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Theme Parks & Fairgrounds in Reading
None of the big theme parks are on Reading's doorstep, so this list is really about how far you fancy driving. Closest is SAW - The Ride out at Chertsey, from £32, a horror-film rollercoaster with a hundred-degree drop plus twenty-five-odd other rides in the same park. A bit further is Chessington World of Adventures Resort, also from £32, with rides, a zoo and its own car park so you're not hunting for a space. Further still is Paultons Park near Romsey, from £35, with Peppa Pig World and picnic areas if you'd rather bring your own lunch. For free options, Daventry Country Park has an adventure playground and a café, and Ashburton Park in Croydon is a straightforward playground with parking on site. Clarence Pier in Southsea and Funland on Hayling Island are pay-as-you-go seafront fairgrounds, with baby change and a kids' menu at Clarence Pier, and soft play at Funland for anyone not ready for the bigger rides yet. Most of the big parks want booking ahead, so sort tickets before you set off.
18 places 4 upcoming events 5 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.
FreeDaventry Country Park
Daventry
Free to get into, with an adventure playground, a reservoir to walk round and a café for when everyone's flagging.
Accessible toiletBlue badge parkingCaféDog friendly+4 more
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 Reading
Are any of them free?
Yes, Ashburton Park, Clarence Pier, Daventry Country Park, HORTON'S STEAM FAIR and 1 more 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 6 more. Every place we list is in or around Reading, and each listing has the full address and directions.
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