Theme Parks

Looking at a blank calendar for the six week summer holiday? With less than a month until the schools break up for the summer, here are some days out that will keep the kids entertained without costing a fortune

Most schools in England and Wales will break up for the six-week summer holidays in less than a month, leaving many parents scrambling to fill the days with things to do.

A theme park is a classic family day out, but it’s not exactly a cheap option, and some deals don’t cover peak summer holiday dates. But there are ways to cut the costs if you’re planning a day out at one of these attractions, and here are some of the parks with discounts you can use in July and August.

Flamingo Land Theme Park & Zoo – 58% off

Wowcher is currently running a deal for day tickets to Flamingo Land in Yorkshire, with 50% off single tickets and 58% off if you buy four. This means a family of four can enjoy access to the theme park, zoo, and a host of other attractions for £97. The offer includes full school holiday availability.

Flamingo Land includes a number of thrilling rollercoasters, Dino-Stone park, and the adorable Muddy Duck Farm where younger kids can visit Peter Rabbit and his friends. Flamingo Land also offers on-site accommodation for longer breaks, including lodges and cottages for those who want to spend multiple days in the park.

Gulliver’s – up to 99% off children’s tickets

Gulliver’s, which has four locations across the UK, is running a unique offer that could snag you up to 99% off children’s day tickets. The catch is that it’s tied to England’s World Cup performance. The discount will be based on the minute of England’s final goal in each group stage match.

So, as an example, if England’s final goal was at 75 minutes, the deal would mean these tickets were discounted by 75%. The deal will be live on June 24 from 10am after England vs Ghana, and June 28 from 10am after their match against Panama and available to snap up for only 24 hours.

However, if you don’t want to base your school holiday plans on the England team’s performance, there’s also a deal running on Wowcher for 50% off Gulliver’s tickets for all four of their locations in Milton Keynes, Rother Valley, Matlock Bath, and Warrington, with good availability across school holiday dates and prices from £11.50.

Alton Towers, Chessington, Thorpe Park – unlimited visits from £16.99 a month

If you live near an attraction owned by Merlin, such as Alton Towers, Chessington, Thorpe Park, or LEGOLAND, then a Merlin annual pass can work out excellent value for money. At the moment, the Merlin annual pass sale includes prices from £139 for the essential pass, while Gold and Platinum passes have £50 off, making them £189 and £249 respectively.

It’s worth noting that the essentials pass does exclude Saturdays in August, but you can still enjoy the parks on other days of the week. If you don’t want to pay in one go, you can also sign up for a monthly pass at Gold or Platinum level for either £16.99 or £20.99.

In addition to its theme parks, Merlin also operates attractions such as the London Eye, Cadbury World, and SEA LIFE centers, so you can ensure you make the most of your pass with a wide range of days out.

Drayton Manor – VAT-free tickets

Drayton Manor is one of the attractions offering VAT savings this summer as part of the government’s scheme to cut the prices of family days out.

If booked in advance, tickets start at £25.80 for peak dates such as the school holidays. Another option is the three-park ticket, although it is only valid until July 31. For £49.50, you get a day at Drayton Manor, one at West Midlands Safari Park, and one at Waterworld in Stoke-on-Trent, a huge indoor waterpark. This works out at just £16.50 per attraction, far below the usual gate price.

Blackpool Pleasure Beach – tickets and stay for £38.03 per person

A deal from Virgin Experiences means a family of four can enjoy a night in a Blackpool hotel, as well as tickets to its iconic Pleasure Beach for just a few pounds more than the usual admission cost.

A Blackpool Pleasure Beach Resort and Family Stay at the Big Blue Hotel costs £169, and if you use discount code DEAL10, this brings it down to £152.10, or £38.04 per person. Day tickets to the park alone usually start at £31.50, so this is a great deal if you want a night away at the seaside.

This deal is not available on bank holiday weekends or Saturdays in July and August, but can be redeemed for other school holiday dates.

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WE all know that Universal is building its very first European theme park right here in the UK.

While it’s setting up base in Bedford, it could have been somewhere else completely – and it happens to be the ‘coolest’ city in Britain.

Planning documents revealed that Universal had previously considered building its upcoming theme park on the outskirts of Milton Keynes.

But when certain “terms could not be agreed”, a site in Bedford was picked instead.

Milton Keynes is just a half an hour drive away from Bedford but is completely different being a city, and in Buckinghamshire.

Last year, Milton Keynes was named one of the top ten destinations for Brits to visit in 2025 behind the likes of Milan, Rome and Tokyo.

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The city was even declared one of the ‘coolest’ places to live last year by The Times.

There’s plenty of activities to do in Milton Keynes – most of which you’ll find at Xscape.

Inside there’s everything from indoor skydiving to bowling, arcades, climbing walls, trampolines, escape rooms – even indoor ski slopes.

For restaurants, there are high-end spots on 12th Street and plenty of bars too.

Milton Keynes has its own theatre too with plays and touring West End musicals on throughout the year.

Nearby is Willen Lake which is popular for watersports like paddleboarding, kayaking, aqua parcs and open water swimming.

There’s also Woburn Safari Park and Woburn Abbey which has a 3,000-acre deer park.

Bletchley Park which was once the top-secret home of Britain’s World War Two Codebreakers sits just outside of the city centre.

Visitors can spend the day at the attraction which celebrates the place where Alan Turing helped to crack Enigma and save millions of lives.

Tickets for adults start from £25.87, for children (between 12-17) entry starts from £13.50, for children aged 8-11 tickets cost £6.75.

The new Universal theme park will be constructed in Bedford and it has recently announced that it will be officially called ‘Universal United Kingdom Resort’.

The park was given the green light last year with work on the site starting in early 2026.

Once open, it will be the first Universal theme park in Europe, and it’s scheduled to open in 2031.

As for what kind of themed lands and rides would open at the UK Universal, very little is known.

But there are rumours suggesting that some could be based on James Bond, Paddington, Lord of the Rings, Minions, Jurassic World, and Back to the Future.

There’s also expected to be hotels on-site as well as a new train station.

THE sweet scent of popcorn and vanilla cupcakes wafts over me as I stroll along the shiny streets, filled with excited chatter.

It’s true what they say about Florida’s Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando.

The mega theme park is a real-life fairytale, where pink castles and bejewelled princesses really do exist.

I was visiting for the first time, with my sister Emma-Rose.

We are both in our twenties and without children. Would we be past the ideal age?

It quickly becomes apparent that the magic isn’t just for kids.

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And with the new Toy Story 5 film released yesterday, our timing couldn’t have been better.

Simply wandering through the parks was enough to blow us away.

The resort is staggeringly huge — the same size as San Francisco — and contains four theme parks and two water parks.

The whole operation requires 80,000 staff members to make sure everything runs perfectly — and run perfectly it does.

While I’m a bit of a thrill-seeker, my sister is more of a chill-seeker, but there’s plenty for both types of holidaymakers to enjoy here.

Unsurprisingly, my favourite attraction was the newly revamped Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster, often referred to by fans as the most intense ride at Disney World.

The attraction has been given a makeover for 2026, with its previous Aerosmith theme being ditched to make way for The Muppets.

Visitors are invited to hop inside a mini limo and hold on for dear life as they are propelled forward, from zero to 57mph in under three seconds, before being thrown around two loops and three inversions.

I stepped off beaming and was soon dancing along to the new Muppet-themed party in the gift shop.

Star Wars fan Emma, on the other hand, was in her element swooping past Stormtroopers on the Rise Of The Resistance attraction and unlocking the new Mandalorian and Grogu experience on Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run.

Both are must-dos for lovers of the franchise.

If you’re feeling that Toy Story nostalgia after the new movie, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin has also had an upgrade and been fitted with new hand-held blaster guns and targets.

Being able to track our accumulating scores very much fuelled the sibling rivalry.

It’s not all about the rides, though, especially not for a Disney newbie like me.

Thanks to social media, I knew that the dining was a huge part of the experience for most mega fans and I’d gathered my own list of snacks that I was desperate to try.

Mickey Mouse-shaped pretzels, Mickey ice cream cookie sandwiches and cheeseburger- flavoured spring rolls (they shouldn’t work, but they really do) were all top of the pile.

And that’s before you get to the main restaurants where characters wander up to your table mid-feast.

My favourite eatery was Tusker House, an African-inspired restaurant in Animal Kingdom, where Mickey, Donald, Daisy and Goofy visit your table and break out into dance around every 30 minutes.

Some say overstimulating, I say bring on the party.

We visited for breakfast and were treated to a huge buffet spread starring everything from shakshuka to Simba-shaped pancakes.

This place is famous for its take on French toast, which it does as South African bulkas buns slathered in icing and served like decadent bread and butter pudding.

You’ll have to resist gobbling down too much if you plan on tackling those rollercoasters straight after, though.

As for Toy Story fans, you won’t regret a visit to the Roundup Rodeo BBQ in Hollywood Studios, where bites of beef brisket and barbecue ribs come with a side of entertainment.

Diners are treated as fellow toys by the Toy Story gang and told to freeze when they hear “Andy’s coming!”.

The fun doesn’t even end in the parks and restaurants.

Disney hotels take the fun to a whole other level.

Guests can pick between Value, Moderate and Deluxe stays, but all on-site hotels bring big benefits such as early admission into the parks.

I stayed at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, which felt like a holiday in its own right.

I was greeted by large leafy palms and a smiling ukulele player on arrival.

And I was checked in with a friendly “Aloha” and a traditional lei (flower necklace).

Dads, this is surely your cue to break out that Hawaiian shirt and sunnies.

The hotel is home to three swimming pools, a waterslide, ten bars and restaurants, plus its own white sand beach.

Rooms are very well themed — ours smelt tropical with a whiff of freshly cut flowers.

I slept beside a large painting of Disney princess Moana and received wake-up calls from Mickey Mouse — the kind of extra touches you can’t get staying off-site.

But that’s not even the best part about the Polynesian.

Here, guests can watch the famous nightly fireworks display from the beach.

One of my fondest memories of the trip was pulling up a deck chair with my sister, tucking into a Hawaiian pizza and watching the night-time show take place above the Magic Kingdom from across the water.

We’re both grown-ups, but we felt like little kids watching the colours burst across the sky.

It’s safe to say I had very high expectations for the most magical place on Earth.

Yet, somehow, Walt Disney World still managed to exceed them.

And Emma and I flew home with smiles on our faces, which still haven’t faded.

This sort of magic is priceless, no matter your age.

THE magician counts down before throwing a deck of cards into the air and hurling a knife at me. 

Bullseye. The blade is stuck into one card on a target hanging from my neck. Ten of clubs. The card I’d picked. 

I look down from the stage at my three slack-jawed kids who’ve just had a memory that’ll last a lifetime. 

This entertainment at Parkdean’s Vauxhall Holiday Park in Great Yarmouth is a cheerful blast from the past for me, but it’s spellbinding for my daughter Frankie-Beau, 13, and her nine-year-old twin brothers Reggie and Teddie. 

As well as that knife-throwing magician, the feelgood fun on site includes X Factor stars Reggie ’n’ Bollie, a Taylor Swift tribute act, karaoke, bingo and stand-up comedy. 

And thanks to a £5million refurbishment, the choice of awesome activities reads like a list of kids’ birthday party options: a high and low ropes course, Bear Grylls escape rooms, an inflatable bounce park, a swimming-pool obstacle course, pottery painting, off-road rangers and an adventure playground. 

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With an array of places to eat, we don’t even switch on the hob in our comfortable, contemporary caravan. 

And the Hat-Tricks sports bar really hits the target, offering interactive darts, shuffleboard and a fantastic fairground crazy golf course. 

Not to mention a next level arcade that reminds my wife, Kayleigh, and I of the excitement we used to have as kids winning tickets for prizes. 

We’ve taken our children to Dubai, Turkey, the Netherlands and Disneyland, to name a few — but they feel they’ve hit the jackpot on this quintessential Great British caravan-park holiday here in Norfolk. 

No frills but so many thrills. 

Just five minutes down the road is the Golden Mile — a kids’ equivalent of the Las Vegas strip and the beating, buzzing, beachside heart of Great Yarmouth.

The must-visit attractions — a 50m Ferris wheel, the Sea Life centre and a circus — complement the retro coastal charm. Then, of course, there’s the Pleasure Beach amusement park, which has all the fun of the fair and then some.  

There are hordes of cafes, bars and restaurants to pick from for food. We end up finding a little gem called The Box Tree, a small bistro in the Ocean Hotel overlooking the promenade, which serves fresh food of the highest quality and is great value for money.  

They even serve our lunch on paper featuring old newspaper print, in a fun nod to the traditional way of eating fish and chips.  

From there, we hop on the gloriously old-school Choo Choo Loco road train for a short £2 ride down the coast to The Little Venetian Waterways.  

With moreish modern treats such as croffles, Venetian sodas and Biscoff ice-cream shakes, the island cafe is firmly in the 21st century. But the enchanting boating lake is a vintage voyage into the good old days. Frankie-Beau and I hire a rowing boat, while Kayleigh, Reggie and Teddie hop into a pedalo. This is fabulous family time like it used to be — no screens, no scrolling, no squabbling. 

Because we’re reminding them — and us — of the joy you can find in the little pleasures; the things we’ve seen and done but are all new and exciting to them. 

When we stroll down the dated high street of knick-knacks, our children see a lively hub of treats and toys. 

While we wonder how the old ‘upside-down house’ is still pulling in the holidaymakers, our children are gobsmacked to see AN UPSIDE-DOWN HOUSE! 

And the Golden Mile of amusements, bouncy castles and funfairs might just be the only time they’ve walked a mile without whingeing. 

Because every few steps we’re re-energised by another coastal classic: that unforgettable whiff of hot doughnuts; devouring candy floss on the pier; enjoying a horse-and-cart ride along the promenade. 

In the next decade of their lives, my kids — hopefully — will see more of the world. But I know they’ll never forget that little weekend break when their dad had a knife thrown at him in Great Yarmouth. 

Because it was, simply, magic. 

A NEW multi-million-pound waterfront park is set to open today – and it’s three times larger than London’s Trafalgar Square.

Visitors will be able to walk across a 55-metre bridge from the High Street to the revamped riverside.

Stockton-on-Tees‘ Waterfront Urban Park is set to be unveiled today (June 20), as part of the council’s vision to regenerate the struggling town centre.

The £23million project will bring a “dynamic space for events, leisure and community life” to the area, where residents will be able to enjoy three separate play areas, event spaces and even a skate spot.

The focal feature of the park is a 21,000sq ft amphitheatre designed for live events, which connects the upper and lower sections of the park via 402 granite steps.

Ten-metre play towers, an oval lawn and facilities that can accommodate pop-up food and drink vendors are also key landmarks in the area.

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The history of the town centre has also been integrated into the space, with text, poetry and illustrations featuring Stockton’s heritage carved onto floor and wall surfaces.

Activities for children include a toddler trail, swings, climbing nets, trampolines and “exhilarating” slides connecting the amphitheatre to the riverside.

The waterfront space features sweeping views of the River Tees, and more than 17,000 plants have been installed from over 224 species.

The entire project, completed by contractors Esh Construction, cost more than £41million, which included the demolition Castlegate Shopping Centre and the Swallow Hotel.

Building began in December 2024, and now the opening will take place as part of Armed Forces Celebration Day.

Councillor Paul Rowling, the deputy leader and cabinet member for resources and regeneration, said: “Stockton Waterfront urban park is going to have a transformational effect on the borough, the wider Tees Valley and beyond.

“The Waterfront Park is set to be a catalyst for further investment and drive our ambitions for the future. This is only the beginning of that journey.”

The project has been named “one of the most ambitious regeneration projects in Europe” in a bid to help revitalise the deprived market town.

WHILE theme parks across the UK are opening back up for the summer, a popular attraction in Japan remains shut after two decades.

The once popular Wild West land closed its gates for the last time in 2007, remaining frozen in time ever since.

Located in Nikko, around two hours drive from Tokyo, Western Village was once home to a bustling arcade and entertainment park, designed to resemble the American Frontier.

However, the once-buzzing family establishment is now only visited by urban explorers.

The park first opened its doors in 1973 as a small attraction called Kinugawa Family Ranch, offering guests a range of outdoor activities including fishing and horse riding.

Just two years later, the site was rebranded as Western Village, attracting tourists from all over the world with its impressive recreating of a 19th Century frontier town.

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The attraction included an old-timey bank, barber shop, sheriff’s office and general store, as well as arcades and animatronic displays.

Live stunt shows also took place at the park, with actors reenacting gunfights between cowboys and outlaws.

There was also a train that took visitors around the park which was often subject to a staged robbery by the park’s resident outlaws.

In 1995, the park added a £20million replica of Mount Rushmore, which measured one-third of the real thing and was even carved into the landscape.

Despite the park’s initial success, it eventually began to lose out to larger, better located competitors such as Universal Studios Japan and Tokyo Disneyland.

In 2007, Western Village shut its doors for the last time, with many sections remaining untouched in the years since.

From arcade machines and eerie animatronics covered in dust to bottles still sitting on tables, the entire park has a creepy abandoned feel to it.

The park has remained a source of fascination for those visiting the area, particularly urban explorers.

According to the website Offbeat Japan, the replica Rushmore is still attracting visitors in 2026.

The outlet reported that tourists “have to come back to check it isn’t a hallucination”, adding that what remains of the park is “now being demolished little by little”.

A MASSIVE indoor water resort the size of nine football pitches is set to open – and a similar one is coming to the UK.

Therme Singapore has confirmed that it will be opening in 2030, with works set to start.

The 720,000sqft attraction will be set across seven levels, with a range of activities based around water and wellness.

Set to cost S$1billion (£584million), inside will be 20 swmming pools, 18 waterslides and 70 treatment rooms for health and wellness.

There will be three zones – Play, Relax and Restore.

Play will be home to the water slides, as well as kids pools and a wave pool while Relax will have mineral and hydrotherapy pools.

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Restore will be the wellness area, with everything from steam rooms and saunas to cold punges and massage rooms.

Not only will there be hundreds of thousands of plants inside, but it will remain at around 30C all year round.

Inside will also be a huge dining area with restaurants and food spaces.

When it opens, it hopes to eventually welcome up to two million visitors.

But if Singapore is a bit too far for you, you can get excited by these images as a similar one is opening in the UK.

Therme Manchester is also opening in 2030, and claims it will be the biggest paid for attraction in the UK with three million tourists a year.

The £500million indoor water resort will be across 28 aces, with similar Play, Restore and Relax zones like the one in Singapore.

This will include a indoor beach, year-round 33C temperatures as well as pools and slides.

David Russell, CEO of Therme UK said: “There won’t be anywhere in this country that has the facilities we have.”

Other sides include Therme Bucharest in Romania and Therme Erdin in Germany.

EUROPE’S largest funfair is returning to the UK this weekend, as the huge stretch of rides comes back for its 144th year.

Over 400 spectacular attractions will be on offer for all the family, including a new record-breaking ride for the ultimate thrillseekers.

The Hoppings is back for its 144th year this weekend, as Newcastle’s Town Moor anticipates the return of Europe’s biggest funfair.

Located at the heart of the city centre, the funfair offers over 400 attractions and rides for thrillseekers and families alike – from the giant ferris wheel, to the classic helter skelter.

Despite occupying a smaller space than previous years, due to drainage works on the Moor, the fair still keeps all its excitement, and visitors can expect to see a jam-packed line-up.

After centuries of history, and a deep-rooted sense of North East nostalgia the fair evokes, generations of Geordie families love returning to The Hoppings year after year.

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This year, the fair has unveiled a whole host of adrenaline-pumping rides, including the return of fan-favourites Atmosfear and Extreme.

The stage has been set for the arrival of a record-breaking high-flying experience with the launch of the brand-new Elevate85 attraction.

Climbing up to 80metres, this drop tower with flying chairs has been hailed as “the world’s highest travelling ride” – only 10metres shorter than London’s Big Ben.

Foodies have another reason to celebrate with a brand-new Spud Bros stall joining the line-up, only weeks after the launch of its popular North Tyneside store.

The daily line-up also includes a Live Lounge stage with country, rock, and pop music, alongside delicious treats on offer from the Feast Street food village.

The arrival of the Hoppings in the last week of June is a fixture of the Geordie calendar, and has been since 1882.

Opening on the Town Moor over a century-and-a-half ago, the fair was initially marketed as a tee-total event to counteract the boozy activities of Newcastle Race Week.

Its initial form included traditional amusements and roundabouts, as well as kite-flying contests and military shows – a step away from its current form.

The Hoppings has evolved to represent the warmth and welcoming nature of Geordies themselves, and shows a city beyond bustling nightlife and football passion.

Now, the fair attracts over half a million annual visitors to indulge in the vibrant lights, exhilirating rides, and all the fun of the fair.

For those wanting to visit Newcastle, The Hoppings is the perfect starting point for organising a tour, with the city centre situated a 30-minute walk away from the Town Moor.

From there, a walk along the Quayside to see the famous Tyne Bridge, The Glasshouse and River Tyne is a must, with foodstalls often lining the streets on weekends.

Newcastle, and surrounding North East towns, are incredibly well-connected with the Tyne and Wear Metro, with 60 stations and two separate lines.

Many may not know that the city has some of the best coastlines in the UK – travel 30 minutes east on the Metro and visit Tynemouth Longsands and enjoy the scenic views from the coastal villages.

Entry to The Hoppings is completely free this year, with standard ride prices ranging from just £3 to £5 and high-thrill attractions costing slightly more.

The Hoppings is returning for its 10-day bonanza between June 19 and June 28, running from 2pm to 11pm on weekdays, and 1pm to 11pm on weekends.

FOOTBALL fans better strap in as there is a huge new attraction themed all around the sport landing in Europe.

Viva Mundo is a new football-inspired theme park in Santarém, Portugal, due to open in time for the next World Cup in 2030 – which will be hosted by Portugal, alongside Spain and Morocco.

The attraction won’t be themed around specific clubs but rather a love for the sport.

The theme park, which is expected to cost £389million, released a video this week showing potential rides and attractions that could feature at the park.

The video shows the park could include a Vegas-like sphere, a 4D cinema experience and even a water obstacle course.

Across Viva Mundo there will be 28 attractions in total.

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There will be rollercoasters including a dual rollercoaster, where families can race against each other and another that will launch riders at high speed.

Other rides will include a log flume and rapids as well as a drop tower.

According to Local Online, the theme park will be split up into six different areas – the entrance, the ‘Memory’, ‘Flavours’, ‘Fans’, the ‘Spectacle’ and ‘Football World’.

The Welcome Gate area will be where visitors enter the theme park, then Memory will be where they can visit a shop and museum, showcasing the sport’s history as well as iconic memorabilia from around the world.

In the Flavours area, fans will be able to grab a bite to eat with several different restaurants with food from around the world.

As for the Fan Zone, the area will replicate the energy of a stadium on a match day, with virtual reality experiences for fans.

In the Spectacle area, fans can expect a 4,000 seat arena for live concerts and performances.

And last but not least will be Football World, located around a central lake and divided into sub-zones that include: Passion – a tribute neighbourhood; Glory – a area dedicated to football legends with trophies; and Fantasy – a playground-like area for younger fans.

And visitors won’t need to stay outside of the park as there will also be a 300-room themed hotel onsite.

The park is planned to open on April 29, 2030, which would be in time for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which Portugal is due to co-host alongside Morocco and Spain.

The park will be 40 minutes from Lisbon and an hour and a half from Porto.

Santarem, where the theme park will be located, is a historic city worth exploring in its own right.

Dubbed the ‘Gothic capital’of Portugal, the city boasts fascinating architecture as well as amazing views of the Tagus River.

One spot to not miss is the Portas do Sol Gardens, which is the city’s old castle.

The park expects to welcome between one and 1.5million visitors a year when open, according The Portugal News.

SUN Club members can bag tickets to Drayton Manor Resort for the cheapest rate available anywhere – guaranteed.

Full-price tickets start at £29.50 online and can cost up to £45 at the gate.

However Sun Club members can bag their tickets for £20 each.

To claim them, simply sign up to Sun Club for £1.99 per month.

Once you’re signed up, head to the Sun Club Offers Hub where you can claim up to four tickets.

Drayton Manor sits just 25 minutes’ drive from Birmingham, and has rides and activities for all ages – from tiny tots to thrill-seeking teenagers.

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The theme park is home to over 50 rides and attractions, plus its very own on-site zoo.

We spoke to Ollie Carr, General Manager of Drayton Manor, for his ultimate insider tips on how to make the most of your trip.

He said: “Drayton Manor is unique compared to other parks because we have five bespoke lands that are all completely different.

“We have Thomas Land (Europe’s only Thomas the Tank Engine-themed land), plus we have Vikings land which is great for the braver folk.

“Then there’s Frontier Falls, our Wild West-themed zone with one of our newest attractions, Gold Rush.

“Plus Adventure Cove which is nautical-themed and the Main Park. All of that, plus a 15-acre zoo as well! There really is something for everyone”.

The theme park is an ideal day trip for mixed-age families, with rides that cater to all ages – some of which guests can go on from just 0.9m in height.

Ollie said “For young children, head to Thomas Land. Even if they’re not specifically Thomas The Tank Engine fans, we have lots of different rides for younger kids.

“The rides there are really gentle and we have a huge amount with very low height limits, which is different to other theme parks.

“We have a carousel, Submarine Splash which is a mini flume, and kids can drive their own Terence the Tractor.

“We also have an indoor soft play called Emily’s, which families with little ones really like.

“For slightly older kids, I’d recommend Accelerator, right in the middle of the park.

“It’s our boomerang coaster. It goes really high which is fun, but it’s not too intense.

“And if you’ve got teenagers or some real thrill-seekers in the group, there’s lots for them to.

“We’ve got Stormforce 10, which is a water ride with three drops. Then of course The Wave, a thrilling family coaster with a loop and inversions.

“We’ve also got Maelstrom which is a gyro swing ride, as well as Thor and Loki in Vikings.

“One thing that people might not know about is that one of our newest attractions, Gold Rush, has two settings.

“That means if you ride it in the morning you’ll get one type of experience, and if you come back and ride in the afternoon, it’ll be totally different.

“On one setting it launches you forwards, and on the other one you go backwards. It’s a whole different sensation. It’s like going on two totally different rides“.

Knowing the resort inside-out as General Manager, Ollie shared his other little-known tricks and secrets about Drayton Manor.

“If you want a good way to take in the views of the park, you should ride the Polperro Express.

“It’s a miniature railway which takes you all the way around our lake and through Adventure Cove and Thomas Land.

“It’s a gentle ride that you can do all together as a family, and it gets you really familiar with the park.

“The theme park has been around for 76 years, so it also has a lot of history.

“A lot of people don’t know about the Discover Thomas and Friends Exhibition.

“It’s a model railway with the original models used in the filming of the TV series decades ago. You can see the original engines going around on the set that they used to record the show.

“There’s lots of nice areas outside, too. We have an outdoor play area called Spencer’s down by the zoo, which is a really nice area to sit down with a picnic.

“The zoo has been around for years, and it’s like its own attraction.

“We’ve just had baby meerkats born, and new animals have moved in like Babirusa, which are like giant pigs.

“Another thing that people might not know that our mascots, Rory and Laurie, put on daily shows and meet and greets around the park.

Ollie also shared his top tips for making the most of a family day out at Drayton Manor Resort.

“The gates open at 10:30. My advice to guests would be to arrive 30 minutes early, and that way you’ll be there for the opening show with Rory and Laurie, which is held at the main entrance.

“Then head straight to the attractions that you know you want to go on, just in case they get busy. There are also fast passes if you want to guarantee a quicker queuing experience.

“We have some fun events coming up, too.

“In July we have our Rock ‘n’ Rumble event with live wrestling and a Shania Twain tribute act, which will take over the whole park and takes place on the first two weekends of July.

“In October we’ll be running our first ever Blazing Halloween event, which tickets are available for now. There’ll be a Trick or Treat trail and fireworks shows”.

Minecraft fans can enjoy an immersive pop-up event during the school summer holidays that includes the chance to meet baby Mobs and other characters from the popular video game universe

Alton Towers will launch a pop-up event for the six-week summer holidays where guests can enjoy an immersive Minecraft experience, including meeting adorable all-new Baby Mobs.

Announcing the new arrivals with a Buckingham Palace-style sign, the theme park has promised fans the chance to “meet baby Minecraft Mobs in real life across the park” in a first-of-its-kind event. Minecraft Meet the Mobs will take place between July 18 and August 28, coinciding with the school holidays in England and Wales.

Character appearances will include the Iron Golem, Chicken Jockey and Creeper, plus baby Mob scenes featuring yellow axolotls, pandas, pigs, goats, chicks and wolf pups.

The baby Mobs will be positioned in six Minecraft-inspired scenes across Alton Towers, and as visitors find each one, they can stamp their game card. Those who complete the trail will unlock an exclusive downloadable in-game reward – only available to visitors who’ve been to the theme park.

According to Alton Towers, Mobs “are living creatures in the Minecraft videogames that move, interact with the environment and can be passive, neutral, or hostile.”

In addition to the Minecraft trails, visitors can enjoy themed snack stands featuring Minecraft-inspired TNT popcorn and ice lollies. There will also be a range of exclusive Minecraft merchandise to purchase in the park.

Minecraft fans can book tickets for Alton Towers online now for summer dates, and the Meet the Mobs experience is included with the regular price of admission for all visitors from July 18 to August 28.

Minecraft is one of the best-selling video games of all time, with 350 million copies sold, a number only beaten by the addictive puzzle game Tetris. Its first formal release was in 2011 for the PC, and since then, it has been released on a number of consoles and mobile platforms. A version for the Nintendo Switch 2 was recently announced, with many fans speculating it could be released by the end of 2026.

Howard Ebison, vice president at Alton Towers Resort, said in a statement: “Minecraft is loved by families around the world, and this summer we’re bringing that sense of play and discovery into our park. ‘Minecraft Meet the Mobs’ is set to delight our guests with interactive moments across the park, an opportunity to unlock exclusive in-game rewards, enjoy themed treats and plenty of surprises along the way.

“We are proud to offer this unique Minecraft event for our guests joining us over the summer, all within the price of admission to Alton Towers Resort.”

Recently, the Staffordshire-based theme park opened brand new Bluey the Ride: Here Come the Grannies!, the world’s first rollercoaster based on the much-loved cartoon pup and her family. It’s also home to CBeebies Land, where kids can enjoy rides and experiences based on Hey Duggee, JoJo and Gran Gran, Go Jetters, and the Octonauts.

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Walt Disney World has a reputation for being for older kids if you want to get the most out of the parks – but it turns out there’s a whole other side to Mickey Mouse’s Florida home

Walt Disney World needs no introduction; it’s already on most UK families’ wishlists. However, with the travel and costs involved, it’s got a reputation for being a destination to visit ‘when the kids are older’. There are obvious reasons for this, but what about someone impatient like me who wanted to share that Disney magic as soon as my toddler could say, ‘Mickey Mouse’?

Well, I decided to brave a 10-hour flight to Orlando with a two-year-old, and find out what you can do with a toddler – and whether it’s actually enjoyable for parents too. (In the meantime, ignoring everyone’s warnings that it wouldn’t be as magical because he was too young).

I’m not going to lie and say it was all pixie dust and rainbows – any trip with a toddler is a challenge – but I was genuinely taken aback at just how much fun we all had.

Here’s everything I learned about doing Walt Disney World with a toddler (including the mistakes I made so you don’t have to)…

The rides you can do with a toddler

There was an impressive amount to do with our toddler – a load of rides don’t have height restrictions.

In Magic Kingdom we rode the likes of Peter Pan’s Flight, It’s A Small World, Aladdin’s Flying Carpets. Jungle Cruise is also great for sitting in the shade and spotting ‘animals’! Our toddler isn’t familiar with all of the Disney films yet, but he had the best time with all of the stimulation, music and colours. Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin has had a revamp and is a lot of fun for adults as it’s interactive and competitive, while the noise and colours were an easy attraction for our little space ranger.

Over in EPCOT, the Remy’s Ratatouille ride and Frozen Ever After were two easy options with a toddler, and there’s an interactive space after the ‘Journey Into the Imagination’ where kids can run free. The Butterfly Garden is also a quiet space that proved a big hit. However, the highlight had to be the walk-through ‘Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana’. It’s all water play and a nice place to cool off in the Florida heat.

Meanwhile, Animal Kingdom with its Kilimanjaro Safaris jeep ride, walking trails and the gentle Avatar Na’vi River Journey boat ride made for a laidback day. Our little boy was obsessed with looking out for animals, and taking in all of the flowers and plants. Oh, and Bluey’s Wild World at Conservation Station is a fun interactive option for fans of the Heelers!

As for Disney’s Hollywood Studios? Its reputation for being the park full of thrill rides made me a little hesitant, but it’s actually got plenty for little ones too. The Toy Story themed land for a start is a dream; Toy Story Mania and the Alien Swirling Saucers were both immensely fun for both mum and baby! The park also has a new Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! show which involved plenty of dancing, bubbles and character appearances.

However, take note that you can’t take prams into the queues. So either be prepared to take a baby carrier/toddler carrier, or have a bag crammed with snacks and toys to keep them entertained. My advice is to pick one or two ‘big’ rides you’re willing to queue for – or look at investing in Lightning Lanes (aka fast passes) to make your day as easy as possible.

Best Walt Disney World theme park for toddlers

While Magic Kingdom is the go-to classic as it has some of the iconic rides, parades and Cinderella Castle, for me it was actually EPCOT and Animal Kingdom that came out as my favourites with a two-year old.

EPCOT is made up of different pavilions inspired by countries around the world, which meant that when the toddler was napping, I could still walk around and soak up the atmosphere, try snacks and have a cheeky avocado margarita, so I didn’t feel like I was ‘missing out’ on loads of big rides.

Meanwhile Animal Kingdom hasn’t got too many big rides because of the animals onsite, so again it had a very laidback vibe. A big plus for me were some of the walk-through attractions such as Maharajah Jungle Trek which were pram-friendly, and a little quieter meaning our toddler wasn’t too overstimulated, but there was plenty to still keep him entertained.

Logistics – prams, naps and snacks

Disney is unsurprisingly very pram-friendly. There’s the monorail and plenty of walkable paths if you need them, while the Disney buses allow prams which are folded down. You can also get Lyfts around the resort – or for something a bit more magical, you can use the app to book a ‘Minnie Van’, where drivers always carry at least two car seats, and have screens with cartoons for the kids.

As for food, the good news is that you can bring your own snacks and drink into the parks. Still, we never struggled to find something for our two-year-old to eat. Every stall has kids’ menus and options, and all the restaurants had high chairs, baby-friendly dishes and off-menu options like a mashed potato side for fussy eaters.

If you’re in need of cow’s milk, you can buy cartons or pints of it in the coffee shops – we ran out one evening and staff were happy to give us a large glass of milk so we could fill up our toddler’s bottle to stretch out the evening a little longer!

Then of course, the big one; naps. Our toddler can nap in the pram so on some days we just used that downtime to wander around, hunt down some of those must-try snacks, or do some walk-through attractions we probably would have ignored in those pre-toddler years. It meant our days were a bit more chilled too. On some days, we opted to head back to our resort for a couple of hours and recharge while he slept – those days where when we were able to stretch to a longer evening and even make it to a dinner or two!

Extra tips

Manage your expectations: you’re likely going to miss out on evening shows and fireworks, unless you get lucky with a sleeping baby who doesn’t get woken up by loud noises. However, make the most of the day magic; the parades and shows are brilliant, and you still feel like you’re getting the ‘full’ Disney experience.

Don’t stress yourself out trying to fit in loads of ‘fun’. The Disney parks have heaps to do that aren’t rides and attractions. Think butterfly gardens, golden statues of characters, live music, themed trails and plenty going on. It’s all quality time to your little one, so enjoy it together.

Time zones; it was surprisingly easy to adjust when out in Florida because you’re doing so much, your kids are kept busy and stimulated, and our toddler crashed out easily most nights. It’s the return home that’s a bit trickier!

Book the holiday

Stay two weeks on a Hotel and Ticket package at Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort for 2 adults & 2 kids, arriving August 15, 2027, from £3,923 (total). Includes Free Disney Dining and Drinks on selected meals if booked before November 4, 2026. Find out more at disneypackages.co.uk. Virgin Atlantic offers direct flights from the UK to Orlando. Find out more at virginatlantic.com.

WATER slides, themed saunas, pool bars and a spa – could somewhere be more fun?

Suntago Water Park in Poland is the biggest indoor waterpark in Europe, offering enough fun for a multi-day visit.

And now, it is even easier for tourists to head to the park as a new bus service runs directly from Warsaw Chopin Airport to the park.

Having launched on June 1, the bus service will run until the end of the season on August 31.

The service from the airport takes around 45 minutes, runs a few times a day in each direction and costs around £13.20 return.

Visitors can also hop on a bus from Warsaw taking about 55 minutes and running each hour for £9.14 return.

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Or catch one from Żyrardów taking about 20 minutes and running several times a day for £4.06 return.

Inside, the park really is huge with 18 pools, 35 slides and numerous saunas.

When it comes to the pools there are several featuring different minerals or chemical elements that have different health benefits.

For example, you could take a dip in the magnesium pool (34C), which is rumoured to help skin disorders as well as relax muscles.

On the other hand, if you want to soothe dry skin then head to the calcium pool (34C).

Other mineral pools include a lithium pool to reduce stress, a potassium pool which can help with reducing blood pressure and a sulphur pool ideal for visitors who suffer with joint issues.

If you’re not into mineral pools though and would rather go for a swim, then you can head to the outdoor pool instead, with a swim-up bar for a tipple.

Another outdoor pool even has a hot tub and – instead of a lazy river – a ‘crazy river’.

Back inside, there’s a bubbling spring pool (32C) and a wave pool, both ideal for relaxing and having a splash.

Though for a bit more fun, make sure to head on the Mamba Adventure River that’s a 130-metre long pool through a cave-like area with glowing green lights.

Little ones aren’t left out either as there is a baby pool right next to a Pirates’ Playground.

But there is more fun for kids than this, with 35 different waterslides across five floors.

These include three snake-themed rides where you even come out of a snake’s mouth.

On Anaconda, for example, you’ll be launched nearly 20 metres before racing through a number of twists and bends.

If you are brave enough there is another waterslide called Teleport, which features a fast and unexpected drop.

Families wanting to stick together can try out Toucan and Arara in four-person rafts or get competitive on racing waterslides.

If all those pools and slides weren’t enough, there’s also more than 13 different heated rooms, including saunas and a frigidarium.

There’s a classic wooden sauna with a viking-themed twist, heated to a near-boiling 95C and an Egyptian Village where there are five saunas themed around different areas of Egypt including the Sahara Desert.

If you like the idea of a sauna but don’t want it too hot, head to the Korean Sauna, that is 38C and also plays calming music.

Or for something more exciting, head into the Aquarium Sauna with a number of fish tanks to watch.

You could also be transported to the Maldives in the Paradise Beach sauna or to Mont Blanc in the chilly frigidarium which is -7C.

Last but not least, there is a salt grotto which has a “seaside-like microclimate” and blocks upon blocks of salt ideal for helping your nervous system.

If you want to level up your wellness experience, there is a spa onsite too.

After all the splashing about and relaxing, if you want a bite to eat there are a number of restaurants and cafes onsite.

You can make even it a whole weekend event by staying at the Suntago Village, just five minutes from the park.

Kids can only access the Jamango zone where you’ll find pools and the slides, costing from £20.10 a day.

On the other hand adults can access the Jamango zones, as well as the Relax and Saunaria zones from £33.30 a day.

THE UK’s largest theme park with over 40 rides and attractions has launched an annual pass costing less than a Cadbury Fudge bar a day.

Alton Towers in Staffordshire has dropped a new annual pass costing £64 per person – or just 19p per day you visit (several pence less than a Fudge bar).

The pass gets you access to the theme park for 339 days of the year.

During that time, passholders can visit as many times as they like.

The theme park is usually open between March and November and hosts a number of seasonal events as well.

Each passholder will be sent their pass digitally and it is ready to use as soon as it lands in their email inbox.

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The pass is also only required for visitors who are 90cm and taller.

Once you have your pass and wish to visit the theme park, you’ll need to book online beforehand which can be done via the Passholder Pre-Book Portal.

In addition to all the rollercoasters, Alton Towers recently opened a new attraction – Bluey The Ride: Here Come the Grannies – which is the world’s first Bluey junior coaster.

Travel writer Madalyn Bielfeld recently visited and tried out the park and said: “The rollercoaster whisks you up and down over gentle dips, and around turns amid a fun, interactive setting of Bluey’s back garden.

“It’s filled with fun references to the various episodes – including as the name suggests when the characters dress up as their Grannies.

“The ride is the perfect mix of gentle and exciting and went down a storm on the day of opening.”

A POPULAR English seaside theme park has revealed plans to open its own hotel.

Adventure Island in Southend-on-Sea, Essex – named the best seaside attraction in the south by the UK Theme Park Awards last year – wants to build the accommodation right by its entrance.

The hotel would have seven rooms and be above the Sands By The Sea fish and chips restaurant.

Currently, the space above the fish and chips restaurant is an empty office that was previously used by Radio Essex.

Few other details have been revealed about the hotel, but SKArchitects – who are behind the project – shared that the accommodation is a “unique” waterfront spot, with a restaurant below and 24-hour staffing at the theme park.

Guests would also have access to the nearby Three Shells Beach and views of the Thames Estuary.

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According to the Southend Echo, Matt Dent, Southend Labour councillor for business, culture, tourism and music, said: “I can certainly see the advantages of providing more tourism accommodation on the seafront, particularly having it basically inside the park.

“That is going to be a huge draw and major selling point to families looking to make the most of the abundant offerings at the seafront.”

Recent data from credit card company Aqua revealed the UK’s top 10 affordable theme parks and named Adventure Island in eighth place.

The park is free to enter, but to go on the rides you’ll need to buy a wristband, which is either £25 online or £28 on the gate.

In total, there are 40 rides to explore, including seven rollercoasters such as Rage, which boasts several twists and turns.

If you were to break down the cost of a £25 wristband, each ride would be as little as 63p to go on.

The park also has a couple of waterslides, as well as rides for smaller kids such as a carousel, small land train and a soft play area.

Today, if you wanted to visit Adventure Island and stay close to the theme park, you’d have to book into one of the hotels or B&Bs along the seafront.

Nearby options include The Palace Hotel from £102 a night and just steps away from the entrance of the pier or The Hope Hotel, which sits at the end of Southend Beach and costs from £85 a night.

A number of other hotels around the UK have hotels near the entrance, including Alton Towers, which has the Alton Towers Hotel, Splash Landings Hotel and the CBeebies Land Hotel, all within the entrance plaza.

Alton Towers has opened the world’s first Bluey ride and I went along with my kids to test out the new addition to CBeebies Land – but one thing saw disappointed parents turned away

Alton Towers opened its brand new Bluey ride earlier this year, and I was lucky enough to be one of the first into CBeebies Land to ride the exciting new rollercoaster.

Bluey the Ride: Here Comes the Grannies, which is based on Bluey and Bingo’s granny alter-egos Janet and Rita, is arguably one of the biggest attractions to open this year, and we even met fans from overseas who had travelled just to have a go.

The Bluey family is no stranger to the park, with a daily show also featuring mum, dad and bingo, and is performed multiple times a day. This allows young fans to dance along to some of the show’s hits, including Dance Mode and the infectiously catchy theme.

But now CBeebies has its very own ride, but does it live up to all the hype?

The queue

Before we get to the ride, please remember to check the height requirement for the rollercoaster. There were so many people literally panicking as it came to height measurement on the entrance (and yes, the queue was backed up to before the ride’s entrance). You must be 0.9m to ride, and those who are between 0.9m and 1.1m must be accompanied by an adult.

I saw people looking at 60 to 90-minute wait times for the ride, which is expected on opening day. But to the credit of the Alton Towers design team, they have this usual dreaded wait with kids sorted.

Two play areas and some Bluey and Bingo photo opportunities have been placed within the queue to help pass the time while waiting for the ride. Which, honestly, is a fantastic idea after being sat with a little one multiple times, bored of waiting and wanting to go off and do something.

I can tell you now that if your child loves Bluey or even rollercoasters in general, even if you are waiting over 100 minutes, Bluey The Ride is still worth it for their priceless reaction.

The ride itself

I had seen clips of it going round a test run on social media, and from those I thought it was going to be the same old slow coaster for kids. Where you are forced to have a fake scream of excitement for the kids.

But the clips did not do this ride justice. For starters, some parts are much higher than they looked, and the turns on corners really bring some momentum. At one point, I clung to my child even though they were secure and laughing and smiling all the way through. It just really caught me by surprise especially on the second way round. I was worried it was a one time around but the fact you experience the track twice really does make that wait time much better.

OPINION

It sort of hit me after the ride that this may be the best kids’ rollercoaster, and I think even adults would appreciate this as a ride with some thrill about it.

My son has special needs and learning disabilities, and he can’t walk for long. Staff even helped my wife push the buggy as close as possible and helped escort him round so he was not left out of being one of the first people to ride Here Come the Grannies. So thank you to all those staff who helped make his day. He liked the ride so much that he tried getting straight back on.

The extras

As with most rides around CBeebies Land, you get the theme tune of the show the ride is dedicated to, plus some other classics such as Telebubbies. But Bluey being here with its iconic theme feels like it has given the area a huge boost.

Visitors were smiling even in huge lines, and trust me, they battled the elements that day. We were hit with a frosty morning, then sunny, to hail, to rain and pretty much the repeat of that over the course of the day. But all with smiles on their faces, young and old.

The arrival of Bluey the Ride feels really significant in bringing a new era to CBeebies Land, and with how fast the ride is, it feels like it’s trying to cater for a growing audience as well as keep younger fans happy.

The Bluey family is no stranger to the park with a daily show, which is performed multiple times a day, allowing young fans to dance along to some of the show’s hits, including Dance Mode and the infectiously catchy theme.

Bluey is a worldwide phenomenon, and the fact that the UK is now home to the world’s first coaster dedicated to everyone’s favourite Australian dog is a huge coup for Alton Towers and CBeebies Land.

Alton Towers offers short breaks from £42pp. Find out more and book at altontowers.com.

PAULTONS Park has announced it will open its very first watercoaster next year.

The new attraction will be an addition to Valgard: Realm of the Vikings and it will be one of the biggest rides ever built in the theme park.

Called Serpent’s Curse, the watercoaster will be 471-metres long, with top speeds of 44mph and will open next spring.

For ride enthusiasts the details say that it will have ‘a lift hill, fast-flowing twists and curves, and a dramatic plunge into a final splashdown.’

Talking about the new ride, Paultons has said it will be one of the ‘biggest rides ever built’ at the park.

This isn’t the only new addition, as another second water ride will open at Valgard too – although it already exists at the park.

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Seal Falls, the junior mini log flume water ride will be re-themed and relocated to new land.

The ride will be renamed ‘Little Serpents’.

James Mancey, deputy managing director at the park, said: “We always have a surprise or two up our sleeve, and Serpent’s Curse is potentially our most exciting reveal yet.

“We’re working with the world-renowned MACK rides to bring their fantastic water coaster to the UK.

“The speed and exhilaration of the coaster with such a dramatic finish into the water makes for something really special that works brilliantly within the Viking theme.”

Paultons Park in Hampshire is considered one of the most affordable in the UK.

Entry tickets cost £46.75pp.

There are 10 exciting rollercoasters to enjoy as well as the well-known Peppa Pig World.

Sun Travel worked out that while the entry cost is steep, children under one-metre-tall go free.

And the cost per rollercoaster, if you ride them all, works out to £4.68.

In May 2026, Paultons Park opened its new world, Valgard: Realm of the Vikings, which cost £12million to build and has its very first inverting rollercoaster.

The ride called Drakon, has been called the ‘crown jewel of Valgard’.

The new land also has a swing ride and Middle Ages themed ‘feast’ dining.

You can find out more about Valgard from Head of Sun Travel (Digital) Caroline McGuire who visited when it first opened.

Ask an incoming tourist what the country’s big visitor draws are, and they may well say Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, Stonehenge, Thorpe Park or even Legoland

The best attractions in England this year have been crowned, and the winners may come as something of a surprise.

Ask an incoming tourist what the country’s big visitor draws are, and they may well say Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, Stonehenge or even Legoland.

It’s unlikely that they’ll mention the winner of Visit England’s Large Visitor Attraction of the Year, which went to Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife Park in Suffolk.

The victory comes off the back of a win at the Visitor Attraction of the Year at the 2026 Suffolk and Norfolk Tourism Awards, so Jimmy’s is clearly having a good year.

The wildlife park is owned by TV star and conservationist Jimmy Doherty, who has presented programmes on both Channel 4 and the BBC. He is best known for the show Jimmy’s Farm, which details the operation of the Essex Pig Company that he and his wife Michaela Furney own in Suffolk.

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The park aims to be a centre of excellence for British rare breeds while also housing animals like camels, primates, tapirs and crocodiles. Lions and a tiger were added as recently as October 2025.

The real draw that put the place on the map was the acquisition of polar bears. Jimmy’s Farm built Europe’s largest facility for the species, called “the Lost Lands of the Tundra,” housing rescue polar bears alongside brown bears, Arctic foxes, grey wolves, reindeer and red-breasted geese. The bears are even visible from the train window on the London–Ipswich line.

Getting from London to Ipswich by train takes about an hour from Liverpool Street, but the lack of a bus from Ipswich station to the park is an issue some have confronted. Most visitors end up getting a taxi, which costs around £13 each way. The zoo itself is only part of the site; there are also shops and a restaurant in the farm area, and you can leave and re-enter the zoo with your receipt.

Jimmy’s Farm has 1,800 five star reviews on Tripadvisor, out of 2,400 in total.

“What a great day out, a well thought out place, extremely conducive and focused on giving the animals the best possible environment to flourish and feel comfortable in their habitat,” one happy customer wrote.

“Some beautiful woodland walks, plenty of things to do for children aside from seeing the animals, beautifully situated in the centre of the park, away from the majority of animals. Plenty of choice around the park for eating, whether you want a snack or something more substantial, as well as numerous picnic areas if you bring your own food.”

The winners were announced at the annual event hosted by journalist and broadcaster Sean Fletcher on 3 June at Aerospace Bristol.

Coming in second place in the Large Visitor Attraction of the Year rankings was Bletchley Park in Buckinghamshire, where visitors can learn about the code-breaking geniuses who were instrumental in helping the Allied Forces win WWII.

It is clearly a year for farms. The bronze award was handed to Attwell Farm Park in Worcestershire, a family-run petting farm where Pedigree Aberdeen Angus cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, chickens and ducks are all ready to nibble some feed from your hand.

Gold, Silver and Bronze were awarded in 17 categories selected from 21 local awards. They ranged from ‘Regenerative Tourism Award’ to ‘Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award’ and from ‘New Tourism Business of the Year’ to ‘Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year’.

Tourism Minister Stephanie Peacock said: “I am delighted to see so many businesses across England being recognised for their outstanding work, helping to make people’s stays as enjoyable and memorable as possible.

“From hotels and pubs to glamping, museums and experiences, these awards are a real testament to those striving to ensure our tourism industry remains outstanding. Our upcoming Visitor Economy Growth Strategy will provide a clear, long-term plan to unlock investment, back businesses and showcase more of our great destinations to the world.”

VisitEngland Director Andrew Stokes added: “The awards are a celebration of England’s outstanding tourism industry and an opportunity to highlight the excellence that makes it world-leading.

“From a hands-on, traditional blacksmith’s visitor experience in the Midlands and a castle hotel and spa set in one of our national parks to accessible and inclusive holidays, these awards showcase the exceptional quality, unparalleled customer service and innovation that drive our industry.

“I congratulate the wonderful range of first-class award recipients, all of whom are so passionate about tourism. They are all deserving winners.”

VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2026 winners

Accessible & Inclusive Tourism Award:

Gold: Hoe Grange Holidays(opens in a new tab), Peak District, Derbyshire

Silver: Nottingham Playhouse(opens in a new tab), Nottingham

Bronze: Attwell Farm Park(opens in a new tab), Worcestershire

B&B and Guest House of the Year:

Gold: MonkBridge House(opens in a new tab), York

Silver: One Drake Road and Apartments(opens in a new tab), Devon

Bronze: Holly Lodge Boutique Bed & Breakfast(opens in a new tab), Norfolk

Business Events Venue of the Year:

Gold: Warwick Conferences(opens in a new tab), Warwick

Silver: Nottingham Venues(opens in a new tab), Nottingham

Bronze: The Catalyst(opens in a new tab), Newcastle

Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year:

Gold: Clawford Lakes Resort and Spa(opens in a new tab), Devon

Silver: Bredon View Glamping Retreats(opens in a new tab), Worcestershire

Bronze: Kaya at Blackhill Farm(opens in a new tab), Herefordshire

Experience of the Year:

Gold: Blacksmithing Experience Days(opens in a new tab), Oldfield Forge, Herefordshire

Silver: The Wizard Walk of York(opens in a new tab), York

Bronze: Make Your Own Distilled Spirit(opens in a new tab), Shed One Distillery, Cumbria

International Tourism Award:

Gold: The Beatles Story(opens in a new tab), Liverpool

Silver: Castle Howard(opens in a new tab), York

Bronze: Kents Cavern Prehistoric Caves(opens in a new tab), Devon

Large Hotel of the Year:

Gold: Bovey Castle(opens in a new tab), Devon

Silver: Watergate Bay Hotel(opens in a new tab), Cornwall

Bronze: The Grand Brighton(opens in a new tab), Brighton

Large Visitor Attraction of the Year:

Gold: Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife Park(opens in a new tab), Suffolk

Silver: Bletchley Park(opens in a new tab), Buckinghamshire

Bronze: Attwell Farm Park(opens in a new tab), Worcestershire

New Tourism Business of the Year:

Gold: One Acre Wood(opens in a new tab), Herefordshire

Silver: The Story of Emily(opens in a new tab), Cornwall

Bronze: Flora and Fauna Exmoor(opens in a new tab), Somerset

Pub of the Year:

Gold: The Kirkstyle Inn and Sportsman’s Rest(opens in a new tab), Northumberland

Silver: The Tickled Trout, Barlow(opens in a new tab), Derbyshire

Bronze: The Tollemache Arms(opens in a new tab), Northamptonshire

Regenerative Tourism Award:

Gold: Eight at Gazegill by Doug Crampton(opens in a new tab), Lancashire

Silver: Gladwins Farm – Self Catering Holiday Cottages(opens in a new tab), Suffolk

Bronze: Edgbaston Park Hotel and Conference Centre(opens in a new tab), Birmingham

Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year:

Gold: Bosinver Farm Cottages(opens in a new tab), Cornwall

Silver: Cedar Hollow @ The Oaks(opens in a new tab), Oxfordshire

Bronze: Rowley Farm Holidays(opens in a new tab), Worcestershire

Small Hotel of the Year, sponsored by Booking.com:

Gold: The Tempus(opens in a new tab), Northumberland

Silver: Peak Edge Hotel(opens in a new tab), Derbyshire

Bronze: Farlam Hall Hotel & Restaurant(opens in a new tab), Cumbria

Small Visitor Attraction of the Year:

Gold: Morgan Experience(opens in a new tab), Worcestershire

Silver: Ad Gefrin Anglo-Saxon Museum & Whisky Distillery(opens in a new tab), Northumberland

Bronze: National Justice Museum(opens in a new tab), Nottinghamshire

Taste of England Award:

Gold: Carriages Restaurant(opens in a new tab), Herefordshire

Silver: Eight at Gazegill by Doug Crampton(opens in a new tab), Lancashire

Bronze: Blackfriars Restaurant(opens in a new tab), Newcastle

Unsung Hero Award:

Gold: Jayne Chapman – Tatton Park(opens in a new tab), Cheshire

Silver: Viv Smith – National Stone Centre(opens in a new tab), Derbyshire

Bronze: Andy Black – Horses and Ponies Protection Association(opens in a new tab), Lancashire

THE biggest theme park in Spain is getting two exciting new family zones – and some are the first in Europe.

PortAventura World is home to more than just a theme park as it also has the Caribbean-themed waterpark Caribe Aquatic Park.

And it is set to open the new family zone Coral Bay, La Leyenda Perdida.

The pirate-themed 6,000m2 zone will include watercoaster Cyclone which is the second of its kind in the world and the first to open in Europe.

There will also be Bahia Pirata which they also claim is the “world’s first multi-adventure pool“.

A multi-slide tower called the Crab will let riders choose five different routes, while Splash Port will be a water splash zone for younger kids.

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El Bucanero will be the dining area offering snacks and drinks.

And it’s not just a new water attraction the park is getting, but a “jungle trek” adventure zone.

Called Makamanu Jungle, The Adventure Trek, it will change the current Polynesia area into a new tropical-themed land.

The 135-metre open-air attraction will have climbing structures that are inspired by volcanic quarries.

For all ages, the 18 treehouse cabins will have everything from rope tunnels and net ladders to slides.

Both are set to open this summer.

If you can’t wait, you could also visit Ferrari World, home to Europe’s tallest and fastest rollercoaster Red Force.

Or head to the main PortAdventura Park where there are six themed lands – Mediterranean, Polynesia, China, Mexico, the Far West, and SésamoAventura – and 40 rides to choose from.

To get to the park, the easiest way is to fly to Barcelona Reus Airport which as Ryanair flights, as it is around 15 minutes from there.

One mum who recently visited told Sun Travel: “Even my too-cool-for-school teens were wowed.

“While the big thrill rides understandably grab the headlines, younger families are well provided for with a huge schedule of themed entertainment shows at the park, tea cup rides, log flumes, and mini rollercoasters.

“By staying in one of the park hotels, we also got unlimited access to the park and a day at Ferrari Land.

“So unlike Disneyland which generally closes at 9pm, PortAventura stays open until 11pm so you really can wring the maximum out of your stay.”

THE UK’s warm weather might seem like a thing of the past, but the rain doesn’t don’t mean you have to miss out on theme parks and amusement attractions.

And as the weather takes a turn for the worse across the UK the rest of this week and into the weekend, what better way to spend it than heading to one of these spots?

The UK is home to several, with most catering to the different age groups – even adults – so here are some of the best to check out.

Babylon Park in Camden, London

Theme parks are a lot of fun, but when it is rainy and all the rides are outside it can quickly become less fun.

However in Camden, London, you can head to Babylon Park which is a space-themed indoor amusement park with its own indoor rollercoaster.

Across different levels, there are a number of rides including a drop tower and there is also a soft play area from smaller kids.

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There are several retro arcade games too including dance challenge machines and you can have a go at hooking a duck – though it is actually a hybrid unicorn-duck.

For adults, there’s a restaurant and bar to grab a drink in while the kids play.

The attraction is free to enter, but you will need to buy a £1 Babylon Card to pay for the attractions.

You then load credit onto the card via an app or at the attraction’s kiosk.

For reference, £15 will get you around 144 game coins and the attractions cost different amounts of game coins – for example, the rollercoaster costs 48 game coins.

Gravity Max in Liverpool, Cardiff and London

For kids who love adrenaline and competitive fun, take them to Gravity Max either in Liverpool, Cardiff or a couple spots in London.

The parks feature e-karting across huge tracks that leave visitors feeling as if they have stepped into a real life Mario Kart game.

The venues also have augmented reality bowling and immersive gaming zones.

Fancy a tipple? Don’t worry they have a bar as well.

Adult karting (visitors aged 14 or older) costs from £16 per person and junior karting (kids aged eight or older) costs from £15.25.

The Playhive, Stockeld Park in North Yorkshire

The Playhive in North Yorkshire is thought to be one of the biggest indoor playgrounds in the UK with a “journey through four interconnected worlds of space, air, the jungle, and sea”, according to the attraction’s website.

Inside visitors will find spaceships, planes and submarines, which are all different play structures.

There are even jungle-themed climbing walls for kids to let out their inner Tarzan.

Toddlers get their own areas too with smaller climbing features and swings.

Parents who feel like chilling can hang out in the Playhive Pizzeria, where a variety of snacks, pizzas and drinks are served.

Sessions at the attraction allow visitors an hour-and-a-half of play time costing from £13.50.

Woodlands Family Theme Park, Devon

Woodlands theme park in Devon is home to the county’s largest soft play area with drop slides, ball pits, climbing frames and obstacle course sections.

Dedicated to children over 90cm tall, it’s the ideal place to let your kids run around and burn some energy for hours on end.

There are two other areas for smaller kids – one for toddlers under 95cm and another for children up to 125cm tall.

And if that wasn’t enough, the Circus Dome Zone has more soft play and in another area – Big Top Soft Play – you’ll find stacking cubes and games for younger children.

Travel Reporter Cyann Fielding grew up nearby and visited many times – she said: “Woodlands is a great day out, especially when the weather takes a turn.

“After stepping foot inside the play area, my family knew they wouldn’t see me for hours on end and they only time they would is when I was worn out or wanting a drink after running around.”

Tickets to Woodlands cost from £23.31 per person.

Play Factore, Manchester

Claiming to be the biggest indoor family entertainment arena in the UK, Play Factore boasts the tallest standing indoor slide in the UK as well as a huge laser tag arena.

There’s also a trampoline area and a zip wire.

Little ones aren’t left out though, as there are two floors for kids under five-ears-old which include a soft play area and obstacle courses.

There’s even a football pitch and basketball court inside as well.

For six to 11-month-olds, it costs £3.95 each and then for one to four-year-old’s, it’s £12.95 each.

Kids aged between five and 16 years old cost £13.95 each and parents cost £5.25 each.

Riverside Hub, Northampton

In Northampton, you could head to the Riverside Hub which has a number of zones including Role Play Villages where kids can explore an imaginary world with its own cafe, shop, witch’s house and tooth fairy dentist.

Older kids on the other hand can venture on a number of climbing activities, including a 10-metre beanstalk.

Toddlers can also test out a number of ball pits and activity walls.

And if that wasn’t enough, there’s also a giant play frame with slides, games and even a football pitch.

Travel writer Catherine Lofthouse said: “There’s so much to do here that it’s a struggle to fit it into the two and a half hours that each session is allocated.

“We could have happily spent the whole day and still have gone back for more.

“With three boys aged between five and 12, it can sometimes be difficult to find somewhere that has enough to keep all ages happy as the older two are getting a bit big for soft play, but that certainly wasn’t a problem here.”

Tickets cost £8.50 per adult, £14.50 per child aged one to three-ears-old and £17.50 for kids between four and 17-years-old

Flip Out, various locations

Flip Out has several locations across the UK including Bradford, Doncaster, Chichester and Coventry.

Each Flip Out boasts an indoor adventure and trampoline park, where visitors can bounce into foam pits and off of stunt walls.

In some of the more recent venues, such as Flip Out Canary Wharf, you can also have a go at laser quest or bumper cars.

And for football fans, some venues have interactive football.

Travel writer Catherine Lofthouse headed to Flip Out Coventry with her three children.

She said: “The dark space and graffiti vibe of the upper floor really appealed to my 11-year-old and 13-year-old, feeling a bit more grown-up than the bright lights and primary colours of soft plays aimed at younger children.

“But there was still lots to love for primary aged children here too – my six-year-old enjoyed the inflatables, roller rink and football zone.

“For little ones, there’s a dedicated toddler soft play next to the cafe area, so they can play in safety while tired parents have a rest nearby, hot drink in hand.”

Prices vary depending on destination and session length.

Universal’s highly-anticipated UK theme park will include themed lands, new rides and plenty more surprises – and the Universal United Kingdom Resort just celebrated a big milestone

Theme park fans, rejoice; we’re one step closer to Universal opening its new resort in the UK.

For a start, we now officially have a name for the highly-anticipated attraction in Bedfordshire; Universal United Kingdom Resort. Meanwhile, today a series of government officials including Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves attended a milestone moment for the resort, breaking ground to pave the way for construction to begin.

When it does open its doors, it’s sure to be a huge hit for thrill-seekers. Concept imagery of the new attraction shows at least six themed lands and three huge rollercoasters, although Universal has remained tight-lipped about exactly what those lands will include.

The theme park is expected to bring in millions of visitors each year, including over a million from overseas.

We take a look at everything we know so far…

The lands and rides

Universal hasn’t given much away about exactly what the lands and rides will entail, but has previously promised that the theme park will be “unlike anything that exists in the UK”. Its USA-based theme parks in Florida and California both boast theming around the likes of Jurassic World, Shrek, How to Train Your Dragon, the Minions and more, so there will no doubt be plenty to play around with for us Brits too. Whatever will be on offer, the resort is set to offer “immersive storytelling, thrilling attractions and hospitality”.

Concept imagery for the resort was released last year and already had theme park fans excited, as it looks like there’s going to be huge rollercoasters too. In fact on the artist’s rendering at least three mega-coasters are visible, as well as plenty of other rides and attractions.

It seems that the entrance will lead you into a large plaza area similar to the ‘CityWalk’ area of Universal Orlando. The plaza and venues will be open to the general public even if they haven’t bought a ticket to the park itself.

For those who do pay for a ticket, once they’re through a large archway, they’ll walk through a long promenade-style street – no doubt also offering a variety of shops and restaurants – before heading into the themed lands with “adrenaline-pumping coaster”, “mind-blowing spectaculars” and “incredible creatures, heroes and villains”.

The opening date

Construction is expected to begin soon on the huge project, with an opening date planned for May 2031. Comcast NBCUniversal has committed to invest over £5bn in the entertainment resort complex during the expected 5 years of construction, as well as an additional £1bn in capital investment over the first 10 years. According to the UK government, this represents “one of the largest ever investments in the UK tourism sector”.

The location

Universal United Kingdom Resort will be located in Bedfordshire. It’s believed that approximately 80% of employees will come from Bedfordshire and the surrounding regions. The Department for Transport is also going ahead with plans to upgrade the surrounding road and rail network, on the A421 and at Wixams station, to make travel to the resort easier.

Mark Woodbury, Chairman and CEO of Universal Destinations & Experiences, said: “Today marks a significant milestone on our journey to bring Universal United Kingdom Resort, featuring immersive storytelling, thrilling attractions and unparalleled creativity and innovation to the UK. This new theme park and resort will create so many new opportunities for the people of Bedford and beyond and allow us to share our distinct experiences with guests from around the world.”

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said: “This landmark investment in the heart of the Oxford to Cambridge Growth Corridor will unlock nearly £50 billion of economic growth and create tens of thousands of jobs across Bedfordshire in construction, hospitality, creative and technology sectors.

“Our own investment in transport and infrastructure means that local people will benefit — improving connectivity, backing our creative industries, and bringing millions of visitors to the UK from across the world. We have the right economic plan — working with global investors and local leaders so we can deliver jobs, opportunity and long‑term prosperity for Britain.”

What do you think is currently the best theme park in the UK? Email us at webtravel@reachplc.com

UNIVERSAL has confirmed the name of its new theme park opening in the UK, with a newly-release image of the park’s logo.

Set to be built in Bedford, the new theme park will be called ‘Universal United Kingdom Resort’.

The park was given the green light in 2025, and works started on the site earlier this year.

It will be the first Universal theme park in Europe, and it is scheduled to open in 2031.

Comcast NBCUniversal will be investing £5billion into the project, as well as an additional £1billion in capital investment over the first 10 years of operation and £1.3billion from the UK government to support local infrastructure.

It expects to boost the UK economy by as much as £50billion by 2055, and create 28,000 jobs.

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Once open, the theme park is set to become the country’s most popular tourist attraction.

Mark Woodbury, Chairman and CEO of Universal Destinations & Experiences, said: “Today marks a significant milestone on our journey to bring Universal United Kingdom Resort, featuring immersive storytelling, thrilling attractions and unparalleled creativity and innovation to the UK.

“This new theme park and resort will create so many new opportunities for the people of Bedford and beyond and allow us to share our distinct experiences with guests from around the world.”

This was echoed by Brian Roberts, Chairman of Comcast Corporation, who said: “This historic partnership is a special moment for our company as we bring our first Universal theme park and resort to Europe.”

As for what kind of themed lands and rides would open at the UK Universal, very little is known.

But there are rumours suggesting that some could be based on James Bond, Paddington, Lord of the Rings, Minions, Jurassic World, and Back to the Future.

It is unlikely to include Harry Potter due to licensing rules and that nearby is the Wizarding World of Harry Potter attraction.

What is known is that across 662 acres, there will be four ‘zones’ – the Core Zone, Lake Zone, West Gateway Zone and the East Gateway Zone.

More accommodation and business hotels will be at the Lake Zone, as well as an entertainment complex and a convention centre.

West Gateway Zone and the East Gateway Zone will be where guests arrive by train and car, with restaurants and hotels.

This is also likely to be where the Entry Plaza area will be, as well as parking and a 500-room hotel.

The Entry Plaza is expected to be the free-to-visit area where tickets aren’t required, similar to Universal’s CityWalk in Orlando.

The park could even stay open all year round and have longer opening hours than other UK theme parks.

Previous suggestions included opening hours from 7am to 11pm.

Included in the theme park plans is a new train station which is being incorporated to cope with demand.

In the mean time, The Sun’s Assistant Travel Editor Sophie Swietochowski visited Universal’s huge new £7bn theme park.