Top 5 Best Theme Parks in the North You Need to Visit
Who doesn’t love a theme park? Great for kids, fun for parents and exciting for everyone! Even if you aren’t the world’s biggest adrenaline junkie, theme parks have so much to offer, and you can easily spend several days exploring.
We know all about famous theme parks like Drayton Manor and Alton Towers, but are there any other great theme parks we should know about in the North of England? Read on to find out our top 5 recommendations.
1. Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Blackpool
Arguably one of the best theme parks in the entire country, Blackpool Pleasure Beach has been attracting visitors for many years. Thrilling, scream-a-thon rollercoasters, family-friendly rides, shows, and the children’s favourite Nickelodeon Land, there’s something for everyone. Be amazed at Ripley’s Believe It or Not, experience the latest white knuckle rollercoaster - The Icon, or visit the terrifying interactive horror event, Pasaje del Terror, where confusion, fear and the unknown take control.
- Tickets from £32.00
- Nearest station - Blackpool Pleasure Beach
- https://www.blackpoolpleasurebeach.com/
2. Diggerland, Castleford
With well over 20 themed rides, Diggerland is not just for lovers of diggers - although there are a lot of huge, chunky digger-type vehicles. Enjoy rides that include the breathtaking Skyshuttle, super speedy Go-Karts, or the precision-based Digger Skittles. There is so much fun to be had playing around with these powerful giant machines - even if you weren’t a fan before, you can’t help but love this immensely.
- Tickets from £12.97
- Nearest station - Castleford
- http://www.diggerland.com/days-out-in-yorkshire-diggerland/
3. Wild Shore, Liverpool
Situated within the cafe culture of Liverpool’s Albert Dock, Wild Shore offers an exciting water-themed adventure for families. Enter the Aqua Park and explore its inflatable obstacle course, race others to the finish, and trampoline your way around, or try paddle boarding. Keeping your balance, steering and making progress all at once is a tough ask - can you manage it?
With packages for every experience level, everyone can come along and have fun.
- Prices from £18.00
- Nearest station - Liverpool Lime Street
- https://www.wildshoreliverpool.co.uk/
4. Inflatanation, Manchester
Offering fun for all the family, this inflatable-filled theme park is unbeatable fun. With activities including adrenaline-fuelled races, giant heart-stopping slides, and bouncing duels, there’s really no end to the bouncing adventures Inflatanation delivers. From special sessions for the physically challenged to adult-themed nights and classes for tiny tots, there are numerous school holiday-focused money-saving offers.
- Prices from £5.99
- Nearest station - Trafford Park
- https://www.inflatanation.com/locations/manchester/
5. Southport Pleasureland, Southport
Jam-packed with rides, amusements and experiences, you can easily spend the day at Pleasureland and still have lots to see.
Hop on the 15-inch gauge railway and explore the whole park, or stay and enjoy the fairground rides, including a stunning traditional carousel, near the station. Scream-a-thon rollercoasters, hair-raising flying swings, and log flumes compete with the fantastic fun house, scary ghost train and terrifying Matterhorn ride for which is best. Pleasureland certainly delivers on fun, fun, fun!
- Prices from £9.00
- Nearest station - Southport
- https://www.southportpleasureland.com/
How to get train tickets for theme parks?
Many of the UK’s train operators offer discounts on theme park tickets when passengers book their rail travel at the same time. If you’re planning a trip to a theme park, always enquire if this is the case.
Nearest stations to theme parks
Theme parks must be accessible to their customers, and many either prefer to or have to, arrive by train. It makes sense, then, for the parks to be built near stations. Most are within a short walk of the nearest station.
Train travel advice to theme parks:
If you plan to spend the whole day at a theme park, it pays to be prepared beforehand. So, here’s our advice on what to take:
- Smartphone - ensure it’s fully charged
- Hand sanitiser
- Refillable water bottle
- Snacks
- Painkillers - it might be a long day!
- Spare socks/tee shirts - for after the water rides
- Sunglasses, hat and sunscreen
- Foldaway mac
- A comfortable, secure bag
As a sneaky money-saving extra, fill a thermos flask with hot water and pop in some hot dogs. They will be a tasty snack when you all get hungry, and you can easily slip some precut rolls and ketchup sachets into your bag. It’ll save you a fortune!
If you have to take a pushchair, it can be a good idea for security purposes, to take a bike lock with you.
Top 10 theme parks you can reach by train
- Alton Towers
- Blackpool Pleasure Beach
- Go Ape, Delamere
- Legoland Manchester
- Adrenaline Zone, Blackpool
- Southport Pleasureland
- Ocean Beach Pleasure Park
- York Maze
- Sandcastle Waterpark
- The Forbidden Corner
FAQs
Alton Towers was visited by 670,000 in 2020, closely followed by Legoland Manchester and Blackpool Pleasure Beach.
Whilst it depends on what type of attractions visitors are looking for, Alton Towers Resort arguably has some of the best around. The heart-stopping rides, animals, and awesome activities, all spread over 550 acres, deliver exciting family-friendly fun every day.
Northern App
Streamline your journey and get tickets straight to your phone. Making your journey contact-free.
Northern App
Streamline your journey and get tickets straight to your phone. Making your journey contact-free.