This year is set to be a big one for theme park enthusiasts, with several new lands and incredible rides to enjoy across a number of major attractions, including lots of family-friendly fun. As the warm weather arrives, theme parks across the UK are reopening their gates, offering the perfect place to keep children entertained and create lasting memories while enjoying heart-stopping thrills.
2026 is shaping up to be a great year for theme park fans. A huge number of hotly anticipated new rides and lands are coming to major parks, some of which are already open to riders. Here is a roundup of new attractions to look out for this summer.
Paultons Park
Paultons Park, perhaps best known as the home of Peppa Pig World, will be adding a new themed world aimed more at older children and adults. Valgard: Realm of the Vikings officially opens its gates on May 16, the week before half-term, and will offer new rides and themed attractions. Its three main rides are Drakon, the park's first inverting rollercoaster with a dramatic vertical lift; Vild Swing, which will swing riders 39 feet into the air; and Raven, a bobsled ride previously known as the Cobra coaster, which has been redesigned to match the new Viking theme. The immersive experience continues in Valgard's themed playground and dining hall. Theme park fans can already book Paultons Park tickets for the opening day and beyond, which include access to the main park, Peppa Pig World, and a number of lands such as the American-themed Tornado Springs.
Chessington World of Adventures Resort
World of PAW Patrol recently opened at Chessington, featuring four exciting new rides: Chase's Mountain Mission, a rollercoaster suitable for young children; Skye's Helicopter Heroes, which will take kids on a high-flying mission; Marshall's Firetruck Rescue, where children can take a ride on a shiny red truck; and Zuma's Hovercraft Adventure, the UK's first 'drifter' ride. Kids can climb and explore at Rubble and Rocky's Playzone, and there are meet-and-greets with the pups for family photos. Over at Chessington's Azteca Hotel, visitors can even book a PAW Patrol-themed room featuring bunk beds for the children, where they can enjoy a pawsome sleepover.
Alton Towers
Another recent opening aimed at young children can be found at Alton Towers' extremely popular CBeebies Land. Bluey the Ride: Here Come The Grannies! is a kid-friendly rollercoaster that opened at the end of March, featuring Bluey and Bingo dressed as Janet and Rita, a fun callback to a fan-favourite episode. The ride takes riders through the Heelers' back garden on an adventure with the pups. Once finished exploring CBeebies Land, visitors can also choose a Bluey-themed room at the park's hotel. The CBeebies Land hotel opened more Bluey-themed rooms and suites this year. For those who have not visited Alton Towers for a while, the Toxicator, which opened in 2025, is a neon-green coaster that throws riders in the air and spins them around at high speed, creating an adrenaline-pumping experience.
Blackpool Pleasure Beach
Blackpool Pleasure Beach will be launching a new £8.72 million gyro swing ride named Aviktas this spring. At 138 feet, it will be the tallest of its kind in the UK. Thrill-ride enthusiasts can book a VIP ride preview on May 10 or 13, making them among the first to try the ride, or wait until May 21, when the ride will open to the public. The park also has a huge number of other thrill rides, such as the Big One, a 235-foot hypercoaster, and Icon, a double launch rollercoaster. It is also home to the kid-friendly Nickelodeon Land, featuring SpongeBob, Rugrats, and Avatar-themed rides.
Crealy
Devon-based theme park Crealy opened Pirates' Plummet, an 80-foot tall drop tower, in April. It used to be situated in Paultons Park, where it was called Magma, before being rebuilt at Crealy. Summer will also see the arrival of Rotor, an inverting air race ride. No date is confirmed for the opening yet, but visitors can book tickets or short breaks for this summer on the Crealy website.
Pleasurewood Hills
Pleasurewood Hills came under new ownership last year and was quick to confirm it would be revamped with plans including four new rides. According to BBC reports, the new rides will include Star Flyer, a 30-metre-tall thrill ride; Spinning Coaster; Apple Coaster; and the Big Wheel. Planning approval for the new rides has been submitted, but no date has been announced for their opening.
