Paultons Park Accelerates its Development with Major New Features

Paultons Park, this jewel of Hampshire already firmly established thanks to beloved themed areas like the unmissable Peppa Pig World, continues to reinvent itself. The park is investing massively to offer ever richer and more diverse experiences, now addressing a wider audience, ranging from very young children to thrill-seekers looking for novelty. Two major projects perfectly symbolise this ambition: the recent inauguration of a mysterious Haunted Manor and the announcement of a spectacular brand new Viking realm planned for 2026. These major developments testify to the vitality and long-term vision of Paultons Park.

Ghostly Manor: Family Thrills and Refined Immersion

The most tangible novelty at Paultons Park is undoubtedly the recent opening of Ghostly Manor. This indoor interactive scenic walk-through, the result of a £3.5 million investment, welcomed its first visitors on May 17th. Right from the approach, immersion is the key word. The queue itself is designed to plunge visitors into an intriguing and slightly frightening atmosphere, populated by peculiar mirrors and a suspended ghost that gives a foretaste of the adventure. We could see the care taken with details, the result of a year's work including a captivating video montage tracing the construction stages.

The experience continues inside where visitors are invited to interact with the elements of the decor. The exterior of the Manor has also benefited from extensive theming: a fountain adds a touch of historical authenticity, mirrors also serve as screens for surprise appearances, a large bandstand adorned with a unique sculpture attracts the eye, a pergola decorated with wisteria offers a charming space, and even the score display screen at the exit and the staff access gate are thematically integrated. The main entrance, suggestively lit, reinforces the building's aura of mystery. Ghostly Manor stands out as an excellent addition, offering an indoor adventure accessible to the whole family, combining interactivity, carefully crafted visual details, and a successful atmosphere.

Valgard, Realm of the Vikings: An Epic Realm for 2026

The near future of Paultons Park looks particularly ambitious with the planned arrival in 2026 of Valgard, Realm of the Vikings. Representing the largest investment in the park's history, this £12 million new themed area aims to transport visitors into a legendary Nordic universe. Adjacent to the Lost Kingdom area, Valgard is specifically designed to attract and entertain families with older children as well as teenagers, thus bringing a more "thrill" dimension to the park's overall offering. This Viking realm promises total immersion, well beyond simple attractions, with a crafted atmosphere and decor.

Drakon, Vild Swing, Raven: Valgard's Signature Attractions

At the heart of this new Viking area, three main attractions are announced for 2026, each bringing a distinct experience. The headliner is undoubtedly Drakon, an Euro-Fighter type roller coaster built by the renowned Gerstlauer. This will be Paultons Park's first roller coaster featuring inversions, with an impressive vertical lift followed by a freefall that tilts beyond vertical. Its layout has the particularity of closely intertwining with that of an existing coaster, promising high-speed crossings for maximum visual and sensory effect. Drakon is positioned to become the park's most intense attraction.

Alongside it, Vild Swing will bring a new sensation to the park and the UK. This "Wild Swing" type ride, built by ART Engineering, will be the first of its kind in the country. Peaking at 12 metres high, it will offer wide and fast pendulum movements, adding an aerial and dynamic dimension to the area.

The roller coaster offering will be completed by the transformation of the current Cobra roller coaster. Rethemed to integrate perfectly into the Viking universe, it will take the name Raven. Although its layout remains the same, this new identity and associated decor elements will offer a renewed bobsleigh-type experience, fully fitting into the Valgard atmosphere.

Beyond these rides, Valgard will not just be a succession of attractions. The area will also include a themed playground designed for the youngest visitors, ensuring that the whole family is catered for. A large restaurant, also with a Nordic theme, will allow visitors to eat in an immersive atmosphere. The park has also announced that a major additional attraction, focused on water, will complete Valgard's offering in 2027, suggesting an area that will continue to evolve.

Investments and Future Vision for Paultons Park

The £12 million investment in Valgard, in addition to the £3.5 million for Ghostly Manor, underscores Paultons Park's strong desire to position itself among the leading parks in the UK in terms of quality and innovation. These significant amounts are not just about adding rides, but about creating complete experiences, with immersive themed areas and an attention to detail that is the park's reputation.

These new additions allow Paultons Park to diversify its offering and reach a wider audience. While Peppa Pig World remains a pillar for the youngest, the addition of Ghostly Manor and especially Valgard with more intense attractions and extensive theming meet the expectations of families with older children and park enthusiasts in general. The park thus demonstrates its ability to grow and offer relevant new additions while maintaining its identity as a high-quality family park.

Paultons Park, a Park to Watch Closely

The year 2024 and the 2026-2027 horizon are synonymous with exceptional dynamism for Paultons Park. The opening of Ghostly Manor brings an immediate and immersive novelty, while the announcement of Valgard, Realm of the Vikings, with its major attractions like Drakon and Vild Swing, positions the park for an exciting future. This massive investment and the quality of the theming announced for the Viking area confirm Paultons Park as a major player in the UK amusement park landscape. We are eager to discover the entirety of Valgard and see how this new Viking era will transform the experience at Paultons Park. The park continues to surprise us positively, and we are very enthusiastic about following its evolution.