Trifter

Anyone who lives in or who is visiting the UK and looking for something to do can choose from a vast array of theme parks.  Whether you are a thrill seeker or not there is something out there for you.  Wherever you are there is a great theme park near you.

Alton Towers (Staffordshire)

Alton Towers is the second most visited theme park in the UK attracting over 3.1 million people in 2008.  There’s no wonder either, when you consider the mammoth list of amusements it has to offer.  The Nemesis (Europe’s first inverted rollercoaster); Oblivion ( a vertical drop rollercoaster) and Rita – Queen of Speed ( a rollercoaster which accelerates to a whopping 100km/hr in just 2.2 seconds!!

For the less brave though, there is still plenty to do including a monorail, mini crazy golf and Old Macdonald’s Farmyard.  Just opened in 2009 is Cloud Cuckoo Land, aimed at younger visitors.

The site also boasts two hotels and numerous eating areas, so there is no chance of you getting bored.

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Flamingo Land (North Yorkshire)

With a theme park and a zoo Flamingo Land is two days out for the price of one!  It houses over 1000 animals, from exotic birds and rare fish to hippos, monkeys and lions. The park especially emphasises it’s collection of African animals housed in the Lost Kingdom and African Plains.

Among the popular rides are Kumali ( a suspended looping coaster, which takes its name from one of the park’s lions); Velocity (a motorbike launch coaster) and the Corkscrew, which was the first ride at the park when it opened in 1983.  Set to open in July 2009 is the Mumbo Jumbo, which will feature a 112 degree drop!

There is an aread edicated to children along with a holiday village, swimming pool and cafe.

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Chessington World of Adventure (South-west London)

Originally a zoo, the theme park aspect was later added in 1987. The zoo features lions, tigers and gorillas while the children’s zoo is home to pigs, sheep and chickens.  There is also a Sea Life Centre which opened in 2008.

The rides range from thrill rides such as Rameses Revenge (a top spin ride) and the Dragon Falls log flume to the more child friendly Toytown area with it’s carousel and on-rails car rides.

The park also features a Safari Skyway, an elevated monorail which travels around the park, giving excellent views of all it has to offer.  With plenty of cafes in each area and a 150 bedroomed Holiday Inn on site  you are sure to find everything you need.

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Loudoun Castle (Galston, South-west Scotland)

This Scottish theme park is set around the ruins of a 19th Century castle, and was opened in 1995.

There are dozens of rides with the most popular being the Twist n Shout (a looping rollercoaster); Black Pearl (an inverting pirate ship) and Loggers Leap (a log flume).

There are also severla live shows which take place during the day, including The Big Top Theatre (with clowns, acrobats and magic shows); Birds of Prey ( featuring educational talks and falconry displays) and Rory and friends (where children can join in with the singing, dancing park mascot.)

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Pleasure Beach (Blackpool)

Situated in the seaside town of Blackpool, this is the UK’s most popular theme park.  This is no surprise as it houses over 125 rides! There is just about every type of ride you could ever dream of, and you are guaranteed to find the perfect one for you.

From thrill rides like The Pepsi Max Big One (the largest and steeepest rollercoaster in the world when it opened in 1994) and the Bling (a star shaped ride).  There are numerous water rides if you aren’t afraid to get wet with Valhalla and Beaver Creek Log Chute.  There are also family favourites such as a monorail and dodgems.

There are arcades, a Ripley’s Believe it Or Not, an ice rink and Pasaje Del terror – a horror attraction within the casino.  Add to this the many shows including Hot Ice (an ice skating extravaganza) and the South Beach Musical at Planet Rock and you will find it so easy to while away the hours here.

There are over thirty five cafes and the Blue Hotel on site along with the many other hotels and B &Bs in Blackpool itself.

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