A theme park is a place where one gets to relive their childhood memories and at the same time, create new ones with friends and family. You may be a child, a teenager, or an adult, and going to an indoor theme park in the UK will always top your list. United kingdom theme parks are world-renowned for providing a perfect blend of fun and entertainment. From thrilling roller coaster rides to interactive attractions, they have it all! Here’s a concise list of ten of the best theme parks in the UK inclusive of indoor theme parks in the UK, indoor adventure parks in the UK, and indoor roller coasters in the UK.
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10 Must-Visit Theme Parks In The UK
1. Thorpe Park
Located in Surrey, Thorpe park is home to some of the most iconic rides the world has ever seen. Labelled as the best theme park UK, Thorpe Park opened the world’s first horror movie-themed roller coaster in 2009, which is certainly not for the faint-hearted. It also has the UK’s first winged roller coaster, and one of Europe’s fastest and tallest coasters called ’Stealth’. But wait, there’s more! Thorpe Park has a Black Mirror-themed Labyrinth, which will bring the hit TV show to life. For the younger crowd, there are a number of thrilling rides such as the gravity-defying ‘Zodiac’ and the magic carpet ride ‘Quantum’.
How to get there – Take the shuttle Bus no. 950 from Staines Station
Features – It is a paradise for Angry Birds’ fans since they can enjoy a 4D experience of the Angry Birds Land.
Location – Staines Rd, Chertsey KT16 8PN, United Kingdom
Nearby places – Chertsey Museum
Opening hours – 10 am to 6 pm
Phone number – +44 371 663 1673
Ticket Price – £55
2. Alton Towers Resort
Alton Towers is the biggest theme park in the UK. Known to be one of the most visited theme parks in the UK, it allows visitors to enjoy a host of different services like a spa, theme park, indoor water park, and even mini-golf! The motto of Alton Towers Resort is to make Britain happy, which it undoubtedly does. It is home to Europe’s first inverted, gravity-defying roller coaster ride called ‘Nemesis’ which opened in 1994 and has since then attracted innumerable visitors. ‘Oblivion’, tagged as the world’s first roller coaster featuring a vertical drop, is bound to give visitors a massive adrenaline rush. Along with these thrilling roller-coaster rides, Alton Towers also has several junior coasters designed especially for kids such as the ‘Frog Hopper’, which is a mini drop tower and a merry-go-round known as the Gallopers Carousel. Most visitors call it one of the best indoor adventure parks in the UK.
How to get there – The nearest train station is Uttoxeter, from where a 40 minutes bus ride is available.
Features – Battle Galleons and Water River Rapid in the water park.
Location – Farley Ln, Alton, Stoke-on-Trent ST10 4DB, United Kingdom
Nearby Places – Peak Wildlife Park and Dovedale
Opening Hours – 10 am to 6 pm
Phone number – +44 871 222 3330
Ticket Prices – £58 for adults and £48 for Children
3. Harry Potter Theme Park
Located on the outskirts of North London, this Warner Brothers Studio Tour is a must-visit for all Harry Potter fans (read: Muggles). The studio brings to life the journey of ‘the boy who lived’. Here you will find all the sets where the movies were shot, the costumes worn by the characters, and the numerous props used in the movie – from the Nimbus 2000 to the Sorting Hat. You can even get insights into how the special effects for the movies were designed and used. The tour involves a visit to the set of 4 Privet Drive, the street address of the Dursleys, where the famous cupboard under the stairs is located, the Diagon Alley, and Dumbledore’s office to name a few. One can also pretend to run into the wall at platform 9 ¾ or simply catch the Hogwarts Express. Ask any Harry Potter fan, and they will tell you that the Harry Potter Theme Park is the best theme park UK.
How to get there – Nearest Railway Station is Watford Junction
Features – Visit the classrooms of Hogwarts and witness the potion jars stirring on their own.
Location – Studio Tour Dr, Leavesden, Watford WD25 7LR, United Kingdom
Opening hours – 9:30 am to 8 pm
Phone number – +44 345 084 0900
Ticket prices – £47 for adults and £38 for children.
4. Paultons Park
Paultons Park is one of the tourist places in London, situated in New Forest National Park in Hampshire. Marketed as the number one Family amusement park in the UK, Paultons Park is split into four themed dimensions, namely – The Lost Kingdom, Critter creek, The world of Peppa Pig, and the main park. They have eight exciting flat rides such as the ‘Sky Swinger’, which as the name suggests, spins and lifts you high in the air. Then there is ‘Magma’ which is a volcanic theme spinning drop tower. Apart from having the best indoor roller coasters in the UK, and flat rides, they also have water rides and go-karts. Peppa pig is a global phenomenon, and hence the Peppa Pig World attracts tourists from all over the world. Paultons Park is one of the best theme parks in the UK.
How to get there – Take a train to Southampton Central and the X7 bus.
Features – The junior Coaster and train rides are designed specifically for kids.
Location – Ower, Romsey SO51 6AL, United Kingdom
Nearby Places – Houdini Escape Room and Marwell Zoo
Opening Hours – 10 am to 5 pm (Tuesdays and Wednesdays Closed)
Phone number – +44 23 8081 4442
Ticket prices – £25.75
5. Legoland
Legoland, located in Windsor, Berkshire is a children-oriented theme park in the UK that was opened in 1996. Legoland is the second most visited park in the UK and is a mix of lego themed rides and model-building workshops. It is the second-largest Legoland after the one in Denmark. This indoor theme park in the UK is divided into eleven themed parks consisting of rides, restaurants, shops and other attractions. A rockin’ tug ride called the ‘Destiny’s Bounty’ is kids’ favourite. Visiting Legoland, Windsor should definitely be on the bucket list of lego fans.
How to get there – Take a train from Waterloo followed by a bus ride to Legoland
Features – One can visit Castle Hill, Pirate shores and the Land of Adventure
Location – Windsor Resort, Winkfield Rd, Windsor SL4 4AY, United Kingdom
Nearby Places – Visit the glorious Windsor Castle
Opening Hours – 10 am to 5 pm
Phone number – 0371 222 2001
Ticket prices – $95.99 for adults
6. Blackpool Pleasure Beach
Blackpool Pleasure Beach is one of the most visited tourist attractions in the UK. It has won countless awards and accolades including the ‘best brand for tourism and leisure’. Spread over 42 acres of land, this indoor theme park in the UK has a total of 125 rides and attractions. The mega-coaster called ‘Big One’ is a sensation among the younger generation and is described as the scariest ride on the premises. In addition to the thrilling roller-coaster rides, they also have family rides that are meant to be enjoyed by the whole family, including kids. Blackpool Pleasure Beach is considered to be amongst the top 10 theme parks in the UK, for teenagers, children, and family visits.
How to get there – One can take a direct train to Blackpool
Features – ‘Valhalla’ is a combination of water-themed Rida and a dark ride.
Location – 525 Ocean Blvd, Blackpool FY4 1EZ, United Kingdom
Nearby Places – Enjoy the UK’s favourite dish i.e Fish and Chips at Taylor’s Fish n Chips
Opening Hours – 11 am to 11 pm
Phone number – +44 871 222 1234
Ticket prices – £23 for adults and £21 for children
7. Chessington World of Adventures
Chessington World of Adventures is located in Chessington, Greater England. In addition to being one of the best indoor theme parks in the UK, the resort also has a zoo, sea life, and a hotel. This indoor amusement park in the UK is loosely styled on a range of world cultures. Major attractions include ‘Dragon’s Fury’ which is a 540m tall spinning coaster and ‘Vampire’, a type of suspended roller coaster. There is also a flume water ride that features two vertical drops, one into a tunnel and one through a tiger mouth. In the zoo, there are more than a thousand animals for the visitors’ view. Kids can enjoy ‘Room on the Broom’ which is a magical journey with renowned illustrators showcasing their best tricks.
How to get there – The closest train station is Chessington South which is a 10-minute walk from the park.
Features – Canopy Capers and Dragon’s Playhouse are a treat for the kids.
Location – Leatherhead Rd, Chessington KT9 2NE, United Kingdom
Nearby places – Go on a Skywalk Adventure or put all your brain muscles to use in ‘escape the room’
Opening hours – 10 am to 6 pm on most days
Ticket prices – £50 for adults and £46 for children
Phone number – +44 871 663 4477
8. Gulliver’s World, Warrington
If you are looking to visit a theme park with your kids, Gulliver’s World is the best indoor theme park in the UK that comes to mind. It is specifically designed to attract kids aged between 2 and 13. Splash Zone, an indoor attraction situated next to the main theme park, consists of a wide range of accelerating water-based rides and slides which are just right for the kids. Blast Arena is another major indoor attraction that has become a hub of children’s birthday parties and gatherings. The Blast Arena provides the participants with a chance to take part in target-ranging sessions, making Blast Arena a must-visit for all Fortnite fans out there. For safety purposes, target vests and helmets are provided to the kids for each session.
How to get there – Take a train to Warrington Central and then take the line 17 bus to the park.
Features – The Jeep Safari and Maze of Cards offer an enjoyable experience for kids.
Location – Shackleton Cl, Old Hall, Warrington WA5 9YZ, United Kingdom
Nearby places – All art lovers can visit the Warrington Museum and Art Gallery.
Opening Hours – 10:30 am to 5 pm
Ticket prices – £24
Phone number – +44 1925 444888
9. M&D’s, Scotland Theme Park
M&D’s is the biggest theme park in Scotland which boasts the Giant Condor, a ridge that rises up to 30m and provides amazing views of the rest of the park. These indoor theme parks in the UK are home to a range of roller coasters, thrill rides, water rides, Junior rides and other attractions including ‘Amazonia’ which is an indoor rainforest and contains exotic animals such as the tarantula and poison dart frog. There are several eateries and family restaurants that serve mouth-watering dishes. If you are tired, just go to “Guiseppi’s” and devour their delicious Italian ice creams. This will instantly re-energise you.
How to get there – Take a train to Motherwell and line 241 bus from there.
Features – ‘White water’ is a log flume featuring two drops that are sure to give you an unforgettable adrenaline rush.
Location – Strathclyde Country Park, Motherwell ML1 3RT, United Kingdom
Opening Hours – 10 am to 10 pm
Phone number – +44 1698 333777
10. Drayton Manor
A list of the best indoor theme parks in the UK can never be complete without mentioning Drayton Manor. Located in Staffordshire, Drayton Manor covers 281 acres of land which hosts approximately 1.5 million visitors every year. A major attraction here is the ‘shockwave’ that reaches a speed of 85km/h with four inversions: a loop, a zero-gravity roll and a double corkscrew. This is the best indoor amusement park in the UK.
How to get there – Catch the Arriva 110 bus and exit at ‘The Square’
Features – The park has its very own Thomas Land where the visitors can relive their childhood.
Location – Drayton Manor Dr, Fazeley, Mile Oak, Tamworth B78 3TW, United Kingdom
Opening hours – 10:30am to 5pm
Phone Number – +44 1827 287979
FAQs
Q1. Which is the biggest theme park in the UK?
Ans: The biggest theme park in the UK is Alton Towers Resort. It is renowned for its exhilarating rides and attractions.
Q2. What is the second-largest theme park in the UK?
Ans: Thorpe Park Resort, the second-largest theme park in the UK, is renowned for its heart-pounding roller coasters.
Q3. Where is the most popular theme park?
Ans: With millions of visitors each year, Alton Towers Resort is also the most well-liked theme park in the UK.
Q4. What are the top 3 biggest theme parks in the world?
Ans: The top three theme parks in the world are as follows:
a) Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, United States
b) California’s Disneyland Resort, USA.
c) Japan’s Tokyo Disneyland and Disney Sea amusement parks
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