10 Best Theme and Amusement Parks in London

For the best things to do in London, be sure to make time for the theme parks. From the famous Harry Potter Studios to a trip to Far Far Away, London has something for everyone. You can also venture into horror experiences or ride rollercoasters for all ages.

The British capital is known for its themed worlds dedicated to endearing characters such as Peppa Pig and Paddington Bear. In general, there are plenty of options and here are the highlights.

Many Harry Potter fans visit London in the hope of immersing themselves in the film locations. Even non-fans of the saga are curious about the sights and secrets of the blockbuster film franchise. I suggest you consider tickets to the Harry Potter Studios Park and go behind the scenes.

This theme park has everything you need for a family getaway. Get up close and personal with the Hogwarts Great Dining Hall and touch real objects, costumes and sets from the saga. You can also climb on a quidditch broom like a wizard or find out which house you belong to and visit the platform that recreates Platform 9 ¾.

The fun is endless and you can enjoy the Forbidden Forest with displays of magical creatures from the films. If you're interested in how the props, special effects and sequences were created, you'll want to check out the interactive exhibits at Stage 48. Overall, the park is quite large so some people may find it more convenient to book a guided tour.

As one of the most visited theme parks, it's possible to sell out, but you can always opt to resell tickets.

Interesting details

• Price: from 119 €.
• Opening times: Every day from 8.30am to 10pm, with last admission at around 6.30pm.
• Location: Watford, on the outskirts of London.
• How to get there: Some tickets include transfers, for example you can book tickets to the park with transfers from Victoria Station. But if you're on your own, you can get to the Harry Potter Studios by train or bus to Watford Junction, then you'll need to catch another connection to the site.
• What's usually included in the ticket is access to all attractions, as well as transfers to and from London (if selected). You can also pay for an audio guide or request a guided tour in advance.

Immerse yourself in a haunted house and experience a combination of history and horror in one format. London Dungeon tickets allow you to enjoy over 10 interactive shows for at least two hours. You can experience historic events that brought the world to a standstill through live performances, interactive attractions and special effects.

You can travel to medieval London on the main attractions which include:

• A medieval lift that descends to the most terrifying events in London's history.
• A visit to the court of Henry VIII.
• A re-enactment of the Black Death.
• A musical show featuring Jack The Ripper.
• A trial that ends on a 1783 gallows where you will be tried.
• An escape from the Great Fire of 1666.
• A terrifying simulation of a boat ride ending at the Tower of London, where you will be introduced to the history of betrayal and execution of characters such as Anne Boleyn.

Details of interest

• Price: from €32.
• Opening times: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday 10am-6pm; Thursday 11am-6pm and Saturday 10am-7pm.
• Location: at the Riverside Building, you can consider tickets for the London Eye as they are very close by.
• How to get there: You can get there by tube or bus. If you plan to book the Big Bug sightseeing bus you should know that it is close to one of its stops.

You must visit the world's oldest scientific zoo and discover over 15,000 animals. It was established in 1828 and is one of the best entrances in London to see attractions such as:

• Penguin Beach: you will find penguins from different parts of the world in a habitat adapted to their needs. You can interact with them and attend feeding sessions.
• Land of Lions: travel to India and discover Asian lion species, which enjoy a climate-controlled habitat adapted to their needs. You will be able to see them up close thanks to an observation bridge.
• Tiger Territory: discover the endangered Sumatran tigers.
• Butterfly Paradise: explore a greenhouse full of butterflies of different species.

Details of interest

• Price: from €37, usually cheaper if purchased online.
• Opening hours: Open every day of the year with different opening times depending on the season.
• Location: in Regent's Park.
• How to get there: there are several bus and underground lines. If you are staying in the centre you can walk there.

If you're visiting London with kids you definitely need to buy tickets for Shrek's Adventure. It's an interactive experience for the whole family that allows you to discover the world of Shrek and other DreamWorks films.

In Far Far Away you can see characters like Donkey, Princess Fiona and Puss in Boots. Cinderella and Pinocchio are also likely to be seen. All in all, it's a park with everything you need to have a great time:

• Ride the magical bus that takes you to iconic locations from the films, such as the verdant swamp. The experience includes special effects of wind, water and unexpected movements.
• Become a real Viking or rescue Pinocchio on an adrenaline-filled mission.
• Discover your future in a magic crystal ball.
• Walk through the hall of mirrors to meet Princess Aurora.
• Gather ingredients and puzzles to help Shrek get home.

As you can see, this park mixes different stories to create a fun and unexpected experience.

Interesting details

• Price: around €25.
• Hours: generally every day from 10:00 to 15:00.
• Location: in the Riverside Building.
• How to get there: The nearest tube stations are Waterloo and Westminster, but you can also get there by bus or suburban train.
• What's usually included in the ticket: access to more than 10 attractions and the Magic Bus, professional guide and photo with the characters.

If you prefer intense thrills and immersing yourself in adventure activities in London, you can check out Chessington World of Adventures. This theme park has over 40 rides for the whole family and its rollercoasters are some of the best in the UK, with different speeds and unexpected twists and turns.

Here you can take a boat ride and immerse yourself in The Gruffalo, an English children's story that will grab your attention. If you are interested in zoos and aquariums in London there is a zoo with over 1,000 animals. In addition, there is an aquarium known as the SEA LIFE Centre which takes you on a journey through the most interesting sea creatures.

Details of interest

• Price: from €38, but there are free children's tickets and discounted family tickets.
• Opening hours: Every day from 10am to 5pm.
• Location: Chessington, on the outskirts of London.
• How to get there: It's best to drive or take a direct train from London Waterloo to Chessington South Station, then walk to the park.
• What's usually included in your ticket is access to over 40 attractions.

Legoland Park is a must-see attraction for those looking to immerse themselves in the creative world of a well-known toy brand. Walk among architectural creations made of building blocks and take advantage of around 55 attractions. Don't miss an exhibition of London's monuments and models of other cities around the world made from millions of tiny LEGO pieces.

You can also take advantage of a car circuit and a water park for children. Or lose yourself in the haunted houses and forests. And if you want to take advantage of adventure-filled attractions, don't miss out:

• LEGO Mythica: immerse yourself in an immersive experience that recreates a magical world with magical creatures made of LEGO pieces in The Magical Forest. Plus, here you can enjoy a flight simulator and a water war against an evil mythological creature.
• Pirate Shores: enter a pirate safari to climb the walls and take a boat ride, but beware! The river is full of dangerous pirates.
• Knight's Kingdom: Transport yourself back to the medieval era and ride a rollercoaster that travels through a burning castle and offers a rustic vehicle ride through a prehistoric adventure.

Interesting details

• Price: from €90.
• Opening times: daily 10am-5pm, may change during some seasons.
• Location: On Winkfield Rd, just outside London.
• How to get there: Getting to Windsor from London is relatively easy and is best done by train. Some tickets may include transfers to make the experience easier.

If you're looking for a park for the whole family, you need to consider a visit to The Paddington Bear Experience. Paddington Bear is a character from British literature and has his own themed world in the capital. You can move through different rooms to enjoy his stories and adventures.

Even if you haven't read his books, you'll have a great time because it offers fun-filled attractions such as:

• Helping Paddington Bear make his favourite jam.
• Discover Paddington Station, an iconic location with a statue of the bear.
• Board Paddington's train carriages to tour the facilities.
• Explore a magical Peruvian jungle.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately €40.
• Opening hours: Open daily, but opening and closing times may vary.
• Location: County Hall.
• How to get there: Easy to get to by tube, bus or train.

Peppa Pig's World awaits you at Paulton's Park with 9 rides and 3 playgrounds combining fun and adrenaline. It's the perfect place to enjoy one of the most iconic characters on TV and a must-see during your visit:

• The hot air balloon: a mechanical attraction that rises gently at a comfortable but thrilling distance.
• The helicopter flight with Miss Rabbit: for which you will board a themed merry-go-round.
• A ride on George's dinosaur: Peppa's brother's favourite toy.
• Grandpa Pig's train around the grounds.

Paulton's Park has other attractions such as the Lost Kingdom which offers a trip back to the Jurassic era. Here you can enjoy 27 life-size dinosaurs, as well as intense roller coasters and water experiences. Don't miss Critter Creek World which has an insect terrarium and unlimited fun aboard a Victorian merry-go-round. You can also ride a Viking ship or a pirate ship.

Interesting details

• Price: from €43. Buying tickets online can save you up to €15 per person as they are more expensive at the door.
• Opening hours: Every day from 10:00 to 17:00, but may change depending on the season.
• Location: In Ower, Hampshire, near the New Forest National Park.
• How to get there: You can stay there to enjoy the park in comfort or take a train from London Waterloo to Totton and then a taxi or bus to the park.
• What's usually included in your ticket: access to 9 themed rides and around 70 adventure rides.

If you want to fly through the air and swing through the treetops I invite you to visit Go Ape. This adventure park has several locations and most of them are in wooded areas. Here you will find circuits for children and adults with different levels of difficulty. Experiences include treasure h unts and cycling through the forest, Segway rides and suspension bridges.

Of course, the zip line jumps are not to be missed. You have the option of joining a circuit where you will have to overcome 7 consecutive zip lines and there are also tree houses with net platforms, where you can walk without any real risk. Please note that the higher adrenaline attraction is only available at the Cockfosters, Sherwood Pines and Thetford venues.

Interesting details

• Price: from £39, but you can select different types of adventure activities.
• Opening hours: Every day from 10am to 6pm, although there are several venues and opening times may vary depending on location and time of year.
• Location: there are several locations, so you can choose the one that suits you best.
• How to get there: Most are accessible by metro or bus.
• Safety equipment such as harnesses and helmetsare usually included in the entrance fee.

Rollercoaster fans can't miss Thorpe Park, a park where adrenaline is always guaranteed. It has rides for all ages including rides and water experiences. You can also enjoy themed shows and some of London's best escape rooms.

The park has innovative offerings such as a roller coaster combined with virtual reality and special effects. You can also ride one of the fastest coasters in Europe or take a dip in the Tidal Wave water ride. Here you can enjoy tea time, as you'll ride a mechanical game in the shape of a teapot that spins unexpectedly.

Interesting details

• Price: from €31, with discounts for advance purchase and family groups.
• Opening times: daily 10am-6pm.
• Location: Surrey, just outside London.
• How to get there: The best option is to take the train from Waterloo station to Staines and then take the shuttle bus directly to the park.
• What's usually included in the ticket: access to rides, shows and events. If selected you can enjoy queue-free entry, parking and unlimited buffet.