W
r e v o Britain’s best c s Di
theme parks
F
rom Alton Towers to Legoland, this is our guide to the best British theme parks, highlighting the best roller coasters, character-led attractions and animal safaris.
Alton Towers Surrounded by 800 acres of grounds, Alton Towers was once the Staffordshire seat of the Earl of Shrewsbury. Today, the ruined neoGothic mansion is at the centre of the Alton Towers Resort, with four hotels and a water park as well as the famous rollercoasters. Ample rides make this a thrill-seekers dream. A new CBeebies themed hotel coming this summer will broaden the site’s appeal to an even younger audience.
engine, gained a new ride in 2017 with James and the Red Balloon taking the total to over 25. It also has Europe’s biggest Thomas shop, so leave your credit card at home. Besides the train rides on offer here, Sodor classic car rides and appearances from the Fat Controller himself (among many other attractions) super-fans can now stay in Thomas and Friends-themed family hotel rooms too. Elsewhere, the family-owned park retains a more traditional day-out feel with a clutch of thrill rides joined by a more sedate zoo, including a monkey walk and a group of photogenic meerkats.
Drayton Manor
Chessington World of Adventures
The Staffordshire theme park includes rides for all ages but stands out for having hit on a winning formula for young families with its expanding Thomas Land section. This part of the park, dedicated to the beloved tank
Chessington is overshadowed by Thorpe Park and Alton Towers in terms of big rides, but this attractions park in Surrey has injected novelty this year with the launch of its exclusive Gruffalo River Ride Adventure,
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cementing its status as a familyfriendly destination. Bringing to life the popular Julia Donaldson tale, this immersive recreation of the mouse’s journey through the deep dark wood adds some storybook magic to the more standard theme park offerings found here. The park’s zoo and Sea Life centre provide added family value, with animal-based attractions including monkey walk-throughs and the Zufari safari experience.
Legoland Windsor If you’re looking for stomach-in-themouth rollercoasters, Legoland is not for you. This is the entry-level theme park for families with kids below the age of 12, with bucket-loads to keep toddlers happy. Now in its third decade and set in lovely grounds, the theme park (on the former site of Windsor Safari Park) still has some of the charm of the original Danish parent park, with plenty of giraffes, crocodiles and pirates made out of Lego bricks scattered among the rides.
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