Are you looking for a great day out with the kids? If so, then you should definitely consider visiting one of England’s many theme parks. These parks offer a wide range of rides, attractions, and activities that will please children and adults alike. And, with so many theme parks to choose from, you’re sure to find one that’s perfect for your family. To help you narrow down your options, we’ve compiled a list of 8 of the best theme parks in England perfect for children. So, what are you waiting for? Start planning your next adventure today.
Alton Towers
One of the most popular theme parks perfect for children in England is of course Alton Towers. Alton Towers is a theme park aimed at the whole family. However, there is a range of rides and attractions to keep children in particular entertained. The park has a number of different themed areas, each with its own unique rides and attractions. CBeebies Land is particularly great for children aged 6 and under. Therefore perfect if you are travelling with very little legs.
The park is also great value for money, with a variety of ticket options available. Whether you want to visit for a day or longer, there is an option to suit you. And if you’re looking for a little extra, there are a number of VIP packages available. There is also on-site accommodation available. This includes themed rooms in the hotels, woodland lodges, star gazing pods and luxury treehouses if you want to make the most of your visit.
Chessington World of Adventures
Located in Chessington, Surrey, Chessington World of Adventures is a theme park for children and families. The park features over 40 rides and attractions, including roller coasters, water rides, and a zoo. There are plenty of things for children to do at Chessington World of Adventures. From rides and attractions to shows and animal encounters, there’s something for everyone.
Here are just a few of the things your children can enjoy at Chessington World of Adventures:
Rides: With over 40 rides to choose from, there’s something for everyone. Highlights include the Dragon’s Fury, the Vampire, the Goblin King’s Carousel, and Elmer’s Flying Jumbos.
Shows: From live animal shows to children’s theatre, there’s plenty to see at Chessington World of Adventures. Check the website for show times and locations.
Animal encounters: Kids can meet some of their favourite animals at Chessington World of Adventures. Animal encounters include the white rhino Encounter, African animal safari and giraffe feed. Your little one(s) can even become a junior zoo keeper for the day.
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Drayton Manor
Drayton Manor Theme Park is a great place for children of all ages. With rides, attractions, and shows, there is something for everyone at the park. Located in the UK, Drayton Manor is home to some of the most popular rides in the country, including the Air Race and the world-famous Thomas Land. Thomas Land is the flagship attraction at Drayton Manor Theme Park. The area, which is based on the Thomas & Friends franchise, consists of 10 rides and a Thomas-themed play area. It first opened to the public in 2008 and has been popular with families ever since. Therefore, Drayton manor is one of the most popular theme parks perfect for children of all ages in England due to the range and variety of rides and attractions.
Be sure to purchase tickets in advance. You can often find discounts online, and this will save you time and money. You can even use Tesco Clubcard vouchers here which can reduce the price of your ticket and if you have enough even cover the whole visit for all your party.
If you want to make the most of your stay, there is also an on-site hotel – the Drayton Manor Hotel. There is a range of rooms available including Viking and Thomas-themed rooms which will add to the magic of your visit for your little ones.
Gulliver’s Kingdom
Gulliver’s Kingdom is a theme park designed for children aged 2-12 in the English town of Matlock Bath. The park is (loosely) based on the themes and characters from the popular Gulliver’s Travels book series by Jonathan Swift.
Visitors to the park can enjoy rides such as the Log Flume in Westerworld, Flight of Fantasy in Adventure Land and Dino Falls in the Dinosaur Kingdom. There are also plenty of places to explore, including the Lilliput Land Miniature Village, Safari Kingdom and Smugglers Wharf. And of course, no visit to Gulliver’s Kingdom would be complete without meeting the theme park’s characters Gully and Gilly Mouse.
Guillver’s Kingdom is one of 4 resorts. The other 3 are:
Each offers different experiences but all are themed the same. All also have a range of on-site accommodations to suit a range of budgets.
LEGOLAND
For kids (and big kids) who love all things Lego, a visit to Legoland Windsor is a must. This popular theme park which opened in 1996) is packed with fun rides, shows, and attractions all based on the beloved plastic bricks. And with so much to see and do, you’ll definitely want to come back for more. Again it is always recommended that you book your tickets in advance. LEGOLAND is also a site where you can exchange Tesco Clubcard vouchers (if you collect points) for tickets.
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There are plenty of things to see and do at Legoland Windsor, so it’s important to plan ahead. Here are some of the best things to see and do at this LEGOLAND park:
- Take a ride on the Dragon Coaster
- Get up close to real-life LEGO animals at the Miniland
- See the LEGO Castle show
- Watch the LEGO Ninjago show
- Go on the Aquazone Wave Racers ride
- Explore the lost city of Atlantis in the Adventure Land
- Build your own LEGO car at the Build & Test Centre
The site is also home to the LEGOLAND Resort Hotel. There are a number of themed rooms to choose from including pirate and adventure-themed rooms together with specific Lego-themed rooms for those who simply cannot get enough of the mighty little blocks of fun.
Lightwater Valley
Lightwater Valley Theme Park, located in Ripon, North Yorkshire, is an action-packed day out for kids. It is tailored to the under 12s There are plenty of things to keep little ones entertained, with over 40 thrilling rides and attractions together with shows and events.
Here are just some of the things that children can enjoy at Lightwater Valley Theme Park:
Rides: There’s something for everyone at Lightwater Valley Theme Park. From family-friendly rides to thrilling rollercoasters, there’s plenty of fun to be had. Some of the top rides include the dodgems, the dragon drop and the Eagle’s claw.
Shows: Kids can enjoy a variety of shows at Lightwater Valley Theme Park, from puppet shows to circus acts in the Show Barn.
Events: Lightwater Valley Theme Park hosts a range of special events throughout the year, from Halloween parties and Christmas events to school holiday activities. Also, if you live in the area (or are willing to travel), you can also hold your child’s birthday party at Lightwater Valley.
Your children can also have their photo taken with Lightwater Valley’s latest resident – Ebor the friendly dragon.
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Paulton’s Park
Paultons Park is an award-winning theme park located in the heart of the New Forest National Park in the UK. The park was first opened in 1983. The park is perfect for children of all ages with its wide variety of rides, attractions and shows.
Paultons Park is home to over 60 rides and attractions, including the UK’s only ride based on the popular TV show, Peppa Pig World. Peppa Pig World is a particular area of the park that is designed for young children. It features rides, such as the Queen’s Royal Flight and Grampy Rabbit’s Adventure, as well as a play area and a theatre. Therefore making one of the most popular theme parks perfect for preschool children in England.
The park also has a number of other themed areas, such as the Lost Kingdom, which is inspired by dinosaurs, and Critter Creek, which is perfect for younger children. Paultons Park is a great day out for the whole family and is sure to create lasting memories for all.
Thorpe Park Resort
Thorpe Park Resort located in the village of Thorpe between the towns of Chertsey and Staines-upon-Thames in Surrey is considered to be one of the most thrilling theme parks in England because it is home to some of the biggest and fasted rollercoasters in the country. However, it is also a great place for children to have fun. There are a variety of rides and attractions and even Angry Birds Land, that will keep them entertained for hours on end. Plus, there are plenty of things for children to do when they’re not riding the rides. Here are just a few of the Thorpe Park theme park things for children to do:
- Play in the arcade: There are a variety of arcade games that children can play, from racing games to shooting games.
- Get their face painted: Children can get their faces painted like their favourite characters at Thorpe Park (for around £6).
- Pick up a souvenir: There are plenty of souvenirs available for children to take home with them.
No matter what your child’s interests are, we’re sure they will find something that they enjoy. Overnight stays and short breaks are also available at Thorpe Park Resort if you want to extend your experience.
So, if you are looking for theme parks perfect for children in England, we hope this post helps when planning your next fun-filled day out!