UK’s best-value theme park reveals brand new water ride opening next month – with huge dinosaurs and rapids

THEME park fans can look forward to a brand new water ride opening at a top UK attraction this summer.

Paultons Park in Hampshire is the UK’s best-rated theme park, according to TripAdvisor.

4

It’s also one of the best value days out, according to a study that was published last year.

And its value-for-money is set to increase when Splash Lagoon, the theme park’s brand-new water ride, opens next month.

The Sun’s travel expert Lisa Minot will be taking part in a Live Q&A with readers at midday on Tuesday (April 23) to answer your holiday dilemmas – ask her anything.

Whatever the travel question – big or small – make sure to send over all your questions to Lisa in the form here, and she’ll answer them in the live Q&A.

Set to open on May 18, 2024, the Jurassic-themed flume ride will take park-goers through meandering rapids before heading down a final drop into a ‘prehistoric’ lagoon.

At the same time, the ride promises to introduce children to different species of dinosaurs.

Earlier this year, a CGI image of the new ride was also released – giving fans an idea of what Splash Lagoon could look like.

But now, new images of the water ride have been released by the theme park, giving fans a glimpse into what they can actually expect.

The photos show small sailing boats bobbing along a twisting track, with large dinosaur figures looming over the course.

When the ride opens in May, a new family of moving, life-like, dinosaurs are also set to greet visitors onto the brand-new ride.

The family ride will be suitable for anyone 90cm and taller.

The brand-new water ride will be located in the Lost Kingdom – Paultons Park’s dinosaur-themed world, which has plenty of other attractions for park-goers, including live shows and specially curated spaces.

James Mancey, deputy managing director at Paultons Park, said: “Splash Lagoon is a fantastic addition to the Lost Kingdom experience.

“The detailing and theming around the new flume is in keeping with the Jurassic-theme and delivers a truly immersive adventure.

“Splash Lagoon is great fun for junior riders and balances the thrill and excitement that rides such as our suspended dinosaur coaster, Flight of the Pterosaur, offers for older children and adults.”

Until the brand-new ride opens, you can visit plenty of other attractions at the theme park, including Peppa Pig World.

There guests will find Grampy Rabbit’s Sailing Club, The Queen‘s Flying Coach, Grandpa Pig’s Little Train and Peppa’s Big Balloon,

Kids can also enjoy play areas, as well as meet and greets with Peppa Pig and George Pig.

The Sun’s Jayme Bryla visited earlier this month -here’s what she thought of it.

And back in 2021, the park opened Tornado Springs, a themed midwest desert resort town in the 1950s.

Inside is the spinning Storm Chaser rollercoaster, the first of its kind in the UK, as well as the pendulum ride The Cyclonator, water raft ride and driving school.

And Splash Lagoon isn’t the only new ride set to open at a theme park in the UK this year.

Hyperia

The UK’s tallest and fastest rollercoaster is set to open at Thorpe Park this year.

Last year they said: “In 2024 we’re taking thrills to incredible new heights with ‘Hyperia’ — the UK’s tallest and fastest rollercoaster.

“Reaching heights of 236ft and speeds of over 80mph, once you’ve experienced Hyperia you’ll never fear again.”

Meanwhile, these five new rides and rollercoasters are opening in the UK this year.

4

And this lesser-known theme park by the seaside is also getting a new rollercoaster.

4