One UK theme park voted as best for families – not Alton Towers or Thorpe Park | UK | Travel
New research has revealed the best theme park in Britain for family fun – and it’s packed with rides, well-rated by visitors, and offers more value for money than some of its more famous rivals.
Experts looked at a range of key factors including ticket prices, number of rides, TripAdvisor ratings and local accommodation costs to determine which parks truly deliver on family entertainment. As the school holidays approach, this lesser-hyped destination has been crowned top for the second year running, offering a brilliant day out for all ages without breaking the bank.
Drayton Manor, located in Staffordshire, has claimed the number one spot, scoring an impressive 7.14 out of 10 in the study conducted by children’s toy specialists Outdoor Toys.
With 45 rides and a four-star TripAdvisor rating, the family-friendly resort has quietly become a firm favourite for parents and children alike.
Drayton Manor has nine food outlets and variety of attractions from gentle rides for toddlers to high-adrenaline thrills for older children.
Advance junior tickets also come in cheaper than some other parks, offering excellent value, particularly during peak summer weekends.
Paultons Park – home to Peppa Pig World – took second place again this year with a score of 6.75 out of 10. It boasts 36 rides and 12 food venues, plus appraisals such as “excellent” on TripAdvisor.
However, its £45 junior entry fee is the highest in the study, and it has seen a slight dip in ride count compared to previous years.
Still, anticipation is building ahead of the park’s brand-new Ghostly Manor ride, set to open later this year.
Meanwhile, Blackpool Pleasure Beach has surged into third place, overtaking Sundown Adventureland, thanks to its variety of rides and coastal location.
Among other notable mentions, Playland Fun Park in Worcestershire stands out as the only UK theme park offering free entry for children, making it a budget-friendly choice for families.
Woodlands Family Theme Park in Devon leads the list in terms of ride numbers, boasting an impressive 50 attractions.
And for those looking to cool off this summer, Oasis Fun Pools in Newquay was named the UK’s top-rated waterpark.
With a wide range of attractions across the country, it’s clear families are spoilt for choice – but for the best balance of value, fun, and nationwide appeal, Drayton Manor stands tall as the UK’s ultimate family theme park for 2025.
Top 10 family theme parks across the UK
- Drayton Manor, Tamworth
- Paultons Park (Peppa Pig World), Hampshire
- Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Blackpool
- Lightwater Valley, Ripon
- Sundown Adventure, Nottinghamshire
- Fantasy Island, Skegness
- Alton Towers Resort, Stoke-on-Trent
- Woodlands Family Theme Park, Devon
- Camel Creek Family Adventure Park, Cornwall
- BeWILDerwood, Cheshire
