Paultons Parkway

With the recent announcement of the Universal theme park for the UK, I’ve been wondering about the prospect of other similar mega-parks opening up in this country. There was of course the proposal for the Swanscombe Peninsula theme park, but this has been kicked into the long grass.
 
Then I had an idea. Many British theme parks aren’t really themed around British culture, and with the rise in popularity of immersive experiences and living museums, I think this would be a good opportunity to trial a combined theme park and living museum attraction, that educates the British public on their country’s history through rides and experiences. I’m not expecting this to be the UK’s next thrill park, but more of a family park that appeals to all ages, consisting of a mixture of moderate rides and immersive experiences.
 
Like many theme parks, this park would be split into different lands, with each one corresponding to a period of British history. There would be a big emphasis on theming to fit in with the area’s period, with rides camouflaged or located indoors wherever possible. Some of my ideas for areas include:
 
- A Roman Britain themed area.
- A Tudor and Shakespeare themed area.
- An area themed around British myths, legends and folklore.
- An area themed to British farming, particularly in the West Country.
- An area themed to a remote Scottish fishing village at risk from the effects of global warming.
- An area themed to a Welsh mining village, in an area where the future of coal mining is uncertain.
- A peaceful “flora and fauna” area with no thrill rides, home to native British plants and wildlife.
- An area themed to Wartime Britain, with emphasis on the two world wars and global domination of the British Empire during that period.
- A science and technology area themed around British industry and inventions, celebrating the innovations of the past alongside those of today and tomorrow.
- An area themed to British pop culture from the 1960s to the 90s, with an emphasis on the arts, sport and leisure.
- The park’s hub, themed to a traditional market town in the South East of England.
- A transit system to connect park areas together. Could be a replica of the London Underground.
 
Each area would consist of:
1 rollercoaster, water or dark ride
1 flat thrill ride
2 childrens’ rides
1 immersive attraction
1 food outlet
 
So to round things up, this would essentially combine the thrilling aspects of a theme park with the educational side of museums, and the Insta-worthy appeal of immersive experiences. Do you think such an attraction would work in the UK?

With the recent announcement of the Universal theme park for the UK, I’ve been wondering about the prospect of other similar mega-parks opening up in this country. There was of course the proposal for the Swanscombe Peninsula theme park, but this has been kicked into the long grass.
 
Then I had an idea. Many British theme parks aren’t really themed around British culture, and with the rise in popularity of immersive experiences and living museums, I think this would be a good opportunity to trial a combined theme park and living museum attraction, that educates the British public on their country’s history through rides and experiences. I’m not expecting this to be the UK’s next thrill park, but more of a family park that appeals to all ages, consisting of a mixture of moderate rides and immersive experiences.
 
Like many theme parks, this park would be split into different lands, with each one corresponding to a period of British history. There would be a big emphasis on theming to fit in with the area’s period, with rides camouflaged or located indoors wherever possible. Some of my ideas for areas include:
 
- A Roman Britain themed area.
- A Tudor and Shakespeare themed area.
- An area themed around British myths, legends and folklore.
- An area themed to British farming, particularly in the West Country.
- An area themed to a remote Scottish fishing village at risk from the effects of global warming.
- An area themed to a Welsh mining village, in an area where the future of coal mining is uncertain.
- A peaceful “flora and fauna” area with no thrill rides, home to native British plants and wildlife.
- An area themed to Wartime Britain, with emphasis on the two world wars and global domination of the British Empire during that period.
- A science and technology area themed around British industry and inventions, celebrating the innovations of the past alongside those of today and tomorrow.
- An area themed to British pop culture from the 1960s to the 90s, with an emphasis on the arts, sport and leisure.
- The park’s hub, themed to a traditional market town in the South East of England.
- A transit system to connect park areas together. Could be a replica of the London Underground.
 
Each area would consist of:
1 rollercoaster, water or dark ride
1 flat thrill ride
2 childrens’ rides
1 immersive attraction
1 food outlet
 
So to round things up, this would essentially combine the thrilling aspects of a theme park with the educational side of museums, and the Insta-worthy appeal of immersive experiences. Do you think such an attraction would work in the UK?

Thank you for your thorough and detailed reply. Very informative and fascinating read, particularly with the Vampire noise situation. It’s ironic to believe that Vampire is Chessington’s most loved ride, yet hated by the locals due to its noise. Makes me wonder if a similar coaster was planned today, whether it would be located at Thorpe rather than Chessie. Tbf Thorpe could probably do with a moderate thrill coaster without any inversions to make it more family-friendly. Even thrill parks should have a selection of good family rides that appeal to the younger guests as well as thrillseekers.

Hello all, long time lurker first time poster here. I’m Peter, 25 years old and from Bournemouth. In addition to riding coasters, I also enjoy learning about the history and development of UK theme parks.
 
I first visited Thorpe Park on a school trip in June 2013, although I couldn’t ride any of the coasters due to the fact I had undergone major surgery on my back a few months earlier. I returned a year later when I finally had the all clear from my doctor and was able to experience an inverting roller coaster for the first time, Nemesis Inferno. Such an amazing ride and still my favourite coaster of all time.
 
To this date, I have completed all the coasters at Thorpe, Paultons and almost all at Chessington (I am yet to experience Dragon’s Fury), as well as a few at smaller theme parks. The next destination on my bucket list is Alton Towers, which I’m surprised I still haven’t got round to yet as my mates always suggest it. I’m not sure however whether it’s better to go this year or leave it until next year when Nemesis reopens. Since it would be a shame to go without riding this iconic coaster, next year seems logical. Conversely, at the rate Towers is closing rides, something else might go before then hence visiting ASAP might makes more sense (and I could always go next year as well!)

Hello all, long time lurker first time poster here. I’m Peter, 25 years old and from Bournemouth. In addition to riding coasters, I also enjoy learning about the history and development of UK theme parks.
 
I first visited Thorpe Park on a school trip in June 2013, although I couldn’t ride any of the coasters due to the fact I had undergone major surgery on my back a few months earlier. I returned a year later when I finally had the all clear from my doctor and was able to experience an inverting roller coaster for the first time, Nemesis Inferno. Such an amazing ride and still my favourite coaster of all time.
 
To this date, I have completed all the coasters at Thorpe, Paultons and almost all at Chessington (I am yet to experience Dragon’s Fury), as well as a few at smaller theme parks. The next destination on my bucket list is Alton Towers, which I’m surprised I still haven’t got round to yet as my mates always suggest it. I’m not sure however whether it’s better to go this year or leave it until next year when Nemesis reopens. Since it would be a shame to go without riding this iconic coaster, next year seems logical. Conversely, at the rate Towers is closing rides, something else might go before then hence visiting ASAP might makes more sense (and I could always go next year as well!)