Milton Keynes theme park named among best value in UK

The government’s ‘Great British Summer Savings’ scheme is helping families save on days out this summer, cutting VAT on entry to a range of attractions from 20% to 5% until September 1. Among the attractions included is Gulliver’s Land, which has now been named among the UK’s best-value theme parks by new research.

Credit card brand Aqua compared theme parks in the UK across several factors, including the peak-season adult ticket prices, the number of rollercoasters, visitor reviews, parking charges, and nearby hotel costs, to reveal which offer the best value for money this summer.

Gulliver’s Land ranks third among the UK’s best-value theme parks, joint with Fantasy Island in Skegness. Adult entry tickets cost £26 at both parks, and they each benefit from some of the lowest nearby hotel costs, averaging £135 per night. They also receive positive Google reviews, with scores of 4.3 and 4.1 stars, respectively. Gulliver’s Land saw the lowest overall cost of visiting, out of all the theme parks.

Blackpool Pleasure Beach was rated as the UK’s best-value theme park, offering the highest number of rollercoasters in the country (26), which works out at £1.22 per ride. Peak-season adult tickets averaging £32 and relatively low hotel costs averaging £121 for a family one-night stay. Customer reviews rated the park 4.3 out of 5 and it was seen as delivering the highest overall value for money by Aqua.

In second place is Lightwater Valley Family Adventure Park in North Yorkshire. With tickets priced at £25 and 11 rollercoasters, it offers good ride variety alongside free parking and a respectable 4.1/5 review rating. Although hotel prices are higher, averaging £222, its low entry cost and strong ride-to-price ratio help secure its place in the rankings.

Scott Yule, Commercial Strategy Director at Aqua said: “As we head into the spring and summer months, many families start planning days out and looking for fun activities to enjoy together.

“Theme parks are often at the top of the list, but the cost of a visit can add up quickly, particularly when trips are arranged at short notice.

“However, there are a number of steps you can take to help manage and potentially reduce these costs during the spring and summer season. Below are some tips on how you could save when planning your theme‑park trip this year.”

Scott’s tips on visiting theme parks for cheaper:

1. Booking tickets in advance - Rather than paying on the door, which can often result in a lower overall price, book tickets in advance. Theme park operators typically apply a premium to gate prices, so securing tickets ahead of time may offer better value.
2. Concessions or family-focused pricing structures - Some theme parks offer free entry for younger children, usually subject to age or height criteria. But this varies by operator, and in some cases children may be charged at the same rate as adults. Make sure to carry out research in advance to understand the pricing structure of the theme park.
3. Promotional offers and discounts - Many theme parks run seasonal promotions, such as “2-for-1” tickets or discounted advance booking rates. It’s also worthwhile looking out for group booking offers.