UK experience stories

In depth

Occupancy data: inside the essential tool for visitor attraction success

Category: Visitor experience

In depth

Inside Zip World’s new underground golf adventure

Category

Design
In depth

Merlin’s Ash Tailor on finding new talent and listening to the kids

Category

Legoland
In depth

Making the Museum of Making

Category

Museum design
In depth

Puttshack: reimagining mini-golf for a new generation

Category

Retail and leisure

UK experience

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (shortened to the UK) is home to a diverse range of theme parks, museums, cultural institutions and experiences.

The UK officially exited the European Union (EU) in January 2020, commonly referred to as “Brexit”. Completely surrounded by water, the island nation is connected to France and Mainland Europe by the Channel Tunnel.

The largest operator of theme parks in the UK is Merlin Entertainments, with venues including Alton Towers, Chessington World of Adventures and Thorpe Park. The company also has other brands in the country such as Sea Life, The Dungeons and Legoland Discovery Centres. Merlin’s international headquarters are based at Poole in the south of England.

The UK is also home to parks and experiences from other international operators such as Looping Group and Aspro Parks. Examples of these include Drayton Manor and Pleasurewood Hills for the former, and Oakwood Theme Park for the latter. There are also a large number of family-owned amusement parks, such as Blackpool Pleasure Beach and Fantasy Island.

London is home to a range of internationally-recognised cultural museums and art galleries such as The British Museum, V&A, The Design Museum and The Tate.

The country’s unique pop culture and heritage have also attracted global visitors, with a wide variety of interest-based venues specialising in niche or specific topics. Examples outside of London include The Beatles Story in Liverpool, Beaulieu and the National Motor Museum in Brockenhurst.

Sustainability and wellbeing continue to be a growing trend for UK attractions and experiences, and in the last few decades, residents have increasingly visited nature-based attractions such as The Eden Project, or properties owned by charitable organisations such as The National Trust and English Heritage.

Active organisations supporting tourism in the UK include the British Association of Leisure Parks, Piers and Attractions (BALPPA), the Museums Association and Arts Council England.