Ultimate UK Theme Park Guide

Victoria Orchard
6 days ago
4 min read

Thorpe Park • Alton Towers • Chessington • LEGOLAND Windsor

Whilst we've been lucky enough to visit Orlando's amazing theme parks numerous times, the UK is also home to some of the country’s most thrilling and family-friendly theme parks. We have been to Thorpe Park, Alton Towers and Chessington World of Adventure in the last year, and have visited Legoland on a number of occasions previously. Whether you’re planning a day trip with toddlers, a school holiday adventure, or a coaster-packed thrill-seekers’ getaway — this guide, based on our experience, helps you choose the best park for your crew

1. Thorpe Park (Surrey) – Best for Teens & Thrill-Seekers

Overview: Probably George's favourite UK theme park after visiting in June 2025. Thorpe Park is one of the UK’s premier adrenaline-focused theme parks, boasting record-breaking rides and some of the tallest, fastest coasters in the country.

Age Group:✔ Best for 12-18s and adults ❌ Not ideal for young children under ~10, as most attractions have a minimum height requiremnt and are high-thrill.

Highlights:

Hyperia: UK’s tallest coaster.
Stealth: The UK's fastest launch coaster. 0 - 80mph in 1.8 seconds (My personal favourite)
SAW, The Swarm, Nemesis Inferno, Colossus and other headline coasters.
Seasonal events like Fright Nights add extra appeal.

Pros:

✨ Extreme thrills and record-breaking rides

✨ Great for group/teen outings

✨ Frequent special events and scare mazes

Cons:

⚠ Not many rides for little kids — Flying Fish is one of the few suitable smaller coasters.

⚠ During school holidays the park can be packed and pricey.

⚠ Bit of a concrete jungle.

Best Time to Visit:

Mid-week in term time for quieter queues.

Late spring or early autumn has milder weather + fewer crowds.

2. Alton Towers (Staffordshire) – Best All-Round Family Park

Overview: The UK’s largest theme park with a vast mix of rides from high-thrill coasters to gentle family attractions — and a CBeebies Land for little ones. The park is set in beautiful, well maintained grounds, so you can enjoy your surroundings and not just the rides. Alton Towers has plenty of places to eat, offering lots of variety, or take a picnic and sit on the grass or park benches at your favourite spot.

Age Group:✔ Great for families with kids of all ages✔ Especially good for mixed age groups (toddlers to adults)

Highlights:

Iconic rides like Smiler, Nemesis, Oblivion and Wicker Man.
CBeebies Land for toddlers & preschoolers.
Set in beautifully, landscapes grounds.
Waterpark (separate ticket) with slides and lazy rivers.

Pros:

✨ Huge variety of rides for all ages

✨ Award-winning park with excellent reputation

✨ Resort facilities (hotels, spa, waterpark) add value

Cons:

⚠ The park is large, so it can feel spread out.

⚠ Tickets often more expensive during school holidays.

Best Time to Visit:🌤 Midweek September or early June — nice weather and shorter queues.

3. Chessington World of Adventures (Surrey) – Best for Younger Families

Overview: William's favourite park Chessington, combines a theme park, zoo, and SEA LIFE Centre into one destination — giving kids variety beyond rides.

Age Group:✔ Perfect for young kids (3-10)✔ Still plenty to entertain older kids and parents

Highlights:

Over 40 rides plus animal experiences.
Family coasters like Dragon’s Fury and Vampire.
Gruffalo River Ride Adventure and engaging zoo exhibits.

Pros:

✨ Mix of rides and animals makes it a full-day experience

✨ Lots of medium thrills for kids who are too old for tiny rides but not ready for proper coasters

Cons:

⚠ Few very intense rides compared to Thorpe or Towers

⚠ During peak school holidays it gets busy — consider visiting on inset days or midweek.

Best Time to Visit:🌦 Term-time weekdays — shorter queues and better animal-spotting opportunities.

4. LEGOLAND Windsor Resort (Berkshire) – Best for Kids 3–10

Overview: Admittedly we haven't visited LEGOLAND Windsor for some years, since the boys have been getting older, however Legoland is one of the UK’s most visited parks and is especially designed for younger children with rides, LEGO builds and themed worlds.

Age Group:✔ Ideal for toddlers to pre-teens (3–10)✔ Adults too will enjoy the creative exhibits

Highlights:

55+ rides including DUPLO Valley, LEGO City Driving School and the Minifigure Speedway duelling coaster.
Miniland — detailed LEGO recreations of cities and landscapes.
Interactive build zones, shows and play spaces.

Pros:

✨ Designed for little ones with lots of Lego fun

✨ Plenty of rides without height restrictions

✨ Seasonal events and themed hotels for overnight stays

Cons:

⚠ Less appealing for thrill-seeking teens compared with Thorpe/Alton

⚠ Can be pricey if you add extras (food, fast-track, hotel)

⚠ We also found that Legoland was the least well kept. Much of the Lego themed decoration was faded, and on our last visit there was rubbish everywhere.

Best Time to Visit:🗓 Weekdays outside school holidays to avoid big crowds.

🗓 Best Visiting Tips

week days are almost always quieter. Try Tuesdays.
Early morning arrival beats crowds. Especially true if you are staying at a theme park hotel and therefore have early park access.
Off-peak months (May/Sept) give shorter waits and nicer weather.

Budget & Pricing

🎟 Park prices often rise during school holidays and summer weekends due to dynamic pricing models. Consider Merlin Annual Passes for multiple visits and savings if you’re local.

Staying at the Park's hotels provides early park access.

Purchase tickets and/or hotel stays in advance. Look out for deals on cereal packets or in newspapers.

🎡 Final Thoughts

UK theme parks each serve different audiences — from the high-octane thrills at Thorpe Park, to family-friendly variety at Alton Towers, wildlife and rides at Chessington, and imaginative LEGO worlds at LEGOLAND Windsor. Choose based on age group, thrill level, and timing, and you’ll create unforgettable memories no matter where you go!