Top 5 Theme Parks in the UK

Theme parks are a thrilling day out for the family and the UK has many. They provide a chance to escape into a different world of adventure. You can experience the adrenaline rush of speed and excitement together. Each theme park has its own identity and competing rides to delight. The following 5 are the most popular in the UK.

Alton Towers

Alton Towers is Britain’s biggest theme park with over 40 rides and attractions. It is north of Birmingham in Staffordshire. It has four world-class rollercoasters ominously named The Wicker Man, Nemesis, Oblivion and The Smiler. The Dungeon has actors that transport you into gruesome historical situations. There’s a water park where you can laze down a river on a raft or brave the Master-Blaster. For younger children, there’s CBeebies Land designed to stimulate the imagination and where they can meet already beloved characters. You can choose from three themed hotels to stay in: Sir Algernon the Explorer’s Alton Towers Hotel, CBeebies Land Hotel and Splash Landings Hotel.

Thorpe Park

Thorpe Park is close to Staines, just outside of London in Surrey and features over 30 thrilling rides, 5 huge roller coasters and the UK’s fastest roller coaster Stealth. One of Europe’s tallest water rides, Tidal Wave is here, plunging riders 85ft into the water below. There are themed Shark cabins you can stay in by a lake as well as a hotel. Live events include Mardi Gras which transports you to New Orleans. Thorpe Park is geared more for teenagers than young children.

Chessington

Chessington World of Adventure is also close to London in Surrey and has over 40 rides and events but also has a zoo and sea life centre with over 1,000 animals. Many of the rides have animal themes like the new Crocodile Drop and the mystical Dragon’s Fury. Live events include Halloween. Tiger Rock is the first enclosure in Europe to have overhead trails for observing tigers. There are attractions for children of all ages.

Legoland

Legoland is near London in Windsor. There are over 55 rides, shows and attractions dedicated to children ages 3-12. There are displays of amazing builds with Lego. Miniland has landmarks from all over London and around the world including the Taj Mahal. There are workshops to stimulate youngsters and Lego enthusiasts at the Exploratorium. 

Blackpool Pleasure Beach

Blackpool Pleasure Beach has been family-owned since 1896 and is the UK’s most ride-intensive amusement park. With attractions for adult couples as well as families, it has four groundbreaking rollercoasters: The Big One is the UK's tallest, Revolution is the UK’s first looping rollercoaster, Infusion is the world’s first suspended looping rollercoaster completely over water and Icon is the UK’s first double launching rollercoaster, boosting riders twice with the same acceleration as Formula One drivers. For younger children, there is the UK’s only Nickelodeon Land with characters like SpongeBob Squarepants and members of Paw Patrol appearing every day.

Photo by Drew Hastings on Unsplash