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top theme parks uk

The top 14 theme parks in the UK

The parks in our list boast a host of attractions and rides, ranging from Peppa Pig World to the world’s first Jumanji-themed land

While Merlin Entertainments is a huge player in the UK’s theme park industry, overseeing top attractions such as Thorpe Park, Alton Towers, Legoland Windsor and Chessington, there are also several family-run parks in our list. For instance, Flamingo Land, Paultons Park and Blackpool Pleasure Beach. These continue to attract visitors with a mixture of thrilling coasters and family rides.

Keep reading for blooloop’s selection of the best theme parks in the UK, in no particular order.

1 Alton Towers Resort

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Part of the Merlin Entertainments family, Alton Towers opened as a theme park in 1980 with Britain’s first double loop roller coaster, the Corkscrew.

Located in the Staffordshire countryside, Alton Towers is home to three themed hotels, as well as Stargazing Pods and an Enchanted Village. Alton Towers is the largest theme park in the UK, with 10 themed areas across 910 acres. The attraction boasts more than 40 rides and attractions, including 10 record-breaking coasters and 20 family-friendly offerings.

In spring 2023, Alton Towers opened a new dark ride. “The Curse at Alton Manor is no ordinary dark ride,” said Kate McBirnie, head of product excellence at Alton Towers. “It has all the components of a supernatural tale – it’s dark, compelling and promises some thrilling and scary moments along the way. Fans of eerie rides will certainly appreciate this one.”

In February 2023, Alton Towers’ new indoor attraction was given the green light. Later, the replacement track for the new Nemesis coaster arrived at the park. The £10 million ride, which closed in November for a major revamp, offers a thrilling experience with a g-force of 3.5 and top speeds of 50 mph.

“As Europe’s first-ever inverted roller coaster, Nemesis rightly holds legendary status among thrill-seekers,” said Bianca Sammut, divisional director at Alton Towers. “Reaching this latest milestone in the transformation of Nemesis is a proud moment for everyone involved in the project.”

2 Blackpool Pleasure Beach

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Blackpool Pleasure Beach first opened to the public in 1896 in Lancashire. The theme park is home to 10 roller coasters including Icon, the park’s newest and fastest.

Additional thrill rides at the park include Valhalla, The Big One, Revolution, Ice Blast and The Big Dipper. Blackpool Pleasure Beach celebrated The Big Dipper’s 100th anniversary in 2023 after giving the iconic wooden coaster a makeover.

“Although this coaster may be a veteran amongst the park, it’s a truly enjoyable ride, and we hope that its recent ‘glow-up’ will reinstate its position as a grand wooden coaster that is rich with history and a century full of memories and laughs,” said Amanda Thompson OBE, CEO of Blackpool Pleasure Beach.

In addition to the UK’s only Nickelodeon Land, family-friendly offerings at Blackpool Pleasure Beach comprise Wallace & Gromit’s Thrill-O-Matic, an Alice in Wonderland-themed ride and the Flying Machines.

As for accommodation, Blackpool Pleasure Beach’s second hotel opened in July 2019. BLVD sits to the left of the Big Blue Hotel, which launched at the UK amusement park in 2003.

3 Chessington World of Adventures Resort

world of jumanji chessington

Chessington World of Adventures Resort, also part of Merlin Entertainments, opened in Surrey as Chessington Zoo in 1931 before launching as a theme park and zoo in 1987.

The venue in Greater London boasts more than 40 rides and attractions, more than 1,000 animals, and a Sea Life attraction. It is also home to two themed hotels, a glamping site and Go Ape.

In spring 2023, the world’s first Jumanji-themed land opened at Chessington, offering three new rides, including the world’s first Jumanji-themed coaster. The £17m ‘World of Jumanji’ land is based on Sony Pictures’ $2 billion film franchise. It is home to the Mandrill Mayhem coaster, and the Mamba Strike and Ostrich Stampede rides.

Mandrill Mayhem by Bolliger & Mabillard is a winged, launched, shuttle roller coaster with Chessington’s first inversion. It wraps around a huge ‘Jaguar Shrine’ structure and circles the entire land. Highlights at World of Jumanji also include a maze of pathways based on the iconic board game first featured in the 1996 film starring Robin Williams.

“Whether you’re a fan of the films, a fan of roller coasters or are looking to take your family adventures to ‘the next level’, the amazing World of Jumanji is ready to welcome all ‘those who seek to find a way to leave their world behind’,” said Scott O’Neil, Merlin’s CEO.

4 Drayton Manor Theme Park

accelerator drayton manor

Drayton Manor is a theme park and zoo, located on the grounds of the former Drayton Manor in Staffordshire, UK. The attraction covers 180 acres and hosts approximately 1.5 million visitors annually. The park is owned by the Looping Group, which also operates West Midlands Safari Park and Pleasurewood Hills in the UK.

Drayton Manor includes family favourites such as Flying Dutchman and Accelerator, thrill rides such as Maelstrom, and coasters including Shockwave and Stormforce 10. The 15-acre zoo is home to many animals, from meerkats to Sumatran tigers. In addition, Thomas Land boasts more than 25 rides and attractions following an expansion in 2015. Drayton Manor Resort’s new Vikings land opened in May 2022.

In summer 2023, Drayton Manor announced it is working with Intamin, a creator of record-breaking amusement rides, on a new family-friendly thrill coaster. The theme park told blooloop the new lift and launch coaster will open in 2024 as part of a multimillion-pound investment plan, continuing the park’s development under the ownership of the Looping Group.

“This ride is a key part of the incredibly exciting investments coming to the park over the next few years. We can’t wait for our guests to experience this attraction, which we believe will be one of the best family thrill roller coasters in the UK,” said Victoria Lynn, managing director at Drayton Manor.

5 Dreamland Margate

Scenic Railway At Dreamland Margate

Considered to be one of the oldest surviving amusement parks, in the UK Dreamland opened in Margate, Kent in 1920. It is operated by Sands Heritage Ltd and owned by Margate Estates Ltd. The company took over the 17.5-acre site from Thanet District Council in 2019.

Dreamland is home to classic fairground rides and nostalgic attractions, as well as a roller disco, an Art Deco ballroom, and a large outdoor stage. Highlights also include the Scenic Railway, the oldest roller coaster in the UK. The ride was given a Grade II-listed status in 2002.

Dreamland CEO Eddie Kemsley told blooloop: “When Dreamland opened in 1920, it was one of the only amusement parks in the country. Now there are so many bigger, faster, whizzier rides out there. But I think Dreamland’s charm is its throwback heritage. Some of these beautiful old rides, set in this seaside location, you just don’t get at Thorpe Park, Chessington or other venues.”

6 Fantasy Island

fantasy island skegness rhombus rocket

Fantasy Island is located in Ingoldmells in Lincolnshire, close to Skegness. Following the purchase by Mellors Group in March 2016, Fantasy Island has made substantial investments in new attractions.

The venue boasts a wealth of rides, from coasters such as the Odyssey and Millennium to family-friendly offerings including Glowworm and Firebowl. It also offers Europe’s largest seven-day market, as well as various F&B outlets. 

“Since acquiring Fantasy Island in 2016, we have introduced a whole range of attractions from children’s rides to family and extreme, as well as enhancing our all-weather indoor family entertainment centre, uplifting our market and introducing new accommodation services back in 2019,” said James Mellors, director of Mellors Group.

“Our aim as owners is to continually improve our customer offering and revitalise Fantasy Island, putting lngoldmells firmly back on the map.”

In 2021, Mellors Group purchased Skegness Pier for £3m. “It is a very exciting time for our family,” said James Mellors Snr, managing director of the Mellors Group. “We pride ourselves on delivering the highest standard of attractions and we have some fantastic investment plans to elevate Skegness Pier and propel it to the next level, immediately.

He added: “Since the purchase of Fantasy Island, Skegness has become a second home to my family, and we look forward to delivering new experiences to residents and visitors of Lincolnshire alike.”

7 Flamingo Land Resort

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Flamingo Land Resort is a theme park, zoo, and resort located in the small village of Kirby Misperton, North Yorkshire. CEO Gordon Gibb’s late father Robert Gibb bought the 375-acre property in 1978, four years after it expanded from a zoo.

Flamingo Land‘s thrill rides include Flip Flop and Cliff Hanger, while family-friendly rides on offer include Twistosaurus and Rotataur. The park has attractions for children such as Dino Roller and Vortex, while coasters include Mumbo Jumbo and Kumali.

In 2022, Flamingo Land launched a new £18m roller coaster named Sik, after local clothing brand Sik Silk. Gibb said the ride’s name “is on trend and resonates well with the target age group”. “It’s also a play on words; people get sick on roller coasters. We just want to have a bit of fun with it,” he added.

Flamingo Land also has a zoo that attracts more visitors than ZSL London Zoo. After enjoying the park, guests can spend the night in resort accommodation, from farmhouses to lodges and cottages.

The theme park is “one of the last of the dinosaurs”, Gibb told blooloop back in 2018. “Privately-owned parks used to be the bedrock of the industry in the UK. But we have to face facts. We are now competing for the small share of the market after Merlin have had their slice. However, through hard work and making the right decisions at the right time, we’ve been able to outmanoeuvre a battleship.”

The family-run business has now abandoned plans to create an indoor theme park in Scarborough. However, it has submitted a second planning application for a £40m Loch Lomond development.

8 Legoland Windsor Resort

legoland windsor dragon coaster

Another attraction operated by Merlin Entertainments is Legoland Windsor Resort in Berkshire. Offering more than 55 rides and attractions, the theme park also has accommodation – the Legoland Resort Hotel and Legoland Castle Hotel.

In 2021, the theme park opened the £20m Lego Mythica: World of Mythical Creatures, an immersive land with rides, attractions and experiences, including the UK’s first flying theatre ride – Flight of the Sky Lion.

Lego Mythica is the biggest investment in Legoland Windsor since it made its debut 25 years ago. The park added a new walk-through experience called ‘The Magical Forest’ to Lego Mythica in April 2022.

Merlin is proceeding with plans to build a holiday village at Legoland Windsor after the Supreme Court rejected a bid to overturn planning permission, which was issued in April 2019. The new accommodation will attract more visitors to the area, supporting the local economy.

9 Oakwood Theme Park

top theme parks uk

Oakwood Theme Park is located in Canaston Bridge in Pembrokeshire, South Wales. The amusement park opened as a small family attraction in the late 1980s with a handful of attractions and is now the biggest theme park in Wales.

The park offers family-friendly attractions, thrill rides, exciting events and F&B. Megafobia has been voted the UK’s top wooden roller coaster, while the Speed coaster is the fastest ride in Wales. Until 2008, Oakwood was owned and developed by the McNamara family. It is now owned by Aspro Parks.

10 Paultons Park

Tornado Springs Paultons Park

Opened in 1983, Paultons Park is located within 140 acres of parkland on the edge of the New Forest National Park in Hampshire, England. The theme park is home to more than 70 rides and attractions, including coasters, thrill rides, family rides, play areas, splash areas and entertainment.

It also features the UK’s only Peppa Pig World, which includes nine themed rides. The park has been owned and run by the Mancey family since it first opened. In May 2021, Paultons Park launched its multimillion-pound themed world Tornado Springs, which is inspired by an American Midwest desert resort town in the 1950s.

Tornado Springs has eight rides and experiences, including the Cyclonator, Windmill Towers, Buffalo Falls and the Trekking Tractors. Storm Chaser is the only free-spinning roller coaster of its kind in the UK, Al’s Auto Academy includes 30 themed cars based on the Hudson Hornet, and themed memorabilia is available at Al’s Shop and Service.

“Theme parks are all about creating different environments,” Richard Mancey, the park’s managing director, told blooloop. “We went through all the usual themes: pirates, castles, Vikings, the Wild West.

“But we wanted something that’s going to be unique to us. What else is there? So we took the iconic Route 66 with Tornado Alley and just built on this theme.”

11 Thorpe Park Resort

thorpe park swarm roller coaster

Thorpe Park Resort in Surrey is operated and owned by Merlin. Opened to the public in 1979, Thorpe Park is home to more than 30 exhilarating rides, including the UK’s fastest roller coaster, Stealth.

Major attractions at Thorpe Park include the UK’s first virtual reality (VR) dark ride, as well as coasters based on The Walking Dead and Saw. The park also hosts live events and previously launched the UK’s first live Black Mirror experience with Black Mirror Labyrinth.

In 2024, Thorpe Park is opening the new Hyperia coaster, which will be the UK’s tallest and fastest. The ride will reach heights of 236 feet and speeds of more than 80 mph. Hyperia will take the title of the UK’s tallest coaster from The Big One at Blackpool Pleasure Beach, which stands at 230 feet. It will replace Thorpe Park’s Stealth as the UK’s fastest.

Thorpe Park’s plans to build a new coaster were approved by Runnymede Borough Council in November 2023. Consultancy firm Lichfields said in a planning statement: “The redevelopment will refresh the ride offer in this part of the resort and will deliver Thorpe Park Resort’s first roller coaster since The Swarm in 2012.”

12 Lightwater Valley Theme Park

Lightwater Valley

Lightwater Valley is an amusement park covering 175 acres in Ripon, North Yorkshire. It features rides, crazy golf, indoor and outdoor play, retail and F&B. In 2021, the theme park opened new attractions including the Go Safari area, Hot Air Balloon ride and Treetop Trails.

Lightwater Valley, founded by Robert Staveley in 1969, is now owned and operated by the Brighton Pier Group. The company acquired the entire share capital of Lightwater Valley Attractions Limited in 2021 for a consideration of up to £5m in cash.

“I am delighted to welcome all the team at Lightwater Valley to the Brighton Pier Group,” said Anne Ackord, CEO of the Brighton Pier Group.  “I believe that, together, we can develop Lightwater Valley into the premier amusement destination across Yorkshire and the surrounding areas.”

The Brighton Pier Group plans to expand and develop the North Yorkshire attraction’s extensive space. “The booming ‘staycation’ market is going to significantly grow UK tourism over the coming months as international travel restrictions remain in place, this provides a great opportunity over the summer for all the group’s operations,” Ackord added.

13 Adventure Island

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Adventure Island started life way back in 1918 as the Sunken Garden, a seaside haven in Southend-on-Sea in Essex. The Miller family purchased additional land in 1976 and transformed the family offering into an amusement park called Peter Pan’s Playground.

In 1995, it was expanded once again and became Adventure Island. Classic attractions at the park include the Crooked House and Helter Skelter, while coasters include Rage and Green Scream. Adventure Island is part of the Stockvale Group, which also owns the Sealife Adventure Aquarium, and a host of local restaurants and radio stations.

14 Gulliver’s Theme Park Resorts

top theme parks uk

Gulliver’s Theme Parks & Resorts can be found across the UK. Gulliver’s Kingdom is the original and smallest Gulliver’s park, established in the Derbyshire tourist town of Matlock Bath in 1978. Gulliver’s World in Warrington is the UK’s largest Gulliver’s attraction, while Gulliver’s Land and Gulliver’s Dino & Farm Park can be found in Milton Keynes. Gulliver’s Valley launched in 2020 in Rotherham, South Yorkshire.

Gulliver’s Kingdom includes the Explorers Retreat accommodation, while Gulliver’s World and Gulliver’s Land are home to Splash Zone indoor water parks. Gulliver’s Valley in Rotherham boasts a 15-acre theme park and themed accommodation including Lilliput Castle suites. Gulliver’s World got the green light for a £5.6m extension with themed accommodation and woodland lodges in 2020.

“Long term, Gulliver’s Valley Resort has the potential to be bigger than our Warrington site,” managing director Julie Dalton told blooloop. “As well as Splash Zone, there’s another park scheduled. It will be a farm park with a gears driving experience and a museum. Then there will be an ecology centre by the lakes. The new accommodation will fit in between the two.”

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Bea Mitchell

Bea is a journalist specialising in entertainment, attractions and tech with 10 years' experience. She has written and edited for publications including CNET, BuzzFeed, Digital Spy, Evening Standard and BBC. Bea graduated from King's College London and has an MA in journalism.

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