THE UK’s best theme parks have been announced and coming out on top is a little-known seaside spot.
Pleasurewood Hills in Lowestoft, Suffolk has been named the best theme park in the UK for under one million visitors by the UK Theme Park Awards 2026.
More than 260,000 members of the public voted on the awards that included 36 theme parks.
Pleasurewood Hills is a 59-acre coastal theme park that originally opened back in 1983 and today has more than 35 rides and attractions.
The biggest ride at the park is Wipeout, which stretches nearly 40 metres into the air and has six inversions.
There are also other rides such as Cannonball Express, Marble Madness wild mouse coaster and the Jolly Rodger drop tower.
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The park introduced some new rides for this year, which include a Big Wheel, Starflyer and a spinning coaster.
If you don’t mind getting a little wet, head on the Water Fun Factory log flume as well.
Little kids aren’t left out either as there is a double-decker carousel, miniature railway and a classic theatre.
Tickets cost from £16 per person when bought online in advance and kids under 90cm go free – though it is worth noting that the park closes at the end of October for the season.
One person who visited the park this week, said in a review: “Park has had a massive regeneration, new rides and a general tidy up.
“Place has improved loads and the staff were all super cheerful and polite.”
Another visitor simply said: “Great value for the money.”
Freddy Stokes, Director at Pleasurewood Hills, said: “To have all the hard work that’s gone into Pleasurewood Hills over such a short period of time recognised by people from across our own industry is a massive achievement for the park and the whole team.
“We’ve always believed in what Pleasurewood Hills can be, but to receive an award like this in our first season really shows what can be achieved and, more importantly, where we can take the park from here.”
Paultons Park was named the country’s best theme park for more than one million visitors, on the other hand.
It is the second year in a row the much-loved family theme park has won the award.
And it also scooped up awards for the best new attraction, best large theme park for families, best theme park for toddlers, best Christmas event and best customer service.
Lawrence Mancey, Marketing & Technology Director at Paultons Park and winner of Theme Park Personality of the Year said: “We are thrilled to have been awarded 11 awards at the UK Theme Park Awards, and honoured to have been crowned Theme Park of the Year once again.
“These trophies are a reflection of the hard work of the whole Paultons Park team.
“We couldn’t be prouder of what they’ve achieved over the past year; from the teams who brought Drakon and Valgard to life, to everyone across the park who works so hard to give families and toddlers unforgettable days out in Peppa Pig World and across the park.”
Full list of theme parks awards
HERE’S all the theme park awards:
- Best theme park (over one million visitors): Paultons Park
- Best theme park (under one million visitors): Pleasurewood Hills
- Best new attraction (large): Drakon at Paultons Park
- Best new attraction (small): Spinning Racer at Lightwater Valley
- Best theme park for families (large): Paultons Park
- Best theme park for families (small): Gulliver’s Theme Park Resorts
- Best theme park for thrills: Thorpe Park
- Best theme park for toddlers (large): Paultons Park for Peppa Pig World
- Best theme park for toddlers (small): Crealy Theme Park and Resort for Sooty Land
- Best seaside park (north): Pleasure Beach Resort
- Best seaside park (south): Adventure Island
- Waterpark of the year: Sandcastle Waterpark
- Scream park of the year: Tulleys Shocktober Fest
- Best Halloween event (large): Fright Nights at Thorpe Park
- Best Halloween event (small): Fear Island at Fantasy Island
- Best Christmas event (large): A Celebration of Christmas at Paultons Park
- Best Christmas event (small): Christmas Spectacular at Sundown Adventureland
- Best new entertainment: Alice Frozen in a Wonderland of Dreams at Pleasure Beach Resort
- Best brand activation: Minecraft: Meet the Mobs at Alton Towers Resort
- Best landscaped theme park: Alton Towers Resort
- Best theme park holiday village: Safari Lodges at West Midlands Safari Park
- Best new accessibility initiative: Wheelchair Adapted Ride Vehicles, Merlin Entertainments
- Best customer service: Paultons Park
- Best value theme park: Adventure Island
