If you’re looking for the best theme park in the UK to visit with your family (or even without them), then this is the guide for you! The best UK theme parks for adults, teens, kids and small children are all detailed here.
Which is the best amusement park in the UK to visit will depend on what you want from your day out – or longer stay. Will it be white-knuckle rides to impress even the teens, a place featuring the little ones’ favourite characters or a park themed around the world’s most popular plastic building bricks?
The aim of this article is to help you find the best theme park in the UK. There are some really good theme parks in the UK, including places like Alton Towers that attract visitors from all over the country. Plus smaller ones that tend to be frequented by a more local clientele, or those with a particular interest in the theme.
Here are 10 of the top UK theme parks for you to think about spending time at!
| ???? UK THEME PARK | LOCATION | ????TICKETS |
|---|---|---|
| ALTON TOWERS | MIDLANDS | BUY TICKETS HERE |
| THORPE PARK | SOUTH EAST | BUY TICKETS HERE |
| CHESSINGTON WORLD OF ADVENTURES | SOUTH EAST | BUY TICKETS HERE |
| LEGOLAND WINDSOR | SOUTH EAST | BUY TICKETS HERE |
| PEPPA PIG WORLD | SOUTH WEST | BUY TICKETS HERE |
| SHREK’S ADVENTURE | LONDON | BUY TICKETS HERE |
| DRAYTON MANOR | MIDLANDS | BUY TICKETS HERE |
| FLAMINGOLAND | NORTH EAST | BUY TICKETS HERE |
10 of the Best UK Theme Parks
Alton Towers
???? Best all-rounder
- Where? Farley Lane, Alton, Stoke-on-Trent ST10 4DB
- When? 10 am to 5 pm daily
- What? Theme and water parks, mini golf, spa and hotels
- Tickets: Click here to check prices
- Stay over at Alton Towers Resort (on site)
Alton Towers is more than just a mere theme park. It’s also arguably top among all the best theme parks in the UK. Located in Staffordshire, the central England position makes this one easy to get to from all over the country.
There’s so much for kids of all ages at Alton Towers. In fact this place goes way beyond other amusement parks in Britain. It has adrenaline-inducing, record-breaking rides, CBeebies Land for small children, a water park, mini golf and even a spa for adults. You can also stay over at the hotels here.
Thorpe Park
???? Best for thrill-seekers
- Where? Staines Road, Chertsey KT16 8PN
- When? 10am to 5pm Tuesday to Friday, Saturday 10am to 7pm, Sunday & Monday 10am to 6pm
- What? Rides, Amity Beach, Angry Birds 4D & Black Mirror experiences
- Tickets: Click here to check prices
- Stay over at The Bridge Hotel, Chertsey (3 miles from Thorpe Park)
Thorpe Park in Surrey has the advantage – as compared to other amusement parks in the United Kingdom – of being close to London. There’s plenty of rides to keep everyone busy all day long, plus a couple of unique Black Mirror and Angry Birds experiences.
On a sunny day in particular, Amity Beach is a lovely spot for families with young kids to spend time in. The whole family can also sample the 64 foot Storm Surge water ride.
Chessington World of Adventures
???? Best for animal lovers
- Where? Chessington, KT9 2NE
- When? 10 am to 5 pm Monday to Thursday, 10 am to 6 pm Friday to Sunday
- What? Theme park, zoo and resort with hotel
- Tickets: Click here to check prices
- Stay over at Chessington Hotel (on site)
Chessington World of Adventures has lots to offer. It’s one of the best theme parks in England as it has live animals that you can see by taking a safari. As well as the African Kingdom, there are 9 other lands to discover at Chessington.
The thrilling Mandrill Mayhem Ride and the first Gruffalo ride in the world also await. You can also see more creatures at Chessington Zoo.
Legoland Windsor
???? Best for LEGO® fans
- Where? Winkfield Road, Windsor SL4 4AY
- When? 10 am to 5 pm Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Sunday; 10 am to 6 pm Monday, Friday & Saturday
- What? Theme park around the Lego building bricks brand
- Tickets: Click here to check prices
- Stay over at Macdonald Windsor (2 miles from Legoland)
Whether you have a young or older fan of the world’s favourite colourful plastic building blocks in the family, Legoland Windsor makes a great day out. As English theme parks go, this one stands out for this reason, and it also has two hotels.
Legoland attractions include the incredible models you’ll spot all over the resort. There are also more than 55 rides and attractions, and the much-awaited LEGO® NINJAGO™ World is now also open.
Peppa Pig World at Paultons Park
???? Best for little ones
- Where? Romsey, SO51 6AL
- When? 10am to 5pm Monday to Friday; 10am to 5.30pm Saturday & Sunday
- What? Peppa Pig World plus Paultons theme park
- Tickets: Click here to check prices (including transport from London)
- Stay over at The Mortimer Arms (0.5 miles from Paultons Park)
Paultons Park is primarily known among activity parks in the UK as it’s home to Peppa Pig World. But in fact Paultons Park has a lot more to offer besides. You can find more than 70 attractions and rides here.
Other things to see and do at Paultons include the Peppa Pig shop, an African zone, a 4D cinema, the Water Kingdom splash park, and 1950s American-style Tornado Springs.
Shrek’s Adventure
???? Best for London
- Where? Riverside Building, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7PB
- When? 10 am to 3 pm Monday to Friday; 10 am to 4 pm Saturday & Sunday
- What? Themed attraction based on the popular movie character
- Tickets: Click here to check prices
- Stay over at Park Plaza County Hall (very close by)
Not all theme parks in Britain are based out in the countryside. Shrek’s Adventure can be found in central London, just south of the River Thames. The offbeat, immersive experience takes kids and adults through the land of Far Far Away.
During the day you can hop aboard a 4D bus led by Donkey, take part in fairytale shows, meet Shrek and other Dreamworks characters, and interact with other worlds including Madagascar, Pinocchio, the Muffin Man, Cinderella and of course Puss in Boots.
Drayton Manor
???? Best for young trainspotters
- Where? Drayton Manor Drive, Fazeley, Mile Oak, Tamworth B78 3TW
- When? 10.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday; 10.30am to 5pm Saturday & Sunday
- What? Family theme park with zoo and hotel
- Tickets: Click here to check prices
- Stay over at Drayton Manor Hotel (under 0.2 miles from theme park)
Like Alton Towers, Drayton Manor is among the most popular amusement parks in the UK. And like Alton Towers, it’s also in the Midlands county of Staffordshire. Thomas Land is the star attraction here, and young trainspotters flock here to see the popular TV character and his friends.
Other attractions at Drayton Manor include nautical Adventure Cove with water rides and the Vikings area plus an array of shops, restaurants and rides.
FlamingoLand
???? Best for North East England
- Where? Malton, YO17 6UX
- When? Varies
- What? Family theme park with zoo and hotel
- Tickets: Click here to check prices
- Stay over at Beansheaf hotel (1.5 miles from theme park)
If you’re spending any time in northern England or southern Scotland and will be staying in the east, FlamingoLand could be your best bet for a fun-filled family day out. This is one of the England amusement parks that acts as a got-to for many northerly-based residents of the British Isles.
FlamingoLand offers a good range of places to eat, live shows featuring sea lions, birds, Peter Rabbit and pirates, and of course rides for all ages.
Blackpool Pleasure Beach
???? Best for a bucket-and-spade resort
- Where? 525 Ocean Boulevard, Blackpool FY4 1EZ
- When? Varies
- What? Amusement park on Blackpool’s South Shore
- Stay over at Boulevard Hotel (very close by)
Blackpool Pleasure Beach has been a feature of the town’s South Shore since 1896. It’s known for its thrilling rides, including The Big One. There’s also a Nickelodeon Land here, and of course the sea views make this theme park in the UK really stand out.
If you love shows, bright lights or dancing, then Blackpool could be the place for you. Yearly illuminations are held here, Blackpool Tower has one of the world’s most famous dance floors, and there are dazzling shows taking place all over town. Blackpool is also home to miles of golden sandy beaches.
Fantasy Island
???? Best for a coastal location
- Where? Sea Lane, Ingoldmells, Skegness PE25 1RH
- When? 11 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday; 11 am to 9 pm Saturday, 11 am to 6 pm Sunday
- What? Amusement park in Ingoldmells near Skegness
- Stay over at The Villager Hotel (very close by)
Another of the amusement parks in the UK that’s by the water is Fantasy Island in Lincolnshire. It’s situated in Ingoldmells, near Skegness. Like Blackpool, this is a traditional British seaside resort with lots of golden sands, shops, places to eat, amusement arcades and more.
Fantasy Island has been operating since 1995, so it’s modern as compared to others. The park offers over 30 rides, live entertainment and events and a market that’s open seven days per week.
Which are the best UK theme parks for you?
We hope this list of the ten best family theme parks in the UK has inspired you to pay at least one a visit! Touring the UK can be pretty intense at times, and there’s nothing like riding a rollercoaster, enjoying an immersive experience or meeting the children’s favourite characters to take a break from seeing the sights.
If you’re travelling with kids, you might not get any choice in the matter anyway. Will they ever forgive you if you don’t include at least one of the best UK theme parks for toddlers, teens or kids in between on your itinerary?