Blackpool Pleasure Beach has been named the best UK theme park for keeping children entertained, according to a new global ranking. The Lancashire attraction secured sixth place worldwide in AttractionTickets' Banish Boredom Index 2026, outperforming other British favourites such as Alton Towers and Drayton Manor.
Global Rankings and UK Leaders
The index, which analyses hundreds of thousands of reviews, places Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, Universal Orlando Resort, and Disneyland Paris at the top. Blackpool Pleasure Beach stands as the highest-ranked UK destination, followed by Diggerland, the Tower of London, Alton Towers, The Milky Way Adventure Park, Drayton Manor, Peppa Pig World, and Warner Bros Studio Tour.
Theme parks dominate the top 10, reflecting a clear preference among children for immersive, action-packed experiences. Beach and garden holidays have slipped to the bottom of the list, while museum and heritage breaks maintain some appeal.
New Attraction: Aviktas
Blackpool Pleasure Beach will soon welcome Aviktas, a 138ft gyro swing that launches 40 riders 120 degrees into the air, offering panoramic views of the coastline. This addition reinforces the park's commitment to thrilling experiences.
Expert Insights
Oliver Brendon, CEO of AttractionTickets, said: "Keeping children entertained on holiday is more challenging than ever. Many kids are used to instant gratification from iPads and interactive TV, so traditional holiday moments like lounging by the pool often aren't enough. The Banish Boredom Index helps parents choose destinations that genuinely captivate children."
He added: "Destinations like Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando offer high interactivity and imagination, but Blackpool Pleasure Beach proves the UK can deliver similar excitement closer to home."
Previous Recognition
This accolade follows Blackpool Pleasure Beach's success in Tripadvisor's 2026 Travellers' Choice Awards, where it ranked sixth in Europe and tenth worldwide in the Amusement and Water Parks category. CEO Amanda Thompson OBE said: "Pleasure Beach offers excitement you can't replicate through a screen. We've been entertaining families for 130 years, and with Aviktas, we're ready to captivate generations to come."
Top 20 Attractions to Beat Boredom
- Walt Disney World Resort, Florida, USA
- Universal Studios Orlando, Florida, USA
- Disneyland Paris, Paris, France
- Tokyo Disneyland, Tokyo, Japan
- Aquatica, Florida, USA
- Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Lancashire, UK
- Waterbom Bali, Bali, Indonesia
- Universal Studios Hollywood, California, USA
- Diggerland, Kent, Durham, Yorkshire, Devon, UK
- Legoland Billund, Denmark
The index highlights that swapping Wi-Fi for rides and historical activities is key to banishing children's boredom in 2026.
