The race to crown the UK’s best theme parks officially kicked off today in Devon, marking the start of a massive nationwide tour to rally public votes for the prestigious UK Theme Park Awards 2026.
With four major local attractions up for awards this year, Devon has firmly established itself as a true haven for theme park lovers. The regional roadshow began at Crealy Theme Park & Resort, where Lawrence Roots, founder of the Theme Park Network, was joined by enthusiastic staff to launch the promotional campaign. Equipped with a large 'Vote Now' placard, Roots is embarking on a mammoth road trip across the country to highlight this year's nominated parks.
While the tour starts in the South West, Devon will also play a starring role in the road trip's grand finale. Towards the end of his journey, Lawrence will return to the county to visit the other celebrated local nominees. These include The Milky Way Adventure Park (nominated for its innovative Cut Short Promise accessibility initiative), The Big Sheep (a finalist in the Best Theme Park for Toddlers category), and Woodlands Family Theme Park (nominated for Best Landscaped Theme Park and its Magical Christmas Nights event).
Lawrence said, "It was fabulous to kick off the tour at Crealy and I'd like to thank their staff for such a warm welcome. It was amazing to get to help test their new ride Rotor ahead of its opening later in July. Rotor and Pirates' Plummet are both up for the Best New Attraction award."
Over the coming weeks, the tour will stop at major contenders and beloved regional spots alike, including Paultons Park, LEGOLAND Windsor Resort, Chessington World of Adventures, Alton Towers, Drayton Manor Resort, and Blackpool Pleasure Beach, before wrapping up with the final Devon visits.
Now in its seventh year, the UK Theme Park Awards celebrate everything from world-class rollercoasters to exceptional customer service and seasonal events. The ultimate winners are decided by a combination of a massive public vote and scores from a dedicated panel of industry expert judges.
Speaking about the UK theme park industry, Lawrence said, "Having four fantastic local attractions all up for awards this year is a massive achievement for the region. It shows just how much world-class, family-friendly fun is packed into this part of the country, and I can't wait to come back and visit the rest of them toward the end of my tour.The UK is home to some of the most creative, thrilling, and family-friendly attractions in the world. Over the next few weeks, we want to put a spotlight on the incredible hard work of staff across all nominated parks and make it easier than ever for the public to support their favourites."
The public voting window is officially open and will run until Friday, 28th August 2026. To cast your vote and back your favourite parks, simply visit www.ukthemeparkawards.com