Fans of this popular theme park, which includes the kid-friendly Peppa Pig World, will be able to enjoy their favourite rides for longer thanks to plans to construct a holiday park for overnight stays.
The park has several themed areas including Peppa Pig World(Image: Aldershot News & Mail Surrey Advertiser)
Paultons Park, known as the home of Peppa Pig World, has unveiled plans to add 122 self-catering holiday homes to its site, meaning theme park fans will be able to enjoy overnight stays.
The family-friendly attraction recently beat competition from the likes of Alton Towers and Thorpe Park to win Theme Park of the Year at the UK Theme Park Awards. Now, with plans to open on-site accommodation, this family-owned and run park is set to offer even more to guests.
At the moment, visitors to Paultons can book a short break through their website with hotel and ticket packages available. However, the accommodation on offer is for hotels close to the park rather than on site, although free parking is included in the cost of the break.
Not much information has been released on the new accommodation plans, although a map reveals the potential layout of the new holiday park. The Sun reports that there will be two, three, and four-bedroom accommodation on offer and that it’ll have a ‘Scandinavian design’. According to their reports, the new accommodation area will include a restaurant and on-site shop offering essentials.
James Mancey, deputy managing director at Paultons Park, said in a statement: “We are still in the very early stages of our accommodation project. We have recently submitted a Scoping Report to the New Forest National Park Authority, which is required prior to a full planning application.
“The report outlines the results of specialist surveys, such as ecology and heritage, as well as revised unit numbers for the scheme following detailed financial and viability modelling. Our vision is to deliver 122 units, designed to comfortably accommodate just under 600 guests at full capacity, 100 guests fewer than previously outlined.
“We anticipate it will be several years before our vision for on-site accommodation is brought to fruition, however we are committed to continually reinvesting into our attraction, providing a world-class experience for our guests, and planning for the long-term.”
Paultons Park first opened in 1983 and has grown to over 140 acres with more than 80 rides and attractions. The park is made up of several themed areas which include the dinosaur attraction Lost Kingdom, and the popular Tornado Springs, which has an American style.
Popular rides include the Storm Chaser, a rollercoaster that spins and swirls, and the Cyclonator, which rotates as it swings guests to heights of over 25 metres.
One of the most popular parts of the park is Peppa Pig World, which is themed around the iconic kids’ show. In addition to exploring Peppa’s House and diving into the Muddy Puddles splash park, guests can enjoy toddler-friendly attractions such as Daddy Pig’s Car Ride and Grandpa Pig’s Boat Trip.
A UK THEME park has revealed plans to build a new holiday village, marking the first accommodation at the much-loved attraction.
Paultons Park near Romsey is looking to build over 120 holiday homes for just under 600 guests.
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Paultons Park is planning on adding over 120 holiday homes to its attraction siteCredit: AlamyIn addition to holiday lets, there will be a shop, restaurant and entertainment roomCredit: Gillespies/Paultons park
Each holiday home will be either two, three or four bedrooms and they will all be self-catering.
Inside, the holiday homes will feature a Scandinavian design, with a more rustic and traditional style.
And there will be accessible units as well.
The plans for the site also include a welcome building and reception known as “a gateway building”, which will provide space for resort guests to be dropped off.
There will be a 400sqm restaurant too and a 65sqm shop selling food and essentials.
The existing car park will be changed, with better access for guests to the welcome building and reception.
An entertainment room is planned as well and so is a games room for indoor games and activities.
Originally, the theme park wanted to create accommodation for 700 guests – however, after feedback they revised the proposal.
According to the Hampshire Chronicle, James Mancey, deputy managing director at Paultons Park, said: “We are still in the very early stages of our accommodation project.
“The report outlines the results of specialist surveys, such as ecology and heritage, as well as revised unit numbers for the scheme following detailed financial and viability modelling.
“Our vision is to deliver 122 units, designed to comfortably accommodate just under 600 guests at full capacity, 100 guests fewer than previously outlined.”
He added that it will be several years before the onsite accommodation will be built, but that Paultons is committed to making it happen.
Paultons Park recently scooped up the award for the Theme Park of the Year at the UK Theme Park Awards 2025.
And ahead of possible accommodation, the attraction will open a new Viking-themed ‘Valgard’ area next year, on May 16.
The new land will feature a number of rides including a rollercoaster called Drakon which will invert, a themed restaurant and a playground.
There will also be a ride called ‘Vild Swing’, which will measure 12 metres high and by the first of its kind in the UK.
And back in May, the park opened Ghostly Manor – an interactive, family-friendly ride where guests have to capture ghosts that have “escaped the house of renowned ghost hunter Dr Kinley”.
The resort in Turkey’s Antalya region covers 639,000 square meters and includes a royal-themed hotel with 401 rooms, a theme park right on your doorstep, and even an impressive shopping mall
Staying at Land of Legends gives you access to endless family fun(Image: INTERNET)
All-inclusive hotels can be a convenient way to enjoy a family holiday. You don’t need to bring any spending money along, and there’s no need to cook or wash a single plate for the entire stay.
But one drawback can be a lack of things to do. Not everyone enjoys spending every day by the pool or beach, and there’s only so many games you can play with the animation team. But there’s one giant resort in Turkey where you’re almost guaranteed not to run out of activities, as you’ve got a theme park just steps away from your sun lounger.
Land of Legends is located near the city of Antalya, one of the most popular Turkish destinations for British tourists. It’s just minutes away from beautiful sandy beaches and the lively town of Kadriye. It’s possible to get a day pass for Land of Legends, but it’s best explored when staying in the hotel, as there’s just so much to see.
Theme hotel
The Kingdom Hotel has 401 rooms, which have been perfectly designed for family stays. Rooms and suites come with fun features such as TVs with 3D glasses, a PlayStation 4, and a minibar full of soft drinks, which is refilled daily. Each room also features fun, cartoon-style decor and has been designed with thoughtful details, such as rounded edges on the furniture, making it safe for little kids.
You can choose from one-bedroom rooms, interconnected rooms to give you more space and privacy, and a range of different suites. Many rooms also include either a balcony or a terrace where you can soak up some sunshine. There’s even a drying rack for your swimwear when you’re back from the waterpark.
Waterpark and theme park
You’ll likely spend a lot of time in the water if you stay at the Kingdom Hotel. You’ll have access to a range of pools, from the lively to quieter spots. At the activity pool, there’s plenty of space for the kids to splash around, while the infinity pool has warm seawater for a refreshing dip.
Guests have access to Aqua Land, which features a wave pool, rapids, a wild river, and the gigantic Magicone waterslide. Up to four people can ride the Magicone, which leads you through a giant funnel before you drop down below. These rides are open until 7pm in summer, so there’s plenty of time to enjoy them. There’s also the Anjana spa and fitness centre – complete with a sauna, steam room, Turkish bath and whirlpool – so you can relax after a long day at the park.
Of course, if you’re visiting a theme park, you’ll want to know about the rides, especially the rollercoasters. The Hyper Coaster is one of the park’s main attractions, hitting heights of 61 metres and speeds over 70mph. There’s also the Typhoon Coaster, which ends in a drop of 43-metres, straight into the water, so you’ll need to dry off afterwards.
There are also gentler rides, such as the Family Coaster. For little kids, Masha and the Bear: Land of Laughter features rides like the Zippy Zappy Coaster, which even the smallest guests can enjoy. There’s also Bear’s Fun House and kids’ shows in the circus tent.
Food and drink
Depending on who you book with, Land of Legends offers all-in or all-inclusive packages, so make sure you double-check before you confirm your booking. The former includes food, snacks, and soft drinks, but may only cover select local alcoholic drinks, and may be limited to alcohol at meal times. Not all restaurants in the park are included in these packages, so it’s worth checking.
Some popular spots for dining in the park include the Eternia restaurant, a huge buffet with dishes from around the world, and the Nyssa Bar, which is perfect for families with kids, as it has giant screens where they can play Xbox. There are also some 24-hour spots open, such as the Legends Pub.
Shopping Avenue
You won’t even need to leave the resort to buy souvenirs or pick up the essentials. Land of Legends’ Shopping Avenue features over 60 stores, including numerous clothing shops, pharmacies, fast food outlets, cafes, and toy stores. This stylish shopping area also has huge fountains, with colourful fountain shows in the evening, and Venetian-style canals, with regular boat parades. During the summer, many stores open from 10am to midnight, so you can shop at night when it’s cooler.
THE NEW Universal Studios theme park coming to the UK will get its very own train station.
The train station is set to be built in Stewartby in Bedfordshire to serve the Universal Studios theme park, which is aiming to open in the early 2030s.
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Universal Studios UK theme park will get it’s own railway station in StewartbyCredit: East West Rail
The station will become part of the East West Rail (EWR) line, which will connect Oxford to Cambridge via Milton Keynes and Bedford.
The station will be vital for the new attraction, which is set to attract over 8.5million people in its opening year alone.
In a report released by EWR, it states: “We’re now planning to provide a consolidated Stewartby-Kempston Hardwick station which would allow people to travel to the Universal resort without negatively impacting other users.”
Through recent talks with local communities, the proposed number of trains running via the station each hour has been increased from three or four, to five.
This would mean up to 70 per cent more seating across the route.
The new station would also feature walking and cycling routes.
The report added: “Given Universal’s proposals are still emerging, we’re working with them and other stakeholders to determine the design and exact position of the station.
“We would like to provide reassurance that as we progress this work, we are focused on not just integrating the design for this station with the wider development proposals but also maintaining access to the strategic road network and local destinations.
“Once we have undertaken this work, we will provide further information when we consult in 2026.”
The station will be part of the wider East West Rail line project, which is expected to unlock around £6.7billion of regional economic growth by 2050, with 100,000 new homes.
A spokesperson for Universal Destinations and Experiences (UDX) said: “Government’s commitment in furthering multi-modal opportunities to grow the UK’s economy is highly encouraging, as companies like UDX look to place major investments in the UK.
“Other plans include seven new stations, and the use of cutting-edge hybrid battery-electric trains to deliver faster, greener services along the partially electrified route while keeping costs down.”
The spokesperson added that the in addition to the new eastern entrance at Cambridge Central, EWR is also planning to create a new Cambridge East Station.
Other plans included in the EWR project – which is set to cost between £5.7billion and £6.6billion – include establishing new station entrances at Bletchley and Bedford.
And the Marston Vale Line will get four new larger stations to replace nine smaller and tired ones.
It is planned as part of a £6.6billion project by East West RailCredit: East West Rail
Currently, stations on the Marston Vale Line see some of the lowest usage in the country, but the new stations would serve local communities better and ultimately help to serve Universal theme park.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: “East West Rail is more than a railway – it’s a catalyst for growth, more jobs and opportunity, and this project will make rail travel faster, greener and more reliable for millions of passengers.”
“By investing in modern infrastructure, we’re laying the foundations for long-term prosperity in one of the UK’s most dynamic regions while ensuring that the UK has a rail network passengers can be proud of.”
Theme parks may seem like a modern invention. but there is a surprisingly long history behind the attractions. The first theme park in the UK is over 180 years old and still delighting visitors
Blackgang Chine has offered families fun days out since Victorian times(Image: Daily Mirror)
From thrilling rollercoasters to interactive games, theme parks are always inventing new and more exciting ways to keep people entertained. But the concept of a theme park, or amusement park, actually dates back as far as the Middle Ages, when travelling fairs would bring markets and live entertainment to towns and villages.
In Victorian times, pleasure gardens kept people entertained, with music and theatre, social events, street entertainment, and al fresco dining. At the same time, Victorians were also growing more interested in improving their health. They’d often escape the grimy city streets to enjoy seaside resorts, believing the fresh air and sea water were good for curing any ailments. The Isle of Wight became a particularly desirable destination among well-heeled Victorians, and this gave a local businessman an idea for a new venture.
Blackgang Chine was originally conceived as a kind of pleasure garden by founder Alexander Dabell, opening its doors in 1843. Since then, the park has remarkably not only stayed open, but also stayed within the family, with Alexander’s descendants still running Blackgang Chine to this day.
The site was initially a general purpose park with some curiosities to amuse Victorian guests, such as a large whale skeleton, which is still on display today. Rumours and legends about smugglers around the island gave the park its theme, and one of its most iconic sights is the giant fibreglass smuggler at the entrance. There are also lots of local stories about the ghosts of smugglers haunting the park at night.
After going through many changes throughout the years, the park has 40-acres of gardens with several themed lands to explore. There are thrill rides such as Extinction, which make the most of the park’s clifftop position to offer an adrenaline fuelled experience. This swing rotates 360-degrees and hangs off the edge of a cliff, with nothing but the sea beneath your feet. There’s also Evolution, a tower drop ride which gives riders amazing views of the Jurassic Coast before plummeting 400 metres in seconds.
There are many pirate and smuggler-themed rides including the Jolly Robin, a pirate ship ride, and the spinning Shipwrecked. The park is also home to Waterforce, the Isle of Wight’s biggest waterslide, and the Crooked House, which is fun for all ages to explore.
There’s also fun stuff for younger kids such as The Blackgang Beach, a giant water pillow you can walk and bounce across, and the classic twirling Pirate Barrels, which both adults and children will love.
Blackgang Chine has many fans, having delighted visitors for decades, and among them is a celebrity. In 2010, former child star Rupert Grint, known for his role in the Harry Potter films, expressed his love for the Isle of Wight and said his favourite attraction was Blackgang Chine.
Find out more about Blackgang Chine on its official website. The park opens from late March to early November with 2026 dates to be confirmed.
A MUCH-LOVED family attraction is set to reopen with a major revamp thanks to new owners.
Pleasurewood Hills in Lowestoft, Suffolk, has new owners that are promising to return the theme park to its “former glory”, as well as add new rides.
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Pleasurewood Hills near Lowestoft will undergo a revamp before reopening next yearCredit: Alamy
The attraction’s new owners, Premier Attractions, plan to invest in at least three rides when the park reopens nextspring, according to Great Yarmouth Mercury.
Run by three brothers, Freddy, Spencer and Davis Stokes, Premier Attractions is hoping to restore some of the rides, such as Cannonball Express – a figure of eight-style rollercoaster that was built back in 1983.
Freddy Stokes Jnr, 42, the eldest of the three brothers said: “We promise there will be more rides next year – three big rides, possibly four.
“It’s an iconic ride at the park, but I need to get it to where I’m happy to operate it.”
He added that the ride needs more trains and to move from its current location to “stand proud” in the centre of the park.
He added: “It definitely has life left in it, but it’s how and what we do with it.”
Other changes at the park will also be seen in the car park, which currently charges visitors a fee of £3 a day.
Premier Attractions has inherited the contract from Pleasurewood Hills’ previous owners and it is owned by the park but operated by a third party.
Freddy added: “We’re not going to fix everything overnight, but we promise we will improve the park.
“But without people coming back, it’s all for nothing, so we need their support.”
Pleasurewood Hills expects to reopen on March 28, 2026.
And it will be the first theme park owned by Premier Attractions after purchasing the attraction from French operator Looping Group last month.
The company usually operates rides at events and fairs across the UK and has been based in Manchester since 2011.
Currently, nine of the company’s rides are at Kuwait’s Winter Wonderland and another seven are on the way to Hong Kong’s AIA Carnival, where they will be based for 66 days before heading back to the UK.
A company called Premier Attractions will take over the theme park and plans to add three or four rides to the parkCredit: Alamy
Premier Attractions has also operated rides at some of the UK’s biggest events and fairs, such as Winter Wonderland, Edinburgh‘s Hogmanay Festival, Leeds and Download music festivals, Hull Fair and the Hoppings in Newcastle.
At Pleasurewood Hills, there are currently over 35 rides, shows and attractions for all ages including the region’s largest rollercoaster, a large drop tower and a log flume.
Day entry would cost from £27 per person, but it is not clear whether this price will be the same when the attraction reopens.
The theme park then closed for the season on November 2.
A THEME park in the UK has announced it will open all of its major rides throughout the festive season – for the first time.
In previous years, the only open rides were in one just section of the park but now there are Christmas thrills all over.
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Drayton Manor will keep its major rides open for the Christmas seasonCredit: Refer to sourcePreviously it was just rides in Thomas Land that remained openCredit: Refer to source
Drayton Manor in Tamworth has announced all of its major rides will remain open throughout the festive period for the very first time.
Throughout December weekends, Christmas week and Twixmas (the period between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day), Drayton Manor will operate its major rides and attractions.
In previous years, it’s only been a selection of rides in Thomas Land that have been open rather than the bigger coasters.
This year rides that will stay open include Gold Rush, a rollercoaster in the new Wild West area, The Wave and Maelstrom.
There will also be plenty of Christmas experiences between November 22 and December 31.
For the festive season, Drayton Manor has launched its new Elves Behavin’ Badly | Elftoria experience.
Here there’s a Christmas Tree Maze, Snowball Fight Arena, Live Pranking Workshop and Show, Elf Meet and Greet, and elf slide.
There’s festive food and drink too like a pink peppermint milkshake, roast potatoes topped with hot gravy and bacon bits, plus the Christmas classic, pigs in blankets.
There’s even a Yorkshire pudding wrap with chicken, stuffing, roast potatoes, gravy and cranberry sauce.
Elves Behavin’ Badly | Elftoria will be open on selected dates up to December 24 between 4pm to 6pm.
Drayton Manor will also have Winter Wonderland and other festive experiencesCredit: Refer to source
There will also be a Christmas Grotto, the Twinkle Express light trail, and pantomime performance of Cinderella.
Plus, at the end of the day, there will be a new festive show that’s the largest of its kind in the UK – which is included in the price of a park ticket.
Called ‘Drayton Manor’s Christmas Miracle’, it transforms the onsite lake into a stunning visual spectacle.
The new show features a 30-metre water screen, with more than 65 choreographed water jets, dramatic fire effects, vibrant lighting and festive animations.
The awards were organised by ThemeParks-UK.com, and winners were announced after a series of votes made by 330,000 members of British public along with scores from expert judges.
Visitors through late November and all of December can still go on the park’s biggest ridesCredit: Refer to source
There were 22 categories including Best New Attraction, Best Theme Park for Families, for Toddlers and for Thrills, the Best Seaside Park and Theme Park of the Year.
Best Value Theme Park wasn’t the only award Drayton Manor won, it also came in second place for Best (Large) Theme Park for Families, and for Best Theme Park for Toddlers.
Drayton Manor came in first place for Best New Accessibility Initiative, and third for Best Use of IP in an Attraction.
It also came second for its 75th Anniversary Fireworks which won Best New Event.
Park entry tickets are £25 for visitors aged between four and 66. Anyone over the age of 66 can grab a ticket for £19.90.
The festive experiences can be bought on top of the park fee. The Elves Behavin’ Badly l Elftoria experience starts from £20.
The Enchanted Santa’s Grotto costs £10 to enter. The Twinkle Express and Cinderella Pantomime are £5 each.
If you’ve got a Tesco Clubcard, you can double up your Clubcard vouchers and use them to pay for entrance on the gate.
You can’t book in advance online or use the vouchers towards car parking or season passes though, so it’s worth comparing to some of the other offers out there to see which is best for your family.
Blue Light Card
Using a discount scheme like Blue Light Card for public sector workers or Kids Pass can offer savings all year round and also access to special member days, when the park is not open to the public and parking is included in the entry price.
The Blue Light Card member day at Drayton Manor in March offered tickets for £26 per person, with toddlers aged 2 and 3 costing £15 and babies under 2 free.
Black Friday Offers
It’s worth keeping an eye out over Black Friday to see what offers pop up – last November, you could buy four tickets for £75 and they were valid until the end of May this year, which covered Easter and half-term holidays.
Drayton Manor will keep its major rides open throughout the festive seasonCredit: Drayton Manor
A POPULAR theme park hailed as the ‘best in the UK’ will unveil an exciting new ride in 2026.
Every year, Paultons Parkin Hampshire attracts revellers in their droves with its over 70 rides and attractions.
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Paultons Park has unveiled a new ride for 2026Credit: Paultons ParkThrill-seekers can secure their spot on the new Drakon in May next yearCredit: Paultons Park
The attraction even scooped the gong for the Theme Park of the Year at the UK Theme Park Awards 2025.
And now, thrill-seekers have another reason to flock to the beloved spot as a brand new ride will open up in May next year.
Revellers can get a taste of what is to come after Paultons released a POV animation of what the new Drakon ride will offer up punters.
The inverted rollercoaster will be the latest addition to the Valgard, Realm of the Vikings section.
The Valgard area is aimed at families with older children and teenagers, the theme park previously said.
Drakon will comes complete with a vertical lift hill and will cost around £12million to build.
There will also be a restaurant for visitors who work up an appetite after a few rounds on the new ride, as well as a themed playground.
Those brave enough to take their seat on the Drakon will need to wait until May 16, 2026 before doing so.
Earlier this year, Paultons Park nabbed an incredible 10 trophies at the at the UK Theme Park Awards this year.
“We are delighted to have been awarded 10 awards this year at the annual UK Theme Park Awards, including the prestigious Theme Park of the Year Award,” Lawrence Mancey, marketing and technology director at Paultons Park, said.
“These accolades are a true reflection of the hard work, creativity and dedication shown by every team member at Paultons Park, many of whom have been part of our family for over twenty years.”
It comes after news that the UK will be getting a brand new theme park in 2026.
Kynren – An Epic Tale of England, is the UK’s largest live action outdoor theatre production and next year it will launch Kynren – The Storied Lands, a new daytime historical theme park.
Set to open in summer 2026 in County Durham, the theme park will immerse visitors in multiple live shows and experiences that “span millennia”.
Phase One of Kynren – The Storied Lands will reveal The Lost Feather and four other live-action shows and immersive experiences, including Fina, a Medieval horse show, a viking show and a Victorian Adventure with characters from the past.
IF THERE is one thing the world’s biggest YouTuber loves more than giving away money, it is taking on a challenge. And now Mr Beast is doing exactly that.
The YouTube giant, who has a staggering 450million subscribers on YouTube, is entering the attraction world by opening a theme park based on the challenges and games seen on his channel.
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YouTuber Mr Beast is opening his own theme parkCredit: SplashBased in Saudi Arabia, the new theme park will feature challenges created by the YouTuberCredit: X/MrBeastFor example, there will be a zip line experience where players must drop a weighted bag on a targetCredit: X/MrBeast
Named Beast Land, the new theme park will open on November 13, in Saudi Arabia.
Jimmy Donaldson (Mr Beast’s real name) said via X: “We built custom games modelled after our videos that don’t exist ANYWHERE else and will have the world’s largest prize wall.”
At one of the games called ‘Tower Siege’, visitors must load balls into catapults, which then have to land in giant 18 metre tubes for points.
In an attraction called ‘Drop Zone’, six people stand on trap doors – a button then lights up in front of all the players, but the person who presses it last gets dropped. The last player remaining gets the most points.
Another of the main game-style attractions is ‘Airmail’, where visitors head off on a zip line with a weighted bag, which they must then drop on target below.
Little information has been revealed about the other attractions available at the theme park, but when visitors book tickets, others mentioned include Endeavour, Energize, Sling Shot and Coco Beach Coaster.
Mr Beast, 27 said: “I didn’t want this to be like a typical theme park.
“Thought of things from first principles and created games I would love to play.
“Tons of original games created plus of course we have rollercoasters and rides.”
When asked why he chose Saudi Arabia, the YouTuber responded that it is because the majority of his audience is outside of America and that he has a big Middle Eastern fan base.
He added: “Wanted to give them a chance to participate.”
Drop Zone will feature trap doors that players fall through if they are the slowest to complete a challengeCredit: X/MrBeastThere will also be a classic-style maze challengeCredit: X/MrBeast
There are four different ticket types including admission only for £5.12 per person – that’s just 3p more than the price of a Big Mac – and includes zone entry but none of the rides, experiences or games.
Junior entry, which is for kids aged between six and eight, then costs £10.03 per visitor and includes the challenges, experiences, games and access up to two rides.
A Beast Mode ticket costing £20.27 is for kids over eight-years-old, and allows visitors to have access to all the same elements as the Junior entry ticket, but with up to three rides.
Finally, Beast Mode + tickets allows all the same as the Beast Mode entry ticket, but includes all of the rides.
In other theme park news, plans for the world’s first retro theme park have been revealed with lands that take you back to the 1950s, 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s.
Plus, one travel writer shares how she has been visiting the UK’s best value theme park since she was a kid – here are her six tips for doing it on a budget.
The theme park officially opens on November 13Credit: X/MrBeastTickets cost as little as £5.12 per personCredit: X/MrBeast
REMEMBER those big rectangular pre-digital VHS tapes?
Well, Shooter Jennings, son of late country music great Waylon, has held on to a few of them.
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Waylon Jennings is remembered as a pioneer of the ‘Outlaw’ country sceneCredit: HandoutWaylon with The Dukes Of Hazzard stars Tom Wopat and John Schneider in 1984Credit: AlamyWaylon’s son Shooter Jennings
Now I’ll explain why they’re so precious to him.
They contain episodes of a TV show almost as popular as Dallas in the early Eighties — The Dukes Of Hazzard.
As the opening credits roll, you see “The General Lee”, a souped-up 1969 orange Dodge Charger, careering into view.
Inside are outlaw cousins Bo and Luke Duke, on the run from crooked officials, Boss Hogg and Sheriff Rosco P Coltrane.
You hear the rollicking theme tune, Good Ol’ Boys, being sung in commanding, if tongue-in-cheek fashion by — you might have guessed — Waylon Jennings.
He also serves as the show’s laidback narrator, The Balladeer, and one of his pearls of wisdom is about poster girl Daisy Duke, remembered for her skimpy denim shorts.
“She drives like [stock car racer] Richard Petty, shoots like Annie Oakley, and knows the words to all of Dolly Parton’s songs.”
But he doesn’t appear on screen until season seven when, after demands from fans, he is presented as an old friend of the Dukes in an episode titled Welcome, Waylon Jennings.
‘A massive cultural moment’
“Just last night, my wife and I were watching some episodes,” Shooter tells me via Zoom from America’s West Coast as we discuss a fabulous new project involving his father’s previously unreleased music.
“It made me think what a massive cultural moment the show was,” he continues. “Just how perfect my father’s voice was for it.
“I think he loved doing those shows and it wasn’t a lot of work for him. He’d be on the road and just stop by a studio and do the voiceovers.
“There’s real humility about them. He seems to be making fun of himself the whole time. It’s really funny to hear.”
Waylon is remembered as a pioneer of the “Outlaw” country scene, a singer who wrestled the Nashville music-making machine and won control over his recorded output.
Hellraiser, maverick and bearer of a rich baritone, he was an obvious choice to join fellow renegades Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson in Eighties supergroup The Highwaymen.
Born in Littlefield, Texas, in 1937, he was consumed by music at an early age and, in 1958, came under the wing of Buddy Holly, who arranged his first recording session.
Shooter says: “If my dad had got on the plane, the music world would be quite different. I often think what it must have been like for him to have survived that.
“Throughout his life, Buddy was huge to him and he used to talk about him all the time.
“A lot of his spirit and energy came from rock and roll, from Buddy, who gave him little lessons in songwriting.
“But he also loved country music, the beauty and sentiment of it, and his voice was just so vulnerable and awesome.”
From the mid-Sixties onwards, Waylon would become a fixture at the top of the country charts but his best work appeared after he gained creative control from RCA Records in 1973.
He delivered a string of fine unvarnished albums including Lonesome, On’ry And Mean, Honky Tonk Heroes, Dreaming My Dreams and Are You Ready For The Country.
In 1979, he and fourth wife Jessi Colter, a fellow “Outlaw” country singer, had their only child together, Waylon Albright “Shooter” Jennings.
The Albright comes from Richie Albright, Waylon Snr’s right- hand man and drummer in The Waylors.
And the main reason I’m talking to Shooter is because he has unearthed a goldmine of unreleased Waylon recordings, taped between 1973 and 1984.
This has resulted in the appearance of Songbird, the first of three albums culled from the material and lovingly restored by him with the help of surviving members of his dad’s band, along with younger musicians and backing singers.
‘Passion and soul alive today’
“It’s been surreal,” says Shooter, a singer in his own right and in-demand producer. “Everything has lined up for me to have this purpose.
“This project has given me an entirely new chapter in my relationship with my father and working on this music has brought a whole new understanding about how, when and why my dad made music.
“The hard work is there on the tapes and the passion and the soul within is as alive today as it was the day it was recorded.”
I guess the reason The Dukes Of Hazzard cropped up in our chat is because much of the Songbird album’s music was recorded around the same time as the show aired.
Then I just kept finding these hidden albums,” he says. “It didn’t feel like stuff that was not meant to be released and there were songs I never knew he’d attempted.
Shooter Jennings
Shooter became aware of Waylon’s buried treasure in 2008, “about six years after he died” aged 64 from complications of diabetes.
But the project only began in earnest last summer when he started sorting through hundreds of high-resolution multitrack transfers of his father’s personal studio recordings.
What Shooter discovered blew his mind.
Listening to his dad performing with his ace band became “a wild adventure”. When Shooter heard their cover of Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours track Songbird, written by Christine McVie, he realised he was on to something “really exciting”.
“Then I just kept finding these hidden albums,” he says. “It didn’t feel like stuff that was not meant to be released and there were songs I never knew he’d attempted.”
Shooter says that much of the material was “professional cuts with a lot of attention to detail, much more than sketches”.
“My mom told me that my dad always said that every song he recorded should be good enough to be a single when it was done. He had a great work ethic.”
Hellraiser, maverick and bearer of a rich baritone, he was an obvious choice to join fellow renegades Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson in Eighties supergroup The HighwaymenCredit: RedfernsShooter Jennings discovered his late father Waylon’s haunting cover of Fleetwood Mac’s Songbird while restoring hundreds of lost studio tapes — inspiring a new album that brings the legend’s voice back to lifeCredit: Getty
Shooter settled on Songbird as the opening track and album title because he realised that Waylon “was a kind of songbird”.
“I wanted to hit home how good a song interpreter he was and how he could make a song his own,” he says. “And I wanted to bring him back with an emotional song, one that’s going to make you cry.
“Every time I play it for anyone, they tear up at the bit which goes, ‘And I feel that when I’m with you, it’s all right’.
“It’s such a beautiful take that people are shocked they haven’t heard it before.”
In order to take Songbird to even greater heights, Shooter enlisted contemporary country singers Ashley Monroe and Elizabeth Cook to provide backing vocals.
‘Obsessed with Hank Williams’
“They’re the funniest people, like a duo, and they’re hillbillies like me,” he says.
“Elizabeth and I have been really good friends for 15 years plus and she brought Ashley to my studio around the time I was going through this.
“And they were so moved by Songbird. I realised their airy, birdlike voices could elevate it to some fantasy realm.
“So I asked them to come back and do some background vocals and they really killed it.”
Also adding finishing flourishes to the album’s ten tracks are some surviving Waylors including guitarist Gordon Payne, bassist Jerry Bridges, keyboardist Barny Robertson, and backing vocalist Carter Robertson.
The second song The Cowboy (Small Texas Town) is credited to Johnny Rodriguez but Shooter suspects his father had a hand in writing it.
These telling lines back up that theory: “My long shaggy hair, and the clothes that I wear/Ain’t fit for no big fancy ball.”
The song fits with Waylon’s image of staying true to his humble origins — a quality Shooter sees in today’s stars such as Charley Crockett, Tyler Childers and Benjamin Tod.
He credits his father with blazing a trail for these independent spirits thanks to his battle with RCA Records. “My dad really opened it up. And even though Nashville got their grip back on it for a little while, they’ve been blown apart now.
“They’re just scrambling to find anyone who’s like one of these guys.”
I ask Shooter what Waylon used to tell him about growing up in Littlefield, Texas.
“He would tell me how poor they were, for sure, that they had dirt floors, that his mom would put him in places the rats wouldn’t get to.”
When Waylon became famous, the town would hold a Waylon Jennings Day and their favourite son “would go back there and do a show”.
Shooter adds: “I loved my dad’s family, his brothers and his mom. I got to know all of them and his brother James is still around and runs this little gas station there.”
Unbeknown to the residents of Littlefield in 2025, Shooter decided to put up billboards around town featuring lyrics to some of the Songbird songs.
He and Johnny [Cash] came from the exact same background. They both picked cotton. They both listened to Hank Williams on the radio and both journeyed to Mecca [Nashville] to make music.
Shooter Jennings
“I didn’t even tell them. But when we put out that song, The Cowboy, I really wanted to put the focus on Littlefield.”
We’ve heard about Buddy Holly but I’m keen to find out from Shooter who else was his father’s music hero. He instantly mentions country music’s first superstar — Hank Williams, who lived fast and died young.
“My father was obsessed with Hank Williams. He was similar in a way because of the vision he had for his songs.”
As for Waylon’s reputation as a hellraiser, Shooter has this to say: “It’s funny, he didn’t drink. People always get that wrong.
“He only did the uppers but we had an empty alcohol cabinet in our house because he just didn’t get any.”
And what does Waylon’s recently remarried widow Jessi Colter, Shooter’s mother, think of the Songbird project?
“She has helped us,” he replies. “I had to borrow money from her to do it because I didn’t want to get a label involved.
“She was also a great emotional support to me, even if she wasn’t emotionally tied up in the project.”
Hearing Waylon sing “didn’t make her sad but she loved it. She’d say something like, ‘They sound like they were having a good time that day.’ ”
Before we go our separate ways, Shooter opens up about Waylon’s famous friends, notably his Highwaymen buddies Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson and Willie Nelson, still touring and making records at 94.
Waylon and Cash shared an apartment in Nashville in the mid-Sixties and had a strong, if sometimes tempestuous bond.
“They loved each other,” says Shooter. “Just like anybody else, they would have little bicker fights and not talk for a couple of weeks here or there.
“But he had a great relationship with Johnny and June [Carter Cash].
“He and Johnny came from the exact same background. They both picked cotton. They both listened to Hank Williams on the radio and both journeyed to Mecca [Nashville] to make music.”
Shooter continues: “And I loved Cash. We used to go to his house when I was little. He was always very nice to me.”
Shooter in the studio with his father in 1995Credit: Beth Gwinn1995
He also remembers hanging out with Nelson’s daughters Amy and Paula. “We were all around the same age and together on the road during the Waylon and Willie tours.
“And then The Highwaymen happened and I was around Kristofferson’s kids because they lived in Tennessee.
THEME park fans heading to Universal’s Orlando resorts should take note as some attractions will be closed depending on when they plan to head to the tourist hotspot.
Some rides will be off-limits for a short period of time, while others will be out of action for longer.
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Universal’s Volcano Bay will close in 2026Credit: Universal Parks USAThe popular Revenge of the Mummy Ride will be shut for a week in the New YearCredit: Universal Parks USA
Popular attractions set to be impacted include Revenge of the Mummy, and Jurassic Park River Adventure.
On Revenge of the Mummy, thrillseekers are plunged into darkness.
The ride will be closed between January 15 and 21, according to Inside the Magic.
The Hogwarts Express will fall silent between February 9-26 next year.
Universal’s Jurassic Park River Adventure sees riders plunge 85 feet in a thrilling drop.
But the ride will be closed from January 5, 2026 until November 20, as per the Orlando Informer.
Universal’s Volcano Bay water park will close temporarily from October 26, 2026.
It’s likely the attraction will reopen by the end of March 2027.
When visiting Volcano Bay, thrillseekers can enjoy a five-person attraction, Puihi of the Maku Puihi Round Raft Rides.
Or, those wanting a more relaxing experience can enjoy the winding river.
Volcano Bay is also home to shops, bars and restaurants.
Earlier this year, Universal’s Epic Universe opened, sparking an influx of tourists.
The park opened its doors on May 21 and is home to five themed lands.
Guests can immerse themselves in the Super Nintendo World and enjoy Mario Kart-themed attractions.
Epic Universe is home to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Dark Universe.
Harry Potter fans can enjoy a Butterbeer when visiting the Wizarding World.
Guests can immerse themselves in the Viking-themed village, which is inspired by How to Train Your Dragon.
Thrillseekers will have to wait a while before they can ride the Jurassic Park River Adventure when it shuts in JanuaryCredit: AlamyThe Hogwarts Express ride will be closing temporarilyCredit: AlamyUniversal Orlando’s Epic Universe park opened earlier this yearCredit: Universal Parks USA
THE UK will be getting a brand new theme park in 2026 – but it won’t have your typical thrill rides.
Kynren – An Epic Tale of England, is the UK’s largest live action outdoor theatre production and next year it will launch Kynren – The Storied Lands, a new daytime historical theme park.
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A new historical theme park will be opening in the UK next yearCredit: Kynren
Set to open in summer 2026 in County Durham, the theme park will immerse visitors in multiple live shows and experiences that “span millennia”.
Phase One of Kynren – The Storied Lands will reveal The Lost Feather and four other live-action shows and immersive experiences, including Fina, a Medieval horse show, a viking show and a Victorian Adventure with characters from the past.
There will also be The Legend of the Wear which will transform a lake into a stage, where the Lambton Worm myth will be brought to life with water stunts and special effects.
In the future, the theme park will have even more shows, as well as educational content and themed experiences inspired by Robin Hood, Excalibur and the Tudors.
As a whole, the attractions will form the UK’s first live-action historical theme park.
Anna Warnecke, CEO of Kynren – The Storied Lands, said: “2026 is going to be an unforgettable year.
“Not only will our award-winning night show return, but we’ll also open Kynren – The Storied Lands a unique new experience that brings history, heritage and myth to life on a scale not seen anywhere else in the UK.”
The news follows the announcement that Kynren – An Epic Tale of England is set to return next summer, with tickets now on sale.
Located in Bishop Auckland, the show involves more than 1,000 cast and crew members and mass choreography, combat, horsemanship, stunts and fireworks – all on a seven-and-a-half acre stage.
The show takes spectators on a journey of 2,000 years of history from Boudicca’s rebellion to Viking invasions, Norman conquests, Tudor drama and even Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee.
The show lasts 90 minutes, beginning at sunset and ending when the stars are out.
It will run every Saturday evening between July 18 and September 12, 2026.
Tickets cost from £30 per adult and £20 per child.
Children under the age of three, are free.
If visitors book their tickets now, they will also unlock an ‘Insider Pass’, which gives them priority access for tickets to the new Kynren – The Storied Lands when it opens next summer.
Travel writer Catherine Lofthouse, who visited this year’s show, said: “If you’ve never heard of Kynren in Bishop Auckland, Durham, you’re not alone.
The theme park will feature a number of immersive experiences and showsCredit: Kynren
“Over an hour and a half, scenes that tell the tale of our homeland, history and heritage come to life across the 7.5-acre outdoor stage.
“The 1,000 professionally trained volunteers might be amateurs, but this incredible cast put on one of the best shows I’ve seen, one that really has to be seen to be believed.
“My boys aged 12 and 10 were absolutely enthralled by the evening’s entertainment from start to finish.
“The whole event is epic – from Viking ships rising from the water to the recreation of a magnificent stained glass window in the spray of a fountain.
“Battle scenes, stunts, celebrations, historic moments, lines from Shakespeare – it’s sometimes difficult to know where to look at there’s so much to take in from one moment to the next.
“It was such a high-quality performance, I’d say it rivaled a live Disney show too.”
After going global for its second volume, “Star Wars: Visions” Volume 3 brings the anthology series back to its roots with a new slate of shorts all created by Japanese anime studios.
Each season of the Disney+ series, which launched in 2021, has infused fresh creative energy into the galaxy far, far away by giving international animation houses the freedom to explore ideas about the Force, the factions of the Galactic War and brand new planets and cultures outside of the constraints of the long-running franchise’s canon.
And while Volume 3, which premiered last week, revisits some characters that were introduced in Volume 1, it also shows how anime is a medium with range. From the gritty installment that explores the complexity of the dark sides of the Force through a battle between former Sith and Jedi (“The Duel: Payback”) to a more heartwarming story about a pair of resourceful orphans who decide to become family (“Yuko’s Treasure”), there are different types of anime for everyone.
Anée-san in “The Duel: Payback,” one of the shorts in “Star Wars: Visions” Volume 3.
(Lucasfilm Ltd.)
With movies like “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle” and “Chainsaw Man — The Movie: Reze Arc” making waves at the box office, anime’s growing popularity is undeniable and its availability on major streamers has also made anime series and movies more accessible than ever. So for those whose curiosity about the medium has been piqued by “Star Wars: Visions,” here are some titles to check out based on the themes and stories of the nine shorts that comprise Volume 3.
Let’s be honest: Lightsaber duels are awesome. So it’s no surprise that a number of shorts in “Star Wars: Visions” Volume 3 leaned into stories involving Jedi and/or the Sith, including “The Duel: Payback,” “The Lost Ones” and “The Bird of Paradise.”
For those who are looking for anime featuring stylish and stunning sword-fighting scenes, the ever popular “Demon Slayer” (Netflix, Disney+/Hulu, Crunchyroll), featuring a secret organization fighting to protect humans from demons, is an obvious choice. Another show featuring stylish combat between skilled warriors and supernatural monsters is “Hell’s Paradise” (Netflix, Disney+/Hulu, Crunchyroll). The series follows a ninja who is recruited by an executioner to join a party of death row inmates on a quest to find the elixir of life on a mythical island populated with mysterious deadly threats. The successful convict will be pardoned for all of their past crimes. The premise may remind some of the supervillain team-up “The Suicide Squad,” but the fighting scenes — and the island’s inhabitants — stand alone.
Master and apprentice dynamics
Frieren, left, and Fern from “Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End.”
(Crunchyroll)
Speaking of Jedi, “The Lost Ones” and “The Bird of Paradise” also touch on the relationship between a Jedi master and their padawan apprentice. If a story involving a lineage of student-teacher dynamics that’s about friendship, human connection, memory, mortality and legacy sounds intriguing, consider checking out “Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End” (Netflix, Disney+/Hulu, Crunchyroll). The fantasy series follows an elven mage, her young human apprentice and others they pick up along their years-long journey to visit the spirits of old friends. The show is part travelogue, part adventure quest with monsters, magic battles and dungeon exploration.
Lovable scoundrels
Kazuki, left, Miri and Rei in an episode of “Buddy Daddies.”
The world of “Star Wars” is full of scoundrels that fans can’t help but love for their swagger and independent moral code, and “Visions” installments “The Smuggler” and “The Bounty Hunters” add to that legacy.
Well-known classics like “Cowboy Bebop” (Crunchyroll) and “Lupin the Third” (Tubi, Crunchyroll) and the long-running “One Piece” (Netflix, Disney+/Hulu, Crunchyroll) are good starting points for those first dipping their toes into anime and are interested in the adventures of a ragtag group of bounty hunters, thieves and/or pirates. For those looking for something new, consider “Buddy Daddies” (Crunchyroll), which follows a pair of assassin roommates who form a makeshift family after taking in a 4-year-old they encounter while out on a job. Think of it like “The Mandalorian,” if Mando had a recluse gamer co-parent and Grogu was a picky eater.
Political space wars and mech suits
Suletta Mercury in an episode of “Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury.”
Some film and TV shows set in the galaxy far, far away are more political than others, but aspects of the conflict involving the Galactic Empire, Rebel forces and stray Jedi are touched on in a few of the shorts in “Visions” Volume 3 like “The Lost Ones,” “The Smuggler,” “Black” and “The Song of Four Wings,” with the latter featuring a young protagonist that dons a snazzy flying mech suit.
The mecha franchise “Gundam” is best known for its giant robots, but it’s a sprawling space opera that touches on political themes including the horrors of corruption, inequity and war. A recent standout is newcomer-friendly “Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch From Mercury” (Crunchyroll). The show follows a shy new transfer student at a corporate military school where recruits train and settle disputes in giant mech suit combat. The series uses school drama and a budding teen romance as a backdrop to touch on themes such as class strife and prejudice, corporate greed and personal vengeance.
Emotionally resonant robots
Atom in an episode of “Pluto.”
(Netflix)
From the Skywalkers’ fussy protocol droid C-3PO to Hera Syndulla’s cranky astromech Chopper, lovable androids are a “Star Wars” signature. “Visions” Volume 3 installments “The Ninth Jedi: Child of Hope” and “Yuko’s Treasure” each introduce loyal droids that tug viewers’ heartstrings.
The title androids in “Astro Boy” (also known as Atom) and “Doraemon” are kid-friendly household names in Japan akin to Mickey Mouse and Snoopy, but a more mature option is “Pluto” (Netflix). The gritty, sci-fi murder mystery series is based on a reimagining of a story arc from the “Astro Boy” manga, and is set in a world where humans live alongside robots — though the dynamic is a bit different than in “Star Wars.” The story follows a robot detective who is investigating a string of robot and human killings, and, like many sci-fi stories about androids and artificial intelligence, touches on themes like what makes humans human.
A scene from “Yuko’s Treasure,” one of the shorts in “Star Wars: Visions” Volume 3.
(Lucasfilm Ltd.)
Rambunctious kids
Plenty of “Star Wars” media is made with younger audiences in mind, but not many are about the adventures of children in the galaxy far, far away. “Vision” Volume 3’s “Yuko’s Treasure” puts a couple of orphan kids in the forefront — along with an adorable bear-like droid.
There’s no shortage of anime series about the (mis)adventures of rambunctious kids and one of the more heartwarming involves a “fake” family. “Spy x Family” (Disney+/Hulu, Crunchyroll) follows a secret agent working to maintain the fragile peace between neighboring nations and the faux happy family he constructed for his latest undercover mission. Unbeknownst to him, his adopted daughter is secretly a telepath and his fake wife is an assassin. As one might expect, a telepathic first grader with a wild imagination who lives with a spy and an assassin can get caught up in plenty of shenanigans. Bonus: The family also adopts a cute massive dog.
Kotaro in an episode of “Kotaro Lives Alone.”
(Netflix)
On the opposite end of the spectrum is “Kotaro Lives Alone” (Netflix), a more grounded show with just as outlandish a premise. The series follows a 4-year-old who moves into a rundown apartment complex alone — for reasons that are eventually revealed as his neighbors get to know him. The boy is unusually self-reliant and mature but also childish and understandably vulnerable. As viewers might assume, there are not many happy circumstances that could possibly lead to a 4-year-old child living on his own, but there’s more warmth than tragedy.
Musical, visual spectacle
One of the standouts in “Star Wars: Visions” Volume 3 is “Black,” a jazz-fueled, mind-bending fever dream of a Stormtrooper during a battle. The bold, music-driven 13-minute short is a visual spectacle that challenges viewers and there’s not much else out there that compares. Though it has a more structured narrative, the anime film “Inu-Oh” (Netflix) is a psychedelic rock opera that might scratch the same itch. Set in 14th century Japan, the film follows two young artists who forge a friendship because they are both outcasts — the musician is blind, and the dancer was born with monstrous deformities — and their dazzling performances drive the story.
TWISTING the handles of his personal periscope around, my son Billy lets out an excited gasp.
Through the lens he’s able to catch a glimpse of the rollercoasters and colourful rides that await him at Chessington World of Adventures, right on the doorstep of our hotel.
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The Paw Patrol gang cut looseCredit: AlamyOne of the five Paw Patrol roomsCredit: Chris Read-Jones/Chessington World Of AdventuresThe Sun’s Lydia Major and son BillyCredit: Supplied
I’m staying in one of the theme park’s new Paw Patrol-themed rooms, offered up just in time for half term.
Part of Chessington’s Safari Resort hotel, the five new pup-tastic bedrooms offer a glimpse of what’s to come when a new Paw Patrol-themed land opens next spring.
Nothing has been spared on making these spaces as immersive as possible.
Funky bunk beds have been disguised as the famous Paw Patroller truck featured in the show, with a driver’s seat at the front and a steering wheel that little ones can play with.
A yellow periscope in the main room, that fans will recognise as a replica of that from the Paw Patrol Lookout Tower, is surrounded by coloured bean bags which kids can plonk themselves on when spying on the theme park.
And if the view from the periscope isn’t enough to impress them, the bedroom window one will be.
Rooms overlook the park’s Wanyama Reserve, and one afternoon we were treated to the sight of two giraffes munching away on their leafy dinner.
I was grateful for some tranquillity to balance out the “wow” of the all-singing, all-dancing bedroom.
The decor here is bold and bright, with huge murals of the pups showing their wacky adventures.
Rooms sleep up to two adults, in a plump double bed, and three children.
They also come with a special Paw Patrol parking outside.
Even when you’re dining at one of the two restaurants, you’re likely to bump into your little ones’ favourite character.
As Billy tucked into his junior Wanyama burger (£7) at dinner, he clocked Skye giving some of her fans a high-five and a cuddle across the room.
If you don’t get to meet your hero at the hotel, Paw Patrol guests can nab fast-track entry to daily meet-and-greets with Chase, Skye and Rubble in the park.
A night’s stay comes with a huge buffet breakfast – which has everything from a full English to pancakes and pastries and is available from 7am to 10am.
Access to the hotel’s Savannah Splash Pool means children can burn off any extra energy.
After an action-packed day here, adults will be just as grateful for the ultra-comfy beds as the kids are.
Paw Patrol stays start from £155 for a family of four, including bed and breakfast. Stays include early ride access, a Pup Pass (meet-and-greet fast track pass) and a Reserve & Ride one-shot pass.
Guests staying before the Paw Patrol-themed land opens will have a chance to be one of the first to ride the new rollercoaster in 2026.
ABU DHABI has been named the happiest city in the world by Time Out.
Scoring a near perfect mark, 99 per cent of locals agreed that Abu Dhabi makes them happy, with 96 per cent saying that people in the city seem positive.
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Abu Dhabi has been named the happiest city in the world by Time OutCredit: Getty
In addition, 93 per cent said that they feel happier in the city than anywhere else.
The city was ranked against five statements: My city makes me happy; I feel happier in my city than other places I’ve visited or lived; The people in my city seem happy; I find joy in the everyday experiences my city offers; The sense of happiness in my city has grown a lot recently.
The city gained top marks for walkability as well, and has been named one of the best cities for culture and green space and nature.
If you are heading to the city, then explore Yas Island – a purpose built island with theme parks and a waterworld.
The island is home to a number of theme parks including Ferrari World Yas Island and Warner Bros World Yas Island.
Ferrari World is the first Ferrari-branded theme park, which is also home to Formula Rossa – the world’s fastest rollercoaster.
Then at Warner Bros. World, visitors can explore one of the world’s largest indoor theme parks, with six immersive lands.
Across each land, visitors will find rides, shows and attractions themed on classic Warner Bros. characters such as Superman.
For those who prefer to splash about in the water, head to Yas Waterworld Yas Island – a massive water park with over 40 rides, slides and attractions.
For something more thrilling, head to Clymb, which boasts the world’s largest indoor skydiving flight chamber and the region’s tallest indoor climbing wall.
Visitors can wander along Yas Bay Waterfront as well, where they can find a number of cafes, restaurants and bars.
Yas Beach is good for relaxing too, with golden sands and crystal waters in addition to different water spots such as kayaking.
And for a bit of retail therapy, make sure to visit Yas Mall, which is one of the city’s biggest shopping centres.
Elsewhere in Abu Dhabi visitors can head to other cultural destinations such as the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and the Louvre Abu Dhabi – a large museum with art from different cultures.
There is also Qasr Al Hosn – the oldest stone building in Abu Dhabi.
If you prefer to see nature, then explore the Jubail Mangrove Park via its boardwalks or kayak.
The desert is another place to see, where you can take part in a number of activities such as dune bashing (venturing across the dunes in buggies), camel riding and sandboarding.
The city is home to a purpose-built island which has a number of attractionsCredit: GettyThe attractions include Ferrari WorldCredit: Alamy
When it comes to food, a mid-range three-course meal at a restaurant will set you back £50.91 for two people.
One top spot (but that costs a bit more) is Café del Mar, which is located near the beach and often hosts pool parties and Ladies’ Days.
Options include a truffles wagyu beef burger, with cheese, beef prosciutto, truffle and mushroom sauce and fries for £35.65.
Alternatively you could share a salt-baked sea bass, with tomato vinaigrette and fries for £29.54 per person.
Alcohol in Abu Dhabi isn’t cheap either with a beer costing around £8.15.
When it comes to places to stay you won’t be short for choice, with the city also being home to some famous hotels such as the Emirates Palace, which costs hundreds per night.
Though more affordable options include the Royal M Hotel by Gewan Abu Dhabi for around £130 per night.
Direct flights in November, from London to Abu Dhabi cost from £474 or £513 from Manchester.
A day out at a theme park isn’t just a summer activity. Many parks will be open for Christmas-themed fun, and you’ll find fun, festive activities to suit all ages
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Theme parks such as Drayton Manor will be decked out for Christmas(Image: Drayton Manor)
Looking for a festive day out for all the family? Many theme parks will be opening their doors for the Christmas season with a range of activities for all the family. In addition to themed days out, some parks will also be offering special short breaks, with extras such as Santa visits and evening entertainment and even the chance to enjoy a festive-themed sleepover at the on-park hotels. Here’s a round-up of some of the most popular theme parks in the UK and what they’ll be offering this November and December.
Alton Towers – Magical Days Out
From £18 per person
In the run up to Christmas and the New Year, Alton Towers offers Magical Days Out starting at just £18 per person. While it’s a cheaper way to visit the park, it’s worth noting that only CBeebies Land and Mutiny Bay are open, plus a couple of the bigger rides, so you don’t expect all the usual thrill rides to be available.
However, the park is set to be decked out in festive decorations, and visitors can enjoy Christmas-themed shows such as Hey Duggee Live: The Christmas Badge!, which is bound to be a hit with the younger members of the family.
Families can also book a Santa Sleepover at one of the park’s on-site hotels, starting at £91 per person. This includes a one-day theme park ticket, a visit to Santa’s grotto, a traditional pantomime, and a festive dinner and entertainment for the whole family. Booking the Santa Sleepover also gives you access to the on-site waterpark and crazy golf.
Three of Gulliver’s theme parks will be offering Christmas events: Rotherham, Milton Keynes, and Warrington, with a selection of Christmas rides and attractions open during this time. What’s available over the festive period varies by park, and some of the activities on offer include festive breakfasts, Santa’s grottos, Christmas shows, Elf workshops, and more, with a variety of packages available.
Each park will also have a Land of Lights attraction – a spectacular light trail that opens during the winter. Tickets for this attraction are sold separately and start at £13.75 per person.
Drayton Manor say they’ve unwrapped their “biggest and most magical Christmas plans ever”. The Midland-based park, which is best-known for being the home of Thomas Land, will open on selected dates from November 22 to December 31 with most of the park’s rides open.
There will also be a range of themed attractions for family days out. Fans of Elf on the Shelf can enjoy Elftoria, with the cheeky creatures taking over the park and adding a mischievous touch to your day. Children can even take part in pranking workshops and enjoy a live elf show.
Kids can visit the Castle Grotto, which will include a story-time experience with Mrs Claus and a visit to the man in red, while Thomas Land will be decked out in seasonal decorations and have festive family shows. In the evening, families can board the Twinkling Express, a gentle journey surrounded by Christmas light trails.
Paultons, perhaps most famous for being the home of Peppa Pig World, will be turning their park into a Christmas wonderland. On selected dates through December, visitors can visit Peppa and friends in their festive clothing, enjoy Santa’s Christmas Wish show, or enjoy festive-themed menus in the park’s cafes.
If you prefer thrill rides, the Tornado Springs are will be also be open as well as selected rides in Lost Kingdom and Critter Creek.
Chessington’s Christmas village ticket will include a selection of the park’s rides, as well as access to the zoo and SEA LIFE centre. Visitors will be able to enjoy a Christmassy silent disco, wander through a snowy trail, and see the elves making toys in their workshop. Of course, there’s also a visit to Santa to give him your Christmas list.
Visitors can stay for longer by booking the on-site Safari or Azteca Resort Hotel, and there’s even a range of VIP experiences that can be added onto your package to create unique Christmas memories. Book an elf wake up call, with a small pre-Christmas gift for the kids, or take part in a reindeer encounter and see Santa’s helpers up close.
But the fun doesn’t stop once January comes round. Chessington now offer a themed Christmas Room, which will be a permanent fixture in their hotel year-round. No matter when you visit, you’ll be able to enjoy a decorated tree, Christmas crackers, hot chocolate, and even a decorated Christmas parking space. It’s perfect for the Christmas obsessive in your life.
