Best Theme Parks in Derbyshire and Nearby (2026 Guide)
Abbie Coleman is a Derbyshire-based mum of two and the founder of MMB Magazine and Ey-Up. She creates easy-to-read guides covering what’s on for families in Derbyshire, sharing local events, free activities and tried-and-tested ideas that make planning days out simpler for busy mums. Contact us to work with Ey-UP as a business or as a new blogger.
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Planning a family day out and stuck for ideas? If you’re based in Derbyshire (or nearby), you’re actually spoiled for choice when it comes to theme parks. Whether you’re after a full-throttle adrenaline day or giant adventures perfect for younger kids, we’re here to list some fun days for great value.
Over the years (and plenty of birthday parties and half-term trips later!), I’ve visited many of these with my own two. This guide is packed with personal insight and up-to-date info for 2026—and it’s regularly updated to keep you in the loop on new rides, events, and offers. 📅
Whether you’re looking for a classic rollercoaster day or a toddler-friendly adventure park, here’s your go-to list to make some Derbyshire family moments on your fun day trip.
🎡 Theme Parks in Derbyshire
🎢 Gulliver’s Kingdom – Gulliver’s Matlock Bath, Derbyshire
Perfect for: Ages 2–13
Highlights:
Built into the edge of the hillside at Matlock Bath or the edge of the Peak District National Park with stunning panoramic views, Gulliver’s Kingdom is one of the Gulliver’s theme park resorts. It has a unique layout (yes, you’ll get your steps uphill, but a chair lift takes you to the top to work your way down!). Expect over 60 rides, including pirate ships, log flumes, drop towers, a dinosaur-themed area, and many indoor play areas for rainy days.
It’s all designed with younger children in mind, so there’s plenty for toddlers up to tweens — but not many extreme thrill rides. We love this as a family and go every year! I still close my eyes on every trip on the log flume! Make sure you have a go if you’re brave enough to get your harness on and step off the platform to fly through the air in this treetop adventure!
This holds a special place in my heart. It’s easy to get to on the train (Matlock Bath or the X17 from Chesterfield), although parking is available. It’s a great family day out with spectacular views of all the Gulliver amusement parks.
There’s also a great mix of rides, so if, like me, you have an age gap with your kids, there’s enough to keep most under-13s excited and happy. Read our full review of Gullivers Matlock.
Theme park entry is
Under 90cm Free
Adult and Child £21 (watch for discounts or early bird bookings for the latest special offers and special events, like their first-ever toy bank weekend this May).
It’s well worth the money for a great day out with the family and some fantastic fun.
📍 Location: Matlock Bath, Derbyshire
🕒 Opening Times: Check seasonal hours.
Check out our guide on fun things to do in Matlock with kids, including getting the fab cable car up to the Heights of Abraham, for more inspiration if you want a short break in Matlock in the summer holidays.
🎢 Theme Parks Near Derbyshire
🎢 Alton Towers Resort – Alton, Staffordshire
Cost: £££
Perfect for: All ages (rides split for younger kids, teens, adults)
Highlights:
One of the UK’s biggest and best-known parks is less than an hour from Derbyshire. Alton Towers has world-class rollercoasters like Nemesis Reborn, Wicker Man, The Smiler, and Oblivion and always adds new attractions. There’s CBeebies Land for little ones, making it a real all-ages day out. The resort also has a huge Alton Towers waterpark and themed hotels if you want to make a weekend of it.
We are due to go back for the amazing new Bluey Rollercoaster.
I would say with little ones, definitely go during school time for the queues to be low, as that’s the only drawback. But I find C Beebies easier than the larger coaster, where you can be looking at it for over an hour, with older kids.
To tip: Single rider on the larger rides saves a lot of time.
A few years ago, we booked one of the short-break packages and a unique-themed family suite, which included theme park tickets and the water park, with my mum, dad, and Kimi. It was great fun. We even had the roller coaster dining experience, and the staff was amazing—they sent Kimi’s best friend, Dave the Monkey, down on the roller coaster with his meal!
📍 Location: Alton, Staffordshire
🎢 Gulliver’s Valley – Rotherham, South Yorkshire
Perfect for: Ages 2–13
Highlights:
Newer than its Matlock sister, Gulliver’s Valley is flatter than Derbyshire, one of the Gulliver’s theme parks (thank goodness!) and bigger, with indoor play zones, gentle rides, dinosaur-themed areas, and even glamping stays. Great for families with toddlers and younger primary school kids.
It’s flat, so great for prams, not like it’s counter park Matlock. It does have the bigger gyroscope ride and a racing car roller coaster. That Matlock doesn’t, but my heart still lies with Matlock Gullivers for 4yrs to 10yrs.
The indoor inflatable was a huge hit with my kids, read our full review of Gulliver’s Rotherham for kids.
📍 Location: Rotherham, South Yorkshire
🎢 Robin Hood’s Wheelgate Park – Newark, Nottinghamshire
Perfect for Toddlers to early teens
Highlights:
Combines theme park rides with a huge indoor play centre and a mini water park in summer. Think pirate ships, mini coasters, climbing zones and many themed adventures. Best suited to under 12s.
We love it, although Kimi is starting to age out now, approaching 13. But it’s a fab place to go and we have never really had big queues when we have gone. Yes, it’s not like Alton Towers, but to be honest, that’s the appeal, lower cost, lots of fun, no queues and a fun day out.
📍 Location: Newark, Nottinghamshire
🎢 Twinlakes Park – Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire
Perfect for: Ages 2–12
Highlights:
Another park that mixes rides with indoor and outdoor play. Twinlakes is excellent if you want an all-weather option — and it has a fab water park area for the summer months. Rides here are gentler than Alton Towers and are aimed more at young families.
Again, little to no queues and lots to do to keep the kids entertained. It’s just a fab day out.
📍 Location: Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire
🎢 Drayton Manor Resort – Tamworth, Staffordshire
Perfect for: All ages (especially younger kids)
Highlights:
Famous for Thomas Land (perfect if your little ones are into trains) but has proper thrill rides like Shockwave and Apocalypse for the older ones. There’s a zoo and a 4D cinema too. A real all-rounder that’s less manic than Alton Towers with some amusement park rides
📍 Location: Tamworth, Staffordshire
🎢 Sundown Adventureland – Retford, Nottinghamshire
Perfect for: Under 10s
Highlights:
A full-on theme park designed purely for younger children. Storybook villages, gentle rides, adventure playgrounds — no massive rollercoasters, which makes it much less overwhelming for little ones.
This was the first theme park we went to when we came to Derbyshire with Kimi, and he loved it. If you haven’t been, it’s well worth the visit, and I am excited to take Eliza back soon.
Beautiful family-run theme park. It’s a great place with plenty of indoor and outdoor play, full of unique experiences for young children to explore the park just for them. Get real adventure for epic adventures. It’s a must for any little one to visit again in reasonably short queues. We loved the adventure playground areas with the little houses and the water ride. A unique theme park experience just for little ones.
The closest train station is Reford so a car is best.
📍 Location: Retford, Nottinghamshire
🎟️ Visit Sundown Adventureland
👋 Final Thoughts
Whether planning an epic rollercoaster weekend or just a fun toddler-friendly day out, Derbyshire and the surrounding areas have some fantastic options.
And don’t worry — I’ll be writing full, detailed guides to each theme park over the next few weeks, packed with insider tips, what to pack, best age ranges, and real-world parent advice.
🔔 Bookmark this page and check back soon for updates! You can also follow me on Ey-Up Instagram for behind-the-scenes pics and reviews from our latest family trips.