12million

ONE year after its announcement, Paultons Park is finally set to open its new Viking-themed land in a matter of days.

Called Valgard – Realm of the Vikings, the £12million land will have its very first inverting rollercoaster, a swing ride and Middle Age themed ‘feast’ dining.

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Paultons Park, which was voted ‘Theme Park of the Year,’ is opening its new land on May 16.

Upon its opening, Valgard: Realm of the Vikings will three new rides including theme park’s first inverting rollercoaster.

The ride called Drakon, has been dubbed the ‘crown jewel of Valgard’, and is expected to be a thrilling addition to the park.

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Riders will climb a huge vertical hill before they twist and fly through the air upside down.

There will also be the swinging ride called Vild Swing, which is suitable for families.

It’s a first-of-its-kind attraction in the UK that launches riders 12metres into the air and allows them to experience a feeling of weightlessness.

Paultons Park’s Cobra coaster is being reinvented as Raven.

The ride has been called ‘a high-speed bobsleigh style coaster’ and takes riders for a very swift tour journey through the Viking world.

The Orchard Playground is a Viking-inspired area for children between three and 10 – it has a lookout tower, slides, and treehouses to climb.

At the Feasting Hall restaurant, visitors can refuel on flame-grilled chicken, tenders, burgers and salad bowls.

Children can tuck into toasties, meatball subs and chicken burgers.

For afters, there are pancakes with plenty of toppings, sundaes, milkshakes and ice cream.

In 2027, a new water experience is scheduled to open in Valgard – but little information has been released about this planned attraction.

Paultons Park is well-known for having the UK’s first Peppa Pig World and its most recent attraction Ghostly Manor opened this time last year.

Paultons Park won 10 awards at the UK Theme Park Awards – including Theme Park of the Year.

The Sun’s Head of Travel (Digital) Caroline McGuire recently raved about the park.

She said: “On the kids’ favourite rides, such as the Velociraptor and Cat-O-Pillar coasters, we were able to fit in about three rounds in 15 minutes.

“Ghostly Manor even won Best New Attraction at last year’s UK Theme Park awards, one of ten gongs Paultons bagged that I’ve have to agree with thanks to a number of key factors.

“These include the short queues, incredible customer service (employees all cheerful), the cleanliness (bathrooms spotless) and the attention to detail and the fact that they don’t charge for parking, unlike several other big theme parks.

“We spent the entire weekend outside, grinning from ear to ear. And we were blown away, in the good sense.”

A day ticket to Paultons Park is £46.75pp which includes park entry, free parking as well as entry to see the gardens, animals and character meets.

PAULTONS Park has revealed when their huge new Viking-themed land will be opening and you won’t have to wait long.

The theme park – named the best in the UK by Tripadvisor and eighth best in the world – has splashed out a huge £12million on the new themed area.

Called Valgard: Realm of the Vikings, it will have the theme park’s first inverting rollercoaster.

Drakon will not only be the most thrilling ride at Paultons Park, but will see riders climb a huge vertical hill before they twist and fly through the air upside down.

There will also be the swinging ride Vild Swing, going 12metres in the air, while the bobsled Cobra coaster is being reinvented as Raven.

The parks biggest investment to date, it will open to the public on May 16.

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Also in the park will be a themed Feasting Hall restaurant as well as Viking inspired playground.

Back in 2024 they even teased another ride could open in Valgard next year, which would be water-themed – although little else is known about it at the moment.

And last year, Paultons Park won 10 awards at the UK Theme Park Awards, including Theme Park of the year.

It is also known for being home to the famous Peppa Pig World, as well as the Ghostly Manor ride which opened last year.

The Sun’s Head of Travel (Digital) Caroline McGuire recently raved about the park.

She said: “On the kids’ favourite rides, such as the Velociraptor and Cat-O-Pillar coasters, we were able to fit in about three rounds in 15 minutes.

“Ghostly Manor even won Best New Attraction at this year’s UK Theme Park awards, one of ten gongs Paultons bagged that I’ve have to agree with thanks to a number of key factors.

“These include the short queues, incredible customer service (employees all cheerful), the cleanliness (bathrooms spotless) and the attention to detail and the fact that they don’t charge for parking, unlike several other big theme parks.

“we spent the entire weekend outside, grinning from ear to ear. And we were blown away, in the good sense.”

The new Viking land isn’t the only exciting new opening in the UK.

Chessington is opening its new £15million PAW Patrol Land this spring.

And a £50million Minecraft land is also set to open at Chessington, and will be the first of its kind in the world.

Alton Towers has opened its new Bluey The Ride: Here Come The Grannies! at CBeebies Land already as well.

Here are some other openings to be excited about both in the UK and Europe this year.