Exciting attractions opening in the UK this year

According to the British Association of Leisure Parks, Piers and Attractions (BALPPA,) 2018 is going to be a busy year. The main season is almost upon us, and a continued growth in inbound tourism is set to provide a major boost for UK attractions.

The opening of a number of new entertainment offerings are sure to appeal to groups seeking something different this year. In fact, investment across theme parks, family entertainment centres, local attractions, zoos and piers is said to be totalling well in excess of £50m.

Pictured: Visitors at Peppa Pig World, which will welcome two new rides later this spring.

Take your pick from the following ideas:

The Wicker Man, the first wooden rollercoaster in the country for over 20 years, is about to open to the public at Staffordshire’s Alton Towers Resort, exhilarating riders with a fusion of wood and fire. It consists of a Wicker Man structure standing at 57.57ft (17.55m) tall, appearing to burst into flames as the wooden track races three separate times through the structure.

Visitors to the North West will be keen to ride Blackpool Pleasure Beach’s new double-launch rollercoaster, Icon. The £16.25 million coaster will rise to heights of 20 metres, reach speeds of up to 50 miles per hour, and loop through, underneath and around the Pleasure Beach’s other rides 15 times. It’s due to open in the next few weeks.

The Midlands will see the launch of a new concept from Merlin; The Bear Grylls Adventure in Birmingham. Inspired by the famous survivalist and adventurer, the first-of-its-kind indoor attraction challenges visitors to face their fears with adventure activities. It will see participants climb, enjoy indoor skydiving, and walk a free-roam high ropes course, all inside the NEC.

A number of new furry residents will be gracing one of the UK’s top animal attractions very soon. In May, Chessington World of Adventures Resort in Surrey will welcome four endangered Amur tigers to its new enlarged enclosure which will encompass some overhead trails from which to see the tigers from a new perspective. Group rates are available.

Pictured: Four Amur tigers will come to live at Chessington in May.

Make a holiday out of your theme park visit at Crealy Adventure Park & Resort in Devon, which is investing heavily in some of its accommodation types; Pre-Pitched Tourers and Beach House Lodges. Coastal themed Beach House Lodges, as an example, sleep up to eight in each one and include a private hot tub. A new Clubhouse, and an all-new entertainment offering will also be opening at Crealy later this year.

And last but not least, groups with young children and families won’t want to miss the opening of two new rides at the world’s first Peppa Pig World at Hampshire-based Paultons Family Theme Park. The Queen’s Flying Coach Ride and Grampy Rabbit’s Sailing Club will be unveiled to the public on 16th May, extending the dedicated area of the park with a monorail ride and a boat ride on water.

Have you already got plans to visit any of these new attractions? Let us know how you get on during a visit by e-mailing editorial@groupleisureandtravel.com.