Fancy a day out with a difference? One of my favourite ways to spend a summer’s day is heading to a theme park for a day of thrilling rides, fun and adventure! Check online before setting off for any discount vouchers as you can often get 2 for 1 entry or save cash by booking online in advance leaving you more cash to splash on the embarrassing photos of you on the rides once you get there.
Alton Towers
Alton Towers is probably the UK’s favourite theme park and probably mine too. Conveniently situated in Staffordshire, it is possible to visit from all over the UK but you may want to stay over locally as all the adrenaline usually leaved me exhausted by the end of the day. If you love hair raising, adrenaline pumping rides then the thrills Nemesis, Air and Rita won’t leave you disappointed. You will need a head for heights on Oblivion, especially when you are dangled over the edge for a few seconds right before dropping vertically down a big black hole. There are also plenty of ghost and scary rides like Thirteen, Hex and the Haunted House to keep you interested. If rides aren’t your thing there are beautiful grounds and gardens to enjoy a walk through, or observe them from a height on the Sky Ride which takes you from one side of the park to the other.
Thorpe Park
I’ve heard Thorpe Park referred to as the most thrilling theme park in the UK because of its stupendous white knuckle rides. To be honest I don’t think they are wrong, even the hardiest adrenaline junkies will be at home here! Rides include the Slammer and the SAW as well as my favourite ride The Swarm, where you are taken through spectacular crash scene involving a plane, helicopter, fire engine and several trucks!
Situated in Surrey, it is easily accessed if you’re staying in London; there are also lots of local accommodation options like hotels, holiday cottages and serviced apartments.
Drayton Manor
Drayton Manor features a few unusual rides like Shockwave which is a stand-up roller coaster. I don’t know how I feel about standing up on a roller coaster though! If you fancy a more relaxed day there is also a zoo which is home to over one hundred animals including penguins, tigers and chimps. Two days out in one!
Legoland
This unique attraction really is a must see! Everyone has played with Lego as a child and even as an adult it is hard not to be impressed by the many displays all made with Lego bricks. Apparently the whole park is made with nearly 55 million Lego bricks; imagine being the guy paid to play with Lego! One of the best parts of Legoland at Windsor is Miniland which recreates places from Europe and the USA, including sounds and traffic of big cities. I just love that kind of thing!
If fancy making a trip to a theme park as part of a longer trip, visit SykesCottages.co.uk
for great family holiday accommodation in the UK.
Photo Attribution
Alton Towers http://www.flickr.com/photos/rpoll/38681389/
Legoland http://www.flickr.com/photos/yaketyyakyak/5913178233/