Best of British theme parks
Theme parks have been popular around the world for generations, and it’s easy to see why. From the thrills of loops, corkscrews, sheer drops and ghost trains to classic family fun like waltzers, log flumes and tea-cups, they offer something for everyone. Which one will you visit first?
Alton Towers
Walking through 500 acres of beautiful grounds, with carp and lily ponds, follies, grottos, and crumbling gothic facades, you could be forgiven for thinking that you were in a National Trust property – or a 19th century costume drama. But push on through the rhododendrons and you’ll find enough to satisfy even the most hardened adrenalin junkie.
Alton Towers features Oblivion: a full vertical drop rollercoaster which plunges you in a near free-fall 180 foot drop into underground darkness. The Smiler holds the world record for the most full inversions on any roller coaster – flipping patrons upside down a whopping 14 times.
Alton Towers is fun for all the family – with gentler rides, amusements, and the famous CBeebies Land with familiar faces to entertain even the youngest adventurers.
Alongside cutting-edge thrill rides, Alton Towers remains true to its roots, weaving excitement and mystery into the very fabric of this stately home and grounds.
Drayton Manor
A theme park and a zoo, Drayton Manor is home to animals from around the world. Visitors can learn about cute creatures and furry friends in the morning, then ride the rapids and loop-the-loop in the afternoon.
Drayton Manor’s white-knuckle rides for serious thrill seekers include Shockwave, a stand-up rollercoaster with a full zero-gravity roll and double corkscrew; Apocalypse, a stand-up/sit down 54m tower drop; Pandemonium, a 360° inversion swing ride; and Accelerator, a boomerang coaster which shoots through its course to the top of a tower, then runs the same course in reverse.
Drayton Manor proudly offers traditional rides and games alongside their modern counterparts – the carousel, dodgems, pirate-themed tea-cups and a Wild West laser shoot-out are enduring favourites.
Young thrill-seekers can enjoy lots of rides and entertainment in Thomas Land, a Thomas the Tank Engine themed area where kids – of all ages – can ride around with familiar friends and meet the characters from everyone’s favourite railway.
Thorpe Park
Thorpe Park is home to the UK’s fastest rollercoaster – hold on to your hats as Stealth accelerates from 0 to 80 mph in 1.9 seconds. If you’re a horror film fan, SAW – The Ride is the one for you. Billed as the first true horror movie-themed roller coaster, SAW is loosely themed around the movie franchise of the same name.
Thorpe Park features four separate water rides, ranging from the relatively gentle Rumba Rapids, to the Tidal Wave, opened as the tallest water ride in Europe. Its newest attraction will be the Black Mirror Labyrinth, an all-encompassing and mind-bending sensory experience.
Legoland Windsor
Legoland Windsor is the UK’s most-visited theme park, appealing to fun-lovers of all ages.
The park is, as you’d expect, Lego-themed, with a combination of rides, experiences, and areas created to represent various Lego lines: Duplo Valley, Ninjago World, and Lego Friends’ Heartlake City, to name a few.
But Legoland Windsor is in no way restricted by its theme, and features roller coasters, water rides, laser shoot-outs, and a haunted house. It’s a family-friendly attraction, where the incredible built Lego structures and impeccable theming are as impressive as the rides.
Legoland Windsor is also home to the largest Lego store in the UK, where you can recreate yourself as a minifigure, and the only limit is your imagination.
Chessington World of Adventures
Chessington World of Adventures provides a huge range of entertainment, with a zoo featuring more than a thousand animals. It is home to some seriously endangered species, now cared for in the extensive grounds at Chessington Zoo.
The Sea Life Centre Aquarium at Chessington World of Adventures is a great way for children and adults alike to see amazing sea creatures from around the world. The ‘Our Shoreline’ area provides the opportunity to interact with animals of the sea and shore around Britain. A touch pool and a glass tunnel are always a hit for getting up close with sharks, rays, and other marine wildlife.
The theme park itself is a family-friendly attraction, with roller coasters, water rides, and more. Combining the experience of a theme park with a day at the zoo on guided ‘Zufari’ rides makes Chessington World of Adventures an exciting day out.
Planning a visit
Most outdoor theme parks across the UK are now open. As you would expect, they have stringent new hygiene measures, such as social distancing markers and the requirement to wear masks.
It is essential that you check ahead before booking. Currently, some of these parks, such as Legoland Windsor, require visitors to pre-book tickets. You also need to be aware that, even if an attraction is open, some rides might remain closed and opening times may change.
Discounted tickets
If you register with Days Out Guide and buy a National Rail ticket to travel to the attraction, you can get 2 for1 entry to 20 UK attractions, including Thorpe Park, Chessington World of Adventures, Alton Towers and Legoland Windsor. You must pre-book the attraction tickets – on-the-gate purchases are no longer eligible.
If you have a Tesco Clubcard, you can convert your Clubcard points to Reward Partner Vouchers, and they will be worth three times more (so £5 is worth £15 of vouchers!) They can be used at theme parks, wildlife parks and more. Find more details here.