Theme Park Links

Theme Park Organisations

BALPPA. The British Association of Leisure Parks, Piers and Attractions is the trade organisation representing the UK amusement park industry.
Roller Coaster Club of Great Britain. A club for thrill seekers. Membership includes, amongst other things, discounts to amusement parks, discounts on club trips and a quarterly magazine called Airtime.
European Coaster Club. Another UK-based club for white knuckle addicts. Offers a very similar package to the above club but the magazine, First Drop, offers more in-depth coverage with articles and news.

The UK Parks: A to Z of Official Web sites

Adventure Wonderland. Formerly the Alice in Wonderland Family park, Adventure Wonderland features seven acres of themed parkland near Bournemouth Airport, with children's rides, activities and a huge maze.
Alton Towers. The UK's most famous theme park includes well-known attractions such as Nemesis, Oblivion and Air, with a whole host of rides for all the family. One of the first modern theme parks, and still the best.
The American Adventure. This Derbyshire theme park has suffered from a lack of investment in recent years, and closed for the last time at the end of the 2006.
Blackgang Chine. This long-established Isle of Wight theme park has now installed rides - including a roller coaster - but its fantasy walk-throughs are the highlight. This enchanting theme park is located on a landslip, and this is part of its charm. It has slowly retreated up the hillside over the years as the old parts of the park disappear into the sea.
Camelot Theme Park. Under the management of Prime Resorts Limited, this small theme park is aimed at a younger audience, but does have a few white knuckle rides. The park has recently opened a major new coaster, imported from Japan, called Knightmare.
Chessington World of Adventures. Formerly a zoo, this was developed into "London's theme park" by the Tussauds Group in the late 1980s. It is now packed full of well-themed areas, although the park's development has been somewhat constrained by its location in the Green Belt. Aimed fairly and squarely at the family market.
Crealy. Website for the original Crealy theme park near Exeter, Devon, and the new Crealy Great Adventure Park near Newquay, Cornwall.
Drayton Manor Park. One of the few theme parks in Britain to dare to take on the might of Alton Towers, and it is doing a great job. This independent, family-owned, Tamworth-based park has benefited from a continuous programme of investment over the past few years, which has seen rides like Shockwave (stand-up roller coaster) and Apocalypse (tower ride) added. Also features a zoo.
Flambards Experience. Established nearly 30 years ago as the Cornwall Aircraft Park the Flambards Experience is one of the most popular days out in Cornwall. Not only does the Theme Park host a range of thrill rides, there is also the Flambards Victorian Village and Britain in the Blitz indoor attractions.
Flamingo Land. Located at Malton in North Yorkshire, this popular park developed from a zoo. The park has a huge collection of rides, and has recently invested in new themed attractions, including the Lost River Ride and Velocity. The Web site includes information about staying at the adjoining Holiday Village.
Gullivers Theme Parks. This chain of theme parks aimed at younger children now comprises three parks. The oldest, Gulliver's Matlock Bath, opened in 1978. The second park, Gulliver's Warrington, followed in 1989. The newest park, Gulliver's Milton Keynes, opened in 1999.
Legoland. On the site of the former Windsor Safari Park, Legoland is a great day out for children. The Web site has all the basic information that is required, and links to other Legoland parks.
Lightwater Valley. Home of the Ultimate, the world's longest roller coaster (and a very unique ride). This rural park, in the heart of the North Yorkshire countryside near Ripon, has all the usual theme park attractions, but has never really been able to follow up the Ultimate.
Loudoun Castle. Scottish theme park in fantastic location, set around the ruins of an imposing castle. Under new management from 2003, this theme park has vastly improved, and includes two large Schwarzkopf roller coasters, log flume, and new Dougal McDougal's Farm attraction with all-new rides for the kids.
M&D's. M&D's is billed as "Scotland's Theme Park" and now has its own Web site.
The New Metroland. Billed as the biggest indoor theme park in Europe, Metroland is part of the huge MetroCentre shopping complex at Gateshead. With a wide range of attractions including roller coaster, pirate ship and the most amazingly themed waltzer you will see anywhere, it was announced the park was to close in 2006. In 2006, a website was set up by the staff to fight the park's proposed closure by the owners of Metro Centre: www.savemetroland.com.
Oakwood. Although somewhat distant from the UK's main population centres (it is in South West Wales), this park is well worth a visit. It is home to Megafobia, the first major wooden roller coaster to be built in Britain for decades, and it is a highly-rated ride. The park has also invested in other attractions since then, including the spectacular Hydro water ride.
Pleasure Island. Located at the seaside resort of Cleethorpes on the site of an old zoo, Pleasure Island is a first-rate theme park, and is owned by Flamingo Land. This little-known park, which has no 'claim to fame', does have a huge range of theme park attractions that should keep the family happy.
New Pleasurewood Hills. Opened in 1983, this 71-acre 'American' theme park has over 50 rides and attractions, aimed mainly at the family market. Since 2004, it has been under the ownership of French theme park group, Grévin & Cie.
Robin Hill. This Isle of Wight theme park has been established since the late 1960s. New for 1999 was the Time Machine simulator and new for 2000 was Colossus, a pirate ship attraction. These rides join the existing Toboggan Run ride. Under the same ownership as Blackgang Chine.
Sundown Adventureland. Children's theme park near Rampton, aimed fairly and squarely at the under-10s. The best rides are the Boozy Barrel Boat Ride and the new Tractor Ride.
Thorpe Park. One of the UK's first purpose-built theme parks, on the site of an old quarry just inside the M25, Thorpe Park is now part of the Tussauds Group. Major rides include Tidal Wave, a huge water ride, and two spectacular roller coasters: Collossus (the world's first 10-inversion roller coaster) and Nemesis Inferno.
Watermouth Castle and Family Theme Park. Located near Ilfracombe, this historic Castle features a fantasy theme park, with rides and walk-through attractions.
Wonderland. Enchanting fantasy theme park based in Telford, with fairytale characters, dinosaurs, rides and a maze, amongst the many attractions.

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