Theme Parks

Disneyland Paris may be France’s most famous theme park but there’s an underrated, lesser-known gem that I discovered with my son which I’ve been telling everyone to visit immediately

Theme parks are not my thing. Like many first-time parents, when my first son was born, I was wildly optimistic about the prospect of travelling with him.

I imagined my sweet boy hanging off my hip as we wandered around restaurants and museums on city breaks, enjoying all the things I enjoy.

The reality, of course, is that children like children’s things. And if you’re lucky, they’ll tolerate your interests for half an hour at most. Which is why, for years, the idea of a theme park holiday filled me with dread.

So, when I found myself taking my 11-year-old to Futuroscope in France, I approached it with an endurance test mindset. What I didn’t expect was that by the end of the trip, I’d be recommending it to other families.

Getting there

The journey, in both senses, was easier than I expected. Just months away from starting secondary school, my son has reached that fleeting sweet spot between childhood and adolescence where he still wants to spend a weekend away with his mum.

Our route from Manchester involved an Avanti train, a night near St Pancras station, an early morning Eurostar, the Paris Metro and a high-speed train to Futuroscope station near Poitiers. On paper it sounded like a lot.

In reality, it became very much part of the adventure and my son was enjoying all the responsibility – checking maps and practising his French on DuoLingo.

As a mum of three, I realised how rarely we get this kind of uninterrupted time together. Even before we’d reached the park, the journey itself had already brought us closer.

Staying at the Ecolodgee

A short walk from Futuroscope station and we were there. In fact, the journey via Eurostar was so seamless that my son repeatedly asked whether we’d actually left England yet.

We stayed at the Ecolodgee near the park entrance for really easy access. It’s made up of nature-inspired cabins overlooking a beautiful lake with very lively families of frogs to provide endless wonderment for curious kids such as mine. My son along with some neighbouring kids named themselves ‘the frog hunters’ for the duration of our stay, which says it all really. Nature is the best playground.

The cabins themselves are thoughtfully designed with cabin beds for kids cleverly separated from the master bedroom area yet in the same space. According to my son, the hand-delivered breakfast basket that arrived on our cabin doorstep each morning filled with French delights was the best meal of the entire trip.

I couldn’t agree more. Sitting on the terrace together, listening to frogs and looking out across the lake with no screens, was just perfect.

The rides and attractions

As someone who once rode Blackpool’s Pepsi Max Big One six times in a row without hesitation, I’ve reluctantly had to accept that age has made me considerably less fearless.

Two fun-packed days with my son however, meant stepping out of my comfort zone and straight into the arms of a nine-metre-high robot. Dances with Robots is a ride that throws you around to music at a fear factor of your choosing. Speaking on behalf of both of us, that fear factor was apparently “expert level” according to my son.

I emerged feeling slightly shaken and wondering how I was going to survive an entire weekend of being flung upside down. Thankfully, I quickly realised that Futuroscope isn’t really a theme park in the traditional sense.

Yes, there are plenty of thrilling rides; my son called Objectif Mars (Destination Mars) “the best ride ever” before immediately asking to go on it again. But much of what makes Futuroscope special isn’t physical at all. It’s immersive, imaginative and distinctly French in a way that truly sets it apart from most theme parks.

If needed, English language translation is available through the ListenWIFI app for many of the story-led attractions, but I found myself happily dusting off my GCSE French for the most part and embracing the fact that this is a park built with French families in mind.

Chasseurs de Tornades (Tornado Chasers) was a favourite. We were plunged into the heart of a tornado on a revolving platform, combining blockbuster storytelling with a thrill factor that doesn’t make you question your life choices. My kind of ride.

I also loved La Clé des Songes (The Key to Dreams), a spectacle of water screens, projections, lights and pyrotechnics in the most grand and beautiful setting, that really was like stepping into a dream.

What I appreciated most though was the overall balance.

One minute my son was absolutely wired on the water rapids ride Mission Bermudes, the next he was peacefully gliding around the world with me on The Extraordinary Journey.

Each attraction activated different parts of his imagination. And, more importantly, gave me just enough recovery time.

The food

Futuroscope offers a huge variety of food options ranging from French dining and buffets to gelato and street food – without a nugget in sight.

La Table d’Arthur is great for most tastes with its generous self-service buffet, while L’Atelier des Saveurs offers a more traditional French dining experience.

The most enticing option for children, however, is Space Loop Restaurant, a futuristic dining experience where your meal travels from the kitchen to your table via a rollercoaster suspended above your head. The star attraction is the famous blue burger, which is as blue as a bottle of WKD and, unsurprisingly, is a child’s dream, as is much of the food at Futuroscope.

For us, though, enjoying it all required extra planning.

My son has multiple food allergies, including sesame, nuts and fish, so eating anywhere new can be very stressful. Throw in a language barrier, an overwhelming buffet and you have a familiar challenge for many allergy families.

Thankfully, Space Loop had a delicious pasta option and fries, which kept my son very happy and full. Meanwhile, when I felt stressed by the choices at La Table d’Arthur, staff were able to give a detailed allergen information sheet which was reassuring.

Travelling with food allergies will always need extra vigilance, but once I knew how to ask, our meals became easy and enjoyable.

My overall verdict on Futuroscope

What I loved about Futuroscope overall was that rather than stepping into a global brand, I felt like I’d genuinely travelled somewhere both unique and affordable. The food, language, attractions and even the families around us reminded me that we were in France at every turn. And for me, that’s its biggest selling point.

It also gave me something I hadn’t expected from a theme park holiday.

As my son edges closer to his teen years, uninterrupted one-on-one time can be surprisingly hard to find.

Whether eating food delivered on a rollercoaster or exploring virtual worlds, the trip gave us space to try new things and just be together and that’s what I’ll look back most fondly on.

Of course, he’ll treasure the rides the most. And strangely, we’ll probably both remember the frogs.

Book the holiday

• Stay three days and two nights at Futuroscope from €896 (£774) for a family of four staying at Hotel Ecolodgee, with Futuroscope tickets as well Aquascope tickets. Find out more and book at futuroscope.com.

“I’M going to spend my Saturday digging soil with a JCB for fun,” was a phrase that would never have passed my lips until I became a mum. 

Yet, here I am, spending the first sunny weekend in August on an industrial estate in Medway, Kent, having the time of my life at Diggerland theme park. 

Find out how to get 2-4-1 tickets through Sun Club here

Diggerland has to be seen to be believed and is possibly the UK’s most unique theme park.

Yes, it really is an attraction entirely themed around construction machinery, which was founded in 2000, by digger hire firm owner Hugh Edeleanu.

The Kent site was the first, and there are now three further parks around England, in  Devon, Durham, and Yorkshire. 

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You might question whether you can really get a whole day out of construction equipment, and I was as surprised as anyone to find ourselves racing around the park at closing time, trying to choose our last attraction. 

The range of activities is impressive, and not like any other theme park. 

They have 20 main rides and drives included in the ticket price, plus some extras like dodgems and quad bikes. 

Spin Dizzy is the biggest – spinning up to 8 guests high in the sky in the bucket of a huge digger.

But the giant diggers were by far my son’s favourite, as you spend around 10 minutes shifting soil in an impressive Komatsu PC55MR-5 tracked excavator. They’re simple enough to use that at seven years old, he was able to get into the cab and tackle control himself. 

Other crowd pleasers included the chance to drive a JCB around a circuit, digging for gold with Komatsu PC14 mini diggers and being lifted 50 feet into the air by the Skyshuttle. 

But the standout for me had to be the decommissioned police car. 

My son was able to drive the car himself, pedals and all, around a dirt track, despite being a whole ten years away from getting his provisional license. 

Which is no bad thing, considering he made for a hair-rising chauffeur and was even given a ‘speeding ticket’ at the end of his go.

It feels like the Diggerland creative team had a whale of a time when coming up with the various attractions, which are diverse enough to entertain all ages. 

You’ve got the little Tykes toy area, the indoor soft play and the crazy trikes for the younger kids, plenty of options for primary school age children, and a large choice for the adults who’ve always fancied having a go when passing a construction site. 

The parks even offer stag and hen do parties, with the onsite cafe listing a range of cocktails and beers that you’d never see at your typical theme park restaurant. 

If you fancy checking it out for yourself there’s no better time to visit as Sun readers can get 2-4-1 tickets at Diggerland through Sun Club or Sun Savers, with families saving over £39 on tickets, plus free entry for children under 90cm. 

To get your tickets, Join thesun.co.uk/club for just £1.99 per month or £12 per year, then head to Offers Hub and find the Diggerland page to claim your voucher. 

Tickets cost £25.95pp in advance and £39.50pp on the door, for adults and kids over 90cm.

Or you can pick up the The Sun newspaper from Saturday, August 1 and collect Sun Savers codes.

• Find the Diggerland page in the Offers section and select Start Collecting.
• Collect THREE out of eight Sun Savers codes printed in The Sun from Saturday, August 1 to Saturday, August 8. Once you have your THREE Sun Savers codes, enter them on the Sun Savers app or website to unlock booking. Booking opens at 11am on Monday, August 3.
• Download your voucher (Max 2 people per voucher) and have it ready on your phone or printed before your visit.
• Choose your Diggerland Park in Kent, Devon, Durham or Yorkshire.
• Claim this offer by Monday, 19 October 2026. Present your voucher and a valid Sun Savers account at the park entrance when purchasing your tickets. Your voucher can be redeemed at your chosen Diggerland attraction on selected dates up until Saturday, October 31, 2026.
• 18+ UK only. Sun Savers multiple code collect 01/08/26-08/08/26 or Sun Club subscription required. Online access required. Buy one full price standard admission ticket to get a second standard admission ticket free for the same day. Voucher must be redeemed at attractions alongside valid Sun Club/Sun Savers account. Cannot be used online or in conjunction with any other offer. Max 2 people per voucher. Tickets valid weekends in September-October and October 26-30 only. Subject to availability. Non-transferable & non-refundable. Full T&Cs apply, see sunsavers.co.uk  or club.thesun.co.uk/sun-club

EUROPE is sizzling through a major heatwave, but that doesn’t need to melt your getaway plans.

These waterpark hotels will ensure kids stay cool in the sun — and they are all in areas currently deemed safe from wildfires.

With plenty of deals still out there, Sophie Swietochowski picks some of the top waterpark resorts across the continent.

TURKEY – The Land Of Legends Kingdom Hotel and Aqualand

Thrill-seeking teens will be bowled over by this giant theme park in Antalya, on the southern coast.

Often labelled as the Disneyland of Turkey, it is home to a thrilling 62metre Hyper Coaster, a mega shopping district and a waterpark.

Typhoon Coaster is the highlight, hurling riders at mega speeds from 43-metres up, in to a splash basin.

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There’s plenty for youngsters too, including a mini wave pool and slides, and a lazy river.

Guests staying at the onsite Kingdom Hotel get unlimited access to the parks.

GO: Four nights’ all-inclusive at the 5* The Land Of Legends Kingdom Hotel is from £972.50pp for a family of four sharing, flying from Stansted on August 26. Details at onthebeach.co.uk.

CORFU – Aqualand Resort and Waterpark

This resort, attached to the well-known Aqualand park, offers round-the-clock ice cream, pizzas, and burgers for hungry little mouths, as well as tasty Mediterranean-inspired grub for the grown-ups.

Guests get unlimited access to the waterpark where the whole family can get stuck in, thanks to the massive mishmash of rides.

Mum, Dad and the youngsters can head for the family rafting ride, down a 180metre tube, while the brave can tackle the 24metre-high free-fall slides and the open flume “kamikaze” slides.

With 15 pools and swimming areas, the kids will never get bored.

GO: Seven nights’ all-inclusive at the 4H Aqualand Resort and Waterpark is from £943pp, based on a family of four sharing and including flights from Liverpool John Lennon on August 17. See firstchoice.co.uk.

SPAIN – Evenia Olympic Park and WaterWorld Lloret

For adventurers, Tui offers a special package that combines a stay at the 4* Evenia Olympic Park with complimentary access to adjacent WaterWorld Lloret, one of Europe’s largest waterparks.

If it is too hot for the ten- minute walk, you can catch a free shuttle and then cool off straight away in the splash lagoon.

Meanwhile, older kids will want to make a beeline for X-trem Mountain, a 260metre watercoaster with steep drops, dark tubes and sharp bends.

There is also an onsite waterpark at the hotel with multi-lane racer slides, and a pirate ship.

GO: Seven nights’ all-inclusive at the Evenia Olympic Park and Waterworld Lloret is from £876.53pp based on a family of four sharing and including flights from Manchester on August 22. See tui.co.uk.

CYPRUS ­– Leonardo Laura Beach & Splash Resort

One of the best holiday destinations for waterpark fans, but don’t just take my word for it. It is frequently ranked among the best in Tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Awards.

The kids’ activity pool, featuring a series of mini slides and water jets, will ensure under-12s don’t miss out, while adrenalin junkies are catered for by the Tornado King ride.

When you are not splashing around, there are five onsite restaurants as well as kids’ clubs, an escape room and cinema.

GO: Four nights’ all-inclusive at the 4* Leonardo Laura Beach & Splash Resort is from £965pp based on a family of four sharing and including flights on August 12 from East Midlands airport. To book, see thomascook.com.

A theme park less than two hours away from the UK is adding a brand-new land with two rides and five Japanese-inspired eateries.

Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen will open the area in a few weeks’ time with “thrilling adventures for the whole family.”

The theme park, which opened in the 1840s and even inspired the creation of Disneyland, currently has 30 rides and will be adding a few more.

Called Hikari, the upcoming Japan-themed area is the biggest development in the park’s history and said to cost a ‘three-digit million amount’.

It has been under construction for two years and has actually been made up of elements from Japan.

It has reclaimed doors, windows, artwork and around 60 tonnes of traditional Japanese roof tiles.

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It will span across more than 2,000 square metres – the park itself is 80,000 square metres in total.

There are two new attractions, the first is Hotel Hikari where ‘nothing is quite as it seems’.

It’s essentially an immersive family funhouse with illusions, a vortex tunnel, tilted rooms and infinity mirrors.

Another new attraction is called Typhoons Eye which gives riders the feeling of weightlessness. According to Tivoli, it’s the only attraction of its kind in Scandinavia.

The zero gravity attraction is a rotating drum ride that suspends riders against the wall as the floor drops away.

The final ride in Hikari is actually one that will be familiar to previous visitors.

Called The Demon, the rollercoaster has stood in Tivoli for years but has undergone a transformation to blend into its new home.

There aren’t just rides either, there are five new eateries in Hikari.

Yaki-Tak! will serve up Japanese street food from yakitori skewers to yakisoba noodles.

Katsu Kitchen is where visitors can pick up chicken sandwiches to popcorn-style karaage to crispy prawns.

Comé Rice Kitchen will have onigiri, otherwise known as Japanese rice balls, served with the likes of spicy tuna, Teriyaki chicken and shiitake mushroom.

For sweet treats there’s Oishii Bubbles for creative drinks from fruit teas to slushies, or Kawaii Bites will have fish-shaped waffles and mochi ice cream.

Two new shops will open too; one selling Japanese-style ceramics and gifts, another will have a mix of snacks, drinks as it’s inspired by konbini, Japanese convenience shops.

The project has taken two years to build and will open later this month – no official date has been announced yet.

For anyone who wants to visit, Copenhagen is easy to get to as it’s under two hours away from the UK.

A family trip to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida can be notoriously expensive, but a travel expert who’s visited almost 50 times in the last six years has a money-saving hack

An avid Disney World Resort fan has been to the popular park a whopping 48 times, and during that time, he’s uncovered nifty travel hacks that can help families save hundreds.

Those who have been to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida will know how expensive a holiday can be, and those who haven’t will have heard about its hefty price tag. From flights, hotels, theme park passes, restaurants, and all the additional extras, it can quickly add up, with trips to ‘The Most Magical Place on Earth’ costing anything from £1,500 to £4,000 per person.

For a family of four, that could amount to anything from £4,000 to more than £10,000 for a 10-night trip. It certainly doesn’t come cheap, but for many, it’s a bucketlist holiday that’s well worth forking out for, and there are ample ways to help keep the costs down.

One of the best-known ways to save some serious cash is to book the cheapest available flights and opt for budget-friendly hotels outside the resort but close enough to travel back and forth each day. Yet, there’s another nifty money-saving tip that Disney expert Mark Patterson highly recommends to anyone planning a trip.

Matt, who has been to Florida’s Disney World Resort a whopping 48 times in the last six years for work and pleasure, told the Mirror: “All the restaurants at Disney are expensive, so the hotels I like have a kitchenette with a stove and a full-size fridge, so you can buy food and cook it.

“You can then take it into the park with you, and that can save a lot of money. Even if you just take two meals in for the family, that can save you easily $100 (£74.71) to $200 (£149.42) per day.”

Booking a hotel room or resort with a kitchenette to make meals for the day isn’t the only way to save some extra cash. The travel expert who lives in Southern California advised holidaymakers to book a hotel that offers free breakfast to help avoid hidden costs that can quickly add up to hundreds.

And there’s one area he recommends for that budget-friendly hotel with a free breakfast. “The Flamingo Crossings area is my favourite, it’s newer, and the hotels are all new, and they all have free breakfast. They offer good, reasonable prices there.”

However, he noted that, due to its location, visitors have to drive, get a lift, or take a shuttle bus to the park each day. Yet, with free breakfast included, it might be well worth travelling a little further to help cut costs.

Matt certainly knows what he’s talking about, having stayed at 36 different hotels during his trips to Disney World. He also aims for an average hotel price of around $100 (£74.71) to $200 (£149.42) per night to make it more affordable, while looking out for any hidden fees.

Another area he recommends is Disney Springs. He said: “The Disney Springs area has a range of hotels, right there within walking distance to the shopping area, and it’s where pretty much everybody goes to eat at night. It gets very busy and popular, so being able to walk to that is very handy.

“However, the bad thing about that, or something you have to trade off, is that only one of the hotels offers a free breakfast; all the others you have to pay for. So I might get a hotel for around $100 (£74.71) per night, but will then have to pay for breakfast, which is $28 (£20.92), along with paying for parking, which can be around $25 (£18.68) and a resort fee of around $40 (£29.88).

“So it can literally double the price of what I thought I was going to pay. Disney Springs area is great, but you’ve got those little hidden fees.”

Mark documents his many trips to Walt Disney World Resort on his website, DDadBudget, with various pieces of advice to fellow fans.

Do you have a travel story to share? Email webtravel@reachplc.com

THERE’S a leisure centre in the UK that has so many attractions, it feels more like a waterpark – and its just had a multi-million upgrade.

The Leisure Pool at Guildford Spectrum Leisure Complex has reopened after a major £10million refurb.

Over the past few months, upgrades and maintenance works have been carried out at the pool.

And there are a number of new features too including a splash pad for little ones, with different interactive features.

The Super Slide and The Surf – multi-lane slides – have both had a makeover as well.

The pool also operates a wave machine, with one visitor commenting that it “actually feels like you are in the sea”.

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Many visitors have also noted how the pool feels more like a waterpark, with “amazing” slides.

Another feature introduced this year is an inflatable obstacle course.

The course features balance sections as well as slides, and you can race people on it too.

Each session on the course lasts an hour and costs £9.45 per person.

Tickets to the Leisure Pool then cost £13.13 per adult and £10.50 per child.

Alternatively, you could get a family of four ticket for £40.

The project forms part of a wider £10million project to upgrade the entire leisure complex.

Other new features include interactive mini golf, which is already open, and replacing the soft play area, with a more modern soft play and cafe bar experience.

A RECORD-BREAKING ride is set to open at a theme park next year – but some people say it looks too scary to go on.

Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey, America, will open Bakunawa in 2027 and it is set to break six world records.

The ride will be the world’s fastest spinning coaster, reaching speeds of 100mph.

It will also have the world’s fastest inversion, reaching speeds of 80mph.

It will be the first ride in the world to have an upside down launch and also be the first floorless spinning coaster.

In addition it will have the world’s longest stall inversion and will become the world’s tallest spinning coaster at 116.43metres.

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There will be two passenger carriages, each able to carry 20 people.

The carriages will travel at high speed along the track with multiple inverted sections as well as twists and turns, before climbing a vertical section of the track and spiralling up.

Once the rollercoaster reaches the top of the spiral, it will move backwards through the entire track.

The ride will last two minutes and 17 seconds in total.

To go on the rollercoaster, riders must be at least 121.92cm tall.

Many rollercoaster fans have taken to social media regarding the new ride, dubbing it “insane”.

One said: “I’m a coaster fanatic but honestly this one might be a bit much.”

Another added: “This thing looks scary. Those floorless spinning trains hanging off the track that high up.”

A third commented: “Yeah this will probably be the scariest ride on earth.”

GRAB your hard hat and get ready for a brilliant family day out, with an exclusive 2-for-1 discount on tickets to Diggerland, the UK’s only construction themed park.

Families can save over £39 on tickets and enjoy a day packed with giant machines, exciting rides, and hands-on fun across four locations in Kent, Devon, Durham, and Yorkshire.

Join Sun Club for just £1.99 a month — don’t miss out.

At Diggerland, visitors can get behind the controls of real construction machinery and enjoy over 20 rides and drives, with more than 100 machines to explore.

Take in the views from 50 feet high on the Skyshuttle, climb into the driver’s seat of a JCB 3CX Backhoe Loader, enjoy the twists and turns of the Spindizzy ride or take the controls of a dumper truck.

Whether it is your first visit or you are coming back for more, Diggerland offers a day out where families can get involved, try something new and make memories along the way.

After all the excitement, families can take a well-earned break at the on-site café, enjoy the indoor and outdoor play areas or let the little ones explore the dedicated Little Tikes area. 

With four UK parks to choose and FREE entry for children under 90cm, Diggerland has everything families need for a memorable day out.

Get 2-for-1 tickets to Diggerland

To redeem your voucher, follow the steps below:

• Step 2: Head to Offers Hub and find the Diggerland page. You do not need to collect Sun Savers codes. Booking opens at 11am on Monday, August 3.

• Step 3: Download your voucher (Max 2 people per voucher) and have it ready on your phone or printed before your visit. 

• Step 4: Choose your Diggerland Park in Kent, Devon, Durham or Yorkshire.

• Step 5: Present your voucher at the gate when purchasing tickets, alongside a valid Sun Club account and claim your voucher by Monday, October 19 to claim this offer. 

T&Cs: Voucher is available on weekends throughout September and October, plus every day during the October half-term break, until October 31, 2026.

Or you can pick up the The Sun newspaper from Saturday, August 1 and collect Sun Savers codes.

• Find the Diggerland page in the Offers section and select Start Collecting.
• Collect THREE out of eight Sun Savers codes printed in The Sun from Saturday, August 1 to Saturday, August 8. Once you have your THREE Sun Savers codes, enter them on the Sun Savers app or website to unlock booking. Booking opens at 11am on Monday, August 3.
• Download your voucher (Max 2 people per voucher), then either show it on your phone or print it and bring it with you to you chosen Diggerland Park in Kent, Devon, Durham or Yorkshire.
• Present your voucher at the gate when purchasing tickets, alongside a valid Sun Savers account and use your voucher by Saturday, October 31.

18+ UK only. Sun Savers multiple code collect 01/08/26-08/08/26 or Sun Club subscription required. Online access required. Buy one full price standard admission ticket to get a second standard admission ticket free for the same day. Voucher must be redeemed at attractions alongside valid Sun Club/Sun Savers account. Cannot be used online or in conjunction with any other offer. Max 2 people per voucher. Tickets valid weekends in September-October and October 26-30 only. Subject to availability. Non-transferable & non-refundable. Full T&Cs apply, see sunsavers.co.uk  or club.thesun.co.uk/sun-club.

Join Sun Club for just £1.99 a month — don’t miss out.

IF YOU love theme parks and often feel like you don’t get enough time in the day to see and do everything, then you might want to listen up.

Alton Towers is extending its opening hours from Friday, August 14 to Monday, August 31.

The park will stay open until 7pm each night, which gives guests an extra hour in the park.

Mina Fattahi at Alton Towers Resort said: “More time to experience thrills is always a good thing, but the classic mistake that people make is to head straight for the big rollercoaster they see from the entrance.

“Instead, head to the rides at the back of the park first.

“You’ll beat the crowds, spend less time queueing and fit in more rides throughout the day.”

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This summer Alton Towers also has “one of its biggest summer line-ups yet” with a Minecraft experience from July 18 until August 28.

And currently day tickets to the park cost less due to the Government’s Great British Summer Savings scheme.

Tickets cost £34.13 per person, instead of £39 per person when bought online in advance.

Guests under 90cm still visit for free.

Sometimes visiting for a day is just not enough though, even with the additional hour.

If this applies to you, you can also book to stay at Alton Towers Resort for short breaks from £87 per person.

The offer is available for stays between July 20 and September 1 and includes a day’s access to the theme park and free kids entry to the waterpark.

You can choose between either the Alton Towers Hotel, Splash Landings Hotel, CBeebies Land Hotel, the Woodland Lodges at the Enchanted Village, Luxury Treehouses or the Stargazing Pods.

If staying at the Alton Towers Hotel, you can book into a themed room including ones with beds that look like a bathtub, a hot air balloon or even a princess carriage.

Alternatively, if you have toddlers the CBeebies Land Hotel is a great option, with live shows, games and meet and greets with CBeebies characters.

In a small mountain town you may stumble across hundreds of half-built., abandoned homes that resemble castles. While this development had big dreams, the plans never came into fruition

Imagine living in your very own miniature château, a three-storey villa that had gothic-inspired architecture with turrets and balustrades that made it resemble Cinderella’s castle at Disney World.

One housing developer had this dream, and it was set to build 732 of these unusual homes in a small town not far from Istanbul. But sadly, despite many homebuyers looking to buy into this unique community, it now lies abandoned 12 years after construction began.

While the houses looked straight out of a Disney film, they were actually inspired by Istanbul landmarks including the medieval Galata Tower and the Maiden’s Tower from Istanbul. The name of the development, Burj Al Babas, translates as ‘tower of Babas’ in Arabic, and came from the nearby Babas thermal springs. Each castle was set to have its own pipeline to the waters to create luxurious indoor swimming pools.

But the plans didn’t stop at rows and rows of castles. If completed, lucky residents would have had access to a huge domed complex with a shopping centre, mosque, cinema, and hammam, creating an entire community in the mountains. The relatively cool weather in the area was also seen as a selling point, allowing people from nearby Middle East countries to escape the worst of the summer heat.

The castles were listed in a glossy brochure, with prices ranging from $370,000 to $530,000, about £278,500 and £400,000, a modest sum to live in your own château. But despite half the castles being sold in advance, mostly to buyers from the Gulf states, not a single moving van made it to the complex.

As soon as construction began in 2014, with the aim of finishing in four years, it started to hit several snags. Firstly, contractors complained that the disposal of rubble had breached environmental laws, and a year later, workers protested that they hadn’t been paid. Contractors soon pulled out and started the long legal process of trying to reclaim their lost wages.

Add a failed military coup and bad luck with weather, and the construction soon fell behind schedule. Sales stalled too, due to the country’s instability at the time, and the lack of cash flow soon put the developer into bankruptcy.

Not a single castle was completed as of 2022, and there are 587 half-built castles on the plot, with the exposure to the elements likely causing water damage in many of them as time goes on.

As recently as 2024, there was renewed interest in the development with the Emir of Kuwait visiting President Erdoğan, and it was reported that Burj Al Babas was discussed. The Guardian were also given a tour of the site in the same year by Adem Tekgöz, a representative of developers the Sarot Group, who claimed: “It gets cold in the winter, so we stopped construction. We’re preparing to restart next summer”.

However, as of 2026 there appears to be no trace of the Sarot Group online and still no word as to whether the project will ever be restarted, leaving a ghost town rather than a fairytale village.

Have a story you want to share? Email us at webtravel@reachplc.com

TRYING to fill the long school holidays without spending an absolute fortune can seem impossible.

However, the recently launched Great British Summer Savings scheme is offering loads of deals and discounts until September 1 – meaning family days out will cost a lot less at a whole host of attractions across the UK.

The temporary scheme is slashing VAT from 20 per cent to five per cent on family activities, children’s meals in restaurants, children’s tickets for theatres and cinemas and tickets for everyone for soft play, adventure centres, and theme parks.

And along with free local bus travel for kids aged between five and 15 this August, you can easily find an affordable day out.

With nearly 2,000 spots across the UK taking part in the scheme, we’ve found some of the best, with the biggest savings.

Blackpool Pleasure Beach Resort

With wooden rollercoasters and dark water rides, there is something for everyone at Blackpool Pleasure Beach, with an All You Can Ride eTicket costing £29 per person, instead of £60 on the gate.

You can also get an ‘Ultimate Ticket’, which includes Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Sandcastle Waterpark, The Blackpool Tower Eye, Blackpool Tower Dungeon and Madame Tussauds for £56.88, down from £65.

Savings: Up to £124 for a family of four

Zip World (various locations)

Across the eight different Zip World locations, families can now save money including ziplines and underground trampolines.

The biggest savings offered are on Velocity, which is the world’s fastest zip line. Instead of £124, tickets now cost £99 per person.

Savings: Up to £100 for a family of four

The Crystal Maze Experience, London or Manchester

Fans of the Crystal Maze TV show should try out the Crystal Maze Experience where you compete in a number of different challenges across an hour.

Tickets now cost £26.50 per person, instead of £39.50 – although you must get a minimum of three tickets per order, with one being a child (over nine).

Savings: Up to £52 for a family of four

Woodlands Adventure Park, Devon

Spread across 100 acres, Woodlands Family Theme Park is home to water coasters, rides, animals and a giant indoor soft play area.

If you book online in advance, tickets will cost just £20 instead of £29.15 per adult, and £15 instead of £21.45 per child.

Savings: Up to £31.20 per family of four

Spinnaker Tower, Portsmouth

You can capture panoramic views from the Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth, right to the Isle of Wight.

An all-day adult ticket now costs £12 instead of £19.25, and an all-day child ticket costs £10 instead of £15.50 or a family of four ticket also now costs less – £40 instead of £68.50.

Savings: Up to £28.50 for a family of four

Go Ape (various locations)

Want to make the most of the sunshine? Go Ape has 37 sites across the UK, with up to 15 per cent off.

Tickets cost from £36.95 – prices may vary depending on location, and you need to use the code ‘VATSUMMER’.

Savings: Up to £26.96 for a family of four

Chaos Karts, Manchester

If you want to live out your Mario Kart dreams, then head to Chaos Karts in Manchester.

You can compete in immersive themed races with tickets now costing £21 per person, instead of £27 (though you must get a minimum of three tickets per order, with one being a child).

Savings: Up to £24 for a family of four

Drayton Manor, Staffordshire

Spread across 180 acres, Drayton Manor features four themed lands, including Thomas Land, Vikings, Adventure Cove and Frontier Falls and across these lands visitors can head on rides ideal for smaller children.

Day tickets cost from £39 instead of £45 per person.

Savings: Up to £24 for a family of four

Game of Thrones Studios Tour, Northern Ireland

Game of Thrones fans should head to the studio tour in Linen Mill Studios in Banbridge, Northern Ireland.

Tickets cost £23.50 per adult instead of £29.50, if you use the code ‘SUMMER’. Kids tickets then cost £4.80 each and youth (13 to 15-year-olds) cost £11.20 each.

Savings: Up to £24 for a family of four

Harry Potter Studio Tour, Watford

For Potterheads who haven’t been to the Warner Bros studio tour yet, now is the perfect time with five per cent off tickets.

Instead of £58.50 per adult, you now pay £51.19 and instead of £47 per child, it is now £41.13. The family offer, which used to be £188 per family of four, is now £164.52.

Savings: Up to £23.48 per family of four

Blenheim Palace

There are three different ticket types for Blenheim Palace but if you want the ultimate experience, opt for the palace, park, gardens and adventure play for £44.63 per adult (was £51) and £35.88 per child (was £41).

Alternatively, you could get a family ticket for £144.38, instead of £165.

Savings: Up to £20.62 for a family of four

Waterworld, Stoke-on-Trent

Waterworld is the UK’s number one indoor tropical aqua park with more than 30 rides and attractions, including a huge wave pool and the thrilling Thunderbolt trap-door slide.

Tickets now cost £20 per person over 1.1 metres tall, instead of £26 per person. Kids under 1.1 metres tall, cost £18 now instead of £22.

Savings: Up to £20 for a family of four

RockReef, Bournemouth

Found at the end of Bournemouth Pier, you can head to RockReef with 28 Clip ‘n Climb walls suitable for all ages and PierZip – which is the world’s first pier-to-shore zip wire.

A Clip ‘n Climb session now costs £15 per person, instead of £20.

Savings: Up to £20 for a family of four

Coronation Street Experience, Manchester

Corrie fans should use this summer to head to the world of Coronation Street in Manchester, where you can step onto the famous cobbles.

Guided tour tickets cost £35 instead of £40 per person.

Savings: Up to £20 for a family of four

Alton Towers, Stoke-on-Trent

You can enjoy Alton Towers‘ 40 rides and attractions for less now, as online tickets now cost £34.13 for a day pass instead of £39 (guests under 90cm still visit for free) when bought online in advance (you’d save £135.48 for a family of four compared to the original on the gate tickets).

You can save even more by getting the ‘twice the fun’ ticket that allows you into two theme parks for £34.13 until the last weekend of July, including Alton Towers, Legoland, Chessington World of Adventures and Thorpe Park.

Saving: Up to £19.48 for a family of four

Chessington World of Adventures, Surrey

Just 12 miles from the capital, Chessington World of Adventures is home to more than 40 rides and 1,000 animals.

A day ticket online costs from £34.13, instead of £39 per person (you’d save £127.48 for a family of four compared to the original on the gate tickets).

Savings: Up to £19.48 for a family of four

Legoland, Windsor

Great for little kids and Lego fans alike, online tickets to Legoland now cost from £34.13 for a day pass instead of £39 and guests under 90cm still visit for free (you’d save £135.48 for a family of four compared to the original on the gate tickets).

The park has 11 themed lands, with more than 55 rides as well as live shows.

Saving: Up to £19.48 for a family of four

Thorpe Park, Chertsey

With over 25 rides and attractions including rollercoaster The Smiler, there’s loads to see and do at Thorpe Park, with online tickets instead costing £34.13 for a day pass instead of £39 (you’d save £127.48 for a family of four compared to the original on the gate tickets).

With the day pass, kids under 1.2 metres tall go for free still and all day tickets include a free return visit.

Saving: Up to £19.48 for a family of four

English Heritage properties (various locations)

All English Heritage properties across the country are taking part in the scheme.

This means you can get 12.5 per cent off the ticket price, which is automatically applied at check out.

Savings vary depending on the attraction you are heading to, but for example, if you went to Stonehenge, an adult ticket would cost from £23.65 and a child ticket would cost from £11.82.

This is instead of £27.20 per adult and £17.20 per child.

Saving: Up to £17.86 for a family of four

Paultons Park

Often dubbed the UK’s most affordable theme park, Paultons Park is now even cheaper to visit – and thanks to a new £12million themed world – Valgard: Realm of the Vikings – there could not be a more perfect time to visit.

Tickets were previously £46.75, and now cost from £43.

Savings: Up to £15 for a family of four

Warwick Castle, Warwickshire

History buffs can head to Warwick Castle, which is home to over 1,100 years of history and inside the castle, you will find immersive experiences as well as a bird show.

Online tickets cost £25.38 instead of £29 per person (you’d save £54.44 for a family of four compared to the original on the gate tickets).

Savings: Up to £14.48 for a family of four

Gulliver’s World (all four locations)

Gulliver’s World has four locations across the UK including Milton Keynes, Matlock Bath, Warrington and Rotherham.

Ticket prices vary per park, but you could get half-day tickets for as little as £13.75 per person. Day tickets cost from £22.50 per person, instead of £26 per person.

Savings: Up to £14 for a family of four

London Eye, London

One of London’s landmarks sat on the banks of the River Thames is suitable for all ages and offers great views of the city.

Tickets now cost £25.38 per adult instead of £29, and £22.75 per child, instead of £26.

Savings: Up to £13.74 for a family of four

Splashdown Quaywest, Paignton

Fancy cooling off in all this heat? Then you could head to the largest outdoor waterpark in the UK, with 18 slides.

A day ticket used to cost £31 per adult or £26 per child under the age of nine-years-old but now, day tickets cost £27.15 per adult and £22.75 per child.

Savings: Up to £13.50 for a family of four

Sandcastle Waterpark, Blackpool

Sandcastle Waterpark in Blackpool is the biggest indoor waterpark in the UK, with 18 slides and attractions as well as a spa.

Tickets cost from £22.31 instead of £25.50 per adult or child aged eight to 11 and £13.96 instead of £16.50 per child aged three to seven.

You can also get an ‘Ultimate Ticket’, which includes a range of attractions in the seaside resort.

This includes Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Sandcastle Waterpark, The Blackpool Tower Eye, Blackpool Tower Dungeon and Madame Tussauds for £56.88, down from £65.

Savings: Up to £12.76 for a family of four

Madame Tussauds, London

You can spend the day up close to 150 lifelike wax figures of celebs, royals and historical figures at Madame Tussauds in London.

Instead of £27, you’d now pay £23.63 per adult and instead of £24, you’d pay £21 per child.

Savings: Up to £12.74 for a family of four

Camera Obscura and World of Illusions, Edinburgh

Located across five floors, you can visit Edinburgh‘s oldest visitor attraction with more than 100 interactive exhibits and the attraction even has panoramic rooftop views.

Adult tickets used to cost £24.95 and are now £21.85 per person, while children’s tickets used to cost £17.95 and are now £15.70 per person.

Savings: Up to £12.70 for a family of four

Kew Gardens, London

Sprawled across 326 acres, Kew Gardens features a myriad of different gardens to explore, including indoor gardens and there’s also a giant kids play area.

Tickets cost £21.85 per adult instead of £25, £1.75 per child under 16-years-old and £8.75 for those aged between 16 and 29-years-old.

Savings: Up to £12.60 for a family of four

Rugby Football Union, Twickenham

You could head to the World Rugby Museum in Twickenham, which is home to the world’s most prestigious collection of rugby memorabilia.

Family tickets have been reduced from £80 to £67.50 in the case of two adults and two children.

Savings: Up to £12.50 per family of four

Butlin’s (various locations)

Butlin’s has three resorts in the UK, all of which are taking part in the scheme.

Visitors can get reduced day visits during the school summer holidays, with access to the Splash Waterworld pools, unlimited fairground rides, all live shows on the Skyline Pavillion stage, playgrounds, soft play and paid-for activities.

Day visit tickets now cost £13.60 per child instead of £16 and £20.40 per adult, instead of £24.

Under two’s still go free.

Savings: Up to £12 for a family of four

Eden Project, Cornwall

Down in Cornwall, you could head to the Eden Project where you can explore the world’s largest indoor Rainforest.

Adult tickets cost from £31.06 instead of £35.50 and children’s tickets cost from £10.94, instead of £12.50.

Savings: Up to £12 for a family of four

Frameless, London

For something different, you could head to Frameless, which is the UK’s largest permanent immersive art destination with masterpieces including by Van Gogh and Monet.

Flexible adult tickets cost £31.06 instead of £35.50, and flexible child tickets cost £22.75 instead of £26 each. You can also get a family of four ticket for £19.69 per person, instead of £22.50.

Savings: Up to £11.24 for a family of four

Wake the Tiger, Bristol

You could head to an immersive ‘amazement park’ in Bristol, which meshes theatre with art and an immersive experience to make you feel as if you are in a different world.

Adult tickets cost £21.88 instead of £25 each and children’s tickets cost £17.50 instead of £20.

Savings: Up to £11.24 for a family of four

IWM Duxford

In Cambridge, you could head to IWM Duxford which is Britain’s largest aviation museum.

Adult tickets now cost £25 each instead of £28.60 and children’s tickets cost £10 instead of £11.40 each.

Savings: Up to £10 for a family of four

Flamingo Land, North Yorkshire

With over 40 rides, 140 species of animals and even a holiday park, you won’t be short of things to do at Flamingo Land Resort in North Yorkshire.

Tickets now cost £43.50 instead of £46 per person.

Savings: Up to £10 per family of four

Shrek’s Adventure, London

At Shrek’s Adventure in London, you can walk through an immersive experience with a 4D flying bus ride, mirror maze and 10 live shows.

Instead of £21 per adult, tickets cost £18.38 and for kids, tickets cost £14 instead of £16.

Savings: Up to £9.24 for a family of four

Cadbury World, Birmingham

If you are based in the north then you could head to Cadbury World for the day to find out about the history of the iconic chocolate brand – the self-guided tour features exhibits as well as a 4D cinema experience.

Tickets cost from £15.75 per person, instead of £18.

Savings: Up to £9 for a family of four

The Historic Dockyard Chatham

For Naval history fans, you could head to the Historic Dockyard Chatham and explore the ships, galleries and exhibitions – including Steve Backshall’s Awesome Oceans Family Trail.

Tickets for a family of four cost £70 instead of £79.

Savings: Up to £9 for a family of four

Techniquest, Cardiff

Techniquest is Wales‘ largest science discovery centre, spread across three floors with live shows and lab workshops.

Tickets used to cost £17 per adult and £15 per child, but are now £14.87 and £13.12 respectively.

Savings: Up to £8.02 for a family of four

The Big Sheep, North Devon

The Big Sheep family theme park in Bideford is home to both farm animals and rides, as well as live entertainment for when the weather isn’t great.

Tickets cost £14.95 per person instead of £16.95 and £6 instead of £8 per child under three-foot tall.

Savings: Up to £8 for a family of four

After a day spent walking around Alton Towers, I was happy to be spending the night in their iconic hotel on the resort – here’s my honest review of a stay for our family of four

A day at a theme park is knackering, especially with two kids in tow who can seemingly have the best day of their lives while also complaining every single second. Nothing is worse than getting to the end of a day out and facing the drive home exhausted.

So, if you’ve got a day at a theme park planned, you may be considering staying in one of the park’s onsite hotels. Arguably, Alton Towers has one of the best selections of accommodation out of any UK theme park. It has hotels, woodland lodges, treehouses, and stargazing pods, so there’s all sorts of places to stay, and you’re right on the park’s doorstep so you’ve got somewhere to rest after a long day.

Recently, I stayed with my two kids at the Alton Towers Hotel, a three-star property that’s one of the park’s three hotels. Themed around a fictional Victorian explorer, Sir Algenon, the hotel has a sort of steampunk, historic look, although my kids thought it was pirate-y more than anything, but either way, the detail that has gone into it is impressive.

Stepping into the hotel, there’s a huge atrium with a large ship-shaped stage, and checking in late afternoon there was already entertainment and live music in full-swing. We went back later and the entertainers were playing some fun games with the kids, and it had a really joyful, slightly chaotic atmosphere around the bar.

We stayed in a Moon Voyage room, which had a similar theme to the hotel with lamps that looked like Victorian gaslights, lots of gears and levers, and explorer-themed murals. The room was clean and the beds comfy, and I liked that the kids sleeping area with bunk beds was slightly sectioned off and had their own TV. It meant we could lie in bed and watch some grown up TV while they could watch a bit of CBBC before dinner.

For dinner, we headed to the Splash Landings Hotel to try Flambo’s Jambo, an all-you-can eat buffet that had a bit of everything from peri peri to tacos, roast dinners, and Chinese dishes. The atmosphere was fun, with a giant waterwheel and the sounds of some very lively entertainment going on in the background, and the food was OK, with the kids more excited about the ice cream machine than anything else.

While we slept well and the room was comfortable, I woke up early to find the bathroom door had locked itself from the outside. I had to run down to use the loo in the lobby and find hotel staff, still in my pyjama bottoms and my hair looking even more dishevelled than usual. It did get fixed within an hour, but obviously that kind of thing is a pain when you’re up early with kids.

Breakfast was included and is served buffet style at the Secret Garden Restaurant. It had quite a basic selection of hot food, plus some cereal, pastries, and pancakes, which the kids were happy with. Again, the food wasn’t amazing, but it kept us going on the way home.

If you’re visiting Alton Towers and have a long drive, a stay at the hotel or its other accommodation is worth considering. For us, driving there and back would mean five hours in the car as well as the long day exploring the park, so it was nice to crash overnight and split the journey up.

I’ll admit, the hotel is expensive, and some parts felt more worth the price than the others. Packages include one day at the theme park, 9-hole golf, and breakfast, and there are deals on such as free child entry to the waterpark if you book an adult ticket. The hotel does have an incredibly fun style and is well-maintained, and kids are enchanted by the style.

But other things felt like they needed a little work. The themed rooms feel a little basic, and while they have nice décor it felt a little like they were missing something. I would have liked to have some bottled water in the rooms for example, as there were no refill points in the hotel and at £3 a pop, it’s expensive to rehydrate after a day in the sun. But I think most visitors know to expect theme park prices when they stay somewhere like this, and really, it’s the location that’s the main draw when you’ve spent all day on your feet in the summer.

Rooms start from £106pp for an Explorer Room at the Alton Towers Hotel this summer. You can currently book and take advantage of their Kids Swim Free offer. Find out more and book at altontowers.com.

Have a story you want to share? Email us at webtravel@reachplc.com

A MUCH-LOVED family ride has been forced to close after it appears it derailed and the track split.

The Big Dipper at Blackpool Pleasure Beach is one of the oldest operating rollercoasters in the world.

Yesterday afternoon, the wooden rollercoaster was forced to close and is still closed today, following some of the carriages of the ride derailing, with a video shared on social media also showing the track split down the middle.

Several videos shared on social media show the ride at a halt on a low part of the track.

The track in front, which rises before a drop, appears to be broken in several places – though, reportedly, no one was hurt.

One rider, Reanna Harrison-Berry, 20, who was riding with her boyfriend, said they heard a “crunch” sound as they went uphill.

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Just moments later, the cart then rolled backwards, with some claiming that the carriages had ‘derailed’.

Reanna added: “As we went three-quarters of the way up the big hill, it just completely smashed backwards really quickly.

“The next thing we realised we were tilted to the left and the back carriage was completely to the right – it was quite scary.”

Another rider said: “We went pretty quick upwards, but then it juddered and rolled back really quickly.

“I was terrified, I’m not going to lie. I’ve never had that happen on a rollercoaster before. We didn’t really know what to do.”

Once the riders deboarded, they gave statements and were offered a free Burger King.

Reanna said: “I couldn’t eat because I was so shaken up, but my boyfriend got a free meal and a couple of other people ate.”

The Big Dipper features five drops and a number of twists and turns.

It was first built in 1923, making it over 100 years old but was later extended in 1934.

The track stretches over a kilometre long and travels up to 34.8mph.

The ride was closed on July 20, 21 and 22 for routine maintenance and then reopened yesterday before the incident in the afternoon.

A spokesperson from Pleasure Beach Resort said: “The Big Dipper came to a stop on Thursday, July 23, around 2pm, at a very low point in the ride.

“Following this, a manual deboarding took place with guests guided safely by trained operators.

“All riders were checked by first aid trained staff, with no injuries reported.

“An internal investigation is taking place to determine the root cause.”

When Sun Travel asked if the ride will be closed for the foreseeable future, Blackpool Pleasure Beach Resort declined to comment.

IF YOU are looking for your next holiday, then you can head to a brand new waterpark in Europe.

Coral Bay, La Leyenda Perdida has opened at PortAventura World’s waterpark in Spain.

The entire land is inspired by an ancient sunken pirate land, that has risen from the ocean floor.

Overall, the new land spans 5,000sqm and has several different attractions for visitors to explore.

There’s Cyclone, for example, which is the world’s second water coaster and the first in Europe.

And then there’s The Crab – a multi-slide tower, with five different slides suitable for all ages.

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The little ones aren’t left out either, with Splash Port – an interactive water play zone.

However, the ultimate star of the show is Pirate Bay, which is the world’s first multi-adventure pool.

In the pool you can expect different obstacles to tackle, as well as a swimming area.

The land also has a new dining area called El Bucanero, along with rest zones.

Day tickets to the Caribe Aquatic Park cost from €35 (£29.93) per adult and €31 (£26.51) per child.

If you stay at one of PortAventura World’s hotels, you will get discounted entry to the waterpark.

For example you could stay at Hotel Roulette as a family of four for two nights in September, for £272.24, which works out at £34.03 per person per night.

While you’re there, you should head to the main theme park too.

One mum who recently visited said: “In under an hour we had been left rattled racing each other on wooden coaster Stampida, cooled off in the Grand Canyon Rapids and been blown away by multi-dimensional dark ride Uncharted and eight-loop coaster Dragon Khan.

“Luckily the park is not just bold, it’s also beautiful, with lush landscaping across the six themed lands of Mexico, Polynesia, China, Far West, Mediterranea and SesamoAventura, where we could recover from the adrenaline rush and soaring temperatures.”

It also has Ferrari Land, which has the tallest and fastest rollercoaster in Europe.

A CLOSED theme park set to become a new housing development will reopen for one last hurrah.

Camelot Theme Park in Chorley was once a beloved theme park for families but closed back in September 2012.

Now, a huge event has been announced for the abandoned park before it disappears for good.

Scare City – who are responsible for some of the best scare events in the UK – are planning to open its “largest, darkest and most psychologically brutal evolution to date” at the park.

As part of the experience, visitors will be able to see areas never seen by the public before, including a never-used entrance.

The event will be spread across nine different zones, of which many of the themes are yet to be announced.

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One zone confirmed is CarniValley, which will feature outcasts and a carnival-like atmosphere, albeit more creepy.

However, Scare City has confirmed that it will be the “most intense event yet”.

Adding on its website that: “What was once a kingdom of rides and laughter has become a sprawling nightmare of darkness, fear, and chaos.”

There will be towering outdoor sets, different pathways to the scare zones, live actors – and they will all be in the decaying former attractions of Camelot.

Scare City has been running at Camelot for the past five years, but this will be the last year before the abandoned theme park is turned into a large housing estate.

The event will run from September 26 to November 7.

A NEW attraction is opening in the capital in less than two months and it will feel like you are stepping into a very famous video game.

Arcade Arena London will open in September with immersive gaming experiences including Mario Kart-style racing.

Known as Chaos Karts, visitors will be able to race through futuristic landscapes where they will have to steer around obstacles as well as collect weapons.

It’s more than just racing around a track in a go-kart – the walls and floors will feature an immersive world and teams compete to get the highest score.

In addition to Chaos Karts, there will be two other immersive experiences.

Alien Invasion will be exclusive to the London venue (with the other venue in Manchester).

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In this game, you will join the Cosmic Cadets and head on a mission to save Earth while keeping an eye out for alien druids.

And there will also be Pac Man Live Experience, where visitors play as Pac Man themselves in a giant glowing maze.

As you venture around the maze, you’ll have to collect power pellets and try and escape the ghosts.

Between the different games, players will also be able to grab a bite to eat and a drink in the bar area.

Tickets for each experience cost from £30 per person, or you can do all three experiences from £65 per person.

If you don’t want to wait until September, you could head to their venue in Manchester where Pac Man Live Experience and Chaos Karts cost £27 each, per person – thanks to the Great British Summer Savings scheme.

Or you can get family tickets, where you must purchase at least one adult and one child – costing £21.50 and £18 respectively.

WITH all this hot weather we have been having, can you name a better place to be than a waterpark?

And how about the biggest indoor waterpark in the UK?

On a recent hot weekend I found myself in Blackpool and beelined for Sandcastle Waterpark, which claims the title as the biggest indoor waterpark in the UK.

Kept to a toasty 29C, the waterpark has more than 18 water slides and attractions.

Upon entering the park, my eyes immediately looked up to the Master Blaster which claims the title as the world’s longest indoor roller coaster waterslide, stretching 250 metres.

I’ll be honest, hearing the terrified-yet-joyful screams did put me off and while I failed to muster the courage for this slide, the waterpark has loads of others to enjoy.

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I opted to head on Sidewinder instead, the world’s first indoor vertical drop slide.

My heart lurched as I hovered over the edge of the half-pipe in my rubber ring.

Before I had a chance to back out, I was tipped over the edge, dropping metres down before shooting right up the opposite side of the pipe.

Unlike me, just remember to smile for the camera.

Next up was Aztec Falls, which quickly became my favourite.

In a rubber ring, you drop into a pitch-black bowl and swirl around in the dark.

The roar of the rushing water made me feel as if I had been sucked into a waterfall.

Other slides include Montazooma, where you head down a large drop and whizz through bends at high speed.

And ideal for competitive family members, you can head on the Duelling Dragon slides and race side by side in the near dark.

At this point I had exhausted my bravery for the day, and decided to head to one of the busiest areas of the entire waterpark – the Typhoon Lagoon Wavepool.

I spent 20 minutes bobbing up and down, lulling my heart rate back to a somewhat normal level.

Every so often, the waves are turned on, which makes you feel as if you are surfing the waves in the actual ocean.

Another section I found relaxing was the Ushi Gushi Action River, where I floated in the gentle current, leaving me feeling as if I was bobbing down a river in Thailand.

Little ones just getting used to the water aren’t left out either with the Caribbean Storm Treehouse packed with water cannons and splash zones.

For an extra £7.50 per person, you can get access to the Sea Breeze Spa.

While there isn’t much there, it is nice to have an adult-only retreat in the middle of the park.

I hopped between the salt inhalation room, steam room and sauna for a good half hour at the end of my waterpark session.

It allowed me to chill out after all the thrills – though you’ll still hear all the screams and water blasts of the park.

If you want to spend more time without kids running around you, then you can book the Tiki Cabana Experience, which gives you access to an exclusive area with your own TV, soft drinks and hot tub.

Sessions tend to last three hours, which is plenty of time to experience all the slides and attractions.

Each session costs £22.31 per person over the age of eight, and £14.44 per child aged between three and seven.

Is it worth it? I think so, as there is more than enough to do and kids will be hard pressed to want to leave.

THERE’S no better way to keep the kids cool in the heatwave than splashing in the pool – and there is a huge new £12million waterpark you can now go to in the UK.

The new water attraction, Lost Lagoon, has opened at Haven Kent Coast holiday park just in time for the summer holidays, and I was one of the first to visit.

Taking a turn on outdoor flume Atlantis Falls, it should come with a health warning – its so addictively fun that you won’t want to leave it.

What I loved about the water ride is that it’s a cross between the outdoor rapids you find at other pools, which are usually set into the ground and can be a bit meandering over a gentle gradient, and a flume with a steeper slope.

I was certainly taken by surprise, especially when I was unexpectedly bumped up into the air at speed right at the end…

As well as Atlantis Falls, the pool upgrade has an indoor splash pad with slides, sprays and tipping buckets.

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My boys absolutely loved racing each other down the side-by-side slides at one end of the aqua- play frame called Coral Play, while the twisty tunnel water chutes at the other end of the splash pad also got the thumbs up.

Even my teen found it fun, so it’s clearly been designed for different ages to splash about together.

For younger guests it has a shallow baby pool as you enter the waterpark, which is perfect for little ones heading for their first swim.

There’s also Tiddlers Tide Pool, with its own little slide, water table and play area aimed at toddlers.

And the new indoor swimming Aqua Haven has been created by extending the building over the old outdoor pool.

The sprays coming from the play frame were perfect for cooling down menopausal mums during the heatwave as well…

For my family of five, heading to the pool is a non-negotiable on any holiday, so there’s a couple of things you need to know before visiting.

The pool isn’t currently opening on changeover days during term time, which is usually on Mondays and Fridays (although it will be open every day in peak periods).

You can book up to 14 hour-long swim sessions per break on the MyHaven app, four weeks before your holiday starts.

You’ll want to do this in plenty of time, as most of the hour-long slots were full to capacity well before we arrived.

And you need to be 1.2 metres tall and a strong swimmer to go on the outdoor rapids, even if you have an adult in tow.

But it’s all worth it if you want to keep the whole family entertained.

Don’t worry if you don’t end up booking into the waterpark however, as there is loads to do at the holiday park outside of this.

It’s host to a huge adventure village, with everything from climbing walls and bungee trampolines to high ropes and kart hire.

There’s the onsite Wetherspoons, massive indoor arcade linking the pool, the two drinking holes, and the activity hub.

One thing that families will love this summer is that Haven is giving each child a £7.50 activity credit as part of the Great British Summer of Savings, the government’s VAT cut on kids’ activities.

We used ours towards booking some extra fun at the pool, including a go on the aqua jets for one child and a turn on the aqua inflatable for another.

You need to spend all of your activity credit in one go as you will lose the balance otherwise.

But book your stay far enough in advance, and you can snap up a four-night break for four people from just £49, which is equal to just £3.07 per person, per night.

What more could you want?

POKÉMON fans better listen up as there is about to be a shedload of attractions across the UK for you.

This summer, National Trust‘s Summer of Play will feature at 142 locations across the UK, with 27 featuring Pokemon Play Zones.

In each Pokémon Play Zone, visitors can take part in Pokémon challenges, as well as Pokémon Trading Card Game Mega Evolution (where a Pokémon can become more powerful) trails at 15 locations.

If you have Pokémon Go, there are also specific National Trust Pokéstops and Gyms to find.

At a select number of locations, families will be able to book Pikachu meet and greets too.

At all of the National Trust’s 142 Summer of Play locations, families will be able to pick up a Pokémon x National Trust sticker book too.

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The experiences are all included with your admission and there is no need to pre-book.

At Clumber Park in Nottinghamshire, for example, visitors can enter the Pokémon Play Zone, where they will find a straw bale maze arena to practise their training moves before taking on five themed challenges.

Clumber Park will also have football, cricket, sensory play and creative sessions.

Or at Dunham Massey in Cheshire, there are giant deckchairs to chill out on as well as lawn games and circus skills workshops.

You can try out different Mega Evolution Pokémon activities including striking your best Pokémon pose and attempting ‘the floor is lava’.

Other activities that are part of the Summer of Play include bug hunting, den building and team races.

Carl Greenman, the National Trust’s Programming and Production Manager, said: “There’s such a natural fit between Pokémon and Summer of Play — both are about encouraging families to have fun together and explore the world around them.

“By bringing a globally loved brand, celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, into the places we care for, we’re helping more families discover them as spaces for play, adventure and shared experiences.”

AS A kid, we all dream of going to Disney World, but what if I told you, you could actually live there?

Well, you can in Disney-themed houses littered with subtle details from hidden Mickeys to Beauty and the Beast character door knobs.

Mum and content creator, Cristie Anne, and her family bought a house in Golden Oak at Disney World Florida back in 2020 – the exclusive community that is directly on Disney property.

In fact, it is so exclusive that only residents are allowed into the community where there are 300 homes, as well as a clubhouse, a pool, a coffee bar and a fitness suite.

Cristie Anne of The Traveling Red, said: “Living at Disney World is a little surreal, even after all these years.

“[We’re] surrounded by Disney magic, yet it’s super quiet and peaceful. The homes are beautiful and there’s a great sense of community.

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“We always have neighbourhood events and we have met some of the nicest people there.”

Cristie Anne added: “At the time, Charlie [her daughter] was just two-years-old, so the idea of having a place where our family could spend time together while being so close to Disney felt absolutely perfect.”

And with Mickey Mouse himself as your neighbour, there are obviously some big perks including being just minutes away from both the Epcot and Magic Kingdom parks.

Instead of battling for a car parking space, residents simply make a call to be picked up and then they’ll be dropped directly at the park.

Cristie Anne said: “A Golden Oak van will take us directly to the parks and drop us right at the front entrance. They’ll actually take us anywhere on Disney property.

“Being able to decide at breakfast that you want to spend the afternoon in a Disney park and be there just minutes later is something I never take for granted.”

In addition to a concierge team and a full calendar of events, the community also gets front row seats to the theme park’s daily fireworks, without even leaving their homes.

“Our third-floor reading room has the most perfect view of the Magic Kingdom fireworks.

“We can hear them a little from inside, but from up there the view is incredible,” she said.

Every house in the community is unique, with Cristie Anne’s home being inspired by Belle’s cottage from Beauty and the Beast on the outside.

On the inside, you can expect a Winnie the Pooh room as well as a bedroom with Bambi-inspired bunk beds, complete with a Mickey seared into the wood.

There’s even a ‘Haunted Mansion’ in one of their walk-in cupboards.

She added: “Some of the themed rooms inside our neighbours’ homes are absolutely incredible and would completely blow you away.”

When asked about the mistakes tourists make when visiting Disney World, Cristie Anne simply replied: “Trying to do too much.”

She added: “People spend months planning and then arrive with a schedule so packed that they’re stressed before they even walk through the gates.”

Instead of checking rides off a list, Cristie Anne recommends slowing down, watching the parade, exploring a resort and hunting for a great meal.

Or she simply lets her daughter lead the day, instead.

“You’ll enjoy Disney much more if you leave room for spontaneity, and if you’re well rested,” she added.

And of all the spots to enjoy, Cristie Anne of course has some hidden gems up her sleeve, confessing that many people don’t leave the parks but should.

She revealed: “Disney’s resorts are attractions in their own right. The lobbies, restaurants, seasonal decorations, and activities create an entirely different side of Disney that most tourists never experience.

“If I had to pick one specific experience, I’d recommend visiting Animal Kingdom in the evening.

“Many guests leave early, but Pandora at night is one of the most beautiful places anywhere on Disney property and feels completely different after dark.

“It’s more romantic and there’s great restaurants. If we just want something quick and simple, we love Nomad Lounge. If we want a full meal, Tiffin’s is fantastic. Animal Kingdom in the evening could be a great date night without all the chaos.”

By the end of this summer, Charlie will have visited 21 countries (a number Cristie Anne admits would be even higher if it wasn’t for the Covid-19 pandemic).

And for those wanting to travel with their kids more, the mum recommends “just doing it”.

She said: “The first few trips may feel overwhelming, but every trip gets easier.

“At nine-years-old, Charlie’s incredibly comfortable navigating airports, long flights, different cultures, and unfamiliar places. She gets excited about trying new foods, meeting new people, and exploring new destinations.

“I truly believe that’s because she grew up doing it. Travel isn’t something intimidating or stressful to her… It’s something she loves.”

She added that travelling with a child allows you to slow down, stay in a place for longer and really experience it – rather than parenthood stopping you from travelling, it just changes the way you travel.

Cristie Anne revealed: “We leave room for pool days, playground stops, long dinners, and spontaneous adventures. Ironically, slowing down has allowed us to enjoy our travels so much more.

“The temporary challenges of traveling with a toddler are far outweighed by the memories you create and the confidence, adaptability, and curiosity that travel helps build in them.”

A MUCH-LOVED family attraction park has opened two new themed-hotels.

Gulliver’s World in Warrington, near Manchester, has a pirate-themed hotel and then a second hotel that is fairytale-themed.

The Enchanted Castle Hotel and the Pirate Ship Hotel will feature 32 rooms in total.

Inside the Pirate Ship Hotel, the rooms will sleep four people each and include an en suite.

On the other hand, the Enchanted Castle Hotel will have fairytale-themed rooms, suitable for up to five people each.

Gulliver’s World hopes to eventually open hotels at all four of its resorts.

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Craig Clews, resort director at Gulliver’s World, said: “We are so excited to be launching our new accommodation as we know our guests will be wowed by what is on offer at the Enchanted Castle and Pirate Ship Hotels.

“The popularity of our short break stays continues to increase year-by-year, so this investment in our park helps to meet that demand and also provide families with even more options for cost-effective, family breaks here in the UK.”

The Warrington resort is already home to a number of different accommodations including tipis, safari lodges, Swizzels sweets-themed rooms and Nerf- themed rooms too.

Then inside the park, visitors can enjoy over 25 rides and attractions, including rollercoasters and play areas.

And tickets cost as little as £15.25 per person when you book online.

One recent visitor said that it was a “great day out for a young family”.

Another added: “This place is amazing for the younger thrill seeker. Loads for the kids to do and without having to queue as well.”

NOTHING beats the pure joy of a family summer trip to a theme park or waterpark.

Except, of course, when you can stay there overnight for cheap and continue the thrills the next day.

Waking up on the doorstep of world-class rollercoasters and giant wave pools makes a family getaway all the more magical – plus it means you can skip the drive home after a long day of fun.

From beach cabana-themed hotel rooms to seeing giraffes out of your window on safari stays, these theme parks and family resorts have fantastic accommodation options.

Here’s our pick of the best family breaks to book at the UK’s top theme parks and waterparks, with budget-friendly deals starting from an incredible £2.44 per person per night.

Alton Towers Resort, Staffordshire

Alton Towers Resort in Staffordshire is a favourite among theme park fanatics, and it’s clear to see why.

The resort boasts world-class rollercoasters like Nemesis with its relentless G-force, and The Smiler, which holds the Guinness World Record for the rollercoaster with the most inversions.

But did you know that Alton Towers has its own waterpark and multiple hotels on-site, too?

While the resort’s woodland lodges, stargazing pods and luxury treehouses offer a fairytale-style escape, a stay at their Splash Landings hotel puts you on the doorstep of the on-site waterpark.

The Caribbean-inspired Splash Landings has playfully-styled family rooms, ranging from tropical beach hut themes to a unique ice cave room, and places you mere steps from the waterpark.

The hotel’s waterpark stretches both indoors and outdoors, and has bucketloads to do for families.

Thrill-seekers will love the Master Blaster water coaster, while those with little ones can relax in the gentle ‘Bubbly Wubbly pool’.

Butlin’s

With three seaside resorts in Bognor Regis, Minehead and Skegness, Butlin’s is a classic choice for a UK family getaway.

Entry to each resort’s waterpark, Splash Waterworld, is included in the price of a Butlin’s break.

With a theme that ‘brings the best of the British seaside inside’, at the Bognor Regis pool you’ll find a Helter Skelter waterslide and the Stick of Rock slides.

Meanwhile at Minehead, you can whirl around a huge space bowl, shoot down the speedy Blue Comet flume, or simply drift along the relaxing lazy river.

Over in Skegness, the waterpark boasts nearly 3,000 square metres of pool and play areas, which includes outdoor river rapids and a 60ft tall Vortex fast flume.

Not to mention each site has its own fairground, where access is also included in the price of your break.

Here you’ll find classic rides like carousels and waltzers all the way up to the Super Swing at Skegness, which drops you at a 27 degree angle.

Chessington World of Adventures

Chessington World of Adventures Resort in Surrey is the ultimate choice for a high-energy family holiday.

The park is home to over 40 rides and attractions, including the hair-raising Vampire rollercoaster and the dizzying, spinning coaster Dragon’s Fury.

Exploring the World of Jumanji feels like stepping straight into a movie screen, where you can ride Mandrill Mayhem – the world’s only ‘launched wing coaster’ that rushes backwards and forwards past a giant jaguar.

The resort has two themed hotels located just a short walk from the theme park gates.

At the Safari Hotel, wake up and look out over the Wanyama Reserve, where you can watch giraffes, zebras, and ostriches roam past your window.

Over at the Azteca Hotel, families can sleep inside a mystical jungle temple, with beautifully-decorated rooms that would make any kid feel like a real explorer. Some rooms even have slides inside.

Big Blue Hotel – Blackpool Pleasure Beach Resort

Blackpool‘s seafront theme park Pleasure Beach boasts legendary coasters like the Big One, which drops brave riders from a staggering 213ft, and Aviktas, a new gyro-swing ride which opened earlier this summer.

Little ones aren’t left out either, thanks to the dedicated Nickelodeon Land, where they can ride the Rugrats Lost River and meet characters like SpongeBob SquarePants.

To turn your theme park day into a weekend stay, the four-star Big Blue Hotel sits right on the edge of the park and offers a stylish and family-friendly place to retreat to.

Many hotel rooms offer breathtaking, front-seat views of the rollercoasters swooping past.

Plus the hotel even has its own private entrance to Pleasure Beach, and offers free theme park tickets from Sundays to Fridays.

Here you’re also only 10 minutes’ walk from Sandcastle Waterpark, with 18 waterslides and a tropical climate.

Legoland Windsor Resort

Legoland is absolutely packed with immersive lands and kid-friendly rides – plus the on-site hotels and waterpark are just the cherry on top.

Soar through the air on Flight of the Sky Lion in Lego Mythica land, or race against a pal on the high-speed Minifigure Speedway coaster.

But the adventure doesn’t end when the theme park gates close, thanks to the resort’s spectacular themed hotels.

At the Legoland Resort Hotel, you can sleep inside fully immersive rooms styled around Lego Pirates, Ninjago, or Kingdom adventures.

At the luxurious Castle Hotel, choose between mystical wizard and brave knight suites.

There is also the tranquil Woodland Village, which offers a relaxed escape in cosy lodges (yes, these also fit the Lego theme) and circular camping barrels.

The resort also has several outdoor splash zones that are perfect for a sunny day.

Over in DUPLO Valley, kids can tackle Drench Towers – the largest water play structure in the UK packed with colourful slides and tipping buckets.

Splash Safari, on the other hand, has interactive water jets and large DUPLO animal figures that are perfect for little ones.

TLH Leisure Resort, Devon

While not strictly on-site, sunny Devon‘s TLH Leisure Resort has four mega hotels to pick from, and is just 10 minutes from the UK’s largest outdoor waterpark.

The TLH Derwent Hotel is the biggest, with the Starlight Lounge providing sparkling evening entertainment like cabaret and bingo nights.

The TLH Victoria Hotel is an elegant option with two large ballrooms, and it regularly hosts dance stays and evening soirées.

The TLH Carlton Hotel is home to the Aztec Spa, with multiple swimming pools, a gym, and pampering treatments like Elemis facials and deep-tissue massage.

While at the hotel you’ll have access to both indoor and outdoor pools, plus the spa with its sauna, hot tub and steam room, the waterpark here is just down the road in Paignton.

Splashdown Quaywest is the UK’s largest outdoor waterpark, and it sits next door to the golden sands of Goodrington beach.

The waterpark has adrenaline-pumping slides like the Devil’s Drop, where you plummet 65ft down into a black hole, and The Screamer, a high-speed slide that will take your breath away.

Plus kids will love clambering and climbing around Shipwreck Island – a new, giant themed play area in the water.