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The Irish Sun
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Top six UK theme parks you can easily reach by train this summer – and how to find the cheapest family fares
A DAY trip to a theme park is part of what makes up the summer holidays for most families. So 8 There are plenty of theme parks around the UK that are easily reached by trains Credit: Alamy 8 Chessington World of Adventures is less than 15 minutes away from the station Credit: Alamy First up is The park has it all, over 40 rides, a zoo and SEA LIFE centre. Some of the best rides include the Barrel Bail Out, as long as you're not standing nearby, because the aim of the game is to soak bystanders. It's also home to Mandrill Mayhem the largest rollercoaster and themed around Read More on Attractions Travel Editor (Digital) Caroline McGuire visited the theme park to try out the You can get to the theme park by getting the train to Chessington South then walking 14 minutes to the main entrance. The second theme park is Earlier this year, it was named the best family-owned theme park in the country by Most read in Family has been kept in the family since it opened. Blackpool Pleasure Beach has 38 rides, 10 rollercoasters and five water rides. I was one of the first to try Blackpool Pleasure Beache's 'new' ride 8 Trainline also have top tips on how to save money on tickets Credit: Alamy 8 Adventure Island is accessible from Southend train station Credit: Alamy Some of the most popular include The Big One, Icon, Valhalla, and the Grand National. The park also has Nickelodeon Land with rides for younger visitors. To get to park, take the train to the Blackpool Pleasure Beach Station, then a five minute walk. The colourful theme park is right on Southend's seafront and has over 40 rides and attractions. You can go start slow with the spinning teacups or get hit the big rides like the Gerstlauer Eurofighter that has a vertical drop and loop. The park also has arcades, a sea-view café strip, and a small aquarium. To get there, take a train to Southend Central, then it's a 10-minute walk to the park gates. 8 Head to this theme park in Kent to play with diggers all day Credit: Alamy Here, kids can operate real JCBs, ride on dump trucks, and dig holes with their digger of choice. There are hands-on driving experiences too like Pre-booked tickets to Diggerland cost £25.95pp plus a £4 booking fee - or £38pp on the day. Take the train to 8 Dreamland is full of vintage rides - and a new log flume Credit: Alamy For fans of retro, head to The beachside amusement park is full of restored vintage rides, a roller disco, summer concerts and art shows. It's where you'll find the In July 2025, Dreamland opened its The new ride has two "high-thrill" drops with both a 50ft plunge and 30ft plunge along the way. It also has nearby water guns that guests can use to spray riders as they go past, with coin-operated pistols. Deputy Travel Editor To get there by train, take one to 8 Barry Island Pleasure Park is less than five minutes from the train station Credit: Alamy Of course, we cannot forget about The classic British fairground is right by the beach, and recognisable to fans of the BBC series It has the classic dodgems and ghost trains as well as helter-skelters and candy floss stands. It's the best of both worlds really as once you're dizzy from the rides, head down to the golden sands of To get there, take a train to Barry Island, then follow signs to the seafront which is less than five minutes on foot. Trainline's Top Tips On How To Save This Summer For any families taking the train this summer, follow these handy tips to save on tickets... Save with Railcards : Get discounts on off-peak fares using digital Railcards. Families can make big savings by using a Family & Friends Railcard, which gives 1/3 off adult fares and 60% off kids' tickets. Other options like the 16–25 Railcard or Two Together Railcard are perfect for friends or couples planning a fun park day out. GroupSave perks : If you are travelling in a group of 3–9 you can save up to 1/3 on tickets when you book together. One person just needs to book for the whole group to unlock GroupSave - for eligible journeys a pop-up message in the Trainline app will prompt you to 'Apply discount' . Save with Advance Fares : Many long-distance routes to theme parks – especially popular ones like Southend, Blackpool or Margate – offer Advance train tickets that can be significantly cheaper than buying on the day. Book early for the best prices, especially during summer weekends or school holidays when demand can be higher. 8 You can easily get to these theme parks on the train this summer Credit: Alamy
Scottish Sun
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Top six UK theme parks you can easily reach by train this summer – and how to find the cheapest family fares
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A DAY trip to a theme park is part of what makes up the summer holidays for most families. So Trainline has revealed where you can find the top six amusement parks whether you're looking for big rollercoasters or small thrills - and they're all easily accessible on train. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 8 There are plenty of theme parks around the UK that are easily reached by trains Credit: Alamy 8 Chessington World of Adventures is less than 15 minutes away from the station Credit: Alamy First up is Chessington World of Adventures which is just outside of London in Chessington. The park has it all, over 40 rides, a zoo and SEA LIFE centre. Some of the best rides include the Barrel Bail Out, as long as you're not standing nearby, because the aim of the game is to soak bystanders. It's also home to Mandrill Mayhem the largest rollercoaster and themed around Jumanji. Travel Editor (Digital) Caroline McGuire visited the theme park to try out the Jumanji rollercoaster when it first opened - and here's her verdict. You can get to the theme park by getting the train to Chessington South then walking 14 minutes to the main entrance. The second theme park is Blackpool Pleasure Beach in Lancashire. Earlier this year, it was named the best family-owned theme park in the country by Blooloop. Blackpool Pleasure Beach Resort first opened in 1896, and has been kept in the family since it opened. Blackpool Pleasure Beach has 38 rides, 10 rollercoasters and five water rides. I was one of the first to try Blackpool Pleasure Beache's 'new' ride 8 Trainline also have top tips on how to save money on tickets Credit: Alamy 8 Adventure Island is accessible from Southend train station Credit: Alamy Some of the most popular include The Big One, Icon, Valhalla, and the Grand National. The park also has Nickelodeon Land with rides for younger visitors. To get to park, take the train to the Blackpool Pleasure Beach Station, then a five minute walk. Adventure Island is a firm favourite with families because of its free entry policy – you only pay for the rides you go on. The colourful theme park is right on Southend's seafront and has over 40 rides and attractions. You can go start slow with the spinning teacups or get hit the big rides like the Gerstlauer Eurofighter that has a vertical drop and loop. The park also has arcades, a sea-view café strip, and a small aquarium. To get there, take a train to Southend Central, then it's a 10-minute walk to the park gates. 8 Head to this theme park in Kent to play with diggers all day Credit: Alamy Diggerland in Kent isn't everyone's cup of tea, but for digger fans, it's a dreamworld. Here, kids can operate real JCBs, ride on dump trucks, and dig holes with their digger of choice. There are hands-on driving experiences too like go-karting, and there's a soft play on-site. Pre-booked tickets to Diggerland cost £25.95pp plus a £4 booking fee - or £38pp on the day. Take the train to Strood, then take a 15-minute walk to the Diggerland entrance. 8 Dreamland is full of vintage rides - and a new log flume Credit: Alamy For fans of retro, head to Dreamland in Margate - otherwise known as the UK's trendiest seaside town. The beachside amusement park is full of restored vintage rides, a roller disco, summer concerts and art shows. It's where you'll find the UK's oldest wooden rollercoaster, the Scenic Railway which first opened in 1920. In July 2025, Dreamland opened its first ride in 25 years - a log flume water ride called Wild River. The new ride has two "high-thrill" drops with both a 50ft plunge and 30ft plunge along the way. It also has nearby water guns that guests can use to spray riders as they go past, with coin-operated pistols. Deputy Travel Editor Kara Godfrey took a trip to Dreamland to try out some of its best attractions. To get there by train, take one to Margate, then it's just a four-minute walk to the Dreamland entrance - it's across the road from the beach. 8 Barry Island Pleasure Park is less than five minutes from the train station Credit: Alamy Of course, we cannot forget about Barry Island Pleasure Park. The classic British fairground is right by the beach, and recognisable to fans of the BBC series Gavin and Stacey. It has the classic dodgems and ghost trains as well as helter-skelters and candy floss stands. It's the best of both worlds really as once you're dizzy from the rides, head down to the golden sands of Barry Beach for an ice cream. To get there, take a train to Barry Island, then follow signs to the seafront which is less than five minutes on foot. Trainline's Top Tips On How To Save This Summer For any families taking the train this summer, follow these handy tips to save on tickets... Save with Railcards : Get discounts on off-peak fares using digital Railcards. Families can make big savings by using a Family & Friends Railcard, which gives 1/3 off adult fares and 60% off kids' tickets. Other options like the 16–25 Railcard or Two Together Railcard are perfect for friends or couples planning a fun park day out. : Get discounts on off-peak fares using digital Railcards. Families can make big savings by using a Family & Friends Railcard, which gives 1/3 off adult fares and 60% off kids' tickets. Other options like the 16–25 Railcard or Two Together Railcard are perfect for friends or couples planning a fun park day out. GroupSave perks : If you are travelling in a group of 3–9 you can save up to 1/3 on tickets when you book together. One person just needs to book for the whole group to unlock GroupSave - for eligible journeys a pop-up message in the Trainline app will prompt you to 'Apply discount' . : If you are travelling in a group of 3–9 you can save up to 1/3 on tickets when you book together. One person just needs to book for the whole group to unlock GroupSave - for eligible journeys a pop-up message in the Trainline app will prompt you to 'Apply discount' . Save with Advance Fares: Many long-distance routes to theme parks – especially popular ones like Southend, Blackpool or Margate – offer Advance train tickets that can be significantly cheaper than buying on the day. Book early for the best prices, especially during summer weekends or school holidays when demand can be higher.
Scottish Sun
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
English seaside theme park reveals new upgrades on ‘first-of-its-kind' indoor ride
A 'WORLD-FIRST' ride in the UK has revealed some exciting new updates in time for summer. Blackpool Pleasure Beach's Wallace & Gromit's Thrill-O-Matic ride has five new additions following the new Netflix film Vengeance Most Fowl. 4 The UK's Wallace & Gromit ride is getting an upgrade Credit: Blackpool Pleasure Beach 4 Blackpool Pleasure Beach is home to The Big One rollercoaster Credit: Alamy The ride - the first Wallace & Gromit themed one in the world - is a four-minute Thrill-O-atic indoor ride. Guests board a giant slipper before travelling through scenes of the iconic films such as A Grand Day Out, The Wrong Trouers and A Close Shave. A Matter of Loaf and Death and The Curse of the Were Rabbit also play a part in the ride. And new extras in time for the film include favourite characters added to the ride which includes Norbot and Feaths McGraw. New updates to the queue as well as exclusive merchandise have been added to the Wallace & Gromit shop as well. The park's CEO Amanda Thompson OBE said: "Wallace & Gromit are national treasures and have always been a firm favourite with visitors, but the success of their new film has certainly delivered a renewed excitement for the characters and their stories. "To be updating this wonderful ride truly reaffirms our commitment to attracting families back to the resort for what we hope will be A Grand Day Out.' The ride first opened in 2013 and is was the first of its kind when it opened. Creator Nick Park said at the time that the reason for the ride location was because he grew up in Preston which is near Blackpool. He added it felt like a "natural home for Wallace and Gromit". I was one of the first to try Blackpool Pleasure Beache's 'new' ride 4 The ride is the only one based on the films at a theme park Credit: Blackpool Pleasure Beach The ride, which cost £5.25million, was created by both the theme park and Aardman Animations, the team behind Wallace & Gromit. It replaced the Gold Mine Ride, which first opened in 1971 before closing in 2011. Other new additions to the theme park include the revamped Launch Pad back in May. Theme park expert Lee Bell went down to try it out - here is what he thought. And the park's River Caves ride is also being revamped, although little else is known about it. Next year, new ride Aviktas will open which is a "UK first" with heights of 138ft. The theme park was named one of the best family-owned theme parks earlier this year. And the park's Valhalla won Best Water Ride in Europe last year.
The Irish Sun
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
English seaside theme park reveals new upgrades on ‘first-of-its-kind' indoor ride
A 'WORLD-FIRST' ride in the UK has revealed some exciting new updates in time for summer. Blackpool Pleasure Beach's Wallace & Gromit's Thrill-O-Matic ride has five new additions following the new Netflix film Vengeance Most Fowl. 4 The UK's Wallace & Gromit ride is getting an upgrade Credit: Blackpool Pleasure Beach 4 Blackpool Pleasure Beach is home to The Big One rollercoaster Credit: Alamy The ride - the first Wallace & Gromit themed one in the world - is a four-minute Thrill-O-atic indoor ride. Guests board a giant slipper before travelling through scenes of the iconic films such as A Grand Day Out, The Wrong Trouers and A Close Shave. A Matter of Loaf and Death and The Curse of the Were Rabbit also play a part in the ride. And new extras in time for the film include favourite characters added to the ride which includes Norbot and Feaths McGraw. Read more on theme parks New updates to the queue as well as exclusive merchandise have been added to the The park's CEO Amanda Thompson OBE said: "Wallace & Gromit are national treasures and have always been a firm favourite with visitors, but the success of their new film has certainly delivered a renewed excitement for the characters and their stories. "To be updating this wonderful ride truly reaffirms our commitment to attracting families back to the resort for what we hope will be A Grand Day Out.' The ride first opened in 2013 and is was the first of its kind when it opened. Most read in News Travel Creator Nick Park said at the time that the reason for the ride location was because he grew up in Preston which is near Blackpool. He added it felt like a "natural home for Wallace and Gromit". I was one of the first to try Blackpool Pleasure Beache's 'new' ride 4 The ride is the only one based on the films at a theme park Credit: Blackpool Pleasure Beach The ride, which cost £5.25million, was created by both the theme park and It replaced the Gold Mine Ride, which first opened in 1971 before closing in 2011. Other new additions to the theme park include the revamped Launch Pad back in May. Theme park expert Lee Bell went down to try it out - And the park's River Caves ride is also being revamped, although little else is known about it. Next year, new ride Aviktas will open which is a "UK first" with heights of 138ft. The theme park was named one of the And the park's Valhalla won 4 The park is also opening a new ride next year Credit: Alamy
Sydney Morning Herald
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
This hilarious, moving book confirms that women are the superior sex
The Booklist is a weekly newsletter for book lovers from Jason Steger. Get it delivered every Friday. Tilt Emma Pattee Harper Collins, $32.99 Every once in a while, a book comes along that alters the way you perceive the written word – the prose punctures something deep inside your soul. Your response is both emotional and physical. You are reminded why literature is superior at mining the depths of the human condition. While reading Emma Pattee's debut novel Tilt, a surprisingly hilarious and heart-wrenching feminist survivalist narrative about a heavily pregnant woman trying to locate her husband after a huge earthquake, I felt my entire body being pulled up by some invisible hand. Some passages literally left me feeling as though I was being elevated off my seat. Such were the effects of Pattee's reflections on love, loss and unresolved grief. Our heroine Annie is 37 weeks' pregnant and begrudgingly shopping for a crib at Ikea on a Monday morning when the earthquake hits. It's The Big One, long predicted to occur along the Pacific Northwest of the US in the next decade. Annie is alone when the quake strikes, but manages to clamber out of the ruins of the megastore with the help of a benevolent Ikea employee. In a stampede of panicked survivors, the pair lose each other. Without her phone, Annie is powerless, weak, vulnerable. She has no way to get in touch with her husband, a struggling actor, who she believes is working at a cafe on the other side of the city. For the rest of the book, we chart her voyage on foot through the streets of Portland as she reflects on her impending parenthood, her relationship with her child's father, Dom, and the recent loss of her mother.
