The 9 best theme parks in the UK

Best for: Experiencing some of the country’s most impressive, world record-breaking rollercoasters

Alton Towers is the UK’s biggest theme park, promising fun for the whole family across its huge 800 acres. Located in the Midlands just north of the village of Alton, you’ll find a thrillseeker’s playground incorporating rollercoasters, a water park, mini golf course and hotel complex for those who insist one day isn’t enough. 

As far as UK rollercoasters go, this place has some of the greatest (and scariest); breaking records across the board, their rides feature The Smiler, the world’s first 14-loop rollercoaster; TH13TEEN, with the first ever vertical freefall drop and Wicker Man, the most immersive coaster on earth. There’s also a number of spooky indoor rides including The Alton Towers Dungeon, plus a lineup of interactive kids shows. 

Anything else I should know? You can fasttrack up to 15 rides with an exclusive pass and get unlimited mid-action photos for just £25. 

Price: Online day passes start from £35, kids under 90 centimetres go free and students can bag £20 tickets. 

Get there: Two hour train from London St Pancras or Euston, plus a short bus ride directly to the park from Uttoxeter station. 

Best for: A day out with the kids that you’ll actually enjoy

Sat just outside of London in Kingston upon Thames, this mecca of family-friendly fun is a go-to for half term or summer holiday plans. You’ll find a range of attractions to explore, from the World of Jumanji to Chessington Zoo and SEA LIFE centre. But if you’re just there for the rollercoasters, there’s some you simply can’t miss; from the Croc Drop featuring a 25-metre plunge the world’s one and only Jumanji-themed coaster, Mandrill Mayhem. They also hold events related to different holidays throughout the year from Easter to Christmas.

Extend your stay by booking one a themed room in the on-site hotel or opting for their Explorer Glamping experience with luxury tent set-ups. 

Anything else I should know? You can’t get tickets at the gate, so booking online is a must. You can save up to £32 when securing tickets in advance. 

Price: Online from £34 and children under 90 centimetres go free. 

Get there: An hour and a half drive from central London or hop on a train (with two changes) from Blackfriars. 

Best for: Daring adults with a need for speed

As one of the world’s leading theme parks, you can trust that Thorpe Park will satisfy the adrenaline junkie in you – and then some. Strap on for a day of thrills, jump scares and death-defying drops, as this place is known for housing some of the most intense rides of all time. Coasters that have made a name for themselves include the belly-blending ‘Saw’; Stealth, faster than any other in the UK; and Nemesis Inferno, made famous by hit TV show ‘The Inbetweeners’. Horror movie fans are sure to make a beeline for Derren Brown’s Ghost Train, which will see you facing a terrifying Demon; and the zombie experience inspired by ‘The Walking Dead’. 

You can also stay on site at the Thorpe Shark Hotel which comes with added bonuses like fasttrack passes until 11am.

Anything else I should know? There’s a virtual queuing system and full accessibility guide available to download from the website. 

Price: Early bird tickets cost £29 and you can get a free return visit.  

Get there: Get a 40-minute train from Waterloo to Staines followed by a short bus ride to the park. 

Best for: An unforgettable experience for kids

Legoland Windsor Resort has surprises around every corner, with 11 lands to explore and an overwhelming amount of things to do. Whether your kid is obsessed with pirates, knights, ninjas or mythical creatures, there’s sure to be a section of the park that will make their eyes light up. Bump into fun characters or join your little ones on a number of rides from the speedy Dragon’s Apprentice to the Fire & Ice Freefall or Treasure Quest which will see you take to unchartered waters on a bobbing boat. There are also LEGO stations for kids to express their creative side, and the Driving School where they can earn their very first licence. 

Anything else I should know? You can save almost 50% off the gate price by booking in advance, or purchase a ticket that also includes access to Adventure Golf. 

Price: Online day tickets cost £35. 

Get there: It’s a 50-minute drive from London, or you can catch a direct train from London Waterloo to Windsor & Eton Riverside.

Best for: A laidback day trip suitable for kids of all ages 

Boasting a more personal, down-to-earth feel than some of the other high-profile parks, the smaller-in-size Drayton Manor tends to be a little less overwhelming. Another factor that sets it apart from the rest is that it actually has kid-friendly rides that adults can get a kick from, too; they’ve got the stomach-churning gyro swing known as Maelstrom, the spinning ‘Thor’ coaster, a three-drop water ride Stormforce 10 and their biggest loop rollercoaster The Wave. They also have Thomas Land for particularly young tykes and a zoo if you want to add some animal sightings into the mix.  

Anything else I should know? Book online to save up to 30% off gate prices and value tickets for groups and schools are also available. 

Price: From £29.50 for adults and kids over four when booking online. 

Get there: It’s just over a two-hour drive from London or you can catch a train from London Euston to Tamworth, followed by a bus. 

Best for: A thrilling seaside escape for families and friend groups

The infamous Blackpool Pleasure Beach is one of the biggest and best tourist attractions in Northern England; not only is it located in a popular seaside holiday destination, but has the UK’s only Nickelodeon Land, the world’s best water ride and 10 rollercoasters – more than any other amusement park in the nation. With a mix of family rides and those that cater to the Evel Knievels out there, expect to be thrown about on all sorts of mechanisms including The Big One, with its gut-scrambling drop; wooden racing track Grand National and the UK’s first double-launch coaster ICON. Little daredevils won't know where to start, with over 20 rides and attractions that are free from height restrictions. 

Anything else I should know? Flexidate tickets are available and the only way to enter the park is through eTicket. You can save up to £17 by booking online. 

Price: From £33 for anyone over 11 when booking online. 

Get there: A train from London Euston will get you to Blackpool in just a few hours.

Best for: Peppa Pig-enthusiasts and animal-lovers 

Paultons Park is the highest rated theme park in the UK, known as the home of Peppa Pig World, a water playground for kids and a zoo featuring animals from lemurs to tropical birds. The different themed worlds are easy to explore thanks to the clean and uncomplicated layout of the park, which will see you pass through a number of beautiful natural spaces like the Japanese garden and historic lake. Your delightful day out will involve rollercoasters, both big and small, as well as train rides, dinosaur tours, log flume slides, sky swings and much more. Catch daily shows and grab a bite to eat at one of their multiple restaurants or food stands. 

Anything else I should know? Save £15 when booking online in advance, with tickets including character meets and one-on-ones with the animals, plus free parking. 

Price: £43.50 when booking online, and kids under one metre go free. 

Get there: A two-hour drive from London or you can catch a train from London Waterloo to Southampton Central. 

Best for: A wholesome day out with the family

Is this Scotland’s best family-friendly attraction? You be the judge. With a range of activities and rides that won’t boggle your brain, M&D’s Theme Park is the place for those that don’t have the stomach for big-scale rollercoasters. Aside from mini golf, bowling and an indoor animal-filled rainforest, other ways to have fun include water slides, sky swings, track-based joyrides and more. It does a great job of keeping that wholesome fairground feel intact, and there’s also a food court, bistro and beer garden for when refreshments are needed. 

Anything else I should know? You can save £2 by booking your already-cheap tickets online. 

Price: Entry wristbands cost just £10 when bought online. 

Get there: If you’re planning to fit a trip to M&D’s into your Scottish holiday itinerary, we’d suggest staying in Glasgow as it’s only a 20-minute drive away. 

Best for: A day out that isn’t just about the rides 

Wale’s Oakwood Theme Park has had a major revamp and will be welcoming visitors back from April 2024, promising a day of non-stop fun – even after you’re starting to feel queasy from all the rides. They have large track structures including Megafobia, Speed and the splash-tastic Drenched, along with varies playgrounds, a replica Black Cab ride around ‘London’ as well as an arcade and target shooting range. You’ll also be able to attend seasonal events featuring late-night UV powder paint parties, circus takeovers and firework displays. 

Anything else I should know? You can purchase annual passes for under 100. Day tickets available soon. 

Price: TBC

Get there: This park is just over an hour away from Swansea by car, or two hours from Cardiff.