rollercoasters

KEEPING the kids occupied over weekends and half term holidays can be difficult in the colder months.

So we’ve rounded up the best indoor waterparks across the UK.

With a mix of high-thrill slides and rides, relaxing spa treatments and adults-only zones, these waterparks are the perfect place to spend a day indoors.

Here’s three top picks for a splashing family day out.

Waterworld, Stoke-on-Trent

Waterworld is home to over 30 different rides and attractions, and describes itself as the “number one indoor tropical aqua park”.

The waterpark is home to a popular wave pool and rapids which swirl you through its waters.

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There’s also plenty to keep adrenaline junkies entertained.

The famous Thunderbolt ride is known for being the UK’s first trap door drop waterslide – a water flume which shoots you down at 25mph.

Meanwhile one of the newest rides, Hurricane, descends at 17mph with spooky lightning effects.

The popular Python ride has also been recently refurbished, with slithery twists and turns gentle enough for toddlers.

There’s also calming bubble pools, relaxation areas, and a restaurant serving up pizza, bubble waffles and milkshakes.

And if you visit in the warmer months, there’s an outdoor pool and loungers to soak in the rays.

The waterpark is within Waterworld Leisure Resort, which is also home to the tiki-themed Adventure Mini Golf and the new M Club Spa and Fitness facility.

General entry starts at £24.00.

The Wave, Coventry

This indoor waterpark in Coventry holds the record for the largest wave pool in the UK.

The famous wave pool churns a whopping 20 million litres of water per day, with waves that deepen gradually as you wade in.

The indoor waterpark also has six slides, ranging from The Rapids water coaster to The Riptide – a rubber ring ride set at an exhilarating 90° angle.

The Cyclone is one of the waterpark’s fastest rides, swirling riders around in an open bowl before falling into the pool.

The Wave is also home to a lazy river which whisks swimmers around a winding path, as well as a splash zone for younger children named The Reef.

Adults visiting can enjoy a dedicated pool for lane swimming, fitness centre or a trip to the dedicated spa.

The Mana Spa has a steam room, sauna and offers a variety of massages and facials.

Tickets for ages 12+ start at £14.50 (off peak). Junior tickets start at £12.50, and infants aged 1 and under go free.

Sandcastle Waterpark, Blackpool

This indoor waterpark is the UK’s largest, with your pick of waterslides and flumes for the kids, as well as a spa for the adults to unwind.

Here you can treat yourself to a tropical holiday in Blackpool, as this waterpark is set in a tropical 84° climate.

The park boasts 18 waterslides, including the UK’s longest indoor rollercoaster.

Family friendly slides range from the Treetops Water Chutes, multi-lane slides perfect for little ones, to the pirate-themed HMS Thunder Splash.

The waterpark is also home to 5 record-breaking “white-knuckle rides” – exciting options for the thrill-seekers in the family.

The Sidewinder is the world’s first Indoor half-pipe waterslide, whilst the Masterblaster has been named the UK’s longest indoor rollercoaster waterslide.

The Caribbean Storm Treehouse, on the other hand, is an interactive water climbing frame – complete with a giant coconut that pours 600 gallons of water onto unsuspecting swimmers every few minutes!

And if you want a break from all the screaming and laughter, the Sea Breeze Spa has a sauna, steam room, foot spas and even an aromatherapy room.

The spa costs £7 per person and must be booked alongside an admission ticket.

There’s also a “Tiki Cabana” experience for ultimate relaxation.

For £60 per person adults can unwind in a private area with a flatscreen TV, fridge stocked with cold drinks, and a private hot tub.

The price also included full-day admission, lunch and access to the spa.

General entry starts from £24.95 for ages 12+, £15.95 for kids aged 3 – 7, and under 3s go free.

AS the year comes to a close, most theme parks across the UK have shut up shop for the season.

But theme park fanatics have plenty to look forward to in 2026, as both thrillseekers and families with young children can expect new favourites.

2026 is set to be a huge year in the world of theme parks and attractions – here are the most exciting new rides and rollercoasters set to open next year.

Bluey Ride, Alton Towers, UK

Alton Towers will welcome the world’s first ever Bluey coaster next year.

The new addition will sit inside of Alton Towers’ CBeebies Land, home to rides like the Octonauts Rollercoaster Adventure and Peter Rabbit Hippity Hop.

As well as enjoying a brand new ride, Bluey fans can take part in the popular Heeler family interactive show, and stay to meet Bluey and Bingo afterwards.

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As well as this, superfan families have the option to book a sleep over in the CBeebies Land Hotel’s Bluey-themed bedroom.

“We’re keeping the exact details and launch date under wraps for now” said Vice President at Alton Towers Resort, Bianca Sammut.

“But Bluey’s limitless energy is sure to be reflected in our new junior coaster.”

The junior coaster is set to open in Spring 2026.

Frozen Ever After ride, Disneyland Paris

Excitement is building as Disneyland Paris prepares to open their World of Frozen land in Spring 2026.

The new land will see the introduction of a new ride at Disneyland Paris: Frozen Ever After.

The ride is inspired by the popular version at Disneyworld’s EPCOT in Florida.

Boarding this boat-themed ride will take visitors on a journey through the familiar scenes of Disney’s Frozen.

Fans can sing along to Frozen tunes as they look out for the movie’s popular characters in animatronic form.

Frozen Ever After will be less of a fear-inducing ride and more of an immersive experience.

It is a slow-moving journey with descents down short waterfalls – so bare in mind that you might get wet!

Visitors will also be able to stroll through Arendelle, as well as meet Anna, Elsa and Olaf.

Frozen Ever After, and the World of Frozen land, is set to open on 29 March 2026.

Drakon and Vild Swing, Paultons Park, UK

Paultons Park in Hampshire are due to open their first ever inverting rollercoaster, as well as a Wild Swing ride in the spring of 2026.

The amusement park is home to the famous Peppa Pig World, but new coaster Drakon is set to thrill an older crowd.

Drakon riders can expect to coast their way up a vertical lift hill before plummeting into a beyond vertical drop.

The terrifying drop means that riders will hang over the edge at an angle greater than 90°, or steeper than falling straight down.

As well as this, visitors can expect to regularly ride upside down, due to the inverting design.

The inverting coaster even intertwines with Raven – the new name for the park’s Gerstlauer Bobsled ride previously named Cobra.

As well as Drakon, the park will be introducing the ‘Vild Swing’ ride.

Vild Swing is a 12m-high ART Wild Swing ride, the first of its kind to land in the UK.

The family-friendly ride is a free-swinging gondola with no rollovers, therefore it will be more of a gentle thrill than Drakon.

The rides will be part of the theme park’s brand new Viking-themed world: Valgard – Realm of the Vikings.

The new themed area cost roughly £12m to build, and is set to open in May 2026.

Spider-themed ride, Gröna Lund, Sweden

Gröna Lund (or “Green Grove”) in Sweden is Stockholm’s oldest amusement park.

It’s located on Stockholm‘s Djurgården Island, and has over 30 rides.

The park is home to a mix of both thrilling coasters and family-friendly rides, and is now set to open a brand new thrill ride: Spindeln (The Spider).

Spindeln will be a Super Jumper ride – the first of its kind to arrive in Sweden.

Created by the Italian SBF Visa Group, the Super Jumper is made up of multiple arms which rise and fall quickly, designed to look like the spider’s legs.

This creates a bouncing effect as the central tower rotates, meaning riders can expect plenty of spooky sudden jumps and spins.

The thrill ride has space for 42 riders, and is ideal for older and younger guests alike.

Spindeln will be the first Super Jumper in the world to allow younger children to ride, with a minimum height requirement of 100cm when accompanied by an adult.

The coaster is set to open to the public in Summer 2026.

Raiponce Tangled Spin, Disneyland Paris

March 2026 will see Disneyland Paris open up not one, but two brand new themed worlds.

As well as introducing the brand new World of Frozen, the land previously known as Walt Disney Studios Park will become Disney Adventure World.

The park revamp also sees the addition of a brand new ride, Raiponce Tangled Spin.

Visitors will be able to climb aboard a small gondola that gently turns under sparkling lanterns, just like the famous scene in the film Tangled.

The glowing lanterns illuminate ceiling paintings inspired by those made by the princess in the popular movie.

This will be the second standalone Tangled themed ride across Disney parks worldwide, alongside Rapunzel’s Lantern Festival at Tokyo DisneySea.

The gentle ride is suitable for all ages, and will open alongside Frozen Ever After on 29 March 2026.

Aviktas, Blackpool Pleasure Beach Resort, UK

Blackpool’s Pleasure Beach is known for its rides such as Valhalla, Big Dipper as well as its Nickelodeon Land.

And now the amusement park have invested £8.72m into a new ride, set to be the tallest of its kind in the UK by almost double.

Aviktas will be a Gyro Swing ride – a giant spinning pendulum seating 40 visitors.

Riders will face outwards to sea as they swing 120°, reaching a maximum height of 138 feet.

The Gyro Swing ride is “one of the most exciting flat rides in existence” said CEO of Pleasure Beach Resort, Amanda Thompson OBE.

“It’s dynamic, fast, and incredibly high, as well as being completely weightless at the top”.

Aviktas is currently under construction, and due to open in 2026.

The amusement park also recently revamped their Launch Pad ride.

The shot tower ride had its cylinder replaced and reopened in May of 2025.

This made for more powerful launches, intense g-force, and moments of weightlessness.

“This is a great re-imagining. The ride has got back its ‘oomph’” said Scott Bickerton, owner of YouTube channel Your Experience Guide.

“You can really feel the g-force and there’s a great moment of airtime at the top. It’s amazing to have this ride back.”