Theme parks in London

Whether it's adrenaline-pumping rides, animals or underwater adventures you're after, Chessington delivers. Explore themed lands with more than 40 rides and attractions, including rollercoasters, dodgems and rides suitable for younger children. Chessington Zoo houses 1,000 animals, including tigers, lions, giraffes and penguins; plus, there's a SEA LIFE aquarium with sharks, stingrays and other aquatic creatures.

Sail with pirates or Vikings, get chased by dragons, uncover the treasure of the Pharaohs, go on a deep see adventure and learn to drive a Lego car at Legoland Windsor. There are more than 55 interactive rides and attractions at Legoland, including Duplo Airport for younger visitors and some amazing Lego constructions, such as a model of our favourite city – London – built entirely from Lego bricks!

Thrillseekers will love Thorpe Park. Ride rollercoasters such as Stealth, which goes from zero to 80mph in two seconds; The Swarm (the UK’s first winged rollercoaster); and the twisting Colossus. Let your heart leap at gravity-defying drop ride Detonator, get soaked with Tidal Wave, or check out the 4D Angry Birds Experience, among its many adventures.

Take a scary but humorous 90-minute journey through 1,000 years of London’s history at ever-popular The London Dungeon. There are 16 interactive shows featuring live theatre actors, while two rides to guide you through the city’s murky past. Walk the Whitechapel Labyrinth with Jack the Ripper, experience the curse of a witch and be careful not to lose your head on The Tyrant boat ride with King Henry VIII! 

Set your imagination free in KidZania at Westfield London – the role-playing park for children that’s taking the world by storm. A child-size city complete with shops and locations, including a fire station, a bank and a theatre where children can role-play a variety of different jobs and professions, KidZania aims to teach life skills such as financial literacy, teamwork and independence. 

See, hear and even smell what one of the world’s most famous bridges was like throughout the ages. Led by a team of actors, at The London Bridge Experience you’ll go from Roman times and Boudica's screaming hordes, to the Great Fire of London, to a Victorian boneyard and beyond. This is an immersive, interactive experience with a focus on the more gruesome side of history.

Enrol in Hogwarts for the day... Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter takes you behind the scenes, where you'll get to see loads of props, costumes and sets from the beloved Harry Potter films. Led by tour guides, many of whom worked on the films themselves, this is your chance to wander Diagon Alley, ride on a broomstick, walk through the Great Hall at Hogwarts and much more. 

Shrek's Adventure! London, on London's South Bank, whisks you off to the Kingdom of Far Far Away. Board the Dreamworks Tour Bus for a 4D experience with cheeky Donkey as your hilarious guide. You'll be taken through multiple live, fairytale-themed shows, including Shrek's Swamp and a mirror maze. Suitable for all ogres, but particularly those aged six to 12 years old. 

Nestled in 500 acres of countryside is the Alton Towers resort, with more than 40 thrilling rollercoasters and attractions for everyone to enjoy. Ride the immersive wooden rollercoaster Wicker Man or experience a vertical 90-degree drop into the ground on Oblivion. Alton Towers is 151 miles (243 km) northwest of London and you can get there by car or train.

Enjoy the ultimate family day out at Drayton Manor Resort with a zoo and more than 50 rides and attractions to explore. Visit Europe’s only Thomas Land and explore the Thomas & Friends themed attractions including Thomas & Percy’s Submarine Splash and Troublesome Trucks Runaway Coaster. Drayton Manor Resort is 116.6 miles (187.6 km) northwest of London and you can get there by car or train.