Merlin Entertainments (the operators of Alton Towers, Thorpe Park, Chessington World of Adventures and LEGOLAND Windsor) also run several of the most popular attractions in London, four of which are all together at County Hall on the Southbank. We went beyond the theme parks, to see what they all offer.
When combined, these attractions include four rides, a 4D experience, 28 live shows, 500 marine species in 14 zones, immersive theming and state of the art special effects. If you experience them together, Merlin's attractions in London offer a full day out as a genuine alternative to a theme park.
Thorpe Park has announced there will be two brand new scare experiences at Fright Nights in 2015, with the end of The Director and the introduction of The Ringleader.
Get ready for the ultimate Halloween at Thorpe Park on the 9th-11th, 16th-18th and 23rd-31st October and 1st November 2015 as The Big Top and Containment join Fright Nights.
You will be able to enjoy spooktacular entertainment as Halloween takes over Chessington World of Adventures for another year.
Chessington Howl'o'ween takes places between 23rd October - 2nd November 2015, 10am - 8pm, and this year the spooky event includes two new spine-tingling attractions, Curse of the Lost Tomb and Trick or Treat Wood, as well as rides in the dark.
Alton Towers has unveiled a major revamp of their annual Scarefest event, with 2 new scare mazes, 2 new scare zones, and a new extreme escape experience.
Alton Towers Scarefest will return for Halloween 2015 from 17th October to 1st November, with The Haunting of Molly Crowe, Sub Species: The End Games, Nox Infernus, Dark Apocalypse and Terror of the Towers: What Lies Within. There will also be plenty of family frights, including Skelvin’s Spooky Story Time, Phil’s Ghoul School, and Patch’s Trick-Or-Treat Party!
We're looking beyond the theme parks, for even more great days out in the UK, so we recently visited Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - The Making of Harry Potter.
All eight of the Harry Potter movies were filmed at Leavesden Studios near Watford, a former aerodrome and factory that was converted into film studios and is still fully functioning today, with many blockbuster movies shot here every year. It's easily reached by car from the M25 and shuttle buses run from Watford Junction, which is a 20 minute train journey from London Euston. Admission is pre-book only, and demand is high, so make sure you plan in advance. It's an all-weather attraction, suitable rain or shine.
Blackpool Pleasure Beach will hold its first ever club night in partnership with Ministry of Sound. Titanium takes place on 10th October in the Pleasure Beach Arena.
Their first ever late night riding and dance event will allow guests to enjoy the best thrill rides Blackpool Pleasure Beach has to offer before heading to the Arena to carry on the night with the soundtrack provided by the very best Ministry of Sound DJs as well as guest headline DJs.
2016 is set to be an exciting year at Chessington World of Adventures, with the introduction of Explorer Glamping, a new ride and a high ropes course.
There will be plenty of new adventures for families to enjoy in 2016, as Chessington World of Adventures continues to add new experiences. In addition to the existing Safari Hotel and Azteca Hotel, an alternative accommodation option comes in the form of Explorer Glamping. A much-needed new ride is also coming to the theme park, along with a high ropes course for the resort.
Alton Towers is making improvements to Air and will add a Food Loop Rollercoaster Restaurant for the 2016 season.
Plans for Air include walls to enclose the station area and create pre-ride sections, a mid-queue photo opportunity, and 2 new themed elements for the ride. The Air Shop will be moving and an unusual new restaurant will be created.
This Halloween, Dreamland Margate, the UK’s original pleasure park transforms into a world of nightmares as it launches its first ever, major scare festival Screamland.
Dreamland Margate is working with AtmosFear! Scare Entertainment, winners of multiple awards, including the only European attraction to win Excellence in Design award in 2013, to produce an actor lead, theatrical festival of fear.
A brand new Kong ride has opened at West Midland Safari & Leisure Park.
The Zamperla Mega Disk'O ride joins other attractions including the Rhino Rollercoaster, Twister Coaster, Venom Tower Drop, Wild River Rafting, Pirate Ship, Black Fly and Zambezi Water Splash.
