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The Irish Sun

Top six UK theme parks you can easily reach by train this summer – and how to find the cheapest family fares

A DAY trip to a theme park is part of what makes up the summer holidays for most families. So 8 There are plenty of theme parks around the UK that are easily reached by trains Credit: Alamy 8 Chessington World of Adventures is less than 15 minutes away from the station Credit: Alamy First up is The park has it all, over 40 rides, a zoo and SEA LIFE centre. Some of the best rides include the Barrel Bail Out, as long as you're not standing nearby, because the aim of the game is to soak bystanders. It's also home to Mandrill Mayhem the largest rollercoaster and themed around Read More on Attractions Travel Editor (Digital) Caroline McGuire visited the theme park to try out the You can get to the theme park by getting the train to Chessington South then walking 14 minutes to the main entrance. The second theme park is Earlier this year, it was named the best family-owned theme park in the country by Most read in Family has been kept in the family since it opened. Blackpool Pleasure Beach has 38 rides, 10 rollercoasters and five water rides. I was one of the first to try Blackpool Pleasure Beache's 'new' ride 8 Trainline also have top tips on how to save money on tickets Credit: Alamy 8 Adventure Island is accessible from Southend train station Credit: Alamy Some of the most popular include The Big One, Icon, Valhalla, and the Grand National. The park also has Nickelodeon Land with rides for younger visitors. To get to park, take the train to the Blackpool Pleasure Beach Station, then a five minute walk. The colourful theme park is right on Southend's seafront and has over 40 rides and attractions. You can go start slow with the spinning teacups or get hit the big rides like the Gerstlauer Eurofighter that has a vertical drop and loop. The park also has arcades, a sea-view café strip, and a small aquarium. To get there, take a train to Southend Central, then it's a 10-minute walk to the park gates. 8 Head to this theme park in Kent to play with diggers all day Credit: Alamy Here, kids can operate real JCBs, ride on dump trucks, and dig holes with their digger of choice. There are hands-on driving experiences too like Pre-booked tickets to Diggerland cost £25.95pp plus a £4 booking fee - or £38pp on the day. Take the train to 8 Dreamland is full of vintage rides - and a new log flume Credit: Alamy For fans of retro, head to The beachside amusement park is full of restored vintage rides, a roller disco, summer concerts and art shows. It's where you'll find the In July 2025, Dreamland opened its The new ride has two "high-thrill" drops with both a 50ft plunge and 30ft plunge along the way. It also has nearby water guns that guests can use to spray riders as they go past, with coin-operated pistols. Deputy Travel Editor To get there by train, take one to 8 Barry Island Pleasure Park is less than five minutes from the train station Credit: Alamy Of course, we cannot forget about The classic British fairground is right by the beach, and recognisable to fans of the BBC series It has the classic dodgems and ghost trains as well as helter-skelters and candy floss stands. It's the best of both worlds really as once you're dizzy from the rides, head down to the golden sands of To get there, take a train to Barry Island, then follow signs to the seafront which is less than five minutes on foot. Trainline's Top Tips On How To Save This Summer For any families taking the train this summer, follow these handy tips to save on tickets... Save with Railcards : Get discounts on off-peak fares using digital Railcards. Families can make big savings by using a Family & Friends Railcard, which gives 1/3 off adult fares and 60% off kids' tickets. Other options like the 16–25 Railcard or Two Together Railcard are perfect for friends or couples planning a fun park day out. GroupSave perks : If you are travelling in a group of 3–9 you can save up to 1/3 on tickets when you book together. One person just needs to book for the whole group to unlock GroupSave - for eligible journeys a pop-up message in the Trainline app will prompt you to 'Apply discount' . Save with Advance Fares : Many long-distance routes to theme parks – especially popular ones like Southend, Blackpool or Margate – offer Advance train tickets that can be significantly cheaper than buying on the day. Book early for the best prices, especially during summer weekends or school holidays when demand can be higher. 8 You can easily get to these theme parks on the train this summer Credit: Alamy