HAMPSHIRE, UK — Paultons Park, one of Britain’s most popular family theme parks, has announced a major £12 million expansion set to open in 2026. The new Viking-themed world, Valgard – Realm of the Vikings, will mark the park’s largest investment to date and is aimed at teenagers and older children, a notable shift from its current family-focused offerings such as Peppa Pig World.
The ambitious development, located on the 65-acre site on the edge of the New Forest in Hampshire, will introduce a suite of immersive attractions, led by Drakon — a high-adrenaline roller coaster featuring a vertical lift hill and two inversion twists. Other highlights include the Vild Swing, a 12-metre high pendulum ride, and a major reimagining of one of the park’s existing favourites, Cobra, which will be transformed into a bobsled-style ride named Raven. A new play area for younger children is also being planned within the Viking village area.
The themed village will include Nordic-inspired shops and dining venues, designed to recreate the atmosphere of Scandinavia’s ancient Norse warrior era. Paultons Park has also hinted at the possibility of an additional ride in the Valgard area by 2027, potentially a water-based attraction.
The announcement comes alongside the launch of the park’s latest attraction, Ghostly Manor, which officially opened this weekend. The £3.5 million interactive dark ride sees guests explore the haunted residence of fictional paranormal investigator Dr. Kinley. Visitors board four-seater carriages equipped with Phantom Phasers to engage in a five-minute gameplay experience filled with supernatural surprises. The ride is described as a “family-friendly supernatural world” designed to appeal to a broad age group.
James Mancey, deputy managing director at Paultons Park, emphasized the park’s continued commitment to multi-generational appeal. “Valgard promises an immersive, atmospheric, and action-packed experience for families and has been specifically designed to grow with our fans,” said Mancey. “The introduction of inversions and a vertical lift hill on Drakon certainly up the adrenaline levels, but staying true to our roots, we haven’t forgotten about the little ones.”
Day entry to the park is priced at £45, with free admission for children under one metre in height.
