From carousels to candy floss stalls, the Great British beach fairground has so much to offer – and not just for summertime!
But where is best to go for the ultimate beach fairground experience? Below, experts at holiday lettings company, holidaycottages.co.uk, has revealed six of the best British Beach Funfairs and Pleasure Beaches for the whole family to enjoy.
Pleasure Beaches By the Sea
Pleasure Beach, Blackpool
It’s no wonder Blackpool’s iconic pleasure beach is the very best in the UK! With more than 125 rides and attractions, Pleasure Beach is perhaps the most well-known beach amusement park, and with Nickelodeon land and live shows for the youngsters, and the iconic Big One and Grand National roller coasters, it’s exhilarating fun for all the family. It’s located right on the seafront too, so you can easily take a break from all the excitement to enjoy a bag of chips and a donkey ride on the beach. A perfect family day out!
- Entry starts at £32 for a junior and £38 for adults
Considering a holiday in Blackpool, check out these Blackpool Cottages for your stay
Pleasure Beach, Great Yarmouth
Another pleasure beach makes the top list, this time in Great Yarmouth! First established in 1909, this beachfront amusement park is packed with exciting rides and attractions, such as the iconic wooden rollercoaster and carousel gallopers that greet customers as they walk in, and favourites such as cups and saucers, dodgems, and log flume. The park is situated on Great Yarmouth beach, so there’s plenty to explore after a fun-filled day at the park.
- Entry starts at £15 for ages 3-6 and £20 for 7+
Considering a holiday in Great Yarmouth, check out these Great Yarmouth Cottages for your stay
Ocean Beach Pleasure Park, South Shields
Located on the seafront in South Shields, the popular Ocean Beach pleasure park has over 40 rides and attractions for all to enjoy. There’s plenty of exhilarating and family-friendly rides, as well as mini-golf and indoor arcade games. Plus, the amusement park is located right on Sandhaven beach, so there’s plenty to do for the day when you visit Ocean Beach!
- The park is free to enter, with additional costs to go on the rides
Considering a holiday in South Shields, Check out these South Shields Cottages for your stay
Seaside Funfairs
Dreamland Margate, Kent
Named the ‘vintage theme park extravaganza’, Dreamland is truly a nostalgic experience. It originally opened in the seaside town of Margate in the 1860s and was fully restored to its prime in 2015 – but with the charming feel still at its heart! Rides include family favourites such as dodgems, carousels and waltzers, with plenty of events, live music and onsite classic seaside restaurants to enjoy too. Plus, it’s just a couple of minutes’ walk to Margate beach! If you want to step back in time, Dreamland is for you.
- The park is free to enter, with additional costs for wristbands to go on the rides
Considering a holiday in Margate, check out these Margate Cottages for your stay
Luna Park Scarborough
Located in the heart of Scarborough’s South Bay, Luna Park is a great way to spend a fun-filled afternoon with the family. The park has plenty of the rides you know and love, such as dodgems, a Ferris wheel and even hook-a-duck, and there’s tonnes of delicious seaside treats on offer too, from fresh doughnuts to rock and candy floss. After you’ve had enough excitement for the day, you can take a stroll along the seafront and pick up some delicious fish and chips from the many restaurants on the harbour.
- The park is free to enter, with additional costs to go on the rides
Considering a holiday in Scarborough, check out these Scarborough Cottages for your stay
Codona’s Amusement Park, Aberdeen
A family-run amusement park based on Aberdeen’s beachfront, Codona’s was first established in 1970 and is still run by the same family today. There’s tonnes of fun stuff for the family to enjoy here, including classic rides such as a Ferris wheel, waltzers and bumper cars, as well as a huge indoor arcade, bowling alley and pirate-inspired Smugglers cove play area for when the weather in Aberdeen may not be the most inviting! There are lots of restaurants nearby on the beachfront too.
- Entry starts at £15.99 for a junior and £22.99 for adults
Considering a holiday in Aberdeen, check out these Aberdeen Cottages for your stay
Commenting, Shannon Keary, Digital PR Manager at holidaycottages.co.uk says: “There’s nothing better than a fun-filled day at the seaside, and the many beachfront amusement parks the UK has to offer certainly make for an exciting day out.We hope this list helps families enjoy each attraction, throughout summer and beyond. And if you can travel and want to stay nearby one of these stunning walks, there are plenty of accommodation options available at holidaycottages.co.uk.”
These 6 Beach funfairs are definitely some of the best to visit (I am biased for Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach as its just down the road from me!) but there are also some other options for you to consider if you are looking for other Seaside Funfairs.
Here are some more to add to your list.
Blackgang Chine, Isle of Wight
The UK’s oldest theme park, Blackgang Chine opened in the 1840s, it is set on the cliff tops, with stunning sea-views across the Isle of Wight, and filled with an eclectic mix of attractions, magical theme worlds and exciting rides, you’ll find something for all the family at Blackgang Chine.
- Entry starts at £25 for concessions and £30 for General admission
Considering a holiday in Isle of Wight check out Isle of Wight Cottages for your stay
Brighton Pier East Sussex
Biggest attraction in the South East. Free admission. Features rides and amusements such as the Wild River, the Horror Hotel and the Turbo Coaster. The pier is extremely popular with the public, with millions visitors every year, and has been featured in many works of British culture, including the gangster thriller Brighton Rock, the comedy Carry On at Your Convenience and the Who’s concept album and film Quadrophenia.
- Entry starts at £17 for kiddies under 1.2m and £30 for adults
Considering a holiday in Brighton check out Brighton Cottages for your stay
Fantasy Island Lincolnshire
Situated in Ingoldmells on the East Coast of Lincolnshire. Its the perfect family day out. Fantasy Island Amusement Park have everything you need, the extensive range of thrilling rides and family rides makes it great for both adults and the younger family members.
- Wristband Prices start from £14.50 for a 1 day adventurer pass up to £75 for a weekly discovery wristband
Considering a holiday in Lincolnshire check out Lincolnshire Cottages for your stay
Funland Amusement Park Hayling Island
Situated along the beach resort of Hayling Island, Funland Amusement Park offers a variety of indoor and outdoor attractions, so its a great place to visit whatever the weather. Experience the thrill of the roller coaster ‘Wild Billy’s Runaway Mine Train’ or take a plunge on the Beaver Creek log ride. Challenge yourself to a round on one of the craziest ‘themed’ Golf Courses you have ever seen!
The park is free to enter, with additional costs for wristbands to go on the rides
Considering a holiday to Hampshire, check out Hayling Island Cottages for your stay
Adventure Island Southend-on-Sea, Essex
If you are taking the family to explore Southend Pier in Essex, then don’t forget to check out Adventure Island amusement park, a great place to take the kids of all ages. There are rides for everyone including, the Time Machine, Tidal wave, cow jump and even a soft play area for toddlers.
- The park is free to enter, with additional costs for wristbands to go on the rides
Considering a holiday to Southend, check out Southend Holiday Cottages for your stay
Funland Theme Park Weston-Super-Mare
Weston Super Mare’s only outdoor Theme Park! located on the Seafront of the original British Seaside resort of Weston-super-Mare on the North Somerset Coast.
- The park is free to enter, with additional costs for tokens to go on the rides
Considering a holiday in Weston-Super-Mare check out Weston-Super-Mare Cottages for your stay
Do you have a favourite Pleasure Beach or Seaside Funfair ?