What’s new at Top 10 UK theme parks

Theme parks across the UK are all now open for the 2015 season. So what’s in store for all you thrill-seekers and what’s new at the Top 10 UK theme parks. YourHols went along to find out…

UK theme parks

BLACKPOOL PLEASURE BEACH
Reach for the skies! A unique thrill ride based on the world-famous Red Arrows, is launched on May 25 – with a show from the world’s No1 air display team.
The 72ft-high Red Arrows Sky Force will take you on a sensational 360-degree flight as you spin, glide and create a formation display from your own Red Arrows cockpit.
And when you touch down, there’s lots of Red Arrows souvenirs designed for Blackpool Pleasure Beach. Park MD Amanda Thompson said: “The Red Arrows are a British institution so it was perfect for us to work with them.”
The new ride is in the shadow of the tallest and fastest UK roller coaster, The Big One – one of  BPB’s favourite attractions.
See Blackpool Pleasure Beach

UK theme parks

ALTON TOWERS
The Staffordshire park is famous for thrilling rollercoasters such as The Smiler and Air. But its unique Enchanted Village, which has just opened, provides tranquil accommodation with luxury four-bedroom treehouses and lodges.
Children will love the quirky play areas around the village –  set in woodland and lit by fairylights at night – next to the Alton Towers Hotel. The treehouses, sleeping eight, cost from £75 per person a night and the lodges for five people, cost £37.50 per person.
Fabulous place to stay after a day in the park which has also launched a new area CBeebies Land, full of themed rides based on the kiddies’ TV channel.
See Alton Towers

UK theme parks

PAULTONS PARK
Critter’s Creek is the park’s new land and it’s crawling with fun. It is full of weird and wonderful discoveries from the park’s resident nutty professor, Professor Blast.
Families can meet Curious Critters befriended by the Professor on his travels to unchartered islands and take a spin on the Expedition Express ride.
Paultons Park, home to Peppa Pig World and with more than 60 rides and attractions in Hampshire, was recently awarded a VisitEngland Gold Accolade.
See Paultons Park

UK theme parks

CHESSINGTON WORLD OF ADVENTURES
PPPP-pack your bags – it’s the Year of the Penguins at the Surrey park and zoo. The black and white feathered favourites feature in a new show, Penguins of Madagascar Live, with animatronic characters that sing, dance and talk.
Guests can take a “selfie” with them before hopping onto a new ride. The park’s resident penguins are getting a walk-through enclosure in Penguin Cove and if you want to stay overnight,
PPPP-put your head down in new penguin-themed rooms at Chessington Safari Hotel.
See Chessington

UK theme parks

LEGOLAND WINDSOR
Those colourful bricks are as popular as ever and LEGOLAND Windsor has new treats. LEGO City Driving School is bigger and better with child-size Fiat cars and a new lane on the test course.
And LEGO Friends’ fans are in for a Heartlake City double whammy. Ten premium themed rooms, sleeping two adults and up to three children, are now open at the resort hotel.
Bright, wall graphics, Friends’ pets and LEGO surprises await you. Packages from £369, including two days in the park. And from early summer, the Friends ­– Mia, Andrea, Stephanie, Emma and Olivia – will greet families in their own Heartlake City area.
See Legoland

UK theme parks

THORPE PARK
Ant and Dec would love this – the new attraction I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! Maze has opened at the Surrey park.
You can take a walk on the island’s wild side and compete for the crown as you take on some of the most iconic trials inspired by the award-winning TV show. You’ll come face-to-face with the jungle trials such as the Catacombs of Doom and the Chambers of Horror and the Celebrity Cyclone finale! Can you become king or queen of the jungle?
See Thorpe Park

UK theme parks

DRAYTON MANOR
Thomas the Tank Engine has steamed into 2015 with a £2.5 milllion extension to his home! Thomas Land at Drayton Manor – celebrating its 65th anniversary – has expanded by 40 per cent.
There are new rides and attractions – Captain’s Sea Adventure, Flynn’s Fire & Rescue and Toby’s Tram Express – to add to the 12 themed Thomas & Friends rides including Troublesome Trucks Runaway Coaster.
Colin Bryan, MD of the Staffordshire park, said: “We’re going the extra mile by offering even more for our visitors to enjoy.”
See Drayton Manor

UK theme parks

FLAMINGO LAND
This park is Yorkshire’s pride and joy. Thrill rides, attractions for all the family and a zoo – what more could you want? Scream on the zero gravity flight experience Hero and soar 45 metres above the crowds on Pterodactyl. There is also the 2009 Guinness World Record Breaking Mumbo Jumbo, along with favourites Kumali, Cliff Hanger and Velocity.
There are more than 140 species of mammals, birds and reptiles in the zoo (a Rothschild Giraffe calf (above) has just been born to parents George and Lizzy). For 2015, the new outside entertainment area Riverside One has an all-weather stage.
See Flamingo Land

UK theme parks

OAKWOOD
Live or holidaying in Wales? You’ll be greeted by a shiny new train at Oakwood Theme Park. The park has joined forces with local holiday let company Coastal Cottages of Pembrokeshire to give the miniature train a facelift and a new name – the ‘Coastal Express’.
Oakwood is home to one of the best rollercoasters in the UK – the wooden Megafobia – among the rides and attractions for all ages.
See Oakwood

UK theme parks

M&Ds
Live or holidaying in Scotland? M&Ds in Strathclyde Country Park has attractions galore including an indoor tropical rainforest with Marmoset monkeys, toucans, parrots and more. Thrill rides include the Flying Carpet and Runaway Mine Train but there’s plenty for littles ones too including Amazonia Bounce Kingdom and Mini Dodgems.
See M&Ds