A little updated version of my 2020 blog posts… how was that 6 years ago already?? The UK doesn’t have anywhere near enough dark rides in my opinion! These are the fundamental gems of any theme park, and one of my favourite things at any theme park, whether they are perfection, a bit on the cheaper side for budget, or straight up questionable to even open. I just love the variety & creativity that comes with dark rides. Plus in the UK we aren’t always blessed with weather (don’t let this summer fool you) so an indoor attraction is always welcome.
5 – The Haunting – Drayton Manor
Okay, I’ve not ridden this in recent years I won’t lie but from my last ride, this is a solid 5th spot really. It’s a smaller version of Hex and I know the better version in my opinion, controversially. It’s spooky, well-themed and of a respectable duration. It feels authentic yet modern too.
4 – Flight of the Skylion – Legoland Windsor
Is this a dark ride? It’s indoors and a ride is my mindset on this. But it never fails to be absolutely breathtaking every time we ride it. The UK’s only flying theatre and it truly is something special. I absolutely adore Bits n Bobs he’s just precious! It’s the only dark ride in the UK that genuinely makes me emotional I’m not sure what it is but it’s a really stunning ride experience.
3 – Wallace & Gromit Thrill’O’Matic – Pleasure Beach
An absolute underrated gem and British dark ride through & through. We love Wallace & Gromit so perhaps we’re biased, not sure but it feels so homely and hearty. Familiar faces, familiar sounds, smells and scenes it truly is comforting. We’ve not experienced it yet with the new scenes but I’m sure they’ve only added to the already brilliant dark ride. Also anyone else melt at the baby Gromit in the photo as you turn into the dark ride the cutest framed photo ever. It truly is that dark ride everyone needs to experience because it really is brilliant and a worthy replacement to the former Gold Mine theme.
2 – Valhalla – Pleasure Beach
Valhalla will forever be in my top 5 UK dark rides no matter the modifications it undergoes or the heavily decreased operational times. The recent refurbishment really did make the ride look prettier than before. Of course, I do really miss the original audio and wish they could make it less wet during the colder months as it’s one of those rides which always draws me in regardless of the weather. Ever since my first ride back in 2010 it’s always been a firm favourite and trust me I ain’t blindsided by the fact some rides can be straight up dreadful particularly the pitch black rides we’ve had before. But there’s just something so damn special about this ride and if I’m honest I’m not too sure if I can quite put my finger on what it is. Just bring back that old audio which is THE sound of Valhalla and it’ll be perfection!
1 – The Curse at Alton Manor – Alton Towers
Of course, the top spot is only available for The Curse. The re-theme and transition from Duel to this is genuinely mind-blowing. The loss of interaction and the intensity in theming was all it needed and the storyline is brilliant too. It’s eerie, heavy-themed and so beautifully designed. The sets throughout truly are wonderful even the reused sections from Duel they just work! Of course, it doesn’t always have everything working but my last ride the other weekend was in a decent way. This ride comes together so effortlessly with the audio, lighting, physical sets and screen and the easy-to-follow story. Not to forget the several nods to the history of Alton Towers which is something I personally adore. Who knew we’d see the massive flume duck again but inside a creepy dark ride… it just works! This ride also has insane throughputs as well.
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What are your top 5 UK dark rides? I’d absolutely love to hear them!
Thank you for reading…
