A MUCH loved waterpark in the UK won’t be open this winter, with plans to close until next year.
Waterworld in Staffordshire is a tropical indoor waterpark that is 30C year round, with an outdoor pool open in the summer months.
Waterworls has announced it is closing until next yearCredit: Facebook/Waterworld Aqua ParkThe closure is due to huge refurbishmentCredit: Facebook/Waterworld Aqua Park
However, from tomorrow, the waterpark area will be closing due to huge refurbishment plans.
The waterparks’ Managing Director Wayne Goodall explained: “At its heart, Waterworld offers families a place to spend time together, escape from everyday life and enjoy that holiday feeling, whatever the weather.
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“The upgrades we have planned are set to build on that sense of fun and enhance the way we tell our story, creating a more immersive experience for our guests.
“We can’t wait to reveal more about the upcoming investment soon.”
Little is known yet about the upgrades, but it has confirmed it will reopen by early 2027.
It also isn’t the first upgrade in recent years – back in 2024, it underwent a £13million refurbishment.
Calling itself the UK’s “No.1 tropical indoor aqua park,” Waterworld is home to 30 attractions.
This includes Thunderbolt, which was the first trap-door drop waterslide in the UK, as well as Nucleus, a water rollercoaster.
Along with both the indoor and outdoor pool, there are also wave machines and river rapids for a thrill too.
Thankfully, only the waterpark area is closing.
An official reopening date is yet to be confirmed next yearCredit: Waterworld Leisure ResortThe mini village and mini golf will stay openCredit: Waterworld
The 18-hole tiki-themed Adventure Mini Golf will remain open, as will the Adventure Mini Village which opened in 2023.
The waterpark itself opened back in 1989, and welcomes around 400,000 people a year.
ONE UK theme park has announced it will close early today as Storm Austen hits the country with winds up to 80mph.
Paultons Park which has been hosting late-night Halloween evenings will close early tonight.
Paultons Park will close early today due to bad weatherCredit: AlamyStorm Austen has hit the UK with predicted 80mphCredit: Splash
On its website, it said: “Because of the forecast conditions from Storm Austen, we’ve cancelled tonight’s late night opening. The park will close at 4:30pm today.
“The safety of our guests and team always comes first, and we’re sorry for any disappointment.”
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For those visiting today, tickets will be revalidated so you can come back another day.
Anyone who is booking to attend today but wants to change the day can do so free of charge.
Anyone on a short break will receive a return ticket and those with an annual pass can attend until 4.30pm.
At the Halloween Spooktacular visitors can go on the rides after dark, head to The Little Monsters Ball and go to the Spirit Squad Ghoul School.
For those who still want to go, the late-night events will still run on October 24, 27, 28 and 29.
Camel Creek Family Adventure Park in Wadebridge which is popular with younger families has also announced its closure due to “forecast of strong winds and heavy rain.”
The park will be in touch with those who have already booked a visit.
It hasn’t guaranteed that it will reopen on Saturday so has advised families to watch for updates on its social media and website for updates.
Camel Creek Adventure Park has announced it has closed for the dayCredit: Google maps/Camel Creek Family Adventure Park
Meanwhile, Thorpe Park is open as is Alton Towers.
At Chessington World of Adventure, the Zufari appears closed on the app and there’s a temporary delay of the opening of Jungle Rangers.
A spokesperson for all three theme parks said that they are open and operating ‘in line with standard weather safety procedures’.
They added that ride availability can vary throughout the ‘day depending on operational and weather conditions, and any temporary closures are assessed by our expert technical teams on a case-by-case basis’.
Marwell Zoo has closed its doors for the day, it said: “The zoo will be closed due to strong winds and heavy rain forecast. We aim to reopen on Saturday 24th Oct as normal.”
Chester Zoo also announced its closure in order to keep “visitors, animals and staff as safe.” Dartmoor Zoo is also closed.
Storm Austen which has hit the UK today has resulted in schools closed and flights cancelled with the Met Officeissuing amber and yellow weather warnings.
Paultons Park is expected to reopen tomorrowCredit: Supplied by PR
A theme park with no rides has been named the best in EuropeCredit: AlamyPuy du Fou Espana is a historical theme park less than an hour from MadridCredit: Alamy
Named Europe’s leading theme park by the World Travel Awards, Puy du Fou España is a historical theme park on the outskirts of Toledo, Spain – less than an hour from Madrid.
Rather than rollercoasters, visitors can expect large-scale live action shows with falconry displays featuring more than 200 birds.
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The theme park is home to five historical villages – The Andalusian Askar, The Royal Town, Isidro’s Sale, The Suburb and Villaneuva del Corral.
The Andalusian Askar, for example, recreates the atmosphere of the 10th-century Córdoba.
And then in Villanueva del Corral, the theme is centred on a 16th-century Golden Age hamlet with traditional Spanish taverns.
During the day, visitors can watch a number of shows including the 25-minute immersive Beyond the Ocean Sea show which focuses on the Santa Maria ship trying to reach the East by sailing West.
At night, there’s the El Sueño de Toledo spectacular, which is a show about 1,500 years of Spanish history and includes water effects, lighting and hundreds of actors.
The park also has a number of outdoor play areas too and farm areas as well.
Scattered around the park visitors can also explore a number of shops for unique souvenirs.
Tickets cost from €37 (£31.07) per person.
And the good news for Brits is that a similar theme park is set to open in the UKCredit: Puy du Fou
And the even better news is that you won’t have to wait long until heading to similar theme park in the UK.
IT might not be a traditional theme park, but Kynren – An Epic Tale of England still has plenty to shout about.
The UK’s first live action show park hosts immersive historical reenactments and its ‘The Storied Land’ has just been named a ‘European Top New Attraction’.
Kynren is a new theme park in County Durham and one of the best in EuropeCredit: SuppliedRather than rides, the attraction has historical shows and reenactmentsCredit: Alamy
The award is for theme parks that ‘have introduced the finest new attractions during the recently concluded season are selected’ – these include rollercoasters, dark rides, shows and special events.
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Parksmania complimented ‘The Storied Lands’ for its five productions that ‘transform history, myth and nature into a full-day experience’.
The five action shows are ‘Legend of the Wear’ which is a water show performed over a lake – it’s inspired by North East folklore.
The Lost Feather is a new show where more than 250 birds fly freely in front of the audience from pelicans, to scarlet ibis, African grey crowned cranes, and birds of prey.
Land of the Vikings takes the audience through a traditional Viking village where they’ll see blacksmiths, fires, fisherwomen – and a jousting tournament.
The Trusty Seed is an equestrian show where there are plenty of daring stunts all performed on horseback.
Victorian Imaginariums is a new show which will launch in July 2027.
Here, visitors will be immersed in Victorian Britain where they’ll discover ‘winding passageways, shadowy alleys and atmospheric cobbled streets’ and meet interesting characters along the way.
There are also night shows and the Pyromusical which is an upcoming 25-minute fireworks display which will return for October 31.
The Storied Lands attraction opened in July of this yearCredit: Alamy
If you’re keen to visit, Pyromusical is the only event until next year as the park is now closed for the season.
It will reopen on July 7 until September 11 – tickets are set to go on sale soon.
The theme park first opened in 2016, but its The Storied Lands first opened in July 2026.
One writer who visited Kynren earlier this year said: “If you love knights on horseback, Vikings fighting with flaming axes, exotic birds swooping overhead, clever aquatic acrobatics and a fireworks finale – this is the experience for you.”
She was particularly impressed by the Lost Feather and added: “This is certainly an ambitious undertaking – the sheer range of animals from ravens to cranes, from macaws to birds of prey, is unlike anything I’ve seen at other falconry shows.
“The stunning set and the theming are quite something to behold, but what I really love is how the whole park feels at one with its surroundings, drawing on the the fields, trees and the 11 arches of the nearby viaduct.”
Here are the list of awards from Parksmania Awards 2026…
EUROPEAN PARK OF THE YEAR Disney Adventure World – Disneyland Paris Resort
BEST EUROPEAN INITIATIVE Europa-Park Children’s House Little Heroes – Europa-Park
EUROPEAN TOP NEW ATTRACTION Astérix et la Potion d’étoiles – Parc Astérix
EUROPEAN TOP NEW ATTRACTION Cornwall Coaster – Hansa Park
EUROPEAN TOP NEW ATTRACTION The Storied Lands – Kynren
EUROPEAN TOP NEW ATTRACTION Fireline Redwood – Fraispertuis City
EUROPEAN TOP NEW ATTRACTION Konoha Land – Parc Spirou
EUROPEAN TOP NEW ATTRACTION
Valgard – Paultons Park
EUROPEAN TOP NEW ATTRACTION Dønnervind – Freizeitpark Plohn
Anna Warnecke, Chief Executive of Kynren, said: “To receive international recognition in our very first season is a wonderful moment for everyone who has helped bring The Storied Lands to life.
“We knew when we started that we were attempting something very different. There are extraordinary theme parks across Europe, but our attractions bring the thrills and excitement of live performances directly to audiences.
“To see that recognised alongside some of the best new attractions in Europe is enormously rewarding and a real vote of confidence in what we have created here in Bishop Auckland.”
