The best UK theme parks revealed – and Paultons Park is in the world’s top ten

THE best theme parks in the UK have been revealed – with one even being voted one of the best in the world.

According to the 2020 TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards, Paultons Park has been named the best amusement park in the country.

It also came in 10th place in the top theme parks in the world, beating Disneyland Park in California and Disneyland Paris.

The 2020 Travellers’ Choice Awards analyses both the quantity and quality of millions of reviews and ratings to determine the winner – this year analysing reviews pre-pandemic.

Paultons Park is a favourite of British tourists, featuring Peppa Pig land – and cheap hotel deals near the park start from £40 a night.

The park, which has reopened since the pandemic forced its closure back in March, is also to have a new American-themed land, based around a fictional 1950s midwestern town, with eight new rides and the UK’s first free-spinning rollercoaster, Storm Chaser.

Called Tornado Springs, its opening has been pushed to next year due to coronavirus.

Here are the other winners of the best theme parks in the UK to add to your list this summer.

Be sure to check before visiting however – some may remain closed or require online bookings.

2. The Milky Way Adventure Park, Clovelly

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You can get married at Milky Way theme park[/caption]

Located in North Devon, The Milky Way Adventure Park has both indoor and outdoor attractions.

Last year, they launched their new ride Ziggy’s Blast Quest, and Sci-Fi fans will love the on-site memorabilia attraction with Star Wars and Doctor Who pieces.

You can even get married there – the park has a converted 17th century barn called The Old Barn, and you can go on the dodgems too.

3. Adventure Island, Southend-on-Sea

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Adventure Island is free to visit[/caption]

It’s completely free to visit Adventure Island, but you have to buy wristbands to be able to use the rides, ranging from £15 to £22.50 per person.

The park opened in 1918 as the Sunken Gardens, before becoming Peter Pan’s Playground and then Adventure Island.

While modest with rides, there are five rollercoasters as well as go karting, golf and arcades.

4. Sundown Adventureland, Retford

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Sundown Adventureland is better suited to younger kids[/caption]

Billed as the theme park for under-10s, rides include an Angry Bird themed attraction and Robin Hood themed play area.

Pirates, fairytales and the Wild West feature throughout the park, as well as Christmas-themed rides.

The park originally started as a bungalow on a large piece of land in the 1960s, before the owners bought more animals to turn it into a petting zoo – which included a pet monkey and 3,000 chickens.

5. Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Blackpool

Blackpool Pleasure Beach, which first opened in 1896, is home to the UK’s only Nickelodeon Land.

In 1994, it had the tallest rollercoaster in the world – The Big One – before being beaten by Fujiyama at Fuji-Q Highland in Japan in 1996, although The Big One is still the tallest in the UK.

The rollercoaster, Icon, which opened in 2018, is the first multi-launch rollercoaster in the UK.

Hotels near Blackpool Pleasure Beach start from £25 a night.

6. Clifton Park, Rotherham

Clifton Park is open all year round, with a range of family-friendly rides.

The rollercoasters are gentle enough for kids, although there are some scarier ones.

There are lots of free attractions too, and you just pay to go on individual rides.

7. Dymchurch Amusement Park, Dymchurch

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Dymchurch Amusement Park is free to enter too[/caption]

Located on the beachfront, Dymchurch Amusement Park is a new entry for the best UK theme parks.

With free admission, pay-per-ride attractions include Mickey’s Runaway, a ghost train and dodgems.

There are also arcades, indoor play areas and cafes on-site too.

8. Crealy Family Theme Park, Exeter

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Crealy Family Theme Park has some great overnight themed stays with glamping and camping[/caption]

Originally a farm in 1988, the park now has 60 rides including rollercoasters, water rides and the Animal Barn with zoo and farm animals.

Staying at Crealy is advised – the park has hot tub lodges and glamping areas.

Themed tents include medieval lodging and safari cabins.

9. Brighton Palace Pier, Brighton

For more traditional rides, Brighton Palace Pier is the place to visit with everything from a carousel to trampolines.

Bigger rides include The Booster and Turbo Coaster.

It’s free to visit the pier but you will need wristbands to go on the ride.

10. Alton Towers Theme Park, Alton

One of the most well-known theme parks in the UK, Alton Towers just made the top 10.

Also the biggest theme park in the UK, the newest rollercoaster to have opened is the wooden rollercoaster The Wickerman in 2018.

Other new attractions include the Stargazing Pods opened in 2019 and Gangsta Granny: The Ride, which was due to open this year but will now welcome guests in spring 2021.

Paultons Park also came in first place in the 2019 TripAdvisor awards.

A B&B in Torquay has been named the Best B&B in the World– owned by Andy and Julian Banner-Price, it is the second year in a row The 25 Boutique B&B has won the prestigious award.

Situated within walking distance of the English Riviera, the award-winning B&B has 100 per cent five star reviews on TripAdvisor, with more than 700 reviews.