Best Theme Parks UK

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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 rollercoaster

Greenwood Family Park, Gwynedd

Packed full of quirky thrilling rides, activities, playground areas and much more, GreenWood Family Park has been voted the best family attraction in North Wales! Tucked away beneath the trees of the stunning Snowdonia National Park. You’ll be blessed with spectacular views of the rugged mountains, the coast of Wales and it’s just outside the royal town of Caernarfon.

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!

Shape Location Get directions

Bush Rd, Y Felinheli LL56 4QN

Opening Times

Monday to Tuesday Closed
Wednesday to Sunday 10:00 - 15:00

Pricing

Online £12.00 per person
General tickets from £14.00

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the swarm thorpe park

Thorpe Park Resort, Surrey

Thorpe Park is one of the biggest theme parks in the UK and has loads of rides to deliver the thrills of a lifetime!

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!

Shape Location Get directions

Staines Rd, Chertsey KT16 8PN

Opening Times

Opening from Friday 25th March
10:00 - 17:00

Pricing

Adults (12+): £53.50
Kids (4-11): £46.99

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oblivion at alton towers

Alton Towers Theme Park, Staffordshire

For legendary thrill rides, there isn’t really anywhere quite like Alton Towers! The UK’s favourite theme park is home to a huge choice of iconic rides and attractions.

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.

Shape Location Get directions

Farley Lane,
Alton,
Staffordshire,
ST10 4DB

Opening Times

Monday to Friday 10:00 - 16:00
Saturday and Sunday 10:00 - 17:00

Pricing

Adults (12+): £55.00
Kids (3+): £47.80
Under 3's: Free

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shockwave at drayton manor

Drayton Manor, Tamworth

You’ll be happy to know that there is a lot on offer at Drayton Manor for your mini thrill-seekers, from the junior coaster Accelerator to The Bounty Pirate Ship and Sheriff’s Showdown. For your older kids, you can find big thrills on Shockwave and Apocalypse (the world’s first stand-up drop tower ride)! Got train-loving tykes?

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!

Shape Location Get directions

Drayton Manor Park,
Tamworth,
Staffordshire,
B78 3TW

Opening Times

Monday to Thursday 10:00 - 15:00
Friday and Sunday 10:30 - 16:30

Pricing

Adults (12-59): £39.00
Kids (4-11): £29.00
Toddlers (2-3): £8.00
Under 2s: Free
Seniors (60+): £29.00

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theme park rides

Flamingo Land Resort, East Yorkshire

Not only is this a brilliant family attraction with rides, but it also has one of the UK’s best zoos around! So, there’s double the fun, making it a terrific kids theme park!

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!

Shape Location Get directions

Kirby Misperton
Malton
North Yorkshire
YO17 6UX

Opening Times

Currently open weekends
10:00 - 16:00

Pricing

Adults from £40.00
Kids (4+) from £40.00
Under 3's: Free
Seniors from £27.00

Find out more
paultons park tornado springs

Paultons Park Home Of Peppa Pig World

Home to award-winning Peppa Pig World, you’ll love this kids theme park!

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!

Shape Location Get directions

Ower, Romsey,
Hampshire,
SO51 6AL

Opening Times

Park is open from 10:00 on selected dates between February to December

Pricing

Children under 1 metre FREE
Individual £41.75
Entry for 3 £125.25
Entry for 4 £167.00
Entry for 5 £208.75

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brick unicorn at legoland windsor

LEGOLAND Windsor Resort, Berkshire

LEGOLAND Windsor has over 55 rides and attractions which will no doubt build (ahem!) excitement even before you arrive. Kids can craft something of their own or spy characters from all walks of life, like Doctor Who or a band of pillaging pirates.

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…

Shape Location Get directions

Winkfield Road
Berkshire
Windsor SL4 4AY

Opening Times

Open from March 17th 2023

Pricing

Tickets from £34.00

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train ride at chessington

Chessington World Of Adventures Resort, Greater London

Get in touch with your wild side at Chessington World of Adventures. Watch the world’s largest tiger species walk above you in Europe’s first overhead trails. See your favourite children’s books come to life, experience a treetop adventure and take a ride on exhilarating roller coasters. There’s plenty more where that came from too!

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!

Shape Location Get directions

Leatherhead Road,
Chessington,
Greater London,
KT9 2NE

Opening Times

Please see website for details

Pricing

Adults (12+): £50.50
Kids (3-11): £46.50

Find out more
kids drop ride at crealy

Crealy Theme Park & Resort, Exeter

Head on over to an award-winning family attraction! With over 60 rides and attractions, it makes a fantastic family day out! Whether you’re looking for fun rides, family-friendly rides or the wettest water rides. It’s the perfect theme park for pre-school children and big kids too!

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!

Shape Location Get directions

Sidmouth Road
Exeter
Devon
EX5 1DR

Opening Times

Saturday and Sunday
10:00 - 16:30

Pricing

All Ages prices vary throughout the year
Under 92cm: Free

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muppets show at cbeebies land

CBeebies Land, Staffordshire

While the older thrillseekers enjoy epic rides at Alton Towers, tiny tots can have fun at CBeebies Land!

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.

Shape Location Get directions

Sidmouth Road
Exeter
Devon
EX5 1DR

Opening Times

Monday to Sunday
10:00 - 16:00

Pricing

Under 3's: £0.00
Carers: £0.00
Individual (3+years): £46.00

Find out more
pepsi ride at blackpool pleasure beach

Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Blackpool

Ready to reignite your childhood memories mum & dad? Blackpool Pleasure Beach is an award-winning mix of thrill rides, childhood favourites and classic seaside fare. So, basically the perfect ingredients for a day out with the kids!

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!

Shape Location Get directions

525 Ocean Boulevard,
Blackpool,
Lancashire,
FY4 1EZ

Opening Times

Please see website for more details

Pricing

Wristband (12+): £39.00
Wristband (under 11): £33.00
Pleasure Beach Pass (Non Riders): £6.00

Find out more
water ride

Oakwood Theme Park, Pembrokeshire, Wales

Enter the fantasy world of Peter Pan, Tinkerbell, Charlie Bucket and all your favourite fairytale characters at Oakwood Theme Park. Would you brave the scary ghosts and ghoulish monsters on Spooky Street?

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.

Shape Location Get directions

Canaston Bridge,
Narberth,
Pembrokeshire,
SA67 8DE

Opening Times

From 1st April
Monday to Sunday 10:00 - 16:00

Pricing

Wristband (12+): £39.00
Wristband (under 11): £33.00
Pleasure Beach Pass (Non Riders): £6.00

Find out more

FAQs

What is the number one theme park in the UK?

Alton Towers is the biggest and most visited amusement 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?

A theme park is a type of amusement park that bases its structures and attractions around a central theme, often featuring multiple areas with different themes.

What should you wear to theme parks?

As theme parks tend to close through the Winter months & open up in the warmer months from Spring onwards. So, loose-fitting tank tops and t-shirts are perfect for warm days, while t-shirts with jackets or hoodies are better on cooler days.

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?

Guests cannot ride with bags or loose items on theme park rides and so will be required to place bags either in lockers or on the ride platform. These facilities vary from ride to ride and belongings are always left at the owner’s risk.

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?

Yes, most theme parks will allow you to take food with you for picnics.

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 WorldThe Swarm at Thorpe ParkOblivion 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!