Paultons Park in Hampshire has been named the UK's best theme park for families in 2026, outperforming major rivals Alton Towers, Thorpe Park, Blackpool Pleasure Beach, and Drayton Manor. The ranking, conducted by Outdoor Toys, analyzed entry prices, number of rides, food outlets, TripAdvisor ratings, and annual Google searches to determine the top family destinations for summer days out.
Paultons Park Leads with Strong All-Round Offering
Paultons Park achieved an average score of 6.85 out of 10, securing first place. The park offers 38 rides, 12 food outlets, and an impressive 71% of its TripAdvisor reviews rated as 'excellent'. Despite having the highest child admission price in the ranking at £46.75, the park attracts over 1.7 million Google searches annually, reflecting its enduring popularity.
Opened in 1983, the park is located in the New Forest National Park near the village of Ower, covering 140 acres on the former Paultons Estate. It houses a collection of 80 species of birds and animals and over 70 rides and attractions. International recognition came in 2011 with the opening of Peppa Pig World, based on the children's animated series. Subsequent expansions include the creature-themed Critter Creek, the dinosaur-themed Lost Kingdom, and the Western-themed Tornado Springs.
Awards and Recognition
At the UK Theme Park Awards 2025, Paultons Park won Theme Park of the Year along with gold awards for Best New Attraction (Ghostly Manor), Best Theme Park for Families, Best Theme Park for Toddlers, Best New Sustainability Initiative, Best Use of UP in an Attraction, and Best Customer Service. It also earned silver awards for Best Integration of Technology in a Guest Experience and Best New Food or Retail Outlet for the Pancake Kitchen, plus a bronze award for Best Queue Line Experience or Pre-Show for Ghostly Manor.
Second Place: Blackpool Pleasure Beach and Drayton Manor
Jointly taking second place, Blackpool Pleasure Beach and Drayton Manor both scored 6.48 out of 10. Blackpool Pleasure Beach, one of the UK's most iconic seaside attractions, offers 32 rides, 14 food outlets, and attracts over 2.1 million Google searches annually. Drayton Manor boasts one of the highest ride counts in the ranking with 47 rides, alongside affordable child admission at £29.50, and draws nearly 2 million annual Google searches.
Alton Towers Rises to Fourth
Alton Towers Resort climbed to fourth place with a score of 6.11 out of 10. The Staffordshire resort features 40 rides and 12 food outlets, and remains the UK's most-searched theme park with more than 7 million annual Google searches, thanks to its world-famous roller coasters and expansive resort experience.
