Explore the 11 Best Theme Parks in the UK in 2024

As a kid, we all wanted to ride in the biggest roller coasters, especially ones with loops! Even after we grow up, we love getting that adrenaline rush while we go at high speeds on a roller coaster or other exciting rides! Living in the UK as a student is no exception for you not to have this feeling! Hence, we have created a list of the best theme parks in the UK that you can visit during your holidays and enjoy the thrill of being a small child again!

11 Best Theme Parks In The UK

The United Kingdom offers several fascinating places to visit! Here, we have curated a list of the 11 best theme parks in the UK where you can relive nostalgic memories. Roller coasters or exuberant water rides, these theme parks in the UK have a power-packed, unforgettable experience for you! Go through these best UK theme parks and create your itinerary to explore as many as you can!

1. Alton Towers Theme Park

Location: Farley Ln, Alton, Stoke-on-Trent ST10 4DB, UK 
Website: Alton Towers
Price: £58/person
Ratings: 4/5
Timings: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM (All Days)
Time Taken To Explore The Park: 2 days
Popular Rides: Nemesis, Oblivion, Rita, Thirteen, The Smiler, The Galactica
How To Get There: Uttoxeter is the nearest train station; you can take a 40-minute bus ride from there.

Alton Towers was first opened as a theme park in the UK, featuring the first double loop coaster, Corkscrew. The biggest theme park in the UK, Alton Towers, is a restored park in Staffordshire. The 15th Earl of Shrewsbury initially owned the estate now known as Alton Towers. Following its sale in 1924, a group of local businessmen established Alton Towers Ltd, and the area was subsequently developed into a significant theme park aimed at thrill-seekers from the UK and abroad. The 1957-built model railroad and the Gothic-style hotel rooms at the location showcase the site's history.

‍2. Legoland Windsor Resort

Location: Winkfield Rd, Windsor SL4 4AY, UK
Website: LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort
Price: £34/person
Ratings: 4/5
Timings: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM (All Days)
Time Taken To Explore The Park: 1 day
Popular Rides: Pirate Falls, Spinning Spider
How To Get There: Take a bus ride to Legoland after taking a train from Waterloo.

Legoland Windsor is a family-friendly theme park in the UK situated in Windsor, Berkshire, southwest of the heart of London. Over 2 million people visit Legoland Windsor each year, making it the most popular theme park in the UK. Visitors can access various attractions, models, and workshops with a Lego theme. Miniland, a 1:20 model Lego recreation of iconic cities and villages worldwide, is one of the park's most well-liked attractions. It is advised for visitors to use the railway system, which moves leisurely around the theme park's many sections, making it one of the best theme parks in the UK. This amusement park in the UK offers more than 55 rides and attractions, the theme park also has accommodation.

3. Drayton Manor Theme Park

Location: Drayton Manor Dr, Fazeley, Mile Oak, Tamworth B78 3TW, UK
Website: Drayton Manor Resort 
Price: £26.00/person
Ratings: 4/5
Timings: 10:30 AM - 5:00 PM(Mon-Fri), 10:30 AM - 9:00 PM(Sat-Sun)
Time Taken To Explore The Park: 1 day
Popular Rides: Apocalypse, Stormforce, Shockwave, Air Race  
How To Get There: Hop on the Arriva 110 bus and exit at The Square. 

An exotic zoo and theme park in the UK, Drayton Manor, was constructed on the grounds of the former Drayton Manor in Staffordshire, England. Visitors can embark on an experience where they will meet curious Tamarin monkeys and naughty marmosets while strolling through beautifully maintained gardens on the recently constructed Tamarin Trail. The theme park has the only stand-up roller coaster in Europe, which is well-known for being extremely intense and having higher height limitations than other rides. These attractions are fantastic for youngsters, but adults will love Thomas Land's Thomas the Tank Engine-themed attractions at Drayton Manor Park, making Drayton Manor Park one of the best theme parks in the UK!

4. Thorpe Park Resort

Location: Staines Rd, Chertsey KT16 8PN, UK
Website: Thorpe Park Resort 
Price: £37.00/person
Ratings: 3.5/5
Timings: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM(Mon-Fri), 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM(Sat-Sun)
Time Taken To Explore The Park: 1-2 days
Popular Rides: Ghost Train, Tidal Wave, Saw, The Walking Dead, Colossus
How To Get There: Catch the shuttle Bus no.950 from Staines Station

Between Chestney and Staines-Upon-Thames in Surrey, England, you'll find Thorpe Park, a hotel and theme park in the UK with enormous roller coasters and the eagerly anticipated Ghost Train ride. Thorpe Park has earned its place on the list of the finest theme parks in the UK. The finest option in England for thrill enthusiasts is Thorpe Resort Park! Thorpe Park is a complete vacation resort comprising a themed hotel, an amusement park, a water park, and live entertainment. Thorpe Park is one of the most exhilarating theme parks in England thanks to its seven rollercoasters, which helped it win the UK Theme Park Awards 2020 for "Best Theme Park for Thrills.

5. Dreamland Margate

Location: 49-51, Marine Terrace, Margate CT9 1XJ, UK
Website: Dreamland Theme Park 
Price: Up to 1hr: £1.50, Up to 2hrs: £3.00, Up to 4hrs: £6.00/person
Ratings: 3/5
Timings: 10:30 AM - 6:00 PM(Sun-Fri), 10:30 AM - 4:00 PM(Saturday)
Time Taken To Explore The Park: 1 day
Popular Rides: Hurricane Jets, Scenic Railway 
How To Get There: Students can take a cab as the entrance is by the Sea Road

Dreamland is one of the oldest surviving amusement parks. Dreamland is a theme park in the UK that is modelled after the traditional British seaside funfair and is situated in Margate, Kent, England. To many people's astonishment, Dreamland shut down in 2003 and was resurrected in 2015 as a heritage amusement park with various classic attractions. Its reopening was partially prompted by the locals' backing of "The Save Dreamland Campaign." For romantics travelling to the UK, there are several impressive historical rides and a beautiful Merry-Go-Round. The Dream Pass Card, which enables limitless entry to rides and free cash-free park walking, is particularly well-liked by visitors.

6. Lightwater Valley Theme Park

Location: Water Ln, North Stainley, Ripon HG4 3HT, UK
Website: Lightwater Valley Theme Park
Price: £26.50 - £30/person
Ratings: 4.5/5
Timings: 10:30 AM - 5:00 PM (All Days)
Time Taken To Explore The Park: 1-2 days
Popular Rides: The Ultimate, Falls of Lightwater Valley, Dragon Boats, The Apollo
How To Get There: You can catch a train and get down at Thirsk Station. 

The Ultimate roller coaster, located in the Lightwater Valley Theme Park in the UK, which is not far from Leeds, is renowned for being Europe's longest ride. It takes riders on an exhilarating 7-minute, 34-second journey around a steel track that is 7,442 feet long. The hidden theme park in North Stainley, North Yorkshire, England, started in 1969 as a modest "pick your own" fruit farm. Over 40 rides total, including high-adrenaline attractions, make it one of the best theme parks in the UK. Discover the best prices at these parks as a student! You can now avail of student discounts, with our Best Student Discounts In The UK!

7. Chessington World of Adventures Resort

Location: Leatherhead Rd, Chessington KT9 2NE, UK
Website: Chessington World of Adventures Resort
Price: £15.00/person
Ratings: 5/5 
Timings: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM(Mon-Thurs), 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM(Fri-Sun)
Time Taken To Explore The Park: 1 day
Popular Rides: Dragon's Fury, The Vampire
How To Get There: Being just a few minutes walk away, Chessington South is the nearest train station.

The Chessington Zoo, which has over 1,000 animals, and the Chessington Foreign of Adventures theme park, which has several areas decorated in the styles of various world civilisations, are both part of the Chessington Resort. Children are enthralled by the Chessington Zoo, where they may see various animals, including dangerous Sumatran tigers, sea lions, and western lowland gorillas. The theme park was created by the Tussauds Group in 1987, and the Chessington Zoo opened its doors in 1931. There are more than ten significant zones in the World of Adventures theme park, including Adventure Point, Mystic East, Mexicana, and Pirates Cove. 

8. Blackpool Pleasure Beach

Location: 525 Ocean Blvd, Blackpool FY4 1EZ, UK
Website: Blackpool Pleasure Beach
Price: £34.00/person
Ratings: 4/5
Timings: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM (All Days)
Time Taken To Explore The Park: 2 days
Popular Rides: Valhalla, Ice Blast, The Big One
How To Get There: You can take a train to Blackpool 

The most popular theme park in the UK, Pleasure Beach, is located close to the sizable cities of Liverpool and Manchester. It welcomes more than 5.5 million people in a single year. This theme park in UK is home to 10 roller coasters including Icon, the park’s newest and fastest. The park features more roller coasters than any other in the UK, more than 10, 5 of which are made of wood. It won the vote for the greatest amusement park in the UK in 2014. The "Big One" was inaugurated in 1994 and, at the time, was the tallest and fastest roller coaster in the world. It is one of the park's many record-breaking attractions. UK residents of all ages have long enjoyed the fun offered by this magnificent amusement park in the UK.

9. Flamingo Land Resort

Location: Kirby Misperton, Malton YO17 6UX, UK
Website: Flamingo Land Resort
Price: £14.50/person
Ratings: 4.3/5
Timings: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM (All Days)
Time Taken To Explore The Park: 1-2 days
Popular Rides: Mumbo Jumbo, Lost River Ride, Cliff Hanger
How To Get There: You can take a train and get down at Malton Station

Families may spend valuable time together at Flamingo Land, a resort, amusement park, and zoo in North Yorkshire, England. The Hero, a suspended flying coaster that debuted in 2013, has gained popularity for transporting riders along a corkscrew track side by side. The Cliffhanger, which lifts riders 180 feet into the air before launching them into a weightless free fall, is only for guests with nerves of steel, making it one of the best theme parks in the UK. Along with exotic birds and animals, Flamingo Land also boasts a collection of lions, giraffes, zebras, meerkats, and chimps.

10. Oakwood Theme Park

Location: Canaston Bridge, Narberth SA67 8DE, UK
Website: Oakwood Theme Park
Price: £108.00/person
Ratings: 4/5
Timings: Variable (It is open from late March/early April to early November)
Time Taken To Explore The Park: 1 day
Popular Rides: Megafobua, Bounce, Bobsleigh 
How To Get There: You can take a train and get down at the nearest station, Narberth and then take a taxi. 

The Oakwood Theme Park in the UKis situated in Pembrokeshire, Wales, and is surrounded by lovely countryside and quaint towns. The five high-adrenaline roller coasters at Oakwood Theme Park in the UK are Megafobia, Vertigo, Bounce, Drenched, and Speed. Visitors can enjoy a tiny BMX (bicycle motocross) park, wooden forts, 3D movies, go-karts, and various fast water-themed roller coasters at Oakwood Theme Park in the UK. According to enthusiasts across the continent, Europe's top rides include Megafobia.

11. Harry Potter Theme Park

Location: Studio Tour Dr, Leavesden, Watford WD25 7LR, UK 
Website: The Making of Harry Potter
Price: £47/person 
Timings: 9:30 AM - 8 PM (All Days)
Time Taken To Explore The Park: 2 Days 
Popular Feature: Visit the street address of the Dursleys
How To Get There: Take a train and get down at Watford Junction

Nestled in the outskirts of north London, this Warner Brothers studio is one of the must visit places for all potterheads! Bringing the journey of "the boy who lived" to life, explore the movie sets, the costumes and the extravagant props used in the Harry Potter movies. While taking a tour of this theme Park in the UK, you will be able to visit the 4 Privet Drive set and some of Dumbledore's Offices. You can also catch the Hogwarts Express or run into the wall at platform 9¾. All Potterheads will definitely agree that this is one of the best theme parks in the UK!

Tips to keep in mind while visiting a theme park in the UK

There are various things you can do while visiting a theme park in the UK, but there are a few ways that can make your experience a lot better while visiting some of the best amusement parks in the UK! 

1. Research on how to get to the theme park. We have got you covered with our Ultimate Guide To UK Transportation. So check the best ways to get there!

2. Go on weekdays to avoid school kids and the weekend rush.

3. If you are going to a theme park and planning on spending a few days there, then book your place of stay well in advance because there is a high chance that rooms might be full by the time you can even book!

4. Take your food, as the rates of food at the restaurants in various theme parks will make you feel like you have entered a Ferrari showroom! 

5. Another tip for travelling to UK theme parks is to plan way before to optimise your schedule, and you will also be able to book your place of stay, as mentioned above!

7. Check out the various seasonal events taking place in the theme park of your choosing! A lot of theme parks in the UK have various events taking place almost every month, so make sure to look out for these events to make your visit even better!

The theme parks in the UK have a lot to offer to everyone! From wonderful movie set tours to splashing water rides. From mega roller coasters for thrill seekers to zoos and chilled-out entertainment shows, amusement parks in the UK have everything one can ask for. Hope you found your next theme park in the UK to visit for a fun day out. Have fun, and go crazy!