Alton Towers, Thorpe Park or Chessington?
Which of the big three suits your family's ages, and how to save on all of them.
Britain's three big Merlin parks each do something different, and picking the wrong one for your family's ages is the most common mistake. Here is who each park is for.
Alton Towers, Staffordshire
The biggest and the best all-rounder. Serious coasters: Nemesis Reborn, The Smiler, Wicker Man, Oblivion, Galactica, Rita. A whole area, CBeebies Land, for under-sixes that is the best thing in the country for that age. Gardens, a lake, a water park and a spa at the hotels. The scale means walking, and the Skyride cable car matters. Best for a mixed-age family or a two-day trip.
Thorpe Park, Surrey
The thrill park. Hyperia, the UK's tallest and fastest coaster, plus Stealth, Saw, Colossus, The Swarm and Nemesis Inferno. A handful of family rides, but the park is built for teenagers and adults with strong stomachs. Height limits keep most under-tens off the good stuff. Twenty minutes from the M25. Best for teenagers and thrill-seekers.
Chessington World of Adventures, Surrey
A theme park and zoo for the four-to-twelve crowd. World of Jumanji, Dragon's Fury, Tiger Rock, the Gruffalo river ride, and a proper zoo with a SEA LIFE centre included. Rides are accessible from about 90cm. It is smaller and easier than Alton Towers with young children. Best for primary-age families.
Seasonal events
All three run Halloween events. Alton Towers Scarefest and Thorpe Park Fright Nights are scare events with mazes for older visitors; Chessington's Howl'oween is family-friendly. Alton Towers and Chessington also run Christmas events.
Saving money
- Dated advance tickets are always cheaper than walking up, sometimes by half.
- The Alton Towers Midland Pass bundles Alton Towers, Warwick Castle, Cadbury World and SEA LIFE Birmingham for one price and is exceptional value for a Midlands break.
- Merlin Annual Passes pay off after about three park visits in a year and cover all three parks plus the London attractions.
- Hotel packages at Alton Towers and Chessington include a second park day and early entry.
Our shortlist
Under-eights: Chessington. Eight to twelve: Alton Towers. Teenagers: Thorpe Park, then Alton Towers. Everyone: Alton Towers in October.
