UK Family Arcades: 55 Brilliant Amusement Arcades for a Day Out
There's a sound every British kid knows. The clatter of coppers dropping off a pusher shelf, the jingle of a crane that's just missed, the beep-beep of a ticket game spitting out a long paper tongue. Family arcades are pure seaside joy, and they're one of the few days out where a handful of change can keep everyone grinning for an hour.
This guide rounds up 55 family-friendly amusement arcades across the UK, from the big piers of Blackpool and Brighton to tiny harbour arcades in Cornwall, Ayrshire and County Down. You'll find 2p pushers, claw machines, air hockey, dance machines, ticket games with prize counters and the odd retro cabinet tucked in a corner. We've grouped them by region so you can plan a proper day out, or add one to a trip you've already got booked.
Every arcade below links to its own page, where you'll find more on the machines, the location and what's nearby.
What makes a great family arcade
The best family arcades feel like a funfair with a roof on. Look for a good spread of 2p pushers (classic round ones and modern themed ones), cranes stocked with decent plush, a few ride-in racers and something everyone can play together, like air hockey or a dance machine.
Ticket games are the secret weapon. Kids love feeding a long strip of tickets into the counter and choosing a prize, even if it's a rubber duck and a pencil. Arcades with a well-stocked prize shop and friendly staff on the counter tend to be the ones families come back to.
Location matters too. An arcade on a pier or right on the prom means you can mix it up: a bit of beach, a bit of chips, a quick blast on the pushers when the clouds roll in. Many also add mini bowling, soft play or a café, which turns a quick visit into a proper half-day.
Family arcades in Lincolnshire and the East Coast
Lincolnshire's coast is arcade country. From Cleethorpes down to Skegness, the fronts are lined with flashing lights, prize windows and the smell of fresh doughnuts.
Kingpin, Cleethorpes Right opposite Cleethorpes pier, Kingpin is a big seafront all-rounder. The headline act is a six-lane mini bowling alley, which is perfect for a quick family match, backed up by rows of 2p pushers and a well-stocked Prize Zone. Pop in after a walk along the prom or a paddle on the sands. See Kingpin, Cleethorpes →
The Empire, Cleethorpes Housed in a restored Victorian theatre from 1896, The Empire has bags of character. Inside you'll find a cracking run of classic pushers, big ticket games and a crane themed like a chocolate factory, which younger kids find impossible to walk past. It's a lovely one for grandparents who remember the old Cleethorpes front. See The Empire, Cleethorpes →
Jacksons Amusements, Mablethorpe A Mablethorpe fixture for around a century, Jacksons sits on the corner by the beach and is brilliant for little ones. There are loads of kiddie rides, ticket pushers and cranes, plus a prize shop to spend those winnings. Grown-ups can grab a drink in the Jolly Jacks bar while the kids decide between a bouncy ball and a fidget toy. See Jacksons Amusements, Mablethorpe →
The Mirage, Mablethorpe On Mablethorpe's High Street, The Mirage packs far more in than you'd expect. Alongside pushers, cranes, racers and pinball there's an eight-lane bowling alley and soft play, so it works for every age in the family. Handy on a drizzly afternoon when the beach has lost its appeal. See The Mirage, Mablethorpe →
Lucky Strike, Skegness Three floors of fun on Skegness Grand Parade. Lucky Strike mixes 2p pushers and grabbers with mini bowling, retro racers and soft play, and the cafés upstairs have views over the sea. Park the pushchair, grab a brew and let the older kids loose on the racing games. See Lucky Strike, Skegness →
Tower Cinema Amusements, Skegness Tucked under Skegness's historic Tower Cinema, this one's full of surprises. Look out for shelf-prize 2p pushers, rare Catching Duck grabbers and a VR Starship ride that teenagers love. Combine it with a film upstairs on a rainy day and you've got the whole afternoon sorted. See Tower Cinema Amusements, Skegness →
Skegness Pier Arcade Pushers run the full length of the pier building here, along with 2p roll-downs and fairground-style ticket games. The real bonus is everything else under the same roof: bowling, Laser Quest and soft play. Walk out to the end afterwards for a breather and a view back over the beach. See Skegness Pier Arcade →
Ingoldmells Point Arcade The family arcade at Sun City sits closest to the beach at Ingoldmells Point. Expect pushers, cranes, kiddie rides, mini bowling and a big prize shop. It's handy if you're staying on one of the many caravan parks nearby, and Fantasy Island is only a short stroll along Sea Lane. See Ingoldmells Point Arcade →
Yorkshire coast
Yorkshire's resorts do arcades with a bit of grandeur, from old sea baths in Scarborough to the harbourside fun of Whitby.
The Forum, Bridlington Bridlington's big seafront complex is a one-stop rainy-day rescue. The arcade has 2p pushers, family games, VR and a huge prize shop, and there's bowling and a cinema in the same building. Brid's harbour and its famous sands are a few minutes' walk away when the sun comes back out. See The Forum, Bridlington →
Gilly's Amusements, Scarborough A proper Foreshore Road favourite on Scarborough's South Bay. Downstairs is all classic 2p pushers and cranes; upstairs you'll find pinball, pool and Bowlingo mini bowling. Great for families with a mix of ages, and you're right by the harbour for fish and chips afterwards. See Gilly's Amusements, Scarborough →
Coney Island, Scarborough You can't miss the big red frontage. Coney Island fills Scarborough's old sea baths building, which dates back to 1859, with pushers, racing games and cranes. It's a handsome bit of seaside history with modern fun inside, and it sits slap bang on the South Bay front. See Coney Island, Scarborough →
Pleasureland, Whitby Whitby's big family arcade on Pier Road has a dedicated Claw Land, space-themed mini bowling, pushers and kiddie rides, all played on tap cards. Pirate golf is just over the road, so you can easily turn it into an afternoon before climbing the 199 steps to the abbey. See Pleasureland, Whitby →
Funland, Whitby Parents of a certain age, this one's for you. Funland's upstairs retro zone has pinball, Daytona and light-gun games, with mini bowling too, while the ground floor keeps the kids busy with pushers. Brilliant for showing your children what arcades looked like when you were their age. See Funland, Whitby →
Holdsworths Amusements, Filey Filey is a gentler resort than its neighbours, and Holdsworths suits it perfectly. The arcade sits on Coble Landing by the fishing boats and the lifeboat station, so you can watch the boats, play a few pushers and wander onto the long sandy beach without getting back in the car. See Holdsworths Amusements, Filey →
Game King, Withernsea Withernsea's all-in-one on Memorial Avenue has 2p falls, cranes and ticket games plus six-lane bowling, soft play and a café-bar. It's a cracking pick for a quieter Holderness seaside trip, and the lighthouse museum in town makes a nice extra stop. See Game King, Withernsea →
Seldons Leisureworld, Saltburn Saltburn's red and white pier building houses this traditional family arcade, with 2p pushers, tickets, a prize bar and kiddie rides. Pair it with a trip on the Victorian cliff lift and a stroll along Saltburn's lovely pier for a classic, unhurried seaside day. See Seldons Leisureworld, Saltburn →
North West
Blackpool is the undisputed king of the arcade, but don't overlook Southport, Morecambe and New Brighton.
Coral Island, Blackpool Look for the giant skull on the prom. Coral Island is a free-entry, pirate-themed arcade with 2p pushers, a Camel Derby race game, indoor rides and a huge prize shop. It's one of the most family-focused spots on the front and sits handily near the Tower and Central Pier. See Coral Island, Blackpool →
Blackpool Amusements In the old Woolworths building right next to the Tower, this two-floor family arcade is known for being spotless and packed with 2p pushers. There's a cheap café too, which is a lifesaver when the kids are flagging. Ideal before or after a Tower Ballroom visit. See Blackpool Amusements →
North Pier Arcade, Blackpool Blackpool's oldest pier keeps things gloriously old-school. At the front you'll find classic pushers, a Donkey Derby, cranes and ticket games. Walk the boards afterwards for a quieter take on Blackpool and some cracking views back to the Tower. See North Pier Arcade, Blackpool →
Playdium, Blackpool Pleasure Beach Inside Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Playdium is the place for a breather between rides. Ticket and prize games, cranes, grabbers, video games and driving games keep everyone happy while the queues for the big coasters die down. See Playdium, Blackpool Pleasure Beach →
Silcock's Funland, Southport Pier On the Southport Pier forecourt, Silcock's Funland is a dedicated family amusement centre with children's games and ticket games. Afterwards, head inland for a wander along elegant Lord Street, with its Victorian glass canopies and independent cafés. See Silcock's Funland, Southport Pier →
Pleasureland, Morecambe A big seafront family arcade on Marine Road Central, Pleasureland has 2p pushers, cranes and a prize shop, plus a diner for a quick bite. Morecambe Bay's sunsets are famous, and the Eric Morecambe statue is a short stroll along the prom for the obligatory photo. See Pleasureland, Morecambe →
New Palace, New Brighton The Wilkie family have run this seafront funfair since 1939. Inside is the Bright Spot family arcade and Adventureland soft play, with outdoor rides alongside. Combine it with the Fort Perch Rock and lighthouse views at the end of the prom for a full Wirral day. See New Palace, New Brighton →
South West
From Weston's grand pier to harbour arcades in Cornwall, the South West mixes big seaside fun with pretty fishing towns.
The Grand Pier, Weston-super-Mare One of the most impressive arcades in the country, set in a huge pavilion at the end of Weston's pier. You'll find 2p pushers, cranes, racers, ticket games and VR, all played on a top-up Fun Card. Make a day of it on the vast beach below. See The Grand Pier, Weston-super-Mare →
Paignton Pier With over 300 machines plus Lost City Adventure Golf, fish and chips and sweet treats, Paignton Pier is an English Riviera classic. Walk out over the sea between games, then head next door to Paignton's sandy beach and the green for a picnic. See Paignton Pier →
Golden Palms, Torquay Right on Torquay harbourside, Golden Palms is a big open-fronted arcade with pushers, cranes, ticket prizes and mini bowling lanes. Perfect for a quick stop between boat-watching on the harbour and an ice cream along the waterfront. See Golden Palms, Torquay →
Stardust Amusements, Brean Brean's big bright family arcade has themed 2p pushers, a huge prize counter and a dance machine that draws a crowd. With over a thousand glowing reviews, it's a firm favourite for holidaymakers at Brean's caravan parks, and the long beach is right on the doorstep. See Stardust Amusements, Brean →
Burnham Pier Amusements, Burnham-on-Sea Often called Britain's shortest pier, Burnham's is really one Edwardian pavilion, and it's full of 2p pushers, grabbers and a prize counter. Small but much loved. Afterwards, walk along to the quirky low lighthouse on stilts on the beach. See Burnham Pier Amusements, Burnham-on-Sea →
Funworld, Swanage Swanage's seafront family arcade on Shore Road has 2p machines, grabbers, racers and tickets. Combine it with a ride on the Swanage Railway steam trains or a walk out to Old Harry Rocks for a Jurassic Coast day with something for everyone. See Funworld, Swanage →
Patsea Arcadia, St Ives Signed Patsea Arcadia since 1934, this harbourside arcade on Wharf Road brings a dash of old-fashioned fun to St Ives. There's a horse racing game, a shooting gallery, grabbers and ticket games. Handy when the Cornish weather turns and the harbour beach empties. See Patsea Arcadia, St Ives →
Alexandra Gardens, Weymouth Part arcade, part mini fairground, Alexandra Gardens sits on Weymouth's Esplanade with pushers, ticket games and kiddie rides played on a card system. Weymouth's golden beach and its famous sand sculptures are right in front, so it's an easy add-on to a beach day. See Alexandra Gardens, Weymouth →
South East and East Anglia
Piers, prize shops and Golden Mile glitz: the South East and East Anglia have some of the busiest family arcades in the country.
Brighton Palace Pier Two big arcades on one famous pier: the Palace of Fun by the gates and the Dome at the far end. Expect pushers, tickets, racers and dance machines, then rides and doughnuts outside. A Brighton day out isn't quite complete without a wander down the boards. See Brighton Palace Pier →
Clacton Pier A massive pier arcade with over 200 games. Rows of 2p pushers, grabbers full of big-name plush, ticket games and a prize shop keep families busy for hours, and there are rides further out along the pier for when the kids want a change. See Clacton Pier →
Walton Pier, Walton-on-the-Naze Walton's long pier has a huge all-weather arcade with rows of 2p pushers, cranes, a prize shop, bowling and indoor rides. It's a calmer alternative to Clacton down the road, and the Naze Tower and its cliffs make a brilliant walk afterwards. See Walton Pier, Walton-on-the-Naze →
Funtopia, Southend-on-Sea Adventure Island's indoor arcade sits right by Southend Pier, with video games, pushers, cranes and tickets on a game card. Soft play and rides make it a winner for younger kids, and the pier's own little railway is a short walk away. See Funtopia, Southend-on-Sea →
Wellington Pier, Great Yarmouth Great Yarmouth's Victorian Wellington Pier is home to a modern ticket arcade with pushers, simulators and six-lane Bowlingo. It's at the quieter end of the Golden Mile, close to the Winter Gardens and the Pleasure Beach, so easy to slot into a full Yarmouth day. See Wellington Pier, Great Yarmouth →
The Mint, Great Yarmouth A Golden Mile family favourite with Quasar laser tag upstairs, generous pusher prizes and a Star Wars pinball that older kids will queue for. It's a cracking base for an afternoon on the seafront, with the beach just across the road. See The Mint, Great Yarmouth →
Williamson's Old Penny Arcade, Great Yarmouth Something completely different. Inside Merrivale Model Village you'll find nearly 100 restored vintage penny machines, including allwins and What the Butler Saw. It's like a working museum, and a lovely way to show kids how their great-grandparents spent their pennies at the seaside. See Williamson's Old Penny Arcade, Great Yarmouth →
The Showboat, Hunstanton Hunstanton's big family arcade is packed with classic round pushers, 20p cranes, VR and a giant Super Grab. Sunny Hunny is famous for sunsets over the Wash and its striped cliffs, so save the arcade for the late afternoon and finish on the beach. See The Showboat, Hunstanton →
Dunes Amusements, Cromer On Cromer's lower prom by the pier, Dunes has generous 2p pushers, cranes, roll-downs and ticket games. Grab a Cromer crab sandwich, watch the lifeboat station at the end of the pier, then pop back for one more go on the pushers. See Dunes Amusements, Cromer →
Jimmy G's, Leysdown-on-Sea On the Isle of Sheppey, Jimmy G's is a giant seafront arcade with pushers, giant cranes, Bowlingo, prize bingo, soft play and kids' rides out the back. It's the beating heart of Leysdown's prom, and the beach is just steps away. See Jimmy G's, Leysdown-on-Sea →
Wales
Welsh piers and proms are dotted with brilliant family arcades, from Victorian bandstands to busy Barry Island.
Royal Pier, Aberystwyth Wales's first pleasure pier is home to an air-conditioned family arcade full of big ride-in games, ticket games and mini bowling. Combine it with a ride on the Cliff Railway up Constitution Hill and a walk along the elegant prom. See Royal Pier, Aberystwyth →
Llandudno Pier Llandudno's lovely Victorian pier has two arcades: Leisure Island at the entrance and The Deck in the old bandstand right out at sea. Both have 2p pushers, grabbers and prizes. Pair with the Great Orme tramway for a properly memorable family day. See Llandudno Pier →
Hi-Tide Arcade, Porthcawl By Coney Beach in Porthcawl, Hi-Tide has 2p pushers, cranes, air hockey, racing sims, retro games and a prize counter, plus a café and mini bowling. Rest Bay and the Porthcawl prom are lovely for a breezy walk afterwards. See Hi-Tide Arcade, Porthcawl →
Stardust Arcade, Barry Island Compact but full of energy, Stardust on Paget Road has 2p pushers, ticket games, cranes and a loud, well-loved Dance Dance Revolution machine. Fans of a certain sitcom will want a stroll along the prom, and Whitmore Bay's sands are right there. See Stardust Arcade, Barry Island →
Knightlys Amusements, Towyn A Towyn favourite on Sandbank Road, Knightlys has 2p pushers that pay out tickets, cranes, a big prize shop and a VR arena. It's a hit with families staying at the many North Wales caravan parks, and the fairground is close by. See Knightlys Amusements, Towyn →
Pwllheli Funland Family run for over 60 years, Pwllheli Funland on Y Maes is a year-round arcade with a café, plus dodgems and fairground rides in season. A handy treat if you're exploring the Llŷn Peninsula and need a rainy-day plan. See Pwllheli Funland →
Scotland
Scotland's seaside arcades are smaller in number but big on charm, often family-run for generations.
Codonas, Aberdeen Aberdeen's beach funfair has an indoor Play 'n' Win arcade, bowling, karting and laser tag. Families rate it for value, and it sits right on the beach esplanade, so you can watch for dolphins at the harbour mouth before or after. See Codonas, Aberdeen →
Golden Disc, Ayr Ayr's original seafront arcade on Wellington Lane has penny falls, claws, bowling and kids' karts, plus a huge prize shop. A great add-on to a stroll on Ayr's big sandy beach with views across to Arran. See Golden Disc, Ayr →
Pleasureland, Arbroath Arbroath's indoor funfair and arcade has been going since 1975, with free entry, ticket games and dodgems, plus a vintage waltzer that's a treat in itself. Combine it with a famous Arbroath smokie from the harbour. See Pleasureland, Arbroath →
Nobles Amusements, Portobello On Portobello Promenade since 1984, Nobles brings proper seaside fun to Edinburgh's beach. Expect 2p pushers, cranes, over 50 tap-card games and a prize zone, with street food just outside. Easy by bus from the city centre. See Nobles Amusements, Portobello →
Culliss Amusements, Largs Run by the same family for four generations, Culliss on Gallowgate Street is a friendly Largs institution. Combine a visit with an ice cream from the town's famous parlours and a walk along the front to the Pencil monument. See Culliss Amusements, Largs →
Northern Ireland
From the Causeway Coast to the Mourne foothills, Northern Ireland has some proper old-school arcades.
Kent Amusements, Newcastle On Newcastle's Central Promenade in County Down, Kent Amusements has indoor dodgems, ticket games, prizes and new VR games. With the Mourne Mountains rising behind the town, it's a brilliant spot to finish a day of beach and hill walks. See Kent Amusements, Newcastle →
Sportsland, Portrush An old-school games hall on Portrush Main Street, also signed The Big Red Game Centre, with 2p machines, cranes, pinball, pool and snooker. Perfect after a trip to the Giant's Causeway or a day on the town's lovely beaches. See Sportsland, Portrush →
Funstation, Belfast A modern Funcard arcade in Belfast's Titanic Quarter, with cranes, video games and a big prize counter. It's a handy family treat to pair with a visit to Titanic Belfast and a stroll along the Lagan waterfront. See Funstation, Belfast →
Tips for a brilliant arcade day out
Set a budget before you go in and stick to it. A bag of 2p coins goes a long way on the pushers, and many arcades now use tap cards, so you can load an amount and know exactly where you stand. Let the kids hold their own card or cup of coins, as it makes them feel grown-up and keeps things fair between siblings.
Save your tickets. Lots of arcades let you keep tickets or points on a card between visits, so you can build up to a bigger prize rather than grabbing a sweet every time. Ask at the prize counter on your first visit.
Arcades are perfect rainy-day backup, but they're even better as part of a bigger seaside day. Plan a beach walk, chips on the prom and a stroll along the pier, then slot in the arcade when everyone needs a bit of excitement. Head to our seaside arcade towns guide for the best resorts to base yourself.
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