Are you ready for an action-packed day out? Here are 18 thrilling theme parks in the UK that promise a super exciting day for the whole family. Giant coasters, whirling teacups, splashy water rides and all your kids’ favourite characters — take your pick from our round-up and get planning your next big day out.
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From the big-name parks to some brilliant hidden gems, buckle up as we take you on a tour of the best theme parks in the UK.
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Exciting Theme Parks in the UK
LEGOLAND Windsor, Berkshire
You don’t have to be a lover of the small plastic bricks to have a good time here. In fact, even if you’ve trodden on them in bare feet more times than you care to remember, there’s plenty to love at LEGOLAND, with over 55 rides to choose from and lots to see and do.
While the rides aren’t built out of billions of tiny bricks, pretty much everything else is — like the LEGO® Reef, where kids can design their own creatures to explore a digital landscape beneath the waves, complete with interactive buttons to feed them.
Then there’s Miniland, which takes you on a tiny tour of the world, from Australia to Russia. Car-mad kids can even get their first “driving licence” at the LEGOLAND driving school.
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Alton Towers, Staffordshire
As the largest of the theme parks in the UK, Alton Towers covers the bases for all ages. Spanning more than 500 acres, it won’t disappoint if it’s thrills and an action-packed family day out you’re after.
Tiny tots and younger children can play in CBeebies Land, catching a show or a ride, before calming down on a gentle boat ride themed around a favourite CBeebies show.
Older children, teens and daring parents will love the exhilarating rides, from newer attractions right through to long-standing classics for the boldest of thrill seekers.
Themed accommodation is available on site, so you can make more than a day of it and double the fun.
Thorpe Park, Surrey
With over 30 thrilling rides, attractions and live events, Thorpe Park is the UK’s must-visit destination for endless family fun.
Thorpe Park offers brilliant thrills for old and young alike. Younger children can enjoy gentler, immersive rides, while big kids and teens can brave some serious white-knuckle coasters and one of Europe’s fastest launch rides.
If you love a scarefest, there are also atmospheric scare rides that will make you question where reality stops and the story begins. If that’s more than you can handle, there’s a lovely water play area (a firm favourite with toddlers in the summer months) and a whole section of gentler rides for smaller children.
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Drayton Manor, Staffordshire
Drayton Manor is more than just a theme park — alongside world-class rides, there’s a zoo with over 100 animals, a dinosaur park and a crazy golf course.
If you have older children, head for the thrill rides, including a drop tower that was once the world’s first of its kind.
If height restrictions are going to be a problem, don’t worry — Drayton Manor is also home to Thomas Land, with 25 rides and attractions based on the beloved tank engine. It’s heaven for train-loving little ones, and parents often visit for that alone. All aboard for a theme park that’s certain to delight the whole family.
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Flamingo Land, Malton, North Yorkshire
Don’t be fooled by the name — there’s a lot more at Flamingo Land than the famous pink birds. The range of wild animals here includes lions, tigers and baboons, and the number of rides is just as impressive.
With a focus on family rides, there are also more extreme experiences for adventurous older kids and teens, including a looping suspended coaster and a base-jump-style launch ride for visitors with nerves of steel.
If something gentler is what you’re after, there’s a lovely Peter Rabbit-themed adventure where you might even run into some familiar characters.
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Chessington World of Adventures, Surrey
Where else could you climb high in the treetops, meet endangered animals, ride rollercoasters and explore the deep dark wood with the Gruffalo — all in one day? Chessington World of Adventures really is one in a million.
A single ticket gets you access to multiple lands, including a Zoo, a Sea Life Centre, a Gruffalo-themed area and a Pirate Cove. If you’re after a thrill, there are plenty of rides to choose from, along with high ropes and tree-top adventures.
Make sure you dip into the Sea Life Centre, and say hello to the residents of the park’s big cat enclosure. There’s sure to be something here for every age.
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Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Lancashire
Blackpool Pleasure Beach is one of Europe’s most ride-intensive theme parks, home to some of the tallest and fastest coasters on the continent.
There’s also a crazy golf course, a bowling alley, and plenty to do on a rainy day in the arcade, along with year-round shows. A classic wooden coaster sits alongside the newer, high-speed rides, so there’s something for every kind of thrill-seeker.
There’s plenty for little ones too, with a large dedicated kids’ zone featuring much-loved TV characters — expect big smiles all round.
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Diggerland, Kent, Devon, Yorkshire & Durham
Diggerland knows that heavy machinery holds a special place in the hearts of young children (and quite a few adults too). These excavator-themed parks, found at four locations across the UK, let you climb into the driving seat and take a whirl on construction-based rides.
Get behind the wheel of real diggers, dumpers and other full-sized construction machinery. There are also plenty of rides for all ages, including height-based thrill rides that give you spectacular views over the surrounding countryside. Once you’ve got your feet firmly back on the ground, there’s dodgems, go-karts and soft play to enjoy too.
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Gulliver’s World, Derbyshire
This UK theme park is geared less towards adventurous teens and more towards children aged roughly 2 to 12 — though that doesn’t limit the number of thrilling rides on offer, including a classic rollercoaster and log flume, all set against the Derbyshire countryside.
Gulliver’s Kingdom has plenty of rides, attractions and shows to see each day. Older kids will love the dodgems, log flumes and tree-top swings, while younger ones can enjoy dedicated play areas built with under-5s in mind.
If it’s prehistoric beasts your little ones are after, there’s a “lost world” of animatronic dinosaurs to explore. As a budget-friendly bonus, you’re welcome to bring your own picnic.
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M&D’s, Motherwell, North Lanarkshire, Scotland
Scotland’s favourite theme park, M&D’s, sits in the beautiful surroundings of Strathclyde Country Park. As well as a great range of rides and attractions — plenty of which are aimed squarely at kids — you can also visit Scotland’s only indoor tropical rainforest, packed with exotic animals, birds and creepy crawlies.
This attraction is perfect whatever the weather, with soft play, glow-in-the-dark indoor bowling, an amusements zone, bars and restaurants all under one roof.
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Paultons Family Theme Park
Home to Peppa Pig World and the Lost Kingdom dinosaur area, Paultons Park has long been one of the UK’s most popular family theme parks, and it’s easy to see why. There’s plenty on offer for the whole family, with dozens of rides and attractions, adventure golf, a water park, playgrounds and several beautiful gardens.
Paultons had to make it onto our round-up of the best theme parks in the UK, not least because it’s home to Peppa Pig. Spin, whirl and twirl through the rides, and come face to face with the famous character, her little brother George, and their animal friends. Peppa is just one part of the fun though, with plenty more rides, games and sports to explore.
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Smaller Theme Parks in the UK
Somewhat lesser known but no less fun — why not try the thrills and spills of some of the smaller theme parks in the UK?
Oakwood, Pembrokeshire
Oakwood Theme Park is Wales’ biggest family adventure, located in Pembrokeshire, West Wales. The park has several large thrill rides, as well as a section dedicated to the magical adventures of Peter Pan in Neverland.
With over 35 rides and attractions spread across spectacular countryside, there’s something to offer the whole family, whatever kind of adventure — gentle, family-friendly or full-on adrenaline — you’re after.
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Lightwater Valley, North Yorkshire
Lightwater Valley groups its rides and experiences by age and height, making it easy to tailor your day to everyone in the family.
One of the main reasons families visit is the rides, from splashy water rapids to swashbuckling adventures — with over 35 to choose from, you won’t be disappointed. Whether you fancy a flying-swing thrill ride, meeting modern-day dinosaurs, or simply enjoying a lazy day aboard a farm tractor ride, you can do it all.
There’s plenty to keep little ones busy too, including a mini train, a tractor ride, and indoor and outdoor play areas. Animal lovers should catch a flying display or meet the resident prairie dogs — with dozens of raptors, mammals and reptiles on site, you’ll want a full day to see them all.
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Twinlakes Park, Leicestershire
Water is one of the key attractions here, with boating lakes and one of the longest beaches in the Midlands. Twinlakes Park is really three attractions in one: theme park, water park and animal farm.
The park has over 100 acres of family rides and attractions across several different zones, including height-based adventure rides and a twisty labyrinth for a host of family fun. Smaller ones will love the gentler mini coaster, and for the perfect sunny day, there’s a water park to splash around in too.
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The Milky Way Adventure Park, Clovelly
Located near Clovelly, North Devon, The Milky Way Adventure Park is a favourite among young families. As well as themed rides and attractions, the park has live shows and its own miniature railway.
With three dedicated areas of soft play, pre-schoolers will have plenty to keep them busy, from jumping pillows to ball pits and a padded balloon room, while an indoor multi-storey slide area is popular with slightly older kids — and open to grown-ups too.
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Crealy Adventure Park & Resort, Exeter
A long-standing family favourite, Crealy Adventure Park & Resort is packed with fun. Complete with rides, a number of indoor play areas, live shows and a dedicated bear-themed kingdom for younger children, there’s lots to see and do.
With dozens of rides and attractions, including some genuinely drench-inducing water rides and thrillers for braver visitors, there’s plenty for older kids and teens. Younger ones can explore a huge indoor soft play area, then meet some unusual locals, from creepy crawlies to a family of meerkats.
Sundown Adventureland, Nottinghamshire
Sometimes taking younger kids to the bigger theme parks can feel like a waste of time and money, as you walk past yet another ride they aren’t quite tall enough for. That’s what makes Sundown Adventureland so special — it’s designed specifically for children under ten, with an activity park, a mine railway ride, a river barrel ride and plenty more besides.
Next stop is Toy Town, or perhaps the eye patch comes out for a pirate-themed adventure. Make sure you save time and energy for the multi-storey indoor play area. For a quieter moment, take little ones to the storybook village or catch the sing-along show.
Landmark Forest Adventure Park, Carrbridge, Scotland
Set within the heart of the Cairngorms National Park, Landmark Forest Adventure Park wins over families looking for an action-packed day out. From a water coaster to a skydive-style experience and a treetop trail, there’s plenty for children and grown-ups to enjoy.
Kids will run straight for the rides, including a runaway timber train and water flumes of varying steepness, depending on how brave you’re feeling. The park also has a unique exhibits area packed with puzzles for families to solve together, for a curiously thrilling day out.
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What are your favourite theme parks in the UK? Leave a comment below and let us know — we’d love to hear from you!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best UK theme park for young children?
Several parks on this list are built with younger children in mind, including Sundown Adventureland, Gulliver’s World and parts of Paultons Park (home to Peppa Pig World). These tend to have shorter queues for kid-sized rides and plenty of soft play for rainy days.
Are there UK theme parks suitable for toddlers?
Yes — many of the larger parks, like Alton Towers, Thorpe Park and Chessington, have dedicated zones for younger children alongside their bigger thrill rides, so families with a mix of ages can enjoy the same day out.
Do UK theme parks have height restrictions?
Most of the bigger thrill rides at parks like Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Thorpe Park and Alton Towers have height restrictions for safety reasons. Parks aimed at younger children, such as Sundown Adventureland and Gulliver’s World, are designed around shorter visitors instead.
What can families do at a UK theme park on a rainy day?
Plenty of parks have indoor options for wet weather, including soft play areas, indoor bowling and arcades. M&D’s indoor rainforest, Crealy’s soft play areas and the indoor slide areas at The Milky Way Adventure Park are all good rainy-day bets.
Which UK theme parks combine rides with animals?
Chessington World of Adventures, Flamingo Land, Twinlakes Park and Drayton Manor all combine a theme park with a zoo or animal attraction, so you get two days out in one.
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Planning Your Visit
Every family’s idea of a perfect theme park day is different — some want maximum thrills, others want a gentler day with plenty of soft play and shorter queues. Save this list for your next family day out, or browse our other UK travel guides for more inspiration.
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