IF YOU are looking for a family holiday destination one option is to head for an area where you are close to an amusement park. Certain areas of the UK contain more than one of these fun-packed places where you can take a series of white-knuckle rides, watch wildlife displays and splash around in waterparks.
And what better way to unwind after an energetic day at one of these theme parks than to relax in your own self-catering holiday accommodation nearby. There are properties available to suit all tastes, whatever the size of your party. And your children will be thanking you for taking them there for years to come. Here are some of the top areas to take out a holiday let near theme parks:
Surrey
There is no shortage of things to do if you rent a holiday home in Surrey, with Chessington World of Adventures somewhere you could easily spend two or three days. Aside from the theme park, with rides like Rameses Revenge and Rattlesnake, there is also a zoo and a sea life centre. And if that does not provide enough thrills you can all head off to nearby Thorpe Park, which boasts no less than five extreme roller coasters. You will find a good selection of accommodation when you look for self-catering holidays in Surrey, including attractive cottages and rustic lodges.
Lancashire
The Antelope ride is one of the big draws at Gulliver’s World in Warrington, where there is plenty to amuse very young children as well as their older siblings, including a dance and music recording studio and a water play factory. It’s well worth basing the family in holiday accommodation in Lancashire because there is also the option to visit Blackpool Pleasure Beach and Camelot Theme Park, near Chorley, with attractions linked to the story of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.
Staffordshire
This county is famous for its theme parks, including the iconic Alton Towers, which is the most visited in the UK and ranked in the top 10 for Europe. You might have to summon up some courage to accompany the kids on thrill-seeking rides like The Blade and Nemesis. If that’s not enough to keep the family amused you can always pop over to nearby Drayton Manor Theme Park, which has Thomas the Tank Engine attractions, a zoo and white-knuckle rides such as Apocalypse. Holiday cottages, farmhouses and converted barns are among the properties you will find when you look for self-catering holidays in Staffordshire.
North Yorkshire
Flamingo Land sounds as though it might be located in sunny Florida but it is actually an amusement park and zoo in the north-east of England. There is a good mix of rides and lots of different animals to look at, including flamingos and reptiles. Down the road in Ripon, lies the theme park of Lightwater Valley, which boasts Europe’s longest rollercoaster. Aside from visiting the amusement venues, renting a holiday home in North Yorkshire will also give you the chance to visit picturesque towns and explore rolling countryside.
North-East Lincolnshire
Few places give you that retro English seaside holiday feel like Skegness and you can take a break from making sand castles on the beach to visit Fantasy Island. Aside from great rides it has a fun play zone, an arcade and a kart racing circuit. Down the coast you can take the family for more thrills and spills with a visit to Pleasure Island at Cleethorpes. Exotic bird and sea lion shows, acrobatic displays and white knuckle rides are on offer there. Self-catering holidays in Lincolnshire are a great option so the family have somewhere relaxing to stay while they recharge their batteries for the next day’s excitement at a theme park.