Small UK seaside theme park named one of the best in the world with record-breaking coasters and new rides
BLACKPOOL Pleasure Beach Resort in the north of England has been named the best family-owned theme park in the country.
The seaside theme park, which first opened in 1896, has broken records and won prestigious awards.
And it was recently named one of the best family-run theme parks in the world by Blooloop.
Blackpool Pleasure Beach Resort was the only UK theme park named on the list, making it the best in the country.
Other global theme parks on the list include Europa Park in Germany, Siam Park in Tenerife and IMG Worlds of Adventure in Dubai.
Popular theme parks in the UK, like Alton Towers and Thorpe Park, weren’t named on the list because they’re owned by larger companies.
Writing about Blackpool Pleasure Beach Resort, Blooloop, said: “What makes the Pleasure Beach of today unique among British parks is its surviving collection of vintage rides.
“These include four wooden roller coasters, Sir Hiram Maxim’s Flying Machine, the River Caves and the Steeplechase, one of many attractions installed under the reign of the late Geoffrey Thompson OBE.
“Some of these are the last remaining types of their kind worldwide.”
Blackpool Pleasure Beach Resort was founded by William George Bean, the current owner’s great grandfather.
Boss and owner of Blackpool’s Pleasure Beach Resort, Amanda Thompson OBE, added: “We’re honoured to be recognised as one of the best family-owned theme parks in the world, and the only UK park to make the list.
“My great grandfather founded Pleasure Beach and it has remained in our family ever since, where we continue to keep his passion for innovation and entertainment at the heart of everything we do.
“As ever, this recognition is a celebration of our incredible team and the loyal visitors who make Pleasure Beach Resort a truly special place, year on year.”
Blackpool Pleasure Beach Resort is home to the only two rides in the country to have been given a prestigious global award.
Last year, the American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE) awarded two rides at Blackpool Pleasure Beach with Rollercoaster Landmark Plaques – a special recognition reserved for rides of historical significance.
Both the Big Dipper and the Grand National were awarded Rollercoaster Landmark Plaques.
Back in 2023, the Big Dipper, the theme park’s well-known wooden coaster, celebrated its 100th anniversary.
The seaside theme park is also home to The Big One, the UK’s tallest coaster.
Revolution, the country’s first looping roller coaster is also found at Blackpool Pleasure Beach Resort.
Icon and Infusion are two other roller coasters that are also the first of their kind in the UK too.
Some of these are the last remaining types of their kind worldwide
Meanwhile, younger guests are also very well catered for, with Wallace & Gromit’s Thrill-o-matic, the Alice in Wonderland dark ride and Nickelodeon Land all on offer among many others.
Its line-up is set to get better when the seaside theme park reopens a much-loved ride later this year.
Formerly known as Ice Blast, the 210ft tower ride will reopen under the new name of Launch Pad.
It’s been given a new pressure cylinder, meaning the ride is faster than before.
And last year, theme park filed a registration of a charge with Companies House, which stated that the a new feature is set to be located somewhere at the park.
In the descriptions on the charge, it discusses an “Intamin Gyroswing located at Blackpool Pleasure Beach” – although not much else is known about the new ride.
Blackpool’s Pleasure Beach Resort will open for its summer season on March 2, with prices from £28 for kids and £30 for adults.
How to spend a weekend in Blackpool
TRAVEL writer Catherine Lofthouse visited Blackpool last year with her family, here’s what she thought…
Bumbling along the beach in Blackpool, with the iconic tower as a backdrop, it feels like we’ve stepped inside a postcard, capturing the very essence of the great British seaside.
Whether you love a back-to-basics bucket-and-spade beach break, want a thrill a minute at one of the UK’s oldest theme parks or fancy a night on the tiles, there’s everything you need at Blackpool.
As a Strictly fan, I’d wanted to pay homage to the home of ballroom, but didn’t find much else to make me break out in song and dance.
But this summer, it feels like Blackpool is on the up.
Everywhere I look, there’s building work taking place and existing attractions being spruced up.
There’s been investment along the seafront, with Merlin, the company behind Alton Towers and Legoland, recently opening its eighth attraction in the town with the arrival of the Gruffalo Clubhouse for little ones.
Blackpool Pleasure Beach is redeveloping some of its big name rides too, like Valhalla, which draws in theme park enthusiasts from across the UK and beyond.
Away from the beach, work is taking place to restore the historic Winter Gardens and their surrounds to their former glory.
At the end of last year, Alton Towers announced it would be closing its oldest ride permanently.
Meanwhile, here’s an exciting new look at the nearly-completed Epic Universe, which will open later this year.