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Theme Parks & Fairgrounds in Manchester
If you want a proper theme park day, Manchester itself doesn't have one, but there's plenty within reach. Mayfield Park, right in the centre, is free and has a play yard of six slides built over a daylighted stretch of the River Medlock, handy for a shorter outing. For the real rides, it's a drive out to Blackpool Pleasure Beach, with ten rollercoasters and a Nickelodeon corner for younger children, or out to Matlock Bath for Gulliver's Kingdom, from £20, with rides scaled for ages 2-13 and a log flume 300ft up the hillside. For toddlers and younger kids, Gulliver's Kingdom and its sister park Gulliver's Valley near Rotherham (from £26) both cover ages 2-13 with booking required. Older children who fancy something different might prefer Diggerland Yorkshire in Castleford, where they get behind the controls of real diggers, with over 20 rides included in one ticket from £12.97. If budget matters, Mayfield Park costs nothing, while a longer trip to Sundown Adventureland in Retford offers free entry under 90cm.
20 places 5 free to visit
Adrenalin Zone
Blackpool
A cluster of proper thrill rides, a freefall swing, reverse bungee and a climbing web, alongside classic fairground spins.
from £9Apple Jacks Adventure Farm
Warrington · ages 4-12
Tractor rides, zip wires, jumping pillows and a skating rink for four to twelve year olds, no animals here despite the farm name.
Baby changeBirthday partiesCard onlyCash only+9 more
from £18Blackpool Pleasure Beach
Blackpool · ages 0+
Ten rollercoasters, a soaking water ride and a whole Nickelodeon corner for the younger ones, all on Blackpool seafront.
Accessible toiletAllergy awareBaby changeBirthday parties+15 more
from £11Chipping Steam Fair
Clitheroe
A field full of vintage steam engines, funfair rides, donkey rides and a stunt show over three days in Clitheroe.
Accessible toiletBlue badge parkingDog friendlyFree parking+2 more
from £12.97Diggerland Yorkshire
Castleford · ages 4-14
Kids get behind the controls of real diggers and dumpers, plus over 20 rides included in one ticket.
Birthday partiesBooking requiredGift shopGroup bookings+5 more
from £1Fun Park
Rotherham · ages 2-18
A pay-as-you-go ride park with coasters, dodgems and mini golf, plus a Christmas Adventure with Santa in season.
Accessible toiletBirthday partiesBlue badge parkingCafé+6 more
from £8Great Harwood Showground
Blackburn
A one-day country show with sheepdogs, birds of prey and a sheep race, all in a single Bank Holiday Monday.
Blue badge parkingCard onlyCash onlyFree parking+1 more
FreeGreenhead Park
Huddersfield
A free park with a double zip wire and a miniature steam railway that only runs on Saturday afternoons.
Changing PlacesOutdoor playToiletsWheelchair accessible
from £20Gulliver's Kingdom
Matlock Bath · ages 2-13
Hillside theme park near Matlock Bath with a log flume 300ft up and rides scaled for younger kids.
Free parkingToiletsAccessible toiletBaby change+5 more
from £26Gulliver's Valley
Rotherham · ages 2-13
Family theme park near Rotherham for ages 2-13, with Lost World dinos and Western World rides, from £26 online.
Free parkingToiletsAccessible toiletBaby change+6 more
Gulliver's Valley Rotherham
Rotherham
Family theme park near Rotherham - rides for Sheffield day-trips. Soft Play N.
ParkingToiletsCaféGift shop+1 more
FreeManor Fields Park
Sheffield
Free park with two playgrounds, a sandpit and a boardwalk, plus Tudor ruins you can touch but not climb.
Accessible toiletCaféChanging PlacesKids menu+4 more
FreeMayfield Park
Manchester
Free outdoor park with a play yard of six slides built around a daylighted stretch of the River Medlock.
Dog friendlyOutdoor playToilets
FreeRyelands Park
Lancaster · ages 0-12
Free play park with a proper play area for under 12s, an outdoor gym and open grass for football.
ParkingWheelchair accessible
FreeSandall Park
Doncaster
Free park with a zip-wire play area, woodland adventure play and football pitches, plus a café for when everyone flags.
CaféOutdoor playParkingPicnic area+1 more
from £14.95Slick City Action Park Nottingham
Nottingham · ages 4+
Nottingham - Slick City indoor slide action park in Lenton, dry slides and Air Courts from £14.95.
CaféBirthday partiesBooking required
Splash World
Southport
Water slides and a swimming pool under one roof, open weekends all year and weekdays in the school holidays.
Birthday partiesFood on siteVegetarian options
Summer Beach Club
Sheffield · ages 0+
Outdoor summer pop-up at Meadowhall with water slides, a roller coaster and fairground rides for a whole afternoon out.
Booking requiredFree parkingFood on sitePicnics allowed
from £16.60Sundown Adventureland
Retford · ages 0-10
Rampton - theme park for under-10s with 30+ rides, indoor play and free under-90cm entry.
Birthday partiesBooking requiredCaféFree parking+6 more
from £18The Big One
Blackpool · ages 0+
A full-scale coaster park where the star ride is a 235-foot drop hitting 85mph, plus dark rides, water rides and a whole land for younger fans.
Accessible toiletBlue badge parkingEV chargingGift shop+8 more
Good to know: theme parks & fairgrounds in Manchester
Are any of them free?
Yes, Greenhead Park, Manor Fields Park, Mayfield Park, Ryelands Park and 1 more are free to visit.
What does a paid visit cost?
Paid entry starts from £1 at Fun Park. Prices, ages and facilities are listed on every place page, taken from each venue's own published price list.
Which ones are indoor?
Slick City Action Park Nottingham and Splash World are indoor, good to keep up your sleeve for a rainy day.
Whereabouts are they?
You'll find theme parks & fairgrounds in Blackpool, Warrington, Clitheroe, Castleford, Rotherham and 10 more. Every place we list is in or around Manchester, and each listing has the full address and directions.
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