Blackpool's Pleasure Beach Resort has been crowned the 'Best of the Best' theme park at the Park World Excellence Awards, with its new £8.7m ride Aviktas named 'Best Ride of the Year'. The ceremony took place in London last Wednesday, recognising the cream of the leisure industry across Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
Aviktas swings riders 138ft into the air
Aviktas, which opened in May 2026, was an £8.72M investment. It swings riders 138ft into the air on its rotating pendulum, and broke records for being the largest ride of its kind in the UK upon its launch. The ride beat international competition from Germany, the Netherlands, and Spain to win the title.
The 'Best of the Best' award is reserved for theme parks, rides and tourist attractions recognised for excelling as the best of all time within their respective industry. Organisers describe the accolade as "the absolute pinnacle, reflecting everything that is great about our industry" and one of the highest honours in the leisure and tourism sector.
First UK park to win prestigious accolade
Pleasure Beach Resort becomes the first UK theme park to win the 'Best of the Best' accolade, joining legendary attractions such as Europa Park, Siam Park and Liseberg as former recipients. The park was praised for its sustained success and continued contribution to the theme park industry when it received the award.
The park is a fourth-generation family-owned business and is now in its 130th year, making it one of the oldest theme parks in Europe. This win continues a period of success for Pleasure Beach, having already claimed two honours earlier this week at the European Star Awards, where Aviktas was named Europe's Best New Ride and Valhalla was runner up for the Best Water Ride.
CEO praises 'massive achievement'
Amanda Thompson OBE, CEO of Pleasure Beach Resort, said: "To be named Best of the Best is a massive achievement for our park. Our industry is full of so much talent, so to be recognised among the best speaks volumes on the dedication and hard work that has kept us moving forward for 130 years.
"Avitkas has been a hugely valuable addition to the park and I’ve been delighted by its reception so far. If they haven’t already I’d absolutely encourage people to visit Pleasure Beach and give our ride, now recognised as one of the world's best a go!"
Pleasure Beach Resort remains open for the majority of September and October, excluding certain Mondays and Tuesdays outside of school holidays. It is also preparing for its Halloween event, Journey to Hell, opening October 17, which returns this year with three new scare mazes and a selection of rides running from 10am until 9pm.
