It’s the halfway point of the six week summer holidays in England and Wales, and it’s fair to say plenty of parents will be looking for cheap days out
As any parent will tell you, the words ‘bargain’ and ‘theme park’ are seldom seen in the same sentence. With the school holidays at the halfway point, and many more days to fill, lots of parents will be on the hunt for days out that won’t leave them skint.
A survey by Outdoor Toys compared the peak prices of theme parks across the UK, ranking them based on the cost of a child’s ticket on a weekend during the summer. This suggests those who are willing to visit outside of peak season or on a weekday could pocket even more savings.
The theme park bagging the top spot as the cheapest option was Playland Fun Park in Stourport-on-Severn, Worcestershire, which offers free admission. Instead, you pay per ride, with many costing just £1.
According to their website, they boast “20 fantastic attractions”, which include a pirate ship, F1 cars, and bumper boats. On balmy summer days, kids can cool off in the splash park.
And savvy parents can save even more money by bringing their own food and drink. There’s even a picnic area with benches.
Despite its budget price tag, Playland has received some cracking reviews on TripAdvisor. One person said: “Went with our son and our 3 year old granddaughter . She loved it. Loads of electric cars and bikes for her to drive. She was very happy there and on way home. Queues very small even on a sunny Saturday, every ride 1 or 2 pounds.”
Another reviewer said: “This was really fun and a great price. Does need a bit of a refurb but we enjoyed it regardless. Nice pace going round.”
Park with fairground rides and ‘pirate ship’ venue
Next on the list is The Web Adventure Park, located just outside York. A child’s ticket is £17.95 in the summer and includes access to an indoor play centre, fairground rides, and an ‘animal encounters’ area where youngsters can interact with furry friends.
Don’t forget to pack a spare set of clothes for the regular foam parties. It has a stellar 4.5 star rating on TripAdvisor, and one satisfied visitor hailed it as “amazing value for money! All staff were excellent and friendly. Was nice to have paid and let the kids enjoy everything without having to budget.”
Third up is Camel Creek Adventure Park, situated in Wadebridge, Cornwall. Tickets start at just £20 for children, with those under 92cm entering free of charge.
As an added bonus, purchasing a day ticket grants you a free seven-day pass, ideal for families holidaying in the popular south west region. Camel Creek boasts attractions such as Thunder Falls, a rollercoaster that dives into water, a pirate ship, and a chair swing. Animal enthusiasts will also adore the stables and pet corner, where they can befriend a variety of adorable creatures.
Fantasy Island in Skegness
Just missing out on third place is Fantasy Island in Skegness. If thrill rides aren’t your cup of tea, you can enter for free and explore attractions like the 7-day market.
However, if you wish to experience the rides, you’ll need to purchase a wristband, which costs £20.50 for children for a day, according to the research. If you’re planning to stay locally, you can opt for a two or seven-day wristband, which offers much better value per day.
Fantasy Island boasts an enormous range of attractions, from white-knuckle rollercoasters to gentle river rapids, plus gentler rides perfect for younger children. There’s even accommodation on-site for staycations.
The theme park has earned 3.8 stars on TripAdvisor, with one visitor commenting: “We’ve been before but not for a few years, and I have to say I think Fantasy Island is a great day out for all the family. The kids (aged 14, 11 and 8) had a superb time and I thoroughly recommend spending a full day here. Wristband prices are good value.”
The same reviewer shared a handy money-saving tip, saying: “I didn’t realise beforehand but apparently there is a blue light discount too if you are eligible.”
Rounding off the top five, BeWILDerwood in Cheshire secured fifth place, with peak season tickets costing just under £23. BeWILDerwood markets itself as offering “magical family fun in the great outdoors” and features tree-themed adventures including a sky maze, enormous slides and live performances all included in your admission fee.
One satisfied visitor commented to say: “The place is really great – loads of tree house type mazes, play areas, craft area, show and meet and greet with the show’s character. All the staff we encountered were very friendly.”
Cheapest theme parks in the UK
*Entry fee is based on a peak summer weekend ticket for a child in 2025