From leg-wobbling heights to stomach-churning loop-de-loops, the UK has some of the best rollercoasters and theme parks in the world.Whether you’re searching for that adrenaline rush on the UK’s biggest rollercoaster or the enjoyment of seeing the kids getting soaked on the rapids, Britain’s theme parks have it all.
Join CrossCountry as we explore the best theme parks in the UK.
Alton Towers, Staffordshire
Home to more than forty rides, including Nemesis Reborn and Oblivion, Alton Towers is the biggest theme park in the UK, spanning a whopping 550 acres. The park has been a British favourite since 1980, offering a fun-filled day out, with terrifyingly fast rides as well as family-friendly attractions.
Ride Rita for speeds of almost 100km/h, unearth fossils at Andy’s Dinosaur Dig, or get sucked into the Toxicator’s vortex, all in the same park. Whether you’re a grown-up thrill-seeker or a little adventurer, there is something for all the family to enjoy. Alton Towers is also great for the combination of modern and nostalgic rides; from Galactica’s virtual reality to the Wicker Man’s traditional wooden construction.
Before you ride the Runaway Mine Train, you can travel with CrossCountry to Stoke-on-Trent station. From here, you can find direct bus connections to Alton Towers.
Thorpe Park, Surrey
Packed full of white-knuckle amusement park rides, horror-inspired rollercoasters, and giant water flumes, Thorpe Park has truly earned its place amongst the UK’s best theme parks. It is home to some of the tallest, fastest, and scariest rides in Europe, making it a great destination for thrill-seekers. Stealth takes you from 0 to 130km/h in a hair-raising 1.9 seconds, while the beyond-vertical drop on SAW will have you getting in line again and again. If you’re not convinced, just check out their big five rides: Colossus, Nemesis Inferno, SAW, Stealth, and the Swarm.
The closest train station to Thorpe Park is Staines station, from which you can reach the park by hopping on direct buses.
Chessington World of Adventures, Surrey
Rounding off the ‘big three’ amusement parks is Chessington World of Adventures; by far one of the most complete adventure parks in the UK. Boasting over forty rides and attractions, along with a zoo and sea life centre, it really does have everything. Bigger kids can enjoy light-hearted thrills on Vampire and Croc Drop, while younger ones can have a great time on the Gruffalo River Ride Adventure and Tomb Blaster, suitable for all ages. Sail away to Shipwreck Coast, venture into the Rainforest, and battle the mummy’s curse at Forbidden Kingdom, all in one place.
Drayton Manor, Staffordshire
You’ll find the fantastical Drayton Manor, just outside of Birmingham. Adults can brave the Shockwave, Europe’s only stand-up rollercoaster; and Thor, which combines fast-running coasters with a spinning platform! A big drawfor families with young children is that Drayton Manor is the home to Thomas Land – six-thousand square metres of Thomas the Tank Engine themed fun for children to experience life on the Isle of Sodor. From Harold’s Helicopter Tours to Diesel’s Locomotive Mayhem, there are plenty of rides for Thomas fans. Throw in a five-acre zoo to explore, and you’ve got a great day out.
Situated in Tamworth, you can get to Drayton Manor from Birmingham New Street station with a connecting train service.
Legoland Windsor, Berkshire
When it comes to planning the perfect kids’ day out, what could be better than a theme park based on one of the world’s favourite toys? Legoland has all the building blocks for a day of family fun. From the LEGO City Driving School to the Dragon, it brings LEGO to life in a 150-acre adventure park. There are more than fifty rides and attractions to enjoy, with rides for all age groups. Don’t forget to walk around Miniland; an amazing LEGO model of major landmarks from around the world featuring nearly 40 million LEGO bricks!
There’s something distinctly magical about Legoland, and the place that is felt most acutely is LEGO Mythica. A land where the LEGO creatures our children build, along with the creatures we built in our childhood, come to life. Step into a parallel world where weird and wonderful LEGO creatures roam and play. Ride the Flight of the Sky Lion, take on Hydra’s Challenge, and explore the Magical Forest.
Paulton’s Park, New Forest
Located close to the New Forest in Hampshire, Paultons Park is a great addition to any itinerary on a family staycation. With hair-raising rides like the Cyclonator for older kids and grown-ups, and more chilled-out fun in Peppa Pig world or on the Cat-O-Pilar Coaster, everyone is sure to have a great time. There are a handful of themed zones to explore, as well as an adorable selection of reptiles, fish, mammals, and more in the Wild Lands area.
Paulton’s Park is located close to Southampton Central station, which you can reach from a wide range of CrossCountry stations. From here, you can get a direct bus to Paulton’s Park.
Flamingo Land, Yorkshire
Flamingo Land is a theme park and zoo rolled into one, a magnet for excitable little ones looking to enjoy the school holidays. There’s a nice mix of thrill rides and family-friendly activities here, like the Muddy Duck Tractor Ride for farm animal enthusiasts or Sik, the park’s latest white-knuckle ride, featuring a 25m loop, a corkscrew, and no less than five barrel rolls!
Flamingo Land also offers a range of accommodation options, making it ideal for an extended stay. Making a holiday of your visit to Flamingo Land will allow you to truly discover the whole park. Take the opportunity to head to the zoo for an animal encounter; you can get up close to lemurs, giraffes, penguins, and more captivating critters.
Please note: CrossCountry is unable to support with any hotel related queries or booking requests. For further information, please contact the hotels mentioned directly.
If you’re planning to visit a theme park in the UK, don’t forget to book an Advance ticket via our website or the CrossCountry app. Before you travel, make sure to check scheduled train times to find the best journey for you. If you need more information, you can contact us here.
Info
At the time of publishing, all information given is correct. Details of events, businesses, and locations included may be subject to change by third parties. Please make sure to check any details with organisers before you travel.
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