UK Theme Park Awards 2025 has confirmed the judging panel for this year’s edition, featuring nine leading experts from across the attractions industry, including InterPark’s publisher, John Fosbrooke.
Now in its sixth year, the UK Theme Park Awards give the British public the chance to vote for their favourite theme parks and content creators in these prestigious national honours. The winning votes come by way of combining thousands of public votes with scores from the judging panel.
How to vote and who is on the judging panel
The awards are organised by ThemeParks-UK.com, an independent consumer guide to UK theme parks. In 2025, the awards are presented in association with AttractionTickets.com.
Meanwhile, public voting across all 22 categories will be open from 21 July to 1 September 2025 at ukthemeparkawards.com
The judging panel for the UK Theme Park Awards 2025 consists of:
- Andy Hine MBE (Chairman, Roller Coaster Club of Great Britain)
- Chris Belvin-Bailey (Founder, Attraction Source)
- Dawn Foote (Co-Founder & CEO, Katapult)
- John Fosbrooke (Publisher, InterPark)
- Lauren Heath-Jones (Editorial Director, Planet Attractions)
- Lawrence Roots (Founder, ThemeParks-UK.com)
- Mark Locker (Founder & CEO, Attractions.io)
- Paul Kelly (Chief Executive, British Association of Leisure Parks, Piers and Attractions)
- Scott Bickerton (Founder, Your Experience Guide)
Commenting on the announcement, firstly is Andy Hine MBE: “I am proud to be involved in recognising the achievements of UK theme parks as it is vitally important that everyone knows that the UK can compete with the best that the rest of the world has to offer. Proving that you don’t need to leave the UK to experience some fantastic rides and attractions.”
Chris Belvin-Bailey: “I’m grateful to participate as a judge for the 2025 UK Theme Park Awards! It’s another exciting year to be a fan or industry professional, and I can’t wait to celebrate all the successes again. So good luck to those nominated!”
Dawn Foote: “I’m super excited to be a part of the UK Theme Park Awards judging panel, which will celebrate and showcase the attractions created by our talented industry. It’s also wonderful to be coming together, in person, to meet the people behind creating them.”
John Fosbrooke: “It’s an honour to highlight the remarkable achievements of the UK theme park sector, which competes on a global stage and delivers attractions that make the UK proud. While this is a UK award, it’s clear that the world is watching.”
Lauren Heath-Jones: “I’m thrilled to be part of the judging panel for the 2025 UK Theme Park Awards! There have been a lot of exciting developments in the UK attractions industry over the past 12 months and I’m delighted to play a small part in their recognition.”
Lawrence Roots: “It will be the sixth year that we celebrate all of the biggest achievements at theme parks around the UK. I’m delighted that we’ll be able to bring together so many representatives from theme parks with other industry professionals and content creators.”
Mark Locker: “It feels like a natural fit for us to celebrate the achievements of the UK attractions industry with the 2025 Theme Park Awards. I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to explore the incredibly creative initiatives that have taken place and honour the hard work that’s gone into making them a success.”
Paul Kelly: “Being part of this judging team allows me to acknowledge some of the hard work and expertise that goes into the design and delivery of great experiences across the UK theme park sector.”
Scott Bickerton: “I’m grateful and excited to be part of the UK Theme Park Awards for 2025, and can’t wait to collaborate with the talented team on the panel.”
More information about the judging panel is available at ukthemeparkawards.com/judges
The runners and riders for this year’s awards
The categories in this year’s awards include Theme Park of the Year, Best Customer Service and Best Value. New categories for 2025 include Best Use of IP in an Attraction, Best Queue Line Experience or Pre-Show, and Best Integration of Technology in a Guest Experience.
The major contenders for the awards include Alton Towers and Drayton Manor in Staffordshire, Blackpool Pleasure Beach in Lancashire, Thorpe Park and Chessington World of Adventures in Surrey, LEGOLAND Windsor in Berkshire and Paultons Park in Hampshire.
Other UK theme parks likely to receive multiple nominations include Adventure Island in Essex, Crealy in Devon, Fantasy Island in Lincolnshire, Flamingo Land in Yorkshire, Pleasurewood Hills in Suffolk, as well as the various Gulliver’s Theme Parks.
Furthermore, the awards will also recognise digital creators, with categories for Best Established Content Creator and Best Developing Content Creator. Thus, celebrating bloggers, vloggers, podcasters, and those creating standout content on platforms like Instagram and TikTok.
The full list of 22 categories:
- Theme Park of the Year
- Best New Attraction
- Best Reimagined Attraction
- Best Theme Park for Families
- Best Theme Park for Toddlers
- Best Theme Park for Thrills
- Best Theme Park with Animals
- Best Seaside Park
- Best New Accessibility Initiative
- Best New Sustainability Initiative
- Best New Event
- Best New Entertainment
- Best New Food or Retail Outlet
- Best Use of IP in an Attraction
- Best Queue Line Experience or Pre-Show
- Best Integration of Technology in a Guest Experience
- Best Customer Service
- Best Value Theme Park
- Best Social Media Content
- Best Marketing Campaign
- Best Established Content Creator
- Best Developing Content Creator
Image: Theme Parks UK
