Discover the most exciting theme parks in and around London in 2026 with this ultimate Visit London guide. Drawing on insider knowledge and real visitor insights, we’ve chosen the top spots for unforgettable days out – whether you're chasing adrenaline, planning family fun or exploring with friends.
From high octane rollercoasters to imaginative indoor attractions, each park is handpicked for its standout rides, atmosphere and overall experience. Many of the UK’s biggest theme parks are only a short journey from the city, making them ideal for spontaneous adventures.
In this guide you’ll find the best theme parks near London, top picks for younger families and weather proof indoor options you can enjoy year round.
London theme parks not to miss in 2026
- 🎢 Thorpe Park – best for thrill seekers and high adrenaline rollercoasters
- 🦁 Chessington World of Adventures – best for family-friendly rides and zoo animal adventures
- 🧱 LEGOLAND Windsor – best for younger kids and LEGO fans
- 🎡 Alton Towers – best for thrilling rollercoasters and themed attractions
- 🎠 Babylon Park – best for indoor rides and arcade games in the heart of London
How we chose the best theme parks in London
To create the ultimate theme parks guide, we’ve combined data-driven insights with first-hand expertise from the Visit London editorial team. Our selection draws on a range of metrics including analysing monthly ticket sales, seasonal search trends, first-hand visits and the great experiences available at different price levels for every type of day out.
6 best theme parks in and near London
Thorpe Park – Best for adrenaline-packed rollercoasters and thrill seekers
- Where: Staines Road, Chertsey KT16 8PN (approximately 40 minutes from central London)
- Nearest station: Staines (South Western Railway from London Waterloo) followed by bus or taxi to the park
- When: Opening times vary by season; typically 10am–6pm (check ahead before visiting)
- Duration: We recommend a full day if you want to experience most of the rides
Known for its high-adrenaline rollercoasters and themed attractions, Thorpe Park in our opinion is one of the best day trips from London for thrill seekers.
Located just outside the city in Surrey, the theme park is known for its record-breaking rollercoasters, intense rides and lively atmosphere. Some of the standout highlights include Hyperia, the UK’s tallest and fastest rollercoaster, SWARM the UK’s first winged coaster and the 10-inversion Colossus. From our experience, arriving early in the day puts you in good stead to queue for some of the popular rollercoasters, saving the smaller rides and food stops for later in the afternoon.
If you’re planning a theme park day trip from London, Thorpe Park is relatively easy to reach by train from Waterloo to Staines, followed by a short bus or taxi ride to the theme park entrance.
Best for: Thrill seekers, groups and rollercoaster fans.
Good to know: Short on time? Buy Fastrack tickets to beat the queues and experience thrills without the lengthy waiting time.
LEGOLAND Windsor – Best for little adventurers and playful minds
- Where: Winkfield Road, Windsor SL4 4AY
- Nearest station: Windsor & Eton Riverside (South Western Railway from London Waterloo) followed by a shuttle bus to the park
- When: Opening times vary by season; typically 10am–5pm (check ahead before visiting)
- Duration: We recommend a full day if you want to experience most of the park
Get ready for an unforgettable family adventure at LEGOLAND Windsor, a vibrant world built for kids aged three to 12 – where imagination runs wild and every corner bursts with colour, creativity and excitement!
With more than 55 rides and attractions, zoom through a medieval fortress on The Dragon, dive beneath the waves on the LEGO Deep Sea Adventure submarine voyage, and even earn your very first LEGO City Driving School licence. Spread across 150 acres, the park is alive with dazzling LEGO theming, hands on play zones and jaw dropping model landscapes. Don’t miss Miniland, where world famous landmarks are recreated in astonishing LEGO detail.
Got little builders in tow? Head straight to DUPLO Valley, home to splash tastic water play, gentle rides and the perfect introduction to theme park magic. LEGOLAND Windsor is a place where stories come alive, creativity takes over and families make memories brick by brilliant brick. Refuel around the resort for a bite to eat or a drink at 11 different restaurants and food outlets.
Best for: Families, child friendly hands-on experiences and LEGO enthusiasts.
Good to know: Enjoy the park and stress-free travel with the LEGOLAND Windsor and return coach travel option.
Chessington World of Adventures – Best for family-friendly rides and animal experiences
- Where: Leatherhead Road, Chessington KT9 2NE
- Nearest station: Chessington South (South Western Railway from London Waterloo) followed by bus or taxi to the park
- When: Opening times vary by season; typically 10am–5pm (check ahead before visiting)
- Duration: We recommend a full day if you want to experience most of the theme park, SEA LIFE centre and zoo
Dive into a world of non stop excitement at Chessington World of Adventures, where magical themed lands, adventurous family rides, dazzling underwater worlds at the SEA LIFE Aquarium, and thrilling animal encounters come together in one epic day out. Little explorers will be enchanted by gentle favourites like the Gruffalo River Ride Adventure, while thrill hungry teens can soar through the treetops on the fang tastic Vampire rollercoaster, legs flying free beneath them.
Fuel the fun with tasty bites from food stalls and cafés scattered across the park, or sit down together for a hearty family feast at one of the many restaurants.
For families seeking adventure, imagination and unforgettable memories, Chessington World of Adventures is the ultimate place to answer the call of the wild!
Best for: Families, gentle adventures and experience variety.
Good to know: Plan your day around shows, feeding times and quieter animal areas for a relaxed experience.
Alton Towers – Best for thrilling rollercoasters and child-friendly rides
- Where: Alton, Staffordshire ST10 4DB
- Nearest station: Uttoxeter (East Midlands Railway from London Euston) followed by bus or taxi to the park
- When: Opening times vary by season; typically 10am–4pm (check ahead before visiting)
- Duration: We recommend a full day if you want to experience most of the rides
Experience worldclass thrills and magical family fun at Alton Towers. Explore more than 40 rides and attractions spread across the park, including legendary rollercoasters like Oblivion and Rita and child-friendly worlds such as CBeebies Land and the immersive Gangsta Granny: The Ride. Brand new for 2026, children will love the world’s first Bluey-themed rollercoaster, featuring gentil dips, colourful scenery and playful surprises.
For thrill lovers and rollercoaster fanatics, we recommend the Wicker Man rollercoaster, one of the world’s most immersive rollercoaster experiences. Hold on for the cutting edge special effects combined with familiar classic wooden coaster technology.
Between adrenaline rushes, wander the park’s enchanting historic gardens or journey through themed lands packed with surprises. When hunger calls, tuck into plenty of dining options to keep you fuelled for your adventure, from quick bites to hearty meals.
Best for: Thrill seekers, groups and family fun.
Good to know: Enjoy a longer break at Alton Towers and book a fully themed hotel stay including Enchanted Village, Splash Landings Hotel or the UK’s only CBeebies Land Hotel.
Babylon Park – Best for epic rides and family-friendly entertainment
- Where: Camden, London NW1 8QU
- Nearest station: Camden Town (Northern line)
- When: Daily; opening times typically 10am–9pm (check ahead before visiting)
- Duration: Approximately two hours, but this depends on what rides and arcade games you do
Step into Babylon Park, London’s vibrant space-themed underground theme park where you’ll find an array of epic adventures, futuristic rides and family fun. The multi-storey indoor world is packed with seven thrilling rides, including a zippy neon indoor rollercoaster, a soaring drop tower ride, bumper cars and hundreds of arcade and VR games for all ages to enjoy.
The beauty of Babylon Park is the fact it’s free entry and pay-as-you-go entertainment; little explorers will love the colourful soft play areas, while older adventurers level up on immersive VR missions or chase high scores on classic and modern arcade favourites.
When it’s time to refuel, there are family-friendly food options to grab a bite between games and rides, keeping everyone fuelled for longer.
Best for: Families, gamers and thrill seekers.
Good to know: Entry is free; pay as you go with Babylon coins or buy unlimited-ride wristbands for even more fun.
Drayton Manor Resort – Best for family-friendly themed rides and animal experiences
- Where: Drayton Bassett, Staffordshire (B78 3TW)
- Nearest station: Tamworth (Avanti West Coast or LNR & WMR from London Euston) followed by bus or taxi to the park
- When: Opening times vary by season; typically 10.30am–5pm (check ahead before visiting)
- Duration: We recommend a full day if you want to experience most of the theme park and zoo
Tick off big thrills, family magic and wild animal encounters all in one epic day at Drayton Manor Resort. This powerhouse of fun packs in heart pounding rides, immersive themed worlds and unforgettable wildlife moments – perfect for families craving adventure.
Begin your journey in Thomas Land, a vibrant, storybook world where Thomas & Friends comes to life through more than 20 colourful rides and attractions, from Harold’s Helicopter Tours to the bumpy but brilliant Troublesome Trucks Runaway Coaster. Ready for bigger thrills? Brace yourself for Stormforce 10’s triple water drop, the punchy launch of Accelerator, and the high speed twists of Gold Rush – guaranteed to get hearts racing.
When you need a breather, wander through Drayton Manor Zoo, home to more than 100 animals including tigers, monkeys and red pandas – an ideal pause between adrenaline hits. Finally, refuel with park wide favourites, from classic fish and chips to hearty sit down meals and irresistible sweet treats.
Best for: Families, thrill seekers and animal lovers.
Good to know: With more than 100 rides and attractions spread across themed areas, plan your route to help you see more without backtracking.
Theme parks in London FAQs
Does London have theme parks?
London is home to Babylon Park, a vibrant space-themed underground theme park packed with rides and arcade games.
Popular theme parks including LEGOLAND Windsor, Thorpe Park and Chessington World of Adventures are within easy reach of the city, all offering rides, shows and family-friendly experiences.
What are the best theme parks near London?
Top theme parks for visitors near London include Chessington World of Adventures for its rides, zoo and themed lands; LEGOLAND Windsor for family-friendly rides and LEGO creations and Thorpe Park for its high thrill rollercoasters like Hyperia and Stealth.Which theme parks near London are best for families?
The best theme parks near London that are popular with families include:
- Chessington World of Adventures – Enjoy the ultimate theme park and zoo day out with more than 40 family-friendly rides and attractions across 10 exciting, themed lands.
- LEGOLAND Windsor – Let imagination and creativity come to life with more than 55 interactive attractions and rides, shows, models and LEGO-building fun for all the family.
