So, you are the type of family who lives for hair-raising, eye-widening and ground-breaking thrills? Some of the best theme parks, showcase many magical and impressive theme parks that offer way more than just a few rides.
Whether you love a classic log flume, ghoulish ghost trains, death-drop coasters, magnificent mazes, 4D cinemas or unusual encounters with wild animals, theme parks are truly exciting family days out.
So without further ado, here is our list of the best kids theme parks UK…
Best Theme Parks UK
Greenwood Family Park, Gwynedd
Whizz along the world’s only people-powered rollercoaster, The Green Dragon! Then try the UK’s first solar-powered water slide, and super slide down North Wales’ longest sledge run. With 30 other fantastic adventures, from rollercoasters, and splashing slides to mega crafting, you’ll have the ultimate family day out! Also, there’s a whole host of incredible buzzfuzzling events across the entire year – so there’s always something new here!
But that’s not even the best bit…did you know GreenWood has a Tipi Glamping experience? Family stays in North Wales won’t get better than this, and you have unlimited access to GreenWood Family Park too!
The glamping experience has 6 luxury Tipis, with enough space for everyone! Each Tipi is equipped with a cosy log burner, real beds with quality snuggle duvets and sparkly clean shared facilities. So, you’re truly looked after and can totally relax. Ahh… It also makes for the perfect family escape, especially with gorgeous views of Snowdonia and everything you need bar a few essentials!
Bush Rd, Y Felinheli LL56 4QN
Monday to Tuesday Closed
Wednesday to Sunday 10:00 - 15:00
Online £12.00 per person
General tickets from £14.00
Thorpe Park Resort, Surrey
Duck as you hurtle past giant blades on Saw The Ride, zoom in the sky on UK’s only winged roller coaster – The Swarm, and spin at breakneck speed on Colossus. Want more? Why not try face Stealth, it’s one of Europe’s fastest roller coasters, accelerating from 0 to 80mph in under 2 seconds! Or take a forbidden journey through Derren Brown’s Ghost Train…
There are lots to get stuck into at this theme park, so come along for a fun-filled family day out!
Staines Rd, Chertsey KT16 8PN
Opening from Friday 25th March
10:00 - 17:00
Adults (12+): £53.50
Kids (4-11): £46.99
Alton Towers Theme Park, Staffordshire
Don’t miss Oblivion, the home of a vertical drop into a cloud-filled chasm. Or experience breathtaking speed with Rita! How about a ride on the world’s first full virtual reality roller coaster, Galactica?
Don’t want the day to end? Why not stop over at themed hotels like Alton Towers Resort Hotel or the CBeebies Land Hotel? With magical themed rooms and the second day at the theme park free, the fun never has to end.
For those water babies, why not pack your trunks and goggles and splash about in Alton Towers Waterworld while you’re at it? With splashing fun rides and slides – you’ll get the full theme park experience here.
Farley Lane,
Alton,
Staffordshire,
ST10 4DB
Monday to Friday 10:00 - 16:00
Saturday and Sunday 10:00 - 17:00
Adults (12+): £55.00
Kids (3+): £47.80
Under 3's: Free
Drayton Manor, Tamworth
Get busy at Thomas Land with daily live shows and over 25 rides and attractions, including Toby’s Tram Express, Flynn’s Fire Rescue, and loads more. Meet Thomas the Tank Engine and enjoy family-friendly days out!
Say hi to 100 curious creatures at Drayton’s 15-acre zoo, and don’t forget to check out the park’s epic 4D cinema!
Drayton Manor Park,
Tamworth,
Staffordshire,
B78 3TW
Monday to Thursday 10:00 - 15:00
Friday and Sunday 10:30 - 16:30
Adults (12-59): £39.00
Kids (4-11): £29.00
Toddlers (2-3): £8.00
Under 2s: Free
Seniors (60+): £29.00
Flamingo Land Resort, East Yorkshire
With 52 exhilarating roller coasters like Mumbo Jumbo where you speed at a G-force of 4g. Or reach for the skies as you whizz around like a superhero on Hero! If you love the feel of speed, then Velocity is where you should head next – as the UK’s first motorbike launch coaster!
Flamingo Land Resort is full of amazing rides ready to make your family day out one full of awesome memories!
Kirby Misperton
Malton
North Yorkshire
YO17 6UX
Currently open weekends
10:00 - 16:00
Adults from £40.00
Kids (4+) from £40.00
Under 3's: Free
Seniors from £27.00
Paultons Park Home Of Peppa Pig World
With 9 themed rides including Peppa’s Big Balloon, Miss Rabbit’s Helicopter Flight and George’s Spaceship Indoor Playzone. Kids can fling themselves into the ball pool or play actual musical instruments! Spin, whirl and twirl through exciting rides and even come face to face with your favourite character, Peppa Pig and her little brother, George.
Peppa is just one part of the attraction though, with 70 other rides, games and sports to explore there’s something for everyone at this family theme park. Check out the exciting themed area Tornado Springs. Set in a midwest desert resort town in the American heyday of the 1950s, Tornado Springs features 8 incredible rides and experiences. Take a ride on the spinning coaster, the gyro swing ride and a driving school attraction.
With more epic & otherworldly theme park rides too, Paultons Park is a real family favourite!
Ower, Romsey,
Hampshire,
SO51 6AL
Park is open from 10:00 on selected dates between February to December
Children under 1 metre FREE
Individual £41.75
Entry for 3 £125.25
Entry for 4 £167.00
Entry for 5 £208.75
LEGOLAND Windsor Resort, Berkshire
While the rides aren’t made out of billions of tiny bricks, pretty much everything else is like the LEGO® Reef where you can design your very own cubed creatures to explore a digital landscape beneath the waves. You can even fill their fishy bellies with interactive buttons.
Then, of course, there’s Miniland which takes you on a tiny tour of the world. From Australia to Russia, leave no brick unturned.
Psst! Did you hear about Legoland Windsor’s ‘Mythica’? It’s said to be truly out of this world…
Winkfield Road
Berkshire
Windsor SL4 4AY
Open from March 17th 2023
Tickets from £34.00
Chessington World Of Adventures Resort, Greater London
Fly like a bat on Vampire, soar like a dragon on Dragon’s Fury, or slither like a snake on Kobra. With over 40 rides and thrilling rollercoasters to choose from you’re in for screams galore at Chessington World of Adventures!
Oh, and if you’re brave enough to look around while on the Tiger Rock log flume, you can spot the resident endangered Amur tigers. With Go Ape, SEA LIFE & more, Chessington Adventures really has it all – which is why it’s one of the best kids theme parks around!
Also, we can’t forget the NEW Jumanji Land opening spring 2023! It’s set to be an absolute blast!
Leatherhead Road,
Chessington,
Greater London,
KT9 2NE
Please see website for details
Adults (12+): £50.50
Kids (3-11): £46.50
Crealy Theme Park & Resort, Exeter
Bring spare clothes because you will get drenched on Tidal Wave! Whizz around on the head-spinning Twister and more! Also, your kids can explore over 60,000 square feet of indoor AND outdoor play. There’s so much to do, where are they going to start first?! If you’re an animal lover, then you should check out Discover Jungle Journey, for a chance to see a range of exotic animals from all over the world!
Sidmouth Road
Exeter
Devon
EX5 1DR
Saturday and Sunday
10:00 - 16:30
All Ages prices vary throughout the year
Under 92cm: Free
CBeebies Land, Staffordshire
Watch the Furchester Hotel Live or take a ride on the Go Jetters Vroomster Zoom. After a busy day exploring the park, you can even calm down with Iggle Piggle on the In the Night Garden Magical Boat Ride.
Sidmouth Road
Exeter
Devon
EX5 1DR
Monday to Sunday
10:00 - 16:00
Under 3's: £0.00
Carers: £0.00
Individual (3+years): £46.00
Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Blackpool
Would you brave the UK’s tallest roller coaster, The Big One? With speeds of up to 87 mph, it’s a real hair-raiser!
Don’t forget the other 125 rides and attractions… At Blackpool Pleasure Beach all ages are catered for, starting with the younger kids who’ll go crazy for Nickelodeon Land. It has 12 fun-packed rides and a host of familiar faces like Dora the Explorer and her World Voyage, the RugRats’ Lost River and Wallace & Gromit’s Thrill-O-Matic.
If you’re lucky you’ll even spot Spongebob Squarepants!
525 Ocean Boulevard,
Blackpool,
Lancashire,
FY4 1EZ
Please see website for more details
Wristband (12+): £39.00
Wristband (under 11): £33.00
Pleasure Beach Pass (Non Riders): £6.00
Oakwood Theme Park, Pembrokeshire, Wales
Put your bravery to the test on the ‘Creepy Crawler’ ride and enter the Witch Hunt scare maze (only if you dare). Do you have a need for speedy coasters? Have a go at the famous Megafobia, Speed, and Drenched roller coasters.
For a kids theme park, it’s packed with plenty of fun attractions and thrilling rides! Make some memories that will last a lifetime at Oakwood Theme Park.
Canaston Bridge,
Narberth,
Pembrokeshire,
SA67 8DE
From 1st April
Monday to Sunday 10:00 - 16:00
Wristband (12+): £39.00
Wristband (under 11): £33.00
Pleasure Beach Pass (Non Riders): £6.00
FAQs
What is the number one theme park in the UK?
Known to be one of the most visited theme parks in the UK, it allows visitors to enjoy a host of different services like a spa, theme park, indoor water park, and even mini-golf! It’s an incredible kids theme park that the whole family can enjoy!
What are the features of a theme park?
What should you wear to theme parks?
Sports bras are also recommended attire for amusement parks because they are comfortable and are built for being active.
Waterproof Mac – Going on water rides? Make sure to take a waterproof mac with you that covers your whole body. You can purchase these at theme parks but it will be a lot cheaper to order a family pack online from websites like Amazon.
Tight fitting shoes – Make sure you wear tight-fitting shoes like trainers or boots, especially on roller coasters. The last thing you want is for your shoes to fly off at 80 mph! Flip-flops, sliders and even dolly shoes are not suitable for theme parks
Do theme parks have lockers for your bags & belongings?
You should always check each theme park’s website that lockers are available and what the cost might be.
For example, at Alton Towers, you can rent a locker for an hour to all day, and each locker has a different size, therefore a different cost.
A Small Locker – £1 per hour, or £5 per day
Large Locker – £2 per hour, or £10 per day
Can you take your own food to theme parks?
Theme parks will have picnic areas or benches where you can kick back with your lunch & relax. Fast food restaurants are dotted around theme parks if you decide you don’t want to carry your lunch around with you.
Found some of the best theme parks UK to add to your bucket list? Whether you’re looking for some super fun kids theme parks, or for bigger kids – we have it all on our theme park page!
Looking for more thrilling theme park adventures for the family? Head over to our theme park page and find out more about Velocity at Zip World, The Swarm at Thorpe Park, Oblivion at Alton Towers or find out more about Disneyland Paris! Check out what new rides and attractions are coming to the UK over the next few years!