed from Birmingham, Drayton Manor Resort is among the finest theme parks within the UK to go to for all of the household. You see, it has a spread of rides for all ages, from rollercoasters to Thomas the Tank themed lands.
Some of our favorite thrilling rides need to be: Apocalypse, Shockwave, Accelerator, Maelstrom and Stormforce 10. These are all a lot enjoyable, however if you would like one thing a bit extra tame, for youthful kids, head to the one Thomas Land in Europe. It’s like its personal little theme park inside Drayton Manor Resort and has heaps of rides for youthful youngsters. Here, you’ll be able to journey together with Thomas on Thomas, Rosie & Percy’s Engine Tours, which is so pretty.
Also, don’t overlook in regards to the Dino Trail, which has heaps of big dinosaurs which youthful youngsters will love!
Again, like most theme parks within the UK, it’s finest to ebook these Drayton Manor Resort tickets upfront of your go to. Prices are at all times increased on the gate.
Read extra: Best issues to do in Birmingham
6.) Flamingo Land Resort
North-east of the historic metropolis of York is the Flamingo Land Resort. It’s one in all Yorkshire’s hottest theme parks for kids, and with good purpose – it’s nice enjoyable!
That being mentioned, don’t simply suppose Flamingo Land Resort is only for youthful youngsters! It has some thrilling rollercoasters like Kumali, which can have you screaming on the prime of your lungs! Also, don’t overlook about SIK and Velocity, too! They are so good and SIK, for my part, is among the finest rollercoasters in all of Yorkshire.
For youthful youngsters, there are heaps of rides, and likewise the safari space with all its flamingos, hippos and tigers which you’ll have the ability to spot while visiting Flamingo Land Resort.
Read extra: Best issues to do in Yorkshire
7.) Blackpool Pleasure Beach
Nestled proper on the seafront in Blackpool, round 1 hour from Manchester, is Blackpool Pleasure Beach. Once upon a time, Blackpool was the favorite hang-out of Victorians to take time by the seaside. Nowadays, it’s misplaced a few of its attraction, but it surely nonetheless has an avid following for each adults and kids.
You see, past the bars and golf equipment, there’s Blackpool Pleasure Beach, which is among the finest theme parks within the UK to go to when you’re exploring the East of England.
Here, you’ll discover properly over 100+ rides and points of interest which are as thrilling as they arrive! For occasion, you will discover the well-known metal mega-coaster, Big One, the Wallace & Gromit Thrill-O-Matic and Nickelodeon Land. It’s acquired heaps occurring and the rides differ for all age ranges. This implies that there’s one thing for all of the household. Recently, the curler coaster, ICON, was added to the park to have guests lower via the Big One coaster, and it’s a lot enjoyable.
To make issues simpler, ebook these Blackpool Pleasure Beach tickets, which get you on each single journey within the park. It’s the simplest means to economize while you’re in Blackpool.
Read extra: Best issues to do in Manchester
8.) Pleasurewood Hills
Around a 50-minute drive from the historic metropolis of Norwich, Pleasurewood Hills is a household theme park that’s so pretty for youthful kids. Now, it won’t be the largest theme park within the UK (it’s truly fairly small), however what it lacks in dimension it makes up for with some fairly epic rides for all of the household.
Once right here, make sure that to journey the Wipeout rollercoaster! It’s a lot enjoyable and actually can have you the other way up and twisting in each path potential. For youthful youngsters, you will have the Water Fun Factory and Kite Flyer. Both of that are nice enjoyable.
One of the principle issues we love about Pleasurewood Hills is that there are hardly any queues for rides. Honestly, I’ve such a gripe about lengthy queues in theme parks, and this place has literal 10-minute queues (or much less) for many rides.
Just you’ll want to ebook these Pleasurewood Hills pre-discount tickets on their web site earlier than visiting. You’ll save heaps when you’re visiting with all of the household.
Read extra: Best issues to do in Norwich
9.) Margate Dreamland


Margate, identical to Blackpool, was as soon as the go-to place for solar seekers and seaside lovers again in Victorian instances. Over the years, its attraction light, however in the previous few many years, Margate has as soon as once more develop into fairly darn fashionable, and with good purpose!
Not solely is the outdated city of Margate pretty, with all its classic shops, artwork galleries (just like the Turner Contemporary) and beautiful seashores, it additionally has Dreamland! Dreamland is among the finest theme parks within the UK, which may be fairly small, however it’s nice enjoyable. Plus, there’s no entry price, and you may simply pay for the rides you wish to go on.
In the summer season months, heaps of bands, occasions and reveals happen inside Dreamland. It turns into a complete occasion, and so they have some actually cool issues occurring. Make positive to verify their schedule earlier than arriving in Margate and ebook tickets if any of them take your fancy!
Read extra: Best seashores close to London to go to
10.) Warner Bros. Studio Tour London (The Making of Harry Potter)
If you’re a Harry Potter fan, then it’s essential go to Warner Bros. Studio Tour, The Making of Harry Potter. It won’t match the everyday mould of among the best theme parks within the UK to go to, but it surely’s a fantastic day trip, and the studios are a lot enjoyable.
First issues first, ebook these Warner Bros. tickets for entry upfront. They are at all times cheaper than the tickets on the door, and it is sensible to ebook your slot so that you don’t miss out at peak instances. They have restricted capacities and areas refill quick, particularly on weekends. Not solely that, these tickets embody Harry Potter branded transportation immediately from the centre of London, and it make a go to to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour in London.
Once right here, you’ll get to wander round Privet Drive, take a look at your expertise at flying and stroll via the units and props from the films! It’s a lot enjoyable.
Read extra: Best issues to do in London