We’re deep into the summer holidays right now, surprise the kids with a trip to a theme park!
Whilst you wait for the ‘UK Disneyland’ to open in Kent (spoiler alert - it’s not actually going to be a Disney owned theme park, but it will be great) treat the family to a trip to one of the UK’s many existing theme parks. Whether you’re going for white knuckle rides, a round on the teacups or you just love the smell of candyfloss, here are the best theme parks to visit in the UK this summer.
Blackpool Pleasure Beach
525 Ocean Blvd, Blackpool, FY4 1EZ
There’s nowhere quite like Blackpool for a fun filled family day out. This completely cheesy seaside location comes fully equipped with ‘Kiss Me Quick’ attire and shops featuring rows and rows of plastic buckets and spades - the ideal place to take the kids in the summer holidays. Blackpool Pleasure Beach is one of the UK’s most iconic theme parks, featuring the legendary Big One (also known as the Pepsi Max ride) which is the tallest rollercoaster in the UK! There’s also the Viking themed Valhalla water ride, a devoted Nickelodeon land with a Spongebob Squarepants ride and Dora the Explorer lazy river (great for younger family members) and a popular interactive terror maze: the Pasaje Del Terror. The park offers discounts on family wristbands, cheap entry for those who don’t like rides but want to come along anyway and cheaper tickets when you book more than 7 days in advance - ideal for a summer holiday day out.
Image credit: Adrian Whittle via Flickr
49-51, Marine Terrace, Margate, CT9 1XJ
Yep, we’re still on that Margate hype here at Culture Calling. Dreamland is the perfect theme park for London based families who don’t have access to a car, as train tickets to the seaside town are relatively well priced and the theme park is a five-minute walk from the train station! It’s also a really cheap day out, with entry to the park being completely free and a wristband for unlimited rides priced between £12 and £18! Here you can take a trip on the oldest roller coaster in the UK, the wooden Scenic Railway that’s been in (and out) of action since 1949. Other rides include the tummy twisting Dreamland Drop, terrifying Pendulum and fairground classics such as Dodgems and Walterzs. You can also get a picture with a 7m inflatable Tina Turner head, if you’re so inclined. Whilst your grown up kids are loving the big rides, under 8s will adore the Octopus’s Garden soft play area, or you can all enjoy a roller disco at the Roller Room! Hungry? Here’s where to get fish and chips on Margate’s seafront.
Image credit: Official LEGOLAND Windsor via Facebook
Winkfield Road, Windsor, SL4 4AY
Lego is loved by both adults and kids alike, and Legoland is a much loved day out for mum, dad and the kids. Featuring huge Lego models, Lego film characters to take photos with and a model of world attractions made out of 40 million Lego blocks, there’s more than enough to fill a full day here at Legoland. Thrilling rides can be found in the Lego Ninjago World, the Land of the Vikings or Kingdom of the Pharaohs, and Lego City is the place to visit to get your very first driving license! Younger kids will love the chunky Duplo land, and don’t forget to pack their swimsuits for a trip to the Drench Towers (the largest water play structure in the UK). Tickets are cheaper if you book in advance, and you can get discounts with attractions such as The London Eye, Madam Tussauds and Sea Life with the Merlin Annual Pass.
Image credit: Sandcastle Waterpark Blackpool via Facebook
Sandcastle Waterpark
Promenade, Blackpool, FY4 1BB
Back to Blackpool for another popular theme park, and this time prepare to get drenched! The Sandcastle Waterpark is the UK’s largest indoor water park, and contains 18 slides and attractions to keep kids entertained. The sub-tropical climate is perfect for wet and windy summer days (of which Blackpool are entirely accustomed too) and also boasts a Spa and VIP Tiki Cabana for grown ups! There are four Hyperzone White Knuckle Rides, including the vertical drop in the Sidewinder and the longest indoor rollercoatser waterslide in the world, the Masterblaster! Challenge one another to the racing slides or listen out for the chime of the Caribbean Storm House, where you’ll be plunged by an overflowing wave of water from above.
Image credit: Chessington World of Adventures Resort via Facebook
Chessington World of Adventures
Leatherhead Road, Chessington, KT9 2NE
What’s better than a theme park day out? A theme park with a zoo!!! After all there’s nothing more ‘white knuckle’ than coming face to face with a ferocious lion. The theme park boasts themed areas like Wild Asia, Mexicana and Forbidden Kingdom, with terrifying rides like the wet and wild Rameses Revenge, sky high Monkey Swinger or the fearful Kobra. The theme park and zoo are combined with the thrilling Zufari ride, which brings you face t face with flamingo, giraffes and rhinos. Access to the zoo comes in the price of your ticket (which is also included on the Merlin Annual Pass) and boasts hundreds of animals from Pygmy Marmosets to Asiatic Lions. Head to the SEA life centre to find a real life Dory fish, or splash out and purchase tickets for the on-site Go Ape experience.