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Theme Parks & Fairgrounds in Brighton
There's nothing on the doorstep here, so this is a page for planning a proper day trip rather than a quick after-school outing. Clarence Pier out in Southsea is free to get into and you pay by the ride or wristband, with adventure golf and arcades on the seafront. A longer trip out to Chessington gets you the full theme park and zoo combination, with tickets from £32 and its own car park. Funland on Hayling Island is the cheapest way in, from £5, and has soft play tucked in for kids too small for the log flume and coaster. If your children are little, Funland's soft play or Ashburton Park's free playground out in Croydon are easier than a full-size coaster. For older kids and thrill-seekers, SAW - The Ride in Chertsey has a 100-degree drop and two dozen other rides, while Paultons Park near Romsey is worth the longer drive for Peppa Pig World if you've got under-sevens. Booking ahead is required at both Chessington and SAW, so sort tickets before you set off.
17 places 4 upcoming events 4 free to visit
What's on: theme parks & fairgrounds
Places for theme parks & fairgrounds
FreeAshburton Park
Croydon
A free playground for a quick outdoor run about, with parking on site so you can just turn up.
Outdoor playParkingToilets
Butlins Fairground
Bognor Regis · ages 0+
Dodgems, vintage stalls and a mini fairground for the little ones, plus go-karts and a bungee trampoline if you fancy paying extra.
Food on siteParkingRestaurant
Camden Market
London
A sprawl of canalside stalls, food halls and an indoor rollercoaster, with a market maze that swallows a whole afternoon.
Accessible toiletCaféFood on siteRestaurant+3 more
from £32Chessington World of Adventures Resort
Chessington
Surrey theme park and zoo with rides, animals and on-site parking.
ParkingToiletsAccessible toiletFood on site+6 more
FreeClarence Pier
Southsea
A seafront fairground of rides, arcades and adventure golf, paid for by the token or the wristband, whichever way you fancy losing money.
Baby changeIndoor playKids menuFood on site+3 more
from £32Colossus
Chertsey · ages 0+
A full day of rollercoasters, with a 10-loop giant and a 98ft drop the height-restricted riders will brag about for weeks.
Flight of the Pterosaur
Romsey · ages 4+
A suspended coaster with your feet dangling over Lost Kingdom, plus over 70 rides across themed worlds including Peppa Pig World.
Allergy awareBaby changeBooking requiredFree parking+7 more
from £5Funland Amusement Parks
Hayling Island
A seafront fairground with 18-plus rides, a log flume and a coaster, plus soft play if the little ones can't do the big stuff yet.
CaféGift shopIndoor playFood on site
FreeHORTON'S STEAM FAIR
Arundel
Vintage steam-powered fairground rides, a big wheel and old-school games set up for one weekend only in Arundel.
from £3Lagoona Park
Reading · ages 6+
A lake-side aqua park with obstacles, slides and paddleboards, running from June to September for swimmers aged 6 and up.
Accessible toiletBaby changeBirthday partiesBlue badge parking+8 more
from £35Paultons Park
Romsey
Family theme park near Romsey with Peppa Pig World - solid Southampton day trip.
ParkingToiletsCaféFood on site+6 more
Peppa's Big Balloon Ride
Romsey · ages 0+
A slow, gently rotating hot air balloon ride over Peppa Pig World, calm enough for a baby in arms and tall enough for a proper view.
Wheelchair accessible
from £32SAW - The Ride
Chertsey · ages 1+
A horror-film rollercoaster with a 100-degree drop, plus 25-odd other rides in the same park.
Booking required
from £32Stealth
Chertsey · ages 13+
A hydraulic launch coaster that hits 80mph in under two seconds, plus access to the rest of the park's rides.
Booking required
The Dino Chase
Romsey · ages 5+
A family rollercoaster is the headline ride here, backed by over 70 attractions, splash parks and Peppa Pig World.
Allergy awareBooking requiredFree parkingFood on site+4 more
from £32Thorpe Shark Cabins
Chertsey
A big-coaster theme park day out with UK record-breakers like Hyperia and Stealth, plus water rides to cool off on.
FreeWoodford Park
Reading
A free park with a splash pool for summer, a play area to burn an hour, and a quiet garden if you need five minutes' peace.
CaféFree parkingToilets
Good to know: theme parks & fairgrounds in Brighton
Are any of them free?
Yes, Ashburton Park, Clarence Pier, HORTON'S STEAM FAIR and Woodford Park are free to visit.
What does a paid visit cost?
Paid entry starts from £3 at Lagoona Park. Prices, ages and facilities are listed on every place page, taken from each venue's own published price list.
Whereabouts are they?
You'll find theme parks & fairgrounds in Croydon, Bognor Regis, London, Chessington, Southsea and 5 more. Every place we list is in or around Brighton, and each listing has the full address and directions.
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