The problem with theme parks is that they’re loud, bright, and busy – but that’s also exactly why we love them too. We’re not going to look too deeply into why we’re a nation of thrillseekers and adrenaline junkies, but we can’t get enough of towering rollercoaster rides, head-spinning attractions, and candy-scented foods! From zero-gravity drops to family-friendly merry-go-rounds, strap in, as we ride through the best theme parks near Bristol.
1. Brean Theme Park
The UK’s biggest free admission theme park (you’ll still need to pay to ride the rides) is about an hour away – and probably one of the only true theme parks near Bristol. And with only over 40 attractions, you’ll never run out of entertainment at Brean Theme Park. From looping rollercoasters and splashing log flumes to a terrifying ghost train and a beautiful traditional carousel, there’s fun for all the family.
To pay for the rides, you can grab a pay-as-you-go card, using credits (1 Credit = £1), with most rides costing between 2 and 6 credits. But this can add up quickly, especially if you’re planning repeat visits. Or grab a season ticket for unlimited rides all year. The cost depends on age and when you’d like to visit – for example, a mega wristband (for guests over 1.2m) costs £90 but is only £32 if you visit on select days.
Brean Theme Park, Leisure Park, Brean, Coast Rd, Brean, Burnham-on-Sea TA8 2QY
2. Funderworld Theme Park
Okay, so we lied. There is one theme park closer than Brean Theme Park. The only issue is, it’s not on very often. The annual Funderworld Theme Park rocks up to Durdham Downs for a month every year (July 19 to August 17, 2024) and the city becomes a lot more exciting.
The mobile theme park brings along with it roller coasters, a 44m Ferris wheel, dodgem cars, crazy golf, a haunted house, a sky swing, tea cups and saucers and countless other traditional funfair rides. Meanwhile, little ones have access to a hose of giant inflatables, bungee trampolines, and fairground games.
Entry costs £10 and provides you with four hours of unlimited riding (you can stay longer to eat and play). You’ll also be able to tuck into everything from foot-long hot dogs to freshly made doughnuts. Plus, there’s free car parking.
Funderworld Theme Park, Durdham Downs, Westbury Road, Bristol, BS9 1EF
3. Wake The Tiger
You won’t find a permanent theme park, however, in the city (unless you count the SkyView Observation Wheel…) But the uniquely jaw-dropping Wake The Tiger is more memorable than any of the theme parks you find near Bristol. Described as “the world’s first ‘Amazement Park’”, the creators of Boomtown have provided us with a fantastical, immersive adventure for all ages.
Wake The Tiger blurs the lines between an experimental art gallery, interactive theme park and detailed film set. In the world of Meridian, a multi-layered labyrinth of immersive environments, secret passageways and mesmerising wonders await. You’ll find 27 distinct spaces to discover in St Phillips, while the latest mind-bending expansion, OUTERverse, has added an extra 15 spaces of walk-through discovery.
Wake The Tiger, 127 Albert Rd, Bristol BS2 0YA
4. Avon Valley Adventure & Wildlife Park
Unfortunately, you won’t find traditional roller coasters at Avon Valley either. But, with over 90 acres to explore, you will find lots of excitement. Whether it’s the extinct monsters of Earth’s past in Dinosaur Valley (like a 15m T-rex) or the park’s very much alive farm animals – like reindeer, alpacas, rabbits, ponies, turkeys, ferrets, goats, sheep, donkeys and more.
Elsewhere, kids can clamber over an outdoor adventure playground, ride a mini Jeep safari, and spin on the carousel. Keep an eye out for seasonal events like Summertopia! – with a sand and water play area, giant slip-n-slide, huge paddling pool and end-of-day foam party!
Around Halloween, the child-friendly park transforms into an adults-only scream factory. FEAR is an award-winning scream park that invites anyone looking for thrills to its hair-raising multi-sensory immersive event. There is everything from notorious fire shows to an immersive exorcism and a unique cannibal-tastic dining experience. Plus plenty of bone-chilling attractions, funfair rides and street entertainment
Avon Valley Adventure & Wildlife Park, Pixash Ln, Bath Rd, Keynsham, Bristol BS31 1TP
5. Crealy Theme Park & Resort
A bit further afield, but still less than two hours away. Crealy is an award-winning theme park in Devon – voted best value theme park in 2023 – with over 60 rides and attractions, plus live entertainment and zoo animals. There are rollercoaster rides, log flumes, slides, go-karts, rocking boats and so much more. Plus, you can also stay over in luxury lodges, themed glamping or back-to-basics tents. Day tickets start from £16 per person.
Crealy Theme Park & Resort, Sidmouth Rd, Clyst St Mary, Exeter EX5 1DR
6. Barry Island Pleasure Park
Fancy the drive to Wales? Barry Island Pleasure Park offers everything we love about great theme parks and is only an hour and a half away from Bristol. Established in 1897, this family-owned site offers everything from classic rides like dodgems and a waltzer to a giant 32-seater space machine aerospace – designed to experience lots of G Force and make you feel like an astronaut, it’s the only ride of its kind in the UK. Entry to the park is free, with all rides token-operated (£1 = 1 token, but the more tokens you buy the cheaper they become.)
Barry Island Pleasure Park, Friars Rd, Barry CF62 5TR