Best UK Theme Parks: October Mid-Term and 2027 Guide

The best theme parks in the UK pack record-breaking roller coasters, magical themed lands and incredible animal adventures into one unforgettable day out, and they're just a short hop across the Irish Sea! Whichever way you travel, by plane or by ferry, there's still plenty of time to enjoy them this year.

Autumn brings spooktacular Halloween events that run right through the Irish mid-term break, and 2026 has been one of the most exciting years yet, with Paultons Park opening its biggest-ever land, Chessington World of Adventures Resort welcoming the UK's very first PAW Patrol land and Blackpool Pleasure Beach celebrating its 130th year with a spectacular new giant swing.

We've been helping families plan brilliant theme park days for nearly 25 years, so we've rounded up our favourite UK theme parks and matched each one to the people it suits best. Read on for our top picks for the rest of 2026, the easiest ways to get there from Ireland, the best Halloween fun for mid-term and everything you need to start planning your 2027 adventures.

Key takeaways

• Best all-rounder: Alton Towers Resort in Staffordshire is the UK's largest theme park, with world-famous coasters, CBeebies Land, beautiful landscaped gardens and its own waterpark.
• Best for thrills: Thorpe Park Resort in Surrey is home to Hyperia, the UK's tallest and fastest roller coaster at 236ft, alongside a line-up of big coasters within easy reach of each other.
• Best for young families: Paultons Park Home of Peppa Pig World in Hampshire is home to Peppa Pig World, and opened its new Valgard: Realm of the Vikings land in May 2026.
• Best for toddlers and LEGO fans: LEGOLAND Windsor Resort has rides designed around younger riders, plus Miniland and DUPLO Valley for toddlers.
• Best for rides and animals: Chessington World of Adventures Resort combines a theme park, zoo and SEA LIFE centre, and opened the UK's first World of PAW Patrol in May 2026.
• Best for seaside fun: Blackpool Pleasure Beach mixes classic coasters with modern thrills, including the brand-new 138ft Aviktas, which opened this year.
• Easiest for a quick flight from Ireland: Thorpe Park, LEGOLAND Windsor and Chessington are all within easy reach of London's airports.
• Best for a ferry and drive trip: Alton Towers, Drayton Manor and Blackpool Pleasure Beach are a few hours' drive from Holyhead.
• Best for Halloween mid-term: Fright Nights at Thorpe Park, Scarefest at Alton Towers and Journey to Hell at Blackpool Pleasure Beach for thrill-seekers, and Howl'O'Ween at Chessington, Halloween Spooktacular at Paultons and Brick or Treat at LEGOLAND Windsor for younger children.
• Coming in 2027: Chessington World of Adventures Resort has officially announced Minecraft World, and this year's big openings will enjoy their first full season.

The best UK theme parks compared

Here's how our favourite UK theme parks compare, all in one handy table. Each park has its own personality, so use the "Best for" column to find your perfect match.

Which UK theme park is best for you?

The best UK theme park for your trip depends on who you're travelling with. Here's our top pick for every type of traveller, plus a brilliant alternative.

UK theme parks this autumn and Halloween mid-term

Autumn is one of the most exciting times of year to visit a UK theme park, with spooktacular Halloween events, later opening hours and a magical atmosphere as the nights draw in.

Irish schools are off for the Halloween mid-term break from Monday 26 to Friday 30 October 2026, starting with the October Bank Holiday weekend. The great news is that every one of the big Halloween events below runs right through mid-term week, so it's a perfect time for a spooky adventure across the Irish Sea! Many schools in England and Wales are also off that week, so we'd recommend booking your tickets, flights and ferries early.

Halloween events for mid-term

For thrill-seekers:

• Fright Nights at Thorpe Park Resort - 2 to 4 and 9 to 11 October, then every day from 15 October to 1 November. Scare mazes and big coasters after dark, including the brand-new Tenement maze, perfect for teens and thrill-seekers. Read our Fright Nights guide.
• Scarefest at Alton Towers Resort - 26 and 27 September, 2 to 4 and 9 to 11 October, then every day from 16 October to 1 November. Scare mazes including the brand-new Final Exhibit, plus Dine with the Dead, a new immersive three-course Halloween dining experience. Discover everything you need to know about Scarefest.
• Journey to Hell at Blackpool Pleasure Beach - 17 October, then every day from 24 to 31 October. Brand-new scare mazes, themed horror zones and night rides on Icon and Aviktas, with an area designed especially for families and children.

For families:

• Howl'O'Ween at Chessington World of Adventures Resort - 3 and 4 and 10 and 11 October, then every day from 17 October to 1 November. Halloween shows, rides at dusk on Mandrill Mayhem and Vampire, and the chance to meet the PAW Patrol pups in their Halloween costumes! Little ones can also explore Enchanted Hollow, an underground trick-or-treat adventure available as an optional extra.
• Halloween Spooktacular at Paultons Park - 9 October to 2 November, with late openings on 17, 23, 24, 27, 28 and 29 October. Meet Peppa and George in their Halloween costumes, dance along at The Little Monsters Ball and ride the Ghostly Manor dark ride.
• Brick-or-Treat at LEGOLAND Windsor Resort - 10 and 11 October, then every day from 17 October to 1 November. Spooky LEGO models, Halloween shows and meet-and-greets with the LEGO Monsters, all made for little monsters. Find out more about Brick-or-Treat at LEGOLAND Windsor.
• Blazing Halloween at Drayton Manor Resort - 9 October to 1 November. A Trick or Treat Trail, Viking fire shows, a spectacular lake show every evening and end-of-season fireworks on 31 October and 1 November. Revenge of the Haunted Express is available as an optional extra.

Event dates can change, so we'd always recommend checking the park's calendar before you book.

Our top tips for Halloween mid-term

• Book early. Mid-term is one of the most popular times of the year, so booking your tickets, flights and ferry crossings in advance helps you secure your favourite dates.
• Make a long weekend of it. Mid-term starts with the October Bank Holiday weekend, which is perfect for a theme park break across the Irish Sea.
• Choose a weekday. Monday to Thursday of half-term week tend to be calmer than the weekends either side.
• Make the most of the later hours. Halloween events often run into the evening, so plan a relaxed start and stay for the after-dark fun.
• Pick the right level of fright. The scare mazes at Fright Nights, Scarefest and Journey to Hell are designed for older teens and adults, while Howl'O'Ween, Halloween Spooktacular, Brick or Treat and Blazing Halloween are made for little monsters.
• Pack layers. Autumn evenings can turn chilly, so a warm jumper and a waterproof will keep everyone comfortable.

After Halloween - winter fun at UK theme parks

Most UK theme parks close for their main season in early November, but the magic doesn't stop there. Alton Towers Resort hosts its spectacular fireworks event around Bonfire Night, and parks including Paultons Park and LEGOLAND Windsor Resort welcome families back for festive Christmas events later in the year. Discover more about Christmas at LEGOLAND Windsor.

Alton Towers Resort - the best all-round UK theme park

Alton Towers Resort in Staffordshire is the UK's largest theme park and our top pick for an all-round day out, with world-famous coasters, magical lands for little ones and beautiful gardens to explore. It's about an hour's drive from Manchester and Birmingham airports, or around three hours from Holyhead if you're bringing the car over on the ferry.

Set around the dramatic ruins of the historic Alton Towers estate, it's a park that feels like a true adventure the moment you arrive. The resort covers around 500 acres, so there's plenty to explore beyond the rides.

Its stunning landscaped gardens are a highlight in their own right, making it a lovely choice for non-riders and grandparents too.

Thrill rides at Alton Towers

• The Smiler - a Guinness World Record-holding coaster with 14 inversions, the most of any roller coaster in the world
• Nemesis Reborn - the legendary inverted coaster, reimagined in 2024
• Wicker Man - a thrilling wooden coaster with fiery special effects, and a great "first big coaster" from 1.2m
• Oblivion - the famous vertical drop into the dark
• Toxicator - a high-energy spinning ride that opened in March 2025

Want the full rundown? Take a look at our top thrill rides at Alton Towers Resort.

Family fun at Alton Towers

CBeebies Land is one of the most magical places in the UK for toddlers and pre-schoolers, packed with rides and shows inspired by their favourite TV characters. Its newest ride, Bluey the Ride: Here Come the Grannies!, opened at the end of March 2026 and welcomes riders from 0.9m. Discover more about Bluey's big adventure at Alton Towers.

For something spookier, The Curse at Alton Manor is an immersive dark ride that's perfect for older children and adults who love a story.

Staying at Alton Towers Resort

Alton Towers is a brilliant choice for a short break from Ireland, with themed on-site hotels, including the Alton Towers Hotel and Splash Landings Hotel, and its own indoor waterpark. Staying overnight gives you two days to take everything in at a relaxed pace.

Our top tip for mixed-age families: Start in CBeebies Land while it's calm first thing, ride Wicker Man together at midday, then use parent swap in the afternoon so the grown-ups can tackle The Smiler and Nemesis Reborn. Finish with a wander through the gardens and a ride on The Curse at Alton Manor.

Thorpe Park Resort - the best UK theme park for thrill-seekers

Thorpe Park Resort in Surrey is the UK's number one destination for thrill-seekers. Built on a lakeside island just off the M25 and only around 15 minutes from Heathrow, it's packed with big coasters within easy reach of each other, making it perfect for teens and groups of friends flying over for the weekend.

Hyperia - the UK's tallest and fastest roller coaster

Hyperia is Thorpe Park's headline ride and the UK's tallest and fastest roller coaster, standing 236ft tall and reaching speeds of over 80mph. It opened in May 2024 and welcomes riders from 1.3m, which makes it one of the most accessible "big" coasters in the country for taller 9 to 12-year-olds. Dive into our fun facts about Hyperia.

More thrilling rides at Thorpe Park

• Stealth - the UK's fastest launch coaster, blasting from 0 to 80mph in 1.8 seconds
• The Swarm - the UK's first winged roller coaster, soaring through a disaster-movie scene
• Colossus - a classic with 10 inversions
• SAW - The Ride - a horror-themed coaster with a beyond-vertical drop
• Nemesis Inferno - an inverted coaster through a fiery volcano

There are plenty of family rides too, with many welcoming riders from 0.9m. Find out how Thorpe Park's big coasters stack up in our top 10 UK roller coasters.

Staying at Thorpe Park Resort

Thorpe Shark Cabins, right next to the park, let you make a weekend of it, with Hyperia-themed rooms available.

Visiting in autumn? Thorpe Park's Fright Nights brings scare mazes and big coasters after dark. Read everything you need to know about Fright Nights.

Can't decide between the UK's two biggest thrill parks? Our Alton Towers or Thorpe Park guide will help you choose.

Paultons Park Home of Peppa Pig World - the best UK theme park for young families

Paultons Park Home of Peppa Pig World, on the edge of the New Forest in Hampshire, is the perfect first theme park for young families, with beautiful gardens, gentle rides and brilliant family coasters for older siblings. It's only around 20 minutes from Southampton Airport.

Peppa Pig World and themed lands

Peppa Pig World is the big draw for little ones, with nine gentle rides based on the much-loved TV show. Older children can explore the dinosaur-filled Lost Kingdom and the Wild West fun of Tornado Springs, both with brilliant family coasters, and the park has more than 70 rides and attractions in total.

New this year - Valgard: Realm of the Vikings

Valgard: Realm of the Vikings opened on 16 May 2026 and is the biggest investment in Paultons' history. Its star attraction is Drakon, the park's first-ever inverting roller coaster. Riders need to be at least 1.25m, and under-1.4m riders need to ride with an adult.

Valgard also brings the Vild Swing, the UK's first Wild Swing, which welcomes riders from 95cm.

Our top tip: Download the Paultons Park app before you visit for live ride information, an interactive map and daily show schedules.

Chessington World of Adventures Resort - the best UK theme park for rides and animals

Chessington World of Adventures Resort is the only major UK theme park that combines rides, a zoo and a SEA LIFE centre in one ticket, making it a wonderful choice for families with children of different ages. It sits on the edge of south-west London, around 30 minutes from both Heathrow and Gatwick, so it's easy to reach when you fly in.

New this year - World of PAW Patrol

World of PAW Patrol opened on 3 May 2026 and is the UK's first PAW Patrol land. Little pups can take on Chase's Mountain Mission, a first roller coaster for riders from 0.9m, along with more family rides, a play zone and character meet-and-greets with the PAW Patrol team.

Rides for older adventurers

• Mandrill Mayhem - a thrilling coaster in the World of Jumanji
• Dragon's Fury - a hugely popular spinning coaster, from 1.2m
• Vampire - a classic suspended coaster soaring through the treetops
• The Gruffalo River Ride Adventure - a gentle boat ride for younger fans of the books

The zoo at Chessington

Chessington's zoo is home to hundreds of animals, including tigers, gorillas and sea lions. Don't miss ZUFARI, a safari-style ride through the animal reserve. Meet them all in our guide to every animal you can see at Chessington Zoo.

Looking ahead, Chessington has officially announced Minecraft World for 2027, so there's even more to look forward to next year. For a stay, the on-site Azteca Hotel even has PAW Patrol-themed rooms.

LEGOLAND Windsor Resort - the best UK theme park for toddlers and LEGO fans

LEGOLAND Windsor Resort is a magical first theme park for young children, with rides, shows and attractions designed around younger riders and a whole lot of LEGO bricks. Toddlers will love DUPLO Valley, an area made just for them, and the park is only around 20 minutes from Heathrow.

LEGOLAND Windsor highlights

• Miniland - incredible LEGO models of famous landmarks from London and around the world
• LEGO MYTHICA - home to Flight of the Sky Lion, the UK's first flying theatre ride
• The Dragon - a classic family coaster through a LEGO castle
• LEGO City Driving School - where little drivers take the wheel and earn their own licence
• DUPLO Valley - a whole area made for toddlers
• LEGO NINJAGO The Ride - an interactive dark ride where you battle villains with hand gestures

For wet and wild fun, see our pick of the most splashtastic rides at LEGOLAND Windsor Resort.

Staying at LEGOLAND Windsor Resort

LEGOLAND Windsor has three on-site places to stay: LEGOLAND Woodland Village, the LEGOLAND Resort Hotel and the LEGOLAND Castle Hotel.

Our top tip: Miniland opens 30 minutes before the rest of the park, so arrive early and enjoy it before heading off to the rides.

Blackpool Pleasure Beach - the best UK theme park for seaside fun

Blackpool Pleasure Beach is the UK's classic seaside theme park, where historic wooden coasters sit side by side with some of the most thrilling modern rides in the country. The park is celebrating its 130th year in 2026, and it's packed with rides for every age.

Thrill rides at Blackpool Pleasure Beach

• Aviktas - new this year, a 138ft giant swing billed as the tallest of its kind in the UK, from 130cm
• The Big One - a legendary giant coaster with breathtaking sea views on the way up
• Icon - a double-launch coaster that weaves around the park's other rides
• Valhalla - a spectacular indoor water ride, perfect whatever the weather

Younger visitors will love Nickelodeon Land, packed with rides themed to their favourite characters.

Making a weekend of Blackpool

Blackpool is brilliant for couples and groups, with the famous promenade, restaurants and nightlife right on the doorstep. The park's Big Blue Hotel and Boulevard Hotel are just steps away, and non-rider tickets make it easy for the whole group to come along.

Getting there from Ireland is easy too. It's about an hour's drive from Manchester and Liverpool airports, or around two and a half hours from Holyhead if you're sailing over with the car. Blackpool Pleasure Beach railway station is directly across the road from the park entrance, if you'd rather travel by train.

Our top tip: Save your favourite big rides for the final hour of the day, a tip from the park's own marketing team, when things tend to be quieter.

Drayton Manor Resort - the best UK theme park for Thomas the Tank Engine fans

Drayton Manor Resort in Staffordshire is a wonderful family day out, combining a theme park, a zoo and Thomas Land, the only Thomas the Tank Engine land in Europe. It's only around 20 minutes from Birmingham Airport.

Drayton Manor highlights

• Thomas Land - a whole land of gentle rides and play areas for young Thomas fans
• Gold Rush - an exciting launch coaster that opened in 2024, from 1.0m
• Frontier Falls - a splashing water ride, also new in 2024
• The Wave - the park's popular coaster, now with seated trains, from 1.2m
• The zoo - a 15-acre zoo that's home to more than 500 animals, perfect for a break between rides

Drayton Manor and Alton Towers are both in Staffordshire, a few hours' drive from Holyhead, so the two make a fantastic theme park road trip.

Our top tip: Stay until closing time. The park's managing director has shared that many guests head home in the late afternoon, which makes the last few hours a lovely time to enjoy the rides.

More brilliant theme parks across the UK

The UK's theme park fun reaches far beyond the big names. These parks make fantastic days out, especially if you're flying into northern England or Scotland, or sailing over to Cairnryan.

Flamingo Land Resort, North Yorkshire

Flamingo Land Resort combines a large theme park with a zoo, so families can mix big rides with giraffes, tigers and penguins. Thrill-seekers can take on coasters including Kumali, Sik and Velocity, and the Holiday Village makes it easy to stay for a few days.

Pleasurewood Hills, Suffolk

Pleasurewood Hills, near Lowestoft on the Suffolk coast, is a family-friendly park that makes a lovely day out for all ages. Thrill-seekers can take on Wipeout, the region's largest roller coaster, while younger adventurers will love Cannonball Express and Marble Madness. Don't miss the Sea Lion and Parrot shows between rides!

Dreamland Margate, Kent

Dreamland in Margate is a nostalgic seaside amusement park that's free to enter, with ride wristbands and tokens available for the attractions. Highlights include the Rock 'n' Roller family coaster, the Big Wheel, a mirror maze and a roller disco. It's just a 5-minute walk along the seafront from Margate station, making it perfect for a half-day out alongside Margate's beaches and galleries.

M&D's Scotland's Theme Park, Motherwell

M&D's, in Strathclyde Country Park near Motherwell, is Scotland's biggest theme park, with more than 40 rides and attractions. There's plenty of indoor fun too, including the Amazonia tropical rainforest, glow-in-the-dark bowling and soft play. It's a great pick if you're flying into Glasgow or taking the ferry from Belfast or Larne to Cairnryan.

Planning ahead for 2027

If you're already dreaming about next year's theme park adventures, you're in good company! Here's what to look forward to in 2027, plus our top tips for getting ahead.

What's coming to UK theme parks in 2027

• Minecraft World at Chessington World of Adventures Resort - Officially announced for 2027, bringing the world's best-selling video game to life for young adventurers.
• A first full season for this year's big openings - If you missed them in 2026, next year is the perfect time to discover Valgard: Realm of the Vikings at Paultons Park, World of PAW Patrol at Chessington and Aviktas at Blackpool Pleasure Beach.

Our top tips for planning your 2027 theme park days

• Check when the parks reopen. Most UK theme parks reopen for the new season in spring, so keep an eye on opening dates if you're planning an early visit.
• Plan around Easter. Easter falls early in 2027 (Sunday 28 March), so the Easter holidays may line up with the first few weeks of the new season.
• Make the most of the Irish summer holidays. Irish schools break up for the summer before schools in England, which usually finish in late July, so late June and early July can be a lovely time for a UK theme park trip.
• Book your travel early. Flights and ferries fill up fast over the school holidays and bank holiday weekends, so booking your tickets and travel together in advance helps you secure the dates you want.
• Check everyone's ID. Make sure everyone in your group, including the children, has a valid passport or Irish passport card before you book.
• Measure your little ones. Children grow fast over the winter! Check their height against each park's rider guide before your trip, as they might just be tall enough for their first big coaster.
• Book popular dates early. Easter, the May bank holidays and the summer holidays are the busiest times of year, so booking in advance helps you secure the day you want.
• Pick the perfect park for your crew. Use our "Which UK theme park is best for you?" table above to match every member of your group to their ideal day out.

Our final thoughts

The UK is home to some truly spectacular theme parks, and they're just a short hop across the Irish Sea. There's a perfect one out there for every family, couple and group of friends, so pick the park that matches your crew, book a spooky mid-term adventure or start planning your 2027 trip, and get ready for unforgettable memories!