The Top 5 UK Theme Parks for Kids

by Nick Sim
(Suffolk, England)

The UK is home to a bewildering array of theme parks, with almost 30 fun-packed locations in operation across the country. For visiting families, this can make choosing which one to visit a challenge. The obvious choices are the largest and most popular parks, or the ones closest to London. But not every park is suitable for younger kids, with some of the biggest being squarely aimed at thrill-seeking teenagers and young adults.

Fortunately, if you know where to look there are some fantastic family days out to be had at UK theme parks. Here’s a rundown of 5 of the very best:

1. Legoland Windsor (London)
In common with other Legoland theme parks in Europe and the US, Legoland Windsor is designed specifically for families with children aged 2-12. It packs an enormous number of attractions into its 150-acre site, ranging from simple off-the-shelf rides to the unique Atlantis Submarine Voyage aquarium that opened in 2011. Be warned, though: crowds can be huge during the summer, and it pays to arrive early and hit the most popular rides first. This frees up the afternoon to look around Miniland, which features Lego recreations of famous landmarks.

2. Paultons Park (Hampshire)
Until recently, Paultons Park was barely known outside of its local vicinity. That all changed in 2011 when the park launched Peppa Pig World, a 6-acre area devoted to the adventures of the cartoon pig and her friends. This has made the park a magnet for youngsters from across the UK, eager to experience the stunningly detailed recreation of Peppa’s cartoon universe. It’s well worth a visit, and features many other child-friendly attractions and playgrounds.

3. Drayton Manor (Staffordshire)
Drayton Manor is most renowned for its selection of thrill rides, including the UK’s only stand-up roller coaster. However, it also houses one of the country’s most popular children’s attractions, Thomas Land. Based on the adventures of Thomas & Friends, the land features impressive theming and rides that are perfect for young train fanatics. The clear highlight is a ride on Thomas himself – taking a spin on this early in the day is highly recommended.

4. Alton Towers (Staffordshire)
The UK’s most popular theme park is enormous, sprawling over 800 acres of Staffordshire countryside. Alton Towers caters for everyone, featuring a wide range of kids’ rides alongside some of the best roller coasters in the world. The majority of the rides for younger children are located in the Old MacDonald’s Farmyard area near the entrance, and in Cloud Cuckoo Land at the far side of the park (which is almost large enough to be a theme park in itself).

5. Pleasurewood Hills (Suffolk)
Although it is disadvantaged by its out-of-way location, Pleasurewood Hills is well worth a visit for families visiting East Anglia. Its biggest draws are its animal shows, including a long-running Sea Lion show that continues to pull in kids like a magnet. Experiencing a revival following a decade of decline during the early 2000s, the park is now under new ownership and is planning to invest in a range of new attractions for young and old alike.