30 Best Amusement Parks For Kids In The UK (2023)

If you’re looking for a family vacation full of fun and thrills, there’s nothing better than visiting one of the top amusement parks in the United Kingdom.

These theme parks are perfect for younger children and older kids and teens alike. From family-friendly rides to roller coasters for adrenaline junkies, these theme parks offer something for everybody.

1. Alton Towers

If you were asked to name a theme park in the UK, many of us would first select Alton Towers. The popular destination near Stoke-on-Trent is home to lots of fantastic rides for all the family.

Kids will adore CBeebies Land where they can meet Postman Pat, the Octonauts, and enjoy the Go Jetters Vroomster Zoom Ride! Visitors aged under 3 years old go free and there are plenty of attractions with no height restrictions, including the Royal Carousel and Skyride. Older children can enjoy the Runaway Mine Train, Battle Galleons, and Gangsta Granny: The Ride.

Extend your stay with a short break, staying in on-site accommodation including the Alton Towers Hotel, themed CBeebies rooms, and even Luxury Treehouses. Be sure to make some time to splash around in the Alton Towers Waterpark too.

2. M&D’s Scotland’s Theme Park

Scotland’s premier theme park is full of great rides, delicious food, and plenty of indoor and outdoor entertainment. The park often has free shows featuring award-winning children’s entertainers and free meet and greets with your favourite superheroes.

The children’s rides at M&D’s include Mini Dodgems, Pirate Train, and the new Fantasyland Carousel. For kids that are 1.2m+ in height, ride the Twister, Rip Tide, and Runaway Mine Train. You can even get splashed on Moby’s Revenge.

After a day of play, you can stay over at the four-star Alona Hotel. Take advantage of a package deal that includes theme park admission, accommodation, tickets for adventure mini golf, tickets for a magnificent indoor rainforest, and a full Scottish breakfast! If you want a coffee in peace, kids can even let off a bit of steam at the recently improved Krazy Congo Soft Play Arena.

3. LEGOLAND Windsor

For fans of LEGO, heading to Windsor is an absolute must. LEGOLAND Windsor has so much to offer families, from day trips full of fun to short breaks where you are immersed in the joy of the building block!

The theme park has so many fantastic rides and attractions. From the thrill-seeking rollercoaster The Dragon to the interactive and exciting Ninjago ride. Kids can even earn their own driving licence at the LEGO City Driving School!

Immerse yourself in the world of Mythica, where rides such as Flight Of The Sky Lion will leave a lasting impression and plenty of smiles. For fans of LEGO Friends, you can even wander through Heartlake City. There is something amazing about walking past well know buildings and structures, but here, they are made of LEGO!

Turn your adventure into a short break by booking a themed room in the LEGOLAND Hotel. Enjoy evening entertainment, take a dip in the swimming pool, and after a comfortable night of sleep, start your day with a cooked breakfast at the Bricks Restaurant.

4. Pleasurewood Hills

For those looking for a family day out in Suffolk, Pleasurewood Hills has lots to offer. From live displays to thrill rides, you can make loads of memories and enjoy lots of laughter at this amusement park in Lowestoft.

Take to the skies on the Flying Elephants, wave at passers-by from the Pleasurewood Hills Express, and spin and twirl on the Mini Twister. There are rides for all ages and heights, including Wipeout, which is the ultimate thrill in East Anglia. Older children will love reaching speeds of up to 50mph and there is ride photography to capture the memories!

The whole family will adore the parrot and sea lion displays, which are both educational and entertaining. When parents need a relaxing sit-down, kids can run around the complimentary indoor soft play area Woody’s Cub House, where the loveable bear himself, Woody, might even make an appearance!

5. Drayton Manor Resort

With more than 50 rides & attractions, Drayton Manor Resort has something for everyone. This includes Europe’s one and only Thomas Land! For fans of the little blue engine, this is a trip that they will never forget!

Head into the heart of The Island of Sodor and enjoy Thomas The Tank Engine-themed rides including Cranky’s Tower Drop, Captain’s Sea Adventure, and Winston’s Whistle-Stop Tours. The resort has loads of other rides for families to enjoy as well.

These include Maelstrom, Shockwave, Stormforce 10, Air Race, and the River Rapids. There is even a Vikings part of the park with attractions named after Thor and Loki.

With a 15-acre zoo on the site, you might want to extend your stay to have extra time to explore. Book a short break and you can relax on an overnight stay in the four-star onsite hotel. You can devour a divine English breakfast before getting half an hour of Exclusive Early Access to the park!

6. Chessington World Of Adventures

There are over 40 rides at Chessington World Of Adventures, along with a zoo, a Sea Life Centre, and even an onsite Go-Ape course! There are rides for children of all ages, including Canopy Capers, Elmer’s Flying Jumbos and the Gruffalo River Ride Adventure. The huge soft play centre, Dragon’s Playhouse, is also a great place for kids to run wild.

A new addition to Chessington’s World Of Adventures is the World of Jumanji. This is great for fans of the epic board game and both the original film and the rebooted franchise. Step into the shoes of Dr Bravestone and ride on the world’s only Jumanji rollercoaster, Mandrill Mayhem.

Booking a short break gives you access to the park, overnight accommodation, hotel entertainment, breakfast and free parking. Chessington also has a Rainy Day Guarantee, so if it rains continuously for an hour or more on the day you visit, you can claim another visit for free within twelve months.

7. Adventure Wonderland

Voted Dorset’s top family attraction, Adventure Wonderland has more than 30 rides and attractions for Mums, Dads and kids of all ages. Inspired by the mad hatter world of Alice, there is a lot of entertainment, with plenty of shows, shopping and super snacks!

The rides at Adventure Wonderland are perfect for all ages. There are 14 attractions with no minimum height requirement, including the Curvy Caterpillars and Wild Bills Runaway Train. Older kids can jump aboard the Ghostly Galleon, Charlie Cool’s Safari Jeeps and Jungle Falls!

Adventure Wonderland puts on special events throughout the year. These include Christmas, Halloween and fun-filled Character Days. Season tickets are available, which also give you 20% off food, drink and ice cream. For those children who adore Adventure Wonderland, birthday parties can also be booked.

8. Blackpool Pleasure Beach

On Blackpool’s famous front, Pleasure Beach has been entertaining the crowds since it was founded in 1896. With 19 spectacular rides, there are family attractions and lots of roller coasters for thrill seekers.

Perhaps the most famous of the Pleasure Beach rides is The Big One, which gives incredible views and high-speed action. However, for youngsters, Nickelodeon Land will be where they want to head to.

They can hang out with SpongeBob SquarePants and those popular PAW Patrol characters whilst enjoying lots of themed rides from TV shows like Rugrats. Fans of Dora The Explorer will love the World Voyage gondola ride, as well as meeting Diego on his Rainforest Rescue.

There are plenty of car parks nearby or travel by train straight to the dedicated station at Blackpool Pleasure Beach. With lots of hotels in Blackpool and loads of other things to do in the seaside town, why not make a stay of your time on the North West coast?

9. Blackgang Chine

If you are looking for some history, head to Blackgang Chine on the Isle Of Wight, which is the oldest amusement park in the UK. It opened all the way back in 1843! Fortunately, the rides and attractions have been updated since back then!

The ride list includes Rumpus Mansion, Pirate Barrels, Waterforce, and the latest addition to the park,
Evolution. Delve into different worlds on your trip to Blackgang Chine, as the many lands of imagination take you through Cowboy Town, Dodo Valley, Pirate Cove, Nursery Land, Underwater Kingdom, and Restricted Area 5.

There are unique family events throughout the year, including Cowboys Vs Dinosaurs, Summer Fest, and Frights & Sprites. Enjoy even more time at Blackgang Chime with a frequent visitor pass. It is also great to know that standard park tickets include seven days of free returns.

10. Lightwater Valley

Since opening in 1969, many families have enjoyed making memories at Lightwater Valley. In recent years, it has shifted focus to being a family adventure park, tailored to those under the age of 12. With over 40 rides and attractions throughout the park, there is daily entertainment, lots of meet and greets, and the super impressive and always popular Skate Karts!

Clownaround, Hall Of Mirrors, Animal Carnival, Dragon Boats, and Jungle Jump are just a handful of attractions that have no minimum height requirement. For those older children, they can enjoy the Skyrider, Splash Falls, Powder Kegs, and Eagle’s Claw.

Located just outside Ripon, on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales, and just a short drive from Harrogate, there are lots of places to stay to extend your trip. There are nearby campsites and caravan parks as well.

11. The Milky Way Adventure Park 

Just outside of Bideford and only five miles from the North Cornwall border is The Milk Way Adventure Park. The attraction even has a coveted TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best Award.

There is something for every family member here. Pre-schoolers can enjoy Ziggy’s Blast Quest and the Jumping Jupiters. Older kids can ride the Cosmic Typhoon, Gravity Rider, and Droid Destroyer Dodgems. Make sure to board The Milky Way Railway too!

There are also some great live shows to watch. With some great events throughout the year, you can be sure of a different experience every time you visit.

There is also a new Ninja Stars Arena, which is perfect for family challenges. Who will become the ultimate master ninja of your tribe? Even if the weather is not blue skies and sunshine, The Milky Way has 110,000 square feet of indoor activities for you to enjoy.

12. Thorpe Park

Thorpe Park states that it is the UK’s most thrilling theme park, but there are plenty of rides for all ages at the Surrey-based attraction. The amusement park has more than 4000+ Excellent reviews on Tripadvisor.

There is a complete list of Little Thrills for youngsters visiting the amusement park. These include the High Striker, Flying Fish, and Mr Monkey’s Banana Ride which is a take on a traditional swinging ship. Older kids hold on tight as they spin around on the Dobble Tea Party, zoom on Depth Charge, and try to stay dry on Storm Surge.

Short breaks are available where you stay in nautical-themed rooms in Thorpe Shark Cabins. These breaks include two days of entry to the theme park and early morning fast track, along with parking and Wi-Fi. With themed events throughout the year, including the awe-inspiring summer Carnival, it is the perfect destination for your next family break.

13. Wicksteed Park

Since opening back in 1921, Wicksteed Park has been providing entertainment to families for generations. The site is a Grade II English Heritage Listed Park & Garden and there are rides, nature, and heritage to discover here.

Take a whizz on The Clown Coaster, zoom through Dinosaur Valley, and take to the skies on the Sway Rider. The Water Chute is actually the oldest one in Britain, thrilling visitors here since 1926. You can get up close to cute and fluffy animals at Wicky’s Farmyard and the whole family will love a journey on the Wicksteed Park Railway.

If you want to spend multiple days at Wicksteed Park, why not book a pitch at the campsite? With views overlooking our stunning lake, you can wake up just a stone’s throw from the rides, and enjoy second-day discounts on your entry tickets.

14. Paultons Park

Paulton’s Park first opened back in the 19080s, however, it was not until 2011 that it became the home of Peppa Pig World! It is the perfect destination for little fans of Peppa and George.

You can meet all the Peppa Pig characters at Paultons Park, including Mummy Pig, Daddy Pig, Suzy Sheep, and Zoe Zebra. There are nine themed rides here as well, including Grandpa Pig’s Little Train, Miss Rabbit’s Helicopter Flight, and Grampy Rabbit’s Sailing Club. There will be so much joy and excitement on the faces of your little ones!

There are many other rides and attractions as well. There really is something for every member of the family, including the Velociraptor, Seal Falls, and Go Karts. If you book an official short break, you will get free second-day tickets to the park.

15. Gulliver’s World

An ideal location for families with kids aged 2-13, Gullivers World has loads of attractions and rides for a day of maximum entertainment. The Wriggler is the perfect first rollercoaster for little thrillseekers.

Kids can enjoy riding the water at the Smuggler’s Boating School, galloping on the Horses Carousel, and exploring Gully’s farmyard on the Tractor Ride. A recent addition to Gulliver’s World is the Gears area, featuring Grand Prix Racers Coaster and the Overdrive 360° Spin Ride. The Pirates Play Area is perfect for letting off steam and Cape Canyon Crazy Golf is ideal for a bit of mini golf family competition.

Book a themed short break to extend your stay and enjoy more play! There are also Gulliver’s Theme Parks & Resorts in Derbyshire, Milton Keynes, and South Yorkshire.

16. The Big Sheep

The Big Sheep is North Devon’s most popular family attraction. With live shows, seasonal events, good food, and plenty of indoor and outdoor fun, kids and parents alike will have a great time!

At The Big Sheep, you can feed newborn lambs and meet other cute animals such as puppies, piglets, and goats. There is plenty of all-weather fun to be had with a huge soft play area that includes multi-lane slides for racing! There are lots of family rides including Swan Lawn Pedalos, The Twister, and Devon’s largest rollercoaster, The Rampage!

There are gigs and events throughout the year, including family-friendly festivals featuring world-renowned artists such as Newton Faulkner. Boutique Retreats has been introduced so you can stay over and enjoy more family time together.

17. Robin Hood Wheelgate Park

Promoted as having endless adventures of family fun, Robin Hoods Wheelgate Park is an all-action theme park and water park. By pre-booking online you will save 15% on your ticket price.

There are lots of attractions throughout the park, all split into different zones. Ride the Palm Tree Twirlers in the Land Of The Pharaohs and reach new heights on the Launch Tower in the Alien Galaxy zone.

For the perfect place to cool off during the summer months, head to Robin Hood’s Water Park and Splash Land. It is the largest outdoor Water Park in the UK with different slides for different ages of children.

There are events throughout the season, including Father’s Day where Dads enter the park for just a fiver. At other times throughout the year, you can enjoy Easter events, Princess & Superhero fun, and even meet everyone’s favourite dog, Bluey!

18. Crealy Theme Park & Resort

Crely Theme Park says that is it the South West’s Number One Family Day Out. With 60+ rides and attractions, there is plenty of action and entertainment for you to fill your day with, at the resort near Exeter.

Kids can enjoy a whole range of rides including Aqua Blasters, Dino Jeeps, Super Subs, and The Junior Driving School. For older children looking for thrills, The Twister and Maximus Rollercoaster are must-ride attractions.

It is also the home of Sooty Land, with four fantastic rides, indoor attractions, live shows, and Sooty’s Magic Bus. With more than 200 farm and zoo animals, you are sure to see some of your favourite critters.

There are over 100 camping and touring spaces, luxury glamping, and hot tub lodges available. So you can stay and play for longer at Crealy Theme Park & Resort.

19. Dymchurch Amusement Park

Just a short walk from the beach, and within walking distance of Dymchurch station, Dymchurch Amusement Park is a great destination for some family fun at the coast. There are lots of campsites and caravan parks nearby for a UK seaside holiday.

The rides available include The Twister, Dumbo Ride, Rollin’ Racer, The Shootin’ Star, and The Wave Swiger. The Caterpillar Ride is designed with small children in mind, giving them a twisty and fun first experience of a rollercoaster. For food, there is an onsite snack hut with fresh doughnuts and ice cream. Just outside the park are cafes and fish & chip shops too.

There is no admission fee for Dymchurch Amusement Park. You simply purchase discs which are then used for each of the rides and attractions. This makes it easy to stick to a budget. The best value purchase is 40 discs for £30.

20. Flambards Theme Park

Flambards has been ‘providing the best day of the week since 1976.’ The park has plenty of history and continues to attract families year after year. Full-priced tickets give you seven days for the price of one, so you can come back for the entire week should you wish!

The theme park has loads of family rides. These include the Cornwall Eye, Human Cannonball, and Rocking Tug Boat. For older children who want a bit more action, the Log Flume, Thunderbolt, and Hornet Rollercoaster are a must! You can also take to the sky on three rides called the Sky Swinger, Skyraker, and the recent addition, Sky-Force!

There are also some wonderful indoor immersive attractions too. Step back in time in these award-winning recreations of Victorian Britain. With 50 sets taking you back in history, these scenes are filled with over 50,000 genuine artefacts. You can even experience Britain in the Blitz!

21. GreenWood

Voted the Best Family Day Out in North Wales, GreenWood has plenty of action and adventure for everyone. There is also a cafe serving great food and drink, a soft play centre, and birthday parties are available to book!

There are loads of things to do at GreenWood, including plenty of attractions with no minimum height or age. Enjoy the Enchanted River Ride, climb TreeTop Towers, and enjoy a sensory experience on The Barefoot Trail. Ride on the world’s one and only people-powered rollercoaster the Green Dragon and zoom in style on the Solar Splash, the first solar-powered ride in the UK!

There are seasonal events taking place at GreenWood and you can sign up to get early access to ticket sales. Bookings are also open for Tipi Glamping, so you can stay nearby and enjoy more fun in the park!

22. Diggerland

For parents with little fans of all things construction, Diggerland is an absolute must! Children under 100cm in height get in for free and there are real-life diggers, dumpers, and other vehicles to enjoy!

There are 20 different rides across the park, with a whole host of other activities too. Take a ride on the Go Karts, Joyrider, and Dippy Ducks. Dig for Buried Treasure, whizz around on the Spindizzy, and enjoy fantastic views from the Skyshuttle. There is even an indoor soft play centre for when the weather is not quite on point or when parents want to grab a cappuccino and sit down.

Diggerland is aimed at providing entertainment for children aged 4-14, however, all members of the family will enjoy the day. There are also Diggerland locations in Kent, Durham, and Devon.

23. BeWILDerwood 

If you love the great outdoors and a little bit of magic, BeWILDerwood is the place for you. Based on the books by Tom Blofeld, it is a curious treehouse adventure, letting you run wild in an enchanting world of Twiggles & Boggles.

BeWILDerwood is full of zip wires, treehouses, wonky bridges, super slides, and creative fun. You can spend hours as a family working your way through the woodland and joining in the storytelling joy! There is no sitting on the sidelines for the grown-ups, families make memories together in the fresh air!

Try your hand at den building, find your way through mazes, and have lots of laughs with your loved ones. There is also a BeWILDerwood in Hoveton near Norwich in Norfolk.

24. Oakwood Theme Park

Since opening in the late 1980s as a small family park, Oakwood has grown to become the biggest theme park in Wales. Whether you are looking for a thrilling experience or a magical adventure, Oakwood has something for everyone.

Family rides include the Creepy Crawler, Bobsleigh, Snake River Falls, and the Dizzy Disc. For older riders looking for a thrilling ride, check out Megafobia, Speed, and Drenched. Little visitors can enjoy all the fun of Neverland, with the Jolly Roger Pirate Ship, Crocodile Coaster, Lost Boys Adventure, and Tink’s Flying School.

Oakwood Theme Park has a whole calendar of events lined up throughout the year, including Jurassic June and Summer Mania. The nearest train station is at Narberth and Oakwood is just a 20-minute drive from Tenby.

25. Sundown Adventureland

First opened as a farmyard in 1968, Sundown Adventureland now has more than 20 rides and attractions. Discounted family tickets are available if you book before midnight the day before you visit.

The ride and attraction list at Sundown Adventureland includes the Rocky Mountain Railroad, Monkey Mischief, and Buck & Duke’s Sing-A-Long Show. It is also Christmas every day at Sundown where you can jump aboard Santa’s Sleigh Ride. There are lots of different play areas throughout the park, including Crash Landings Indoor Play Area & Cafe.

Throughout the year there is a whole calendar of events, including Grandparents Weekend and Locals Weekend. If you want to extend your visit, you can stay in one of the family cabins at Wild Acre Village.

26. Southport Pleasureland

With free entry to the park grounds, you only pay for those who want to ride. Book online and you will save money on your day of fun at Southport Pleasureland.

There are lots of rides for all ages, including Balloons, Canoes, Convoy, Carousel, and the Dock Funhouse. Older riders can enjoy Loki’s Log Flume, Grand Canyon, Frisbee, and Chaos. Visitors can also enjoy the recently opened Steampunk Adventure when they book tickets for Southport Pleasureland.

If the park has to close due to the weather, guests can use the Rain Check Policy to return on another day. For those wanting to explore the coastal town of Southport and enjoy most time at Pleasureland, Motorhome parking is available onsite.

27. Twinlakes Family Theme Park

Set over 100 acres, Twinlakes is a theme park, farm, and water park all in one. It is the number one destination in the East Midlands and can be found at Melton Mowbray.

The park is split into different sections, including the Buccaneers Island and Labyrinth Venture Zone. Enjoy fantastic rides such as the Rum Runner Coaster, Pegasus Parade, and the brand new ride, Pilgrim Pedallers.

During the summer months, the whole family can keep cool at the Au Guang Dragon Zone. This half-acre water park is full of slides and plenty of splashes!

There are events throughout the season where you can meet your favourite characters, such as Paddington, Duggee, and the Minions. Whilst there are plenty of events to get involved with such as Father’s Day weekend. There are 20 luxury glamping pods available to extend your stay, each sleeping up to six people.

28. Landmark Forest Adventure Park

Situated in the Scottish Highlands, Landmark Forest Adventure Park is one of the top 10 parks in the UK.

The park has 20 attractions throughout, some for big kids, some for little kids, and plenty of fun for toddlers too. Step back in time into the Dinosaur Kingdom where you will come face to face with pre-historic giants, swing into action on the Tarzan Trail, and zoom at high speeds on the splashtastic Wild Water Coaster.

Take a trip up the 105 steps to the top of the Forest Tower, which gives you incredible 360 views around the Highlands. You will even be able to witness the impressive Cairngorm Mountains from here.

There is also the brand new attraction, Networx, now open, which is bouncy fun for all of the family. Accommodation-wise, there are many hotels, campsites, and bed & breakfasts around the area.

29. Flamingo Land

Book tickets for Flamingo Land and you can enjoy a fantastic theme park, along with an award-winning zoo. If you want to stay over, there are lodges, cottages, and holiday homes to choose from.

The theme park has a huge selection of rides for all ages. Rides for children include the Dino Roller, family rides include the Lost River Ride, and for thrillseekers, Sik is the latest epic Roller Coaster featuring a spectacular ten inversions!

Peter Rabbit from the popular CBeebies television show has even arrived at Flamingo Land, and fans can join Peter, Lily, and Benjamin in their top Secret Treehouse.

Witness incredible animals including hippos, lions, rhinos, penguins, and lemurs. For aspiring zookeepers between the age of 5-15, you can even book a Junior Ranger experience. Enjoy daytime shows such as the Pirates of Zanzibar and seasonal events throughout the year.

30. Adventure Island 

Adventure Island is Southend’s number-one free-entry theme park. Visitors enter the park without paying, enjoying the atmosphere, and then simply buy a wristband to ride the attractions that they are big enough for.

If there are only one or two rides you want to go on, you can buy individual tickets. However, a wristband is definitely the best value, giving you unlimited rides. Visitors even ride for free if they are aged 14+ and accompany another guest under 120cm in height.

The rides at Adventure Island include Ramba Zamba, Time Machine, Green Scream, and Fireball. The Kiddi-Koasta is the perfect starter coaster for young visitors. Throughout the year there are exciting events to enjoy including Superhero Weekend, Fairytale Weekend, and Island Fest.

Getting to Adventure Island is easy, with public transport routes stopping nearby and lots of car parks in the town. There are plenty of hotels nearby if you fancy extending your stay in Southend.