Little-known theme park crowned the UK’s most affordable for families

It has a range of attractions designed to appeal to kids (Picture: Playland Fun Park) The summer holidays are well underway, so if you’re looking for a purse-friendly day out to keep the whole family occupied, Playland Fun Park in Worcestershire is the place to be. It was just named the UK’s most affordable theme park for the third year running, saving a family of four at least £100 compared to the bigger name destinations. Playland has no admission charge, instead offering a pay-per-ride system so you can pick and choose. And with attractions starting from as little as £1, a day of fun doesn’t have to cost the earth. Value isn’t the only thing it offers though. Visitors to the family-run park in Stourport-on-Severn can enjoy classic amusements like go-karts, crazy golf, or bumper boats, with rides — from a pirate ship to a safari train — specifically designed for younger kids. Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. Self-drive boats and a large paddling pool are ideal for soaking up the sunshine, and the likes of trampolines, bouncy castles and a skate park give excitable little ones the chance to burn off all that energy (and hopefully give you some peace come home time). Admission is free and most rides cost £1 each (Picture: Playland Fun Park) Expect go-karts, crazy golf and plenty more (Picture: Playland Fun Park) There’s also the more recent addition of new rides such as Dino Tours, where you can drive your own explorer through a dinosaur-themed track and a farmyard area featuring ride-on animals. Refreshments are available to purchase at Playland’s various stalls and kiosks, or you can bring your own to enjoy at the picnic area. Or, because you haven’t paid through the nose for admission, you can simply head off-site to sample the local eateries. Plus, the park is located in a picturesque canal area, with another attraction, Treasure Island — with fairground rides suitable for slightly older children — across the road. There’s also plenty of room for outdoor activities (Picture: Playland Fun Park) The perfect place for parents to relax (Picture: Playland Fun Park) Win a luxurious stay for two at London hotel The Gore Stay in an opulent hotel room in London's most cultural neighbourhood (Picture: Jack Hardy) Four-poster beds, gilded mirrors and chandeliers everywhere you look... Metro has teamed up with Starhotels Collezione to give one lucky reader (and a companion) a chance to win a luxurious two-night stay worth £900 at The Gore London, a historic boutique hotel in the cultural heart of the UK capital. For your chance to win this incredible London getaway, enter your details before midnight on Sunday, 9 August 2026. Enter now Open to UK (excluding Northern Ireland) residents aged 18 or over. Promotion opens at 00:01 BST on 20/07/2026 and closes at 23:59 BST on 09/08/2026. Entrant must complete the entry form hosted on Metro. 1 prize of a two-night bed and breakfast stay in a Deluxe Room at The Gore Hotel in South Kensington, London for two (2) adults including dinner at the restaurant 190 Queen’s Gate on one night only consisting of a three course meal from the A La Carte menu with one (1) complimentary glass of wine included per person. Only one (1) entry will be accepted per person or per email address. Full T&Cs here. And with the beautiful River Severn a stone’s throw away, you can slot in a stroll along the banks or nature-spotting walk and really make a day of it. Tripadvisor reviewers have given Playland Fun Park an average rating of four stars, with Nadia M calling it a ‘fantastic day out’. ‘Great fun for the kids,’ added Daniel D, while JoZ893 wrote: ‘An amazing fun day out for the family. Our little three-year-old absolutely loves it. The place is well looked after and staff are always polite and helpful.’ All the fun of the fair at a bargain price (Picture: Playland Fun Park) If you have a little more cash to splash, the Outdoor Toys annual study named Paulton’s Theme Park in Hampshire the best all-round option for kids, citing its numerous rides (38!) and food outlets, along with its imprssing 71% ‘excellent’ rating on Tripadvisor. ‘Despite having the highest child admission price in the ranking at £46.75, the park still attracts huge interest, generating more than 1.7 million Google searches annually,’ said the retailer. Drayton Manor in Staffordshire and Blackpool Pleasure Beach came in joint second on the list, with Alton Towers in at third place. Our Top Shopping Picks Parents can save up to 30% on Kickers school shoes ahead of the new term The back-to-school hack that's helping parents avoid queues and sold-out sizes Could your hair be wavy rather than straight? This brand thinks so Could your star sign improve your skincare routine? This new beauty launch thinks so Best skincare for menopausal skin? This dermatologist-created treatment is tailored to you Woodlands Family Theme Park in Devon won out for having the most rides, with 50 in total, while Thorpe Park in Surrey was commended for its wealth of food options, with 19 outlets. The UK's most affordable theme parks for kids Playland Fun Park, Worcestershire Child ticket price: £0 The Web Adventure Park, York Child ticket price: £12.95 Camel Creek Family Adventure Park, Cornwall and Fantasy Island, Skegness Child ticket price: £22.50 Bewilderwood, Cheshire Child ticket price: £22.95 Gulliver’s Land, Milton Keynes Child ticket price: £23.50 Woodlands Family Theme Park, Devon Child ticket price: £23.81 Gulliver’s World, Warrington Child ticket price: £25.50 Sundown Adventureland, Nottinghamshire Child ticket price: £25.95 Lightwater Valley, Ripon Child ticket price: £27 Research via Outdoor Toys. Do you have a story you’d like to share? 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