As the countdown to the summer holidays begins and temperatures start to rise, families across the UK are gearing up for fun-filled days out. New research by Outdoor Toys has revealed the top UK theme parks for kids in 2025, based on everything from ticket prices and ride count to TripAdvisor ratings and hotel affordability.

You can check out the full research here: UK’s Best Theme Parks

Top Theme Parks for Summer 2025

  1. Drayton Manor – Tamworth
    Claiming the top spot for the second year in a row, Drayton Manor scores 7.14 out of 10. With 45 rides, 9 food outlets, and a solid 4.0 TripAdvisor rating, it’s a top pick for family fun. Its popularity is backed by more than 2.15 million Google searches each year, and with child tickets priced at £27.50 and affordable local hotels, it’s a well-rounded winner.
  2. Paultons Park – Hampshire
    Holding strong in second place with a score of 6.75, Paultons Park offers 36 rides, 12 food options, and an impressive 71% of excellent TripAdvisor reviews. While it has the highest child entry fee in the study at £45, families can look forward to even more fun in 2025 with the launch of the brand-new ‘Ghostly Manor’ ride.
  3. Blackpool Pleasure Beach – Blackpool
    Jumping into third place for 2025, Blackpool Pleasure Beach scores 6.11. It offers 36 rides and a 4-star TripAdvisor rating, making it a great option for a seaside family outing. With nearly 2.6 million Google searches annually, it’s one of the UK’s most searched-for parks.
  4. Lightwater Valley – Ripon
    Tied in fourth, Lightwater Valley is known for its value, with tickets at £25 and a decent selection of 40 rides. It has a slightly lower TripAdvisor rating of 3.7 but still draws in plenty of families looking for a budget-friendly day out.
  5. Sundown Adventureland – Nottinghamshire
    Also in fourth place, Sundown Adventureland scores highly with younger kids thanks to its 29 rides and charming family atmosphere. With a high 63% of excellent TripAdvisor reviews and tickets at just £24, it’s a strong choice for a gentler day out.
  6. Fantasy Island – Skegness
    Fantasy Island ranks sixth with 37 rides and 8 food outlets, making it one of the more varied parks. Its ticket price of £20.50 is one of the lowest in the study, and it still manages to attract a solid base of visitors.
  7. Alton Towers Resort – Stoke-on-Trent
    One of the UK’s most iconic parks, Alton Towers lands in seventh place. Despite attracting over 7.5 million Google searches a year and offering 40 rides, its high hotel costs and mid-range ratings bring its score to 5.71.
  8. Woodlands Family Theme Park – Devon
    Sharing the seventh spot with Alton Towers, Woodlands stands out as the park with the most rides—50 in total. With an affordable entry fee and a 3.9 TripAdvisor rating, it’s a great value choice for families in the South West.
  9. Camel Creek Adventure Park – Cornwall
    In ninth place, Camel Creek offers 32 rides and solid reviews, but fewer food outlets and lower search volume put it slightly behind the competition. Still, its low child ticket price of £20 makes it an accessible option.
  10. BeWILDerwood Cheshire – Cheshire
    Rounding out the top ten is BeWILDerwood, a unique, woodland-themed adventure park. With 22 attractions and a fantastic 4.3 TripAdvisor rating (and 64% excellent reviews), it’s a hidden gem for families seeking an immersive, storybook experience.

More Insights from the Research

  • Free Fun: Playland Fun Park in Worcestershire is the only park in the study offering free entry for children.
  • Most Rides: Woodlands Family Theme Park tops the list for the most rides, with a whopping 50 attractions.
  • Best Waterpark: Oasis Fun Pools in Newquay is named the UK’s best waterpark based on the study’s data.

Whether you’re chasing thrills, planning a themed day out, or seeking toddler-friendly fun, these top UK theme parks have something for every kind of family adventure this summer.

By Penny McCarthy

Penny McCarthy is a seasoned entrepreneur and co-founder of Parents News UK, a pioneering publication launched in 1993 to serve the needs of busy parents in Southwest London. Alongside her husband, Fergus McCarthy, Penny played a crucial role in the rapid expansion of the printed edition, which grew from a local startup to a widely circulated monthly publication with a reach of 192,000 copies across Kent, South London, and beyond. Under Penny’s leadership, Parents News quickly became a trusted resource for families, providing valuable information on education, entertainment, sports, and family-friendly events. Her vision helped the publication extend its influence with franchises in Northern Ireland and Cornwall, catering to a growing demand for accessible, family-oriented content. In 1997, recognising the importance of digital media, Penny spearheaded the launch of Parents News UK Online. The website initially mirrored the content of the printed editions and has since evolved into a comprehensive online resource for parents, achieving significant popularity with up to 700 daily hits. In 2017, the publication transitioned fully to an online platform, continuing to inform and engage families across the UK. Today, Penny remains deeply involved in the ongoing success of Parents News UK, focusing on innovative advertising opportunities and future growth plans. Her dedication to supporting families through accessible and practical content has made Parents News a cherished name in households across the country.