UK Theme Parks: 40 Brilliant Days Out for Thrills, Families & Splashes
There's nothing quite like that first glimpse of a coaster track over the treetops from the car park. The kids go quiet, somebody's stomach does a little flip, and you know the day has properly started. Britain does theme parks brilliantly, from monster resorts with hotels and waterparks bolted on to cheerful little family parks where the queues are short and the ice cream is never far away.
This guide sorts the best of them by what you're actually after. Want white-knuckle coasters that'll have the teenagers screaming? Sorted. Got toddlers who just want Peppa, Thomas and a gentle teacups ride? Covered. Rainy forecast, animal lovers in the family, or a Halloween scare night on the cards? There's a section for all of it.
Each park has a quick rundown of what makes it special, who it suits best and a tip for making more of the trip. Click through for more on each place and the towns around them.
UK theme parks for thrill rides
If the plan is loops, launches and drops that leave your legs wobbling, start here. These are the parks the coaster fans rave about.
Alton Towers Staffordshire's heavyweight is the one most thrill-seekers have circled on the calendar. The Smiler twists through fourteen inversions, Oblivion tips you over a vertical drop into a hole in the ground, and the Wicker Man brings wooden coaster rattle with a fiery theme. Stay over at one of the on-site hotels and you can split the rides across two days without rushing. See Alton Towers →
Thorpe Park Thorpe Park sits on a set of lakes near Chertsey and is built squarely for teenagers and grown-ups who want maximum adrenaline. Stealth launches you skyward in seconds, Colossus throws in ten inversions, and Hyperia is a towering newer addition with serious airtime. Small children will find less to do here, so it's ideal for a mates' day or older kids. See Thorpe Park →
Blackpool Pleasure Beach Right on the Prom, Pleasure Beach mixes historic rides with modern monsters. The Big One still dominates the skyline, Icon delivers a double launch, and the Big Dipper and Grand National give you old-school wooden thrills. Nickelodeon Land sits within the resort for younger ones, and the rest of Blackpool's front is right outside the gates when you fancy chips and the arcades. See Blackpool Pleasure Beach →
Oakwood Pembrokeshire's theme park near Narberth is best known for Megafobia, a wooden coaster that fans have been raving about since the nineties. Drenched brings a soaking on hot days, and there's a decent spread of family rides too. Pair it with a few days on the Pembrokeshire coast, where beaches, castles and Folly Farm are all within an easy drive. Explore Narberth →
M&D's Scotland's Theme Park Set in Strathclyde Country Park near Motherwell, M&D's is Scotland's go-to for coasters and fairground spins without a long trek south. Alongside the rides you'll find bowling, soft play and a big Game Zone arcade, so it works whatever the Scottish weather throws at you. Amazonia, a warm tropical house full of monkeys and snakes, is right on site too. Explore Motherwell →
Adventure Island Southend's seafront park packs a surprising amount into a compact spot right by the pier. Rage and Axis bring genuine thrills for brave teenagers, while gentler rides keep little ones happy. Because it sits on the front, you can mix a few big rides with a walk along the famous pier, a paddle and a proper seaside lunch. See Adventure Island →
Family theme parks
These parks are designed around younger children, with gentle rides, characters they know and plenty of space to let off steam between queues.
LEGOLAND Windsor Brick fans aged roughly three to twelve will be in heaven here. Miniland recreates famous landmarks in millions of LEGO pieces, LEGO Ninjago World has hands-on battles, and Mythica brings dragons and flying beasts. Two themed hotels on site make it easy to turn the visit into a weekend, and Windsor Castle and the town are only a short hop away. See LEGOLAND Windsor →
Paultons Park On the edge of the New Forest near Romsey, Paultons is home to Peppa Pig World, which makes it a firm favourite with pre-schoolers. Older kids get the Lost Kingdom, packed with dinosaurs and family coasters, and Tornado Springs adds more lively rides. The beautifully kept gardens are a bonus, and the New Forest ponies are waiting nearby for the drive home. Explore Romsey →
Drayton Manor Near Tamworth, Drayton Manor is the home of Thomas Land, where little engine fans can ride with Thomas and his friends. There's a proper zoo inside the park as well as bigger rides for older brothers and sisters, so one ticket covers the whole family. The on-site hotel means you can stay over and squeeze in a second day of Thomas. See Drayton Manor →
Gulliver's World Warrington's park is built around children aged two to thirteen, so everything is pitched at the right size. The Antelope wooden coaster is a perfect first taste of thrills, and there are loads of play areas between the rides. Grown-ups without kids aren't the target here, which is exactly why families love the relaxed pace and shorter waits. See Gulliver's World →
Gulliver's Land Milton Keynes has its own Gulliver's park, with gentle rides, play areas and shows aimed at the under-thirteens. It's handy for families across the south Midlands who don't fancy a long drive. Gulliver's Dinosaur and Farm Park is close by too, so you could stretch the trip over a weekend and swap rides for roaring dinosaurs and farm animals. See Gulliver's Land →
Diggerland Yorkshire Ever seen a seven-year-old's face when they're handed the controls of a real digger? That's the whole idea at Diggerland, where kids and adults ride, drive and operate genuine construction machines. The Castleford park is easy to reach from the M62, and there are sister sites in Kent, Devon and Durham if you live further afield. See Diggerland Yorkshire →
Sundown Adventureland Tucked away in Nottinghamshire near Retford, Sundown is made for children under ten. Rides and play areas are themed around stories and make-believe, so little ones feel like the park was built just for them. It's a calmer alternative to the big resorts, which makes it perfect for a first theme park visit or a toddler birthday treat. See Sundown Adventureland →
Water rides and water parks
When the sun's out, or when you just fancy a splash, these waterparks and parks with soaking rides are the ones to pack the towels for.
Alton Towers Waterpark Inside the Splash Landings Hotel, this tropical-themed waterpark has a lazy river, a water coaster and smaller splash areas for little ones. It's a brilliant add-on to a theme park break, especially if you're staying at the resort. Many families save it for the morning after a big ride day, when tired legs are glad of a float. See Alton Towers Waterpark →
Sandcastle Waterpark Blackpool's indoor waterpark on the South Shore means the weather outside simply doesn't matter. Twisting slides, wave action and splash zones keep all ages busy, and it's toasty warm all year. Pleasure Beach is practically next door, so it's easy to combine the two across a weekend on the Fylde coast. See Sandcastle Waterpark →
Splashdown Quaywest Overlooking Goodrington Sands in Paignton, Quaywest is an outdoor waterpark with twisting slides and pirate-themed splash play. On a hot Devon day there are few better spots for a family soaking. The beach is right there for sandcastles afterwards, and Paignton Zoo is just up the road if you're planning a full English Riviera break. See Splashdown Quaywest →
Alpamare Scarborough Up on Scarborough's North Bay, Alpamare combines indoor slides with warm outdoor pools, so you can bob about in the open air even when the North Sea breeze is blowing. It's a lovely contrast to a day on the sands. The North Bay beach huts, cliff walks and the castle are all close by. See Alpamare Scarborough →
The Wave Coventry's striking blue waterpark sits right in the city centre and packs in rapids, a lazy river and plenty of slides. Being indoors, it's a reliable choice whatever the forecast. It suits families from across the Midlands who want a splashy day without driving to the coast, and the city's museums are close if you want to make more of the trip. See The Wave →
Waterworld Stoke-on-Trent's long-standing tropical waterpark has flumes, a wave pool and indoor play areas under one roof. It makes a good rainy-day partner to Alton Towers, which is within driving distance across Staffordshire. Pack goggles for the little ones and plan for a couple of hours at least, because nobody will want to get out. See Waterworld →
Indoor parks
British weather being what it is, it pays to know where the fun carries on under a roof. These are the parks and play spaces that don't care about rain.
Fantasy Island Next to Skegness, Ingoldmells is home to Fantasy Island, where a giant pyramid shelters a whole load of rides from the Lincolnshire wind. Outside you'll find bigger coasters, and the huge market and arcades keep everyone busy between rides. It's a classic east coast day, and the caravan parks around it make a cheap and cheerful base. Explore Ingoldmells →
Inflata Nation Hull Inflata Nation is an indoor inflatable theme park, which basically means a warehouse full of bouncy obstacle courses, slides and giant inflatables. The Hull branch is great for burning off energy on a grey day, and grown-ups are welcome to join in. Book a session in advance during school holidays, then head to The Deep afterwards for something calmer. See Inflata Nation Hull →
Funtopia Southend Funtopia gives Southend an indoor option for days when the seafront is getting a battering. It's a handy back-up plan for families who've travelled for the coast, and it means the day doesn't have to end when the clouds roll in. Adventure Island and the pier are close for when the sun comes back out. See Funtopia Southend →
Xscape Yorkshire Just off the M62 at Castleford, Xscape is a giant indoor leisure centre with a real-snow slope at Snozone, climbing walls, a trampoline park and plenty of places to eat. It's less a theme park and more an all-weather playground for older kids and teenagers. Diggerland Yorkshire is nearby if you fancy combining the two. See Xscape Yorkshire →
Peter Rabbit: Explore & Play Blackpool's indoor play attraction built around Beatrix Potter's much-loved stories is aimed squarely at toddlers and pre-schoolers. Little ones can climb, explore and play in Mr McGregor's garden-style spaces while parents grab a breather. It's a gentle, soothing contrast to the noise of the Prom and an easy fit on a rainy Blackpool morning. See Peter Rabbit: Explore & Play →
Theme parks with animal attractions
Why choose between rides and animals when you can have both? These parks pair coasters with zoos, farms and wildlife encounters.
Chessington World of Adventures Part zoo, part theme park, Chessington in south-west London lets you watch big cats and gorillas, then hop on the Gruffalo River Ride Adventure or a Minecraft-themed experience. It strikes a lovely balance for mixed-age families. The safari-themed hotel on site makes a sleepover feel like an adventure, and central London is close enough to tack on a city day. See Chessington World of Adventures →
Flamingo Land Near Malton in North Yorkshire, Flamingo Land combines a full zoo with a theme park, so you can see rhinos and giraffes in the morning and brave Mumbo Jumbo's steep drop in the afternoon. There's a holiday village too. York, Castle Howard and Scarborough are all within easy reach, making it the centrepiece of a great Yorkshire break. See Flamingo Land →
Folly Farm Near Kilgetty in Pembrokeshire, Folly Farm rolls a zoo, a working farm and an indoor vintage fairground into one big day out. The old-fashioned rides and side stalls under cover are a real treat on a wet day. Tenby and Saundersfoot are both close for beach time, and Oakwood is within reach for older thrill-seekers. See Folly Farm →
Woodlands Family Theme Park Down in South Devon near Dartmouth, Woodlands mixes water rides, huge indoor play zones and a zoo-farm where kids can meet the animals. It's very much a park for younger families, with lots of undercover space if the Devon drizzle sets in. Combine it with a trip to Dartmouth's harbour or a ferry ride across the Dart. See Woodlands Family Theme Park →
Seasonal events
Some of the best park days happen outside summer. Halloween scare nights, fireworks and autumn lights give you a reason to go back again and again.
Fright Nights at Thorpe Park Every autumn Thorpe Park turns up the terror with Fright Nights, adding scare mazes and live actors to the usual coasters. It's aimed at teens and adults rather than little ones, and riding Stealth after dark with screams echoing round the lake is something else. Book early, because Halloween weekends sell out fast. See Thorpe Park →
Scarefest at Alton Towers Alton Towers' Halloween season, Scarefest, brings scare attractions and spooky theming to the park, with gentler family-friendly options alongside the frights. The resort is also known for its fireworks around Bonfire Night. Autumn colour in the old gardens makes it a beautiful time to visit, even before the scares kick in. See Alton Towers →
Blackpool Illuminations Combine a late-season Pleasure Beach visit with the Illuminations, the famous lights that run along the seafront from late summer into autumn. Drive or ride a tram along the Prom after dark to see the displays. It turns a theme park trip into a proper Blackpool weekend, with the Tower and the piers all lit up too. Explore Blackpool →
Dreamland Margate Margate's restored amusement park has the Scenic Railway, a historic wooden coaster, plus vintage rides with a retro feel. Dreamland also hosts gigs and events through the year, so it's worth checking what's on before you go. Pair it with Margate's sandy beach, the old town and the Turner Contemporary for a brilliant Kent seaside day. See Dreamland Margate →
Smaller parks worth the trip
Not every great day needs a mega-resort. These smaller parks bring charm, character and often a gentler price tag.
Lightwater Valley Near Ripon in North Yorkshire, Lightwater Valley has been reinvented as a park for younger families, with rides and play aimed at little ones rather than big-coaster fans. Its countryside setting makes it a peaceful alternative to the giants. Combine it with Ripon's cathedral, Fountains Abbey or a wander round the Yorkshire Dales. Explore Ripon →
Gulliver's Kingdom Clinging to the hillside above Matlock Bath, Gulliver's Kingdom squeezes rides and play areas into the Derbyshire woodland. It's aimed at younger children, and the setting is part of the fun. Right next door you'll find the Heights of Abraham cable cars, and the village's riverside chippies and ice cream shops are perfect for afterwards. See Gulliver's Kingdom →
Gulliver's Valley The newest of the Gulliver's parks sits near junction 31 of the M1 outside Rotherham. Expect rides for two to thirteen year olds, more than thirty animatronic dinosaurs and Chuckle Street, a nod to the famous local comedy brothers. With lodges on site, it's easy to turn into a short break for the whole family. See Gulliver's Valley →
Brean Theme Park Brean's theme park sits beside the Somerset coast just off the M5, with free entry and more than forty rides including coasters, a log flume and the Terror Castle ghost train. You can choose wristbands or pay as you go, so it's flexible for budgets. The long sandy beach at Brean is right there for a run around afterwards. See Brean Theme Park →
Wicksteed Park Kettering's century-old park blends classic rides with acres of free parkland, so families can spend as much or as little as they like. Its Grade II listed water chute is a genuine piece of history and still a hoot to ride. Bring a picnic, let the kids loose on the playgrounds and dip into the rides as you please. See Wicksteed Park →
Joyland On Great Yarmouth's Golden Mile, Joyland has been giving families a thrill since 1949. Its famous Snails ride is a seaside institution, and there's a little kids' arcade at the back. It's compact and cheerful, ideal for younger children, and the beach, the piers and the rest of the seafront are all on the doorstep. See Joyland →
Pleasurewood Hills Near Lowestoft on the Suffolk coast, Pleasurewood Hills is a friendly mid-sized park with rides, shows and coasters to suit most ages. It's a great pick for East Anglian families who want a proper theme park without heading to the big southern resorts. Lowestoft's beaches and the Broads are close by to round off a holiday. See Pleasurewood Hills →
GreenWood Family Park Near Y Felinheli in North Wales, GreenWood is set in woodland and has a people-powered coaster, a water slide, climbing towers and shows. It's a lovely, eco-minded day out that suits active younger families. Caernarfon Castle and the edge of Snowdonia are close, so it slots neatly into a North Wales holiday. See GreenWood Family Park →
Blackgang Chine Perched on the Isle of Wight's south coast, Blackgang Chine is full of dinosaurs, pirates and imaginative themed lands with sea views thrown in. It's quirky, charming and perfect for children with big imaginations. Make it part of an island holiday, with the Needles, sandy beaches and the island's steam railway nearby. See Blackgang Chine →
Planning your theme park day
Book online before you go. Most parks are cheaper in advance than on the gate, and some offer deals if you pick a quieter day. Check the park's website for the operating calendar, because many of them close or open only at weekends outside the summer and school holidays.
Arrive early, head straight to the biggest rides at the back of the park and work your way forward as the queues build. Check height restrictions before you go so nobody's left disappointed, and pack a picnic, suncream and a waterproof — sometimes all on the same day. If you're travelling far, a resort hotel or nearby caravan park can turn one rushed day into two relaxed ones, and leaves time for the beaches, castles and arcades nearby.
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