The UK has a whole host of exciting theme parks to choose from, whether you're an adrenaline junkie looking for rollercoaster thrills or want a more sedate day out with the family. Most close for the winter and reopen their doors in the spring.
The 2023 season will see numerous new rides to enjoy and themed areas to explore. Chessington World of Adventures is launching its World of Jumanji, which includes new attractions such as Ostrich Stampede, Mamba Strike and their winged rollercoaster, Mandrill Mayhem.
Meanwhile Alton Towers is opening a spooky new attraction called The Curse at Alton Manor to replaces Duel, which closed last September. And Thorpe Park has refurbished its Ghost Train ride, which will apparently throw live actors into the mix.
Birmingham Live has rounded up all of the latest information on when UK theme parks reopen, what experiences they are offering during February half-term holidays and how much you can expect to pay for a ticket. Prices and dates were correct as of February 20.
Alton Towers
Alton Towers it the UK's biggest theme park, boasting big name rides such as Nemesis, Wicker Man and Oblivion. As mentioned previously, the park is opening their newest ride Curse of Alton Manor next month, which promises to be their most immersive dark ride to date. Developers reportedly tried to find new and imaginative ways to scare riders, so strap in for a fun and freaky time.
In terms of opening dates, the park will be throwing a Pirate Takeover event during February half-term aimed at younger kids, with most of the rides closed but offering a "unique interactive experience". There will also be shows, an open aquarium and two rides open (Marauder's Mayhem and Heave Ho!).
The theme park officially reopens on Saturday, March 18, and tickets start at £36 in advance, which rises to £68 if purchasing on the same day. If you plan on returning, you can check out the Silver Annual Pass, which costs £99 per person.
For more information and to book tickets, visit www.altontowers.com.
Farley Lane, Alton, Stoke-on-Trent, ST10 4DB
Drayton Manor Park
Drayton Manor Park is home of the famous Thomas the Tank Engine Land. At the time of writing, the park was yet to announce any notable new additions for 2023, but their ride line-up is already stacked with attractions such as Shockwave, Stormforce 10, Thor, Loki and Maelstrom.
Between February 17 and February 26, the park will hold its Dinosaur Breakout event, aimed at younger children with only a few major attractions open. Throughout March, the zoo will be open every day and Fridays to Saturdays will be March of the Dinosaur weekends, with a few more rides open but the majority still shut.
All rides and attractions will be open fully from April 1, when the new season officially begins. February half term tickets cost £26, with anytime one-day entry tickets costing around £45, although you can save 30 per cent by booking a dated ticket. Find out more on www.draytonmanor.co.uk.
Drayton Manor Drive, Fazeley, Mile Oak, Tamworth, B78 3TW
Thorpe Park
Thorpe Park is a popular destination for adrenaline junkies. Highlights here include Colossus, Stealth, Vortex, Nemesis Inferno and their exciting newly refurbished ride, the Ghost Train.
Ghost Train will be launching in spring this year and is reportedly one of the UK's longest ride experiences, which will feature multi-sensory effects combined with live actors, as opposed to the more virtual experience it was before.
No February events have been announced at Thorpe Park, which will remain closed until the park's official reopening on Friday, March 24. Tickets on the gate cost £64, although you can make huge savings by booking online in advance, with tickets priced from £37. Check out more deals at www.thorpepark.com.
Staines Road, Chertsey, KT16 8PN
Chessington World of Adventures
Chessington World of Adventures is creating an entirely new area featuring three rides - the World of Jumanji. There will be two flat rides called Ostrich Stampede and Mamba Strike, but the crown jewel is Mandrill Mayhem, a winged shuttle coaster.
You will have to wait until March to try out the new attractions but in the meantime, Chessington is holding zoo events throughout February half term and weekends. The park officially reopens on Thursday, March 23.
You can buy day tickets from £36 online, or £60 on the day. For more information, check out www.chessington.com.
Leatherhead Road, Chessington, KT9 2NE
Blackpool Pleasure Beach
The UK's most ride intensive amusement park is Blackpool Pleasure Beach, which also has the country's only Nickelodeon Land. Their biggest attractions include Icon, Revolution, Infusion, the Big Dipper and of course, the Big One.
Blackpool Pleasure Beach won't be hosting any events in February, but plans on opening its doors to the public on Saturday, March 18. Online tickets will cost £34. whilst on the day you can pick them up for £46.
For dates, rides and more information, visit www.blackpoolpleasurebeach.com.
525 Ocean Boulevard, Blackpool, FY4 1EZ
Legoland Windsor
Legoland will be getting involved with February half-term, throwing a special event called Brick Week. The event runs until February 26, with the exception of February 21, 22 and 23 when it is closed, and will have a limited number of attractions open for use.
The park will officially open its doors on Friday, March 17, open from 10am to 5pm from Sunday to Friday and 10am to 6pm on Saturdays. Tickets cost £38 on Brick Week, or £34 during the regular season. As with other parks, this increases to £66 if you leave it until the day to buy your ticket.
For more information and to see which rides will be open during the Brick Week event, check out www.legoland.co.uk.
Winkfield Road, Windsor, SL4 4AY
Paulton's Park
Mainly known for it's popular Peppa Pig World, this New Forest theme park boasts more than 70 attractions including huge rollercoasters Storm Chaser and Cyclonator. Although no new rides will be opening here in 2023, the Tornado Springs region launched in 2021 and contains eight rides, including a rollercoaster called Farmyard Flyer which only opened in April 2022.
Paulton's will be open over February half term until February 26, excluding February 21 to February 23, with most rides open but some larger ones still closed for maintenance. March follows a similar pattern, as the theme park is open Fridays through to Mondays, albeit with some rides still closed for maintenance.
Their season officially begins on April 1, when all rides and attractions will be open to the public. Individual tickets cost £41.75, although they do offer family tickets with a family of three costing £125.25 and with four people priced £167.
For bookings and ride information, check out their website at www.paultonspark.co.uk.
Ower, Romsey SO51 6AL
Flamingo Land
Yorkshire's Flamingo Land may not be the most renowned theme park in the UK, but with a zoo, resort and spectacular rides spread over 375 acres it certainly deserves more recognition. Some of their biggest thrill rides include Mumbo Jumbo, Hero and Velocity.
Flamingo Land are still running their Winter Zoo exhibition across February half-term and every weekend in March, before opening their rides and attractions to the public on Saturday, March 25. Tickets cost £39 when booked seven days in advance, £45 two days in advance and £52.50 on the day.
Children under three get in for free, whilst there are discounts for senior citizens, disabled guests and families. Check their website out at www.flamingoland.co.uk for more information.
Kirby Misperton, Malton YO17 6UX
Fantasy Island Resort
Situated on the sometimes sunny coast of Lincolnshire, Fantasy Island in Ingoldmells is home to Europe's largest seven-day market along with 30 rides and attractions for all ages. Their biggest coasters include the Volcano, the Odyssey and the Millennium.
Fantasy Island launches for one weekend on March 18 and 19, before officially opening for the season on March 25. You can pay per ride if you aren't too fussed with the attractions, with rides costing between £2-5 per person, but the one day wristband is probably the better deal.
Depending on the time of year, 'Discovery' wristbands cost between £18.50 and £29.50 and these will allow you to access all rides in the park.
For more ticket and ride information, visit www.fantasyislandresort.co.uk.
Sea Lane, Ingoldmells, Skegness PE25 1RH
Oakwood Theme Park
Wales' largest amusement park in the heart of Pembrokeshire boasts the UK's most popular wooden rollercoaster, Megafobia, which has recently been retracked. Their other thrill rides include Speed, Drenched, Bounce and Vertigo, the UK's tallest sky swing.
Oakwood has not yet announced its opening date for 2023, although last year their main season launched on May 28, with some dates available in April to celebrate Easter.
The only ticket you can currently purchase is a 2023 season pass, which will cost you £71.75. Looking at last years prices, tickets were up to £25.50 for adults a week in advance, rising to £36if booked less than 2 days in advance.
To keep an eye on their opening date announcement, you can find their website at www.oakwoodthemepark.co.uk.
Canaston Bridge, Narberth SA67 8DE
