UK’s best seaside parks revealed – with England’s oldest wooden rollercoaster and the country’s tallest ride
THE best theme parks in the UK found next to the beach have been revealed.
The UK Theme Park Awards has rounded up the best seaside parks for it’s fifth year running.
The UK is home to more than 500 theme parks and amusement parks, with a number found at UK seaside towns and villages.
And in the 2024 awards, 15 parks on the coast are in the running to be named the very best, with the winner revealed later this year.
Some of the smaller ones include Clacton Pier – Europe’s largest pleasure pier with rides as well as bowling and golf – along with a museum park Codona’s in Aberdeen.
Here are some of the more popular ones included in the list.
Dreamland, Margate
Dating back to the 1870s, Dreamland is home to the oldest rollercoaster in the UK – the wooden Scenic Railway.
New rides include Pirate Ship, Noah’s Ark and Cups and Saucers — for kids, while last year the new Rock n’ Roller coaster as well as Margate Express and crazy golf course.
It’s free to enter, although there are some huge paid-for events this year including gigs from Status Quo, Busted and Nile Rogers.
Pleasure Beach, Great Yarmouth
Home to more than 26 rides, Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach was named one of the best seaside attractions last year.
New rides this year include the new Polar Express, replacing the Mulan coaster, the carousel-like Race-O-Rama and the 52ft Ghost Ship.
It is also home to Roller Coaster, the only operational scenic railway in the UK.
Blackgang Chine, Isle of Wight
Also the UK’s oldest theme park, having been running for 181 years, Blackgang Chine is right on the coast on the Isle of Wight.
This year’s two new attractions include Blackgang Beach as well as ghost ship Jolly Robin.
Park tickets start from around £25, but they have a unique offer that lets you return for free as often as you like within seven days, in case you don’t get around to doing everything.
Adventure Island, Southend-on-Sea
Adventure Island was named the best free admission fun park by TripAdvisor this year.
Last year the park opened the new City Wheel ride to celebrate Southend becoming a city.
One of the park’s rides even inspired Thorpe Park’s Saw.
Best Seaside Parks 2024 named by UK Theme Park Awards
- Adventure Island
- Barry Island Pleasure Park
- Blackgang Chine
- Blackpool Pleasure Beach
- Brean Theme Park
- Clacton Pier
- Clarence Pier
- Codona’s
- Dreamland Margate
- Fantasy Island
- Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach
- Harbour Park
- Ocean Beach Pleasure Park
- Pleasurewood Hills
- Southport Pleasureland
Fantasy Island, Skegness
Fantasy Island is not only free to visit, but is also home to the largest seven-day market in Europe.
New this year is Spinning Mouse XXL rollercoaster, which is expanding the original coaster with two extra drops.
Pleasure Beach Resort, Blackpool
Once called Blackpool Pleasure Beach, the park was renamed Pleasure Beach Resort earlier this year.
Not only was the theme park named one of the best in the world, but is also home to one of the best water rides, Valhalla log flume.
Other unique attractions include the UK’s tallest ride, The Big One, and the Icon, the only double launch rollercoaster in the UK.
In the mean time, here are the best theme parks in the UK, and the best new theme park rides.