UK Theme Parks: 4 of the Best

Like the rest of the western world, the UK has a healthy selection of Theme parks; here are some of the biggest and best parks on offer.

Drayton Manor proudly boasts to be the UK's largest family-owned theme park, and offers some very well known rides such as Shockwave - Europe's only stand-up roller coaster; Stormforce 10, the UK's first reverse-chute water ride; Apocalypse, the world's first stand-up tower drop, and Pandemonium, a double inverted Aerial Park Zone. Drayton Manor have also recently been granted permission to build a 72 room hotel which is due to open in spring 2010, which will allow visitors the option of staying very close to the attractions.

Legoland Windsor is perhaps the UK's most unique theme park. Divided into nine different themed areas and spread over 150 acres of parkland, Legoland is best suited for young children and families. There are over 50 rides throughout the park, including: the Dragon, a roller coaster that travels from the turrets to the dungeons of a fantasy Lego castle; Pirate Falls, a exciting flume ride, and Driving School, where children can lean to drive on a realistic course featuring traffic lights, roundabouts and junctions.

Chessington World Of Adventures is very much a family orientated park with 90% of the rides suitable for children under 12 years old; Tomb Blaster is a ride through a spooky haunted tomb armed with a laser gun; riders must shoot the ghostly inhabitants and score points in doing so. The Run Away Mine Train is a classic roller coaster that weaves through rocky scenery and through tunnels, or if you're not afraid of heights, try Peeking Heights, a 92ft Observation Wheel, from where you can get an excellent view of the rest of the park.

Alton Towers is the UK's most popular theme park and boasts some of the biggest and best rides ever created on British soil, such as Nemesis, Oblivion and Air; but like many other UK parks, Alton Towers closes over the winter, reopening in the spring. This year Alton Towers saw a number of new rides such as the Haunted Hollow, The Dung Heap, and Extraordinary Golf - two fantastic 9-hole adventure golf courses themed around the park's iconic rides and attractions. New for 2008 will be an area named "Mutiny Bay" which will feature a "Splash Battle" interactive boat attraction, called "Battle Galleons". For those wanting to maximise their time or be among the first to try the new attractions, there are a range of Alton Towers Hotels in and around the park's grounds and also close by, so visitors needn't be far from the fun!

There are also dozens of other smaller theme parts in the UK, such as the West Midlands' Safari Park, Gulliver's World, Camelot Theme Park and Flamingo Lands, which offer rides, animal attractions, and other entertainment, so why not try them all?