After spending a day at Paultons Park, home to Peppa Pig World and the brand new £12 million Viking attraction Valgard: Realm of the Vikings, one reviewer has declared it the UK's best family theme park for children of all ages, beating rivals like Alton Towers and Thorpe Park.
A Dilemma for Parents
Every parent with more than one child knows the struggle of organising a day out that keeps everyone happy. Conor Wilson, a journalist, faces this challenge daily, with a nine-year age gap between his eldest and youngest, and a middle child caught in between. Each family outing becomes a delicate balancing act, dedicating time to each child's preferences.
However, Conor may have found the solution at Paultons Park. He visited on Saturday as the park unveiled its latest addition, Valgard: Realm of the Vikings, a £12 million zone designed for families with older children and teenagers.
Unexpected Delights
Having only visited once before to take a toddler to Peppa Pig World, Conor had low expectations. But the new zone features the park's first inverting rollercoaster, Drakon, alongside Vild Swing, a UK-first ride that spins guests 12 metres into the air, and Raven, an exhilarating bobsled adventure.
Arriving early, Conor did not anticipate a large turnout of rollercoaster enthusiasts. However, the crowd of visitors with GoPros and expensive cameras proved the launch was a major event. He also discovered the park is much larger than he realised, appealing to both youngsters and adults across all age groups.
Something for Everyone
Valgard offered attractions for Conor and two of his children, with his eldest declaring Drakon the best minute of his life. His five-year-old, though too short for the headline ride, enjoyed Raven, which provided thrilling sharp bends. Meanwhile, the youngest was entertained by the Viking-themed play area, allowing all three children and two adults to be happy simultaneously — a rare occurrence.
Elsewhere in the park, Peppa Pig World captivated the youngest, while the Lost Kingdom and Tornado Springs offered excitement for the eldest. Having visited other UK theme parks that cater to adrenaline junkies but neglect smaller visitors, Conor found that Paultons Park surpassed all expectations, despite the fleeting sunshine.
