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. Which one is your favourite for a wild adventure?
From giant coasters to whirling teacups, splashtastic water rides to your favourite TV characters, our pick of UK theme parks are definitely worth a visit. From the big-name favourites to some brilliant hidden gems, buckle up as we take you on a thrilling ride through 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 one in bare feet more times than you care to remember, you’ll find plenty to love at LEGOLAND, with over 55 rides to choose from.
While the rides themselves aren’t made of billions of tiny bricks, pretty much everything else is, like the LEGO® Reef, where you can design your own creations to explore a digital landscape beneath the waves. 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 theme park in the UK, Alton Towers covers the bases for all ages. Spanning more than 500 acres, it won’t disappoint if you’re after thrills and an action-packed family day out.
Younger children can play in CBeebies Land, watching live shows or riding the Go Jetters Vroomster Zoom, before calming down with Iggle Piggle on the In the Night Garden Magical Boat Ride. Older children, teens and daring parents will love the bigger rides, including classics like Rita and Oblivion.
On-site accommodation is available if you’d like to make more than a day of it.
Thorpe Park, Surrey
With over 30 rides, attractions and live events, Thorpe Park Resort is the UK’s must-visit destination for endless family fun. It offers brilliant thrills for old and young alike — younger children can laugh through Angry Birds 4D, while big kids can brave The Swarm, Saw or Stealth, one of Europe’s fastest rollercoasters.
If it’s a scarefest you’re after, Derren Brown’s Ghost Train: Rise of the Demon will make you question where reality stops and the story begins. If that’s more white-knuckle than you can handle, there’s also a water play area, Amity Beach, 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.
Older children can hit the thrill rides, ranging from G-Force to Apocalypse. If height restrictions might be an issue, Thomas Land offers 25 rides and attractions based on the beloved tank engine, including Toby’s Tram Express and Flynn’s Fire Rescue — heaven for train-loving little ones.
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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 flamingos. The wide 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 older thrill-seekers. Feel like you’re flying on Hero, test your limits on Pterodactyl, or brave Kumali, the park’s sensational looping suspended coaster. If something more sedate is required, there’s the Peter Rabbit Adventure, where you might even run into Peter and Lily.
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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? A ticket to Chessington gets you access to 10 lands, including a zoo, the Sea Life Centre, The Gruffalo Arena and Pirate Cove.
Try Rameses Revenge or the Vampire ride, dip into the Sea Life Centre, or fly high on a Go Ape course. There’s sure to be something here for every age.
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Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Lancashire
Described as Europe’s most “ride-intensive” theme park, Blackpool Pleasure Beach is home to The Big One, one of the continent’s tallest rollercoasters, alongside ICON, the UK’s first double-launch coaster.
There’s a crazy golf course, a bowling alley, and on rainy days you can while away the hours in the arcade or take in year-round shows. Nickelodeon World takes up a quarter of the park map, with attractions featuring SpongeBob, Dora the Explorer and the Paw Patrol pups for plenty of smiles.
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Diggerland, Kent, Devon, Yorkshire & Durham
Diggerland knows that heavy machinery holds a special place in the hearts of young and old alike. These construction-themed parks, found at four locations across the UK, let you get into the driving seat of actual diggers, dumpers and other full-sized machinery.
There are around 20 rides in total, including a mini digger searching for buried treasure, the high-flying Spindizzy, and the stomach-churning Groundshuttle. From the top of the Skyshuttle, take in spectacular views before letting loose on dodgems, go-karts and soft play.
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Gulliver’s World, Derbyshire
This theme park is geared less towards adventurous teens and more towards children aged 2 to 12, with plenty of thrilling rides on offer, such as the Switchback rollercoaster and the Log Flume, set against the Derbyshire countryside.
Gulliver’s Kingdom has over 80 rides, attractions and shows. Older kids will love the dodgems, log flumes and treetop swings, while younger ones can enjoy Toys Land, perfect for under-5s. Dino-fans will love The Lost World of Living Dinosaurs, with more than 13 animatronic dinosaurs to find. You’re also 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 an array of rides and attractions — over 20 of them for kids only — like the Giant Condor, Runaway Mine Train and Monster Machines, you can also discover AMAZONIA, 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, and bars and restaurants to enjoy.
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Paultons Family Theme Park
Home to Peppa Pig World and dinosaur theme park Lost Kingdom, Paultons Park is regularly named among the UK’s most popular family theme parks — and it’s easy to see why. With over 70 rides and attractions, including Adventure Golf, the Water Kingdom, playgrounds and beautiful gardens, there’s plenty to explore.
Spin, whirl and twirl through different rides, and come face to face with Peppa Pig, her little brother George, and their friends Danny Dog and Rebecca Rabbit.
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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 UK’s smaller theme parks?
Oakwood, Pembrokeshire
Oakwood Theme Park is Wales’ biggest family adventure, located in Pembrokeshire, West Wales. The park has four large thrill rides — Megafobia, Vertigo, Drenched and Speed — as well as a section dedicated to the magical adventures of Peter Pan in Neverland.
With over 35 rides and attractions spread over 90 acres of countryside, whether you’re after young adventure, family adventure or adrenaline adventure, you’ll have an amazing fun-filled day out.
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Lightwater Valley, North Yorkshire
Lightwater Valley groups its rides and experiences into Mini, Mega and Ultimate Adventures, so you can tailor your day to the ages and interests in your family.
One of the main reasons families visit is for the rides, from the splashtastic Wild River Rapids to the swashbuckling Skull Rock, with over 35 to choose from. There’s plenty to keep little ones busy too, like the Lightwater Express train and indoor and outdoor play areas. Animal lovers can catch a flying display or meet the resident prairie dogs.
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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 across seven zones, including the Labyrinth Venture Zone, where you can scale Gladiators Galleon or The Icarus Sky Flyer. Smaller ones will love the Mercury Mini Coaster, and for a sunny day, there’s a splash to be had at Dragon Water Park.
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The Milky Way Adventure Park, Clovelly
Located near Clovelly in North Devon, The Milky Way Adventure Park is a favourite among young families. As well as rides like the Cosmic Typhoon and Clone Zone, the park has live shows and its own Milky Way Railway.
With three dedicated areas of soft play, pre-schoolers have plenty to keep them busy, from jumping pillows to ball pits, while The Time Warp offers three storeys of slides for slightly older kids — and grown-ups too.
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Crealy Adventure Park & Resort, Exeter
A popular pick for “Family Attraction of the Year,” Crealy Adventure Park & Resort is packed with fun. Complete with rides, indoor play areas, live shows and Buddy Bear’s Kingdom, there’s lots to see and do.
With 60 rides and attractions, including the drench-inducing Tidal Wave, The Twister and, for the daring, Maximus, there’s plenty for thrill-seekers. Little ones can explore a huge indoor soft play area and meet the park’s unusual residents, from the creepy crawlies at Bugz Unlimited to the furry favourites at Meerkat Manor.
Sundown Adventureland, Nottinghamshire
Taking younger kids to the bigger theme parks can sometimes feel like a waste of time, as you walk past yet another ride they’re not quite tall enough for. That’s what makes Sundown Adventureland so special — you’ll find the Angry Birds Activity Park, Rocky Mountain Railroad, River Barrel Ride and more, all designed specifically for children under ten.
Next stop is Toy Town, or pop on the eye patch for the Pirate Adventure in Smugglers Cove. Save some energy for Crash Landings, the four-storey indoor play area, or take little ones to the storybook village for a quieter time.
Landmark Forest Adventure Park, Carrbridge, Scotland
Set within the heart of the Cairngorms National Park, Landmark Forest Adventure Park wins over families who want an action-packed day out. From the Wild Water Coaster to a Skydive experience and the Tarzan Trail, there’s plenty for children and grown-ups to enjoy.
Kids will run straight for the rides, including a runaway timber train and the Wild Water Coasters, home to three flumes of varying steepness. The park also boasts the Bamboozeleum, an educational experience stuffed with puzzles for families to solve together.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which UK theme park is best for younger children?
Parks like Gulliver’s World and Sundown Adventureland are designed specifically with younger children in mind, with rides and attractions built around smaller sizes and shorter attention spans. LEGOLAND Windsor and Paultons Park (home to Peppa Pig World) are also brilliant choices for families with toddlers and pre-schoolers.
Which theme parks have the biggest rollercoasters?
For serious thrill-seekers, Alton Towers (Oblivion, Rita), Thorpe Park (Stealth, The Swarm) and Blackpool Pleasure Beach (The Big One, ICON) offer some of the UK’s most exhilarating rides.
Are there UK theme parks with animals as well as rides?
Yes — several combine rides with wildlife. Chessington World of Adventures has a full zoo and Sea Life Centre, Flamingo Land and Drayton Manor both have zoos, and Gulliver’s World features animatronic dinosaurs at The Lost World of Living Dinosaurs.
What are good options for a rainy day?
Look for parks with strong indoor offerings, such as M&D’s (home to the indoor AMAZONIA rainforest and bowling), Blackpool Pleasure Beach’s arcades, The Milky Way Adventure Park’s soft play areas, and Sundown Adventureland’s four-storey indoor play zone, Crash Landings.
Related Reads
- Top 40 Family Friendly Theme Parks in USA, UK and Europe
- 21 Awesome Tips for Your Trip to Legoland Windsor
- 20 Outstanding Places to See Dinosaurs in the UK
- 50 Fabulous Places to Take Kids in the UK
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