Blackpool Pleasure Beach has been named the best value theme park in the UK, according to research by credit card brand Aqua. The study compared peak-season adult ticket prices, number of rollercoasters, visitor reviews, parking charges, and nearby hotel costs to determine which parks offer the most value for money this summer.
The iconic seaside attraction has the most rollercoasters in the ranking, meaning visitors pay the equivalent of £1.22 for any of its 26 rides, based on the average £32 adult ticket price. Alongside a 4.3-star Google rating and nearby accommodation averaging £121 per night, the park offers families an affordable day out without compromising on experience.
New ride and extended hours
The park recently opened its new Aviktas ride, a 138ft gyro swing that takes 40 riders at a time, swinging 120 degrees skywards over views of the coastline. Every Wednesday throughout the summer, the park stays open until 8pm, giving visitors more time to enjoy the rides.
All-you-can-ride Pleasure Beach tickets cost from £31.50 and can be booked online. Tickets for Nickelodeon Land cost £25.
Tips from Aqua
Scott Yule, commercial strategy director at Aqua, said: "As we head into the spring and summer months, many families start planning days out and looking for fun activities to enjoy together. Theme parks are often at the top of the list, but the cost of a visit can add up quickly, particularly when trips are arranged at short notice." He shared tips to help manage costs, including booking in advance and looking out for discounts and offers over the summer.
Top 10 best value theme parks
In second place is Lightwater Valley Family Adventure Park in North Yorkshire. With tickets priced at £25 and 11 rollercoasters, Aqua found it offers good ride variety alongside free parking and a 4.1/5 review rating. Hotel prices average £222.
In joint third place are Gulliver's Land in Buckinghamshire and Fantasy Island in Skegness. Gulliver's Land offers free parking and average entry costs of £26, with solid visitor ratings (4.1/5) and competitive accommodation at £135 on average. Fantasy Island tickets average £26 for an adult, with nearby hotels averaging £135 and 10 rollercoasters.
The full list of best value theme parks includes: Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Lightwater Valley Family Adventure Park, Fantasy Island, Gulliver's Land, M&D's Scotland Theme Park, Codona's, Drayton Manor Theme Park, Alton Towers Resort, Adventure Island, Paultons Park, The Milky Way Adventure Park, and Twinlakes Family Theme Park.
Other accolades
In May, the Pleasure Beach was hailed the UK's best attraction for keeping kids entertained, according to AttractionTickets' Banish Boredom Index, ranking sixth globally behind Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando Resort, and Disneyland Paris.
The Pleasure Beach is also hosting the Hot Ice XC show this summer, back for its 90th year with a cast of more than 31 world class skaters. Performances run until September 10, with tickets from £5.
