Bournemouth thrill-seekers and families are being urged to back our nearest theme park, as the official countdown to the UK Theme Park Awards 2026 got underway today with the launch of a massive nationwide promotional tour.
The spotlight is shining on Paultons Park, the home of Peppa Pig World and Bournemouth’s closest major theme park, which has scored an incredible 16 nominations across the national categories. Lawrence Roots, founder of the Theme Park Network, kicked off a mammoth road trip across the country today to rally public support, starting his journey in the South West before heading to Hampshire to visit the popular local attraction on Monday 20th July. Armed with a large 'Vote Now' placard, Lawrence will be capturing the excitement with staff and visitors right on our doorstep.
Paultons Park is dominating this year's shortlist, spearheading the competition for the ultimate Theme Park of the Year crown. The park has picked up widespread recognition for its crowd-pleasing rides, stellar events, and top-tier operations. It is nominated for Best Theme Park for Families, Best Theme Park for Thrills, Best Landscaped Theme Park, Best Value Theme Park, and its legendary Best Customer Service.
The park’s specific attractions and individual staff are also taking center stage. Its new investments have earned dual nods in the Best New Attraction category for Drakon and Vild Swing, while the Valgard: Realm of the Vikings area and the park's 2026 TV Advert are both up for Best Marketing Campaign. Meanwhile, A Celebration of Valgard is a finalist for Best New Entertainment.
Younger visitors and animal lovers have plenty to celebrate too, with the world-famous Peppa Pig World nominated for Best Theme Park for Toddlers, Meet Baby Evie Pig up for Best Brand Activation, and the Wild Lands walkthrough shortlisted for Best Theme Park Animal Exhibit. The park’s seasonal magic is recognized with nods for its Best Halloween Event (Halloween Spooktacular) and Best Christmas Event (A Celebration of Christmas). Additionally, the park’s own digital team is up for Best Social Media Content, while Paultons' Lawrence Mancey has been shortlisted for the prestigious Theme Park Personality of the Year.
Local splash fans should also keep their eyes peeled for Poole’s own Splashdown Poole, which has been nominated alongside the region's best for Waterpark of the Year.
Speaking about the launch, Lawrence Roots said, "The UK is home to some of the most creative, thrilling, and family-friendly attractions in the world, and Paultons Park is a shining example of that right here in the South. 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. Paultons has an exceptional line-up this year, and it’s a brilliant asset for the local region."
Now in its seventh year, the UK Theme Park Awards celebrate operational excellence and consumer appeal across distinct categories. The final winners are decided by combining a massive public vote with scores from a dedicated panel of expert industry judges.
The public voting window is officially open and will run until Friday, 28th August 2026. To back Paultons Park and help bring the trophies back to the South Coast, cast your vote by visiting ukthemeparkawards.com