Planning Guide
Best Theme Parks Near London for Small Children
We ranked the theme parks within an hour of London by how many rides children under 100cm can actually enjoy. LEGOLAND leads with 21, Adventure Island has 15 with free entry.
Finding the Right Park Near London
London families have several theme parks within an hour's drive. But if your child is under 100cm, the choice matters enormously — some parks offer 21 rides at that height, others offer zero.
We checked every ride at every park within roughly an hour of central London and ranked them by how many rides your small child can actually go on.
The Rankings
| Park | Distance from London | Rides under 100cm | Total rides | Entry price | Best for | |------|---------------------|-------------------|-------------|-------------|----------| | LEGOLAND Windsor | 30 miles | 21 | 30 | £68 | Ages 3-8, LEGO fans | | Adventure Island | 40 miles | 15 | 28 | Free entry | Budget day out | | Gulliver's Land | 50 miles | 9 | 24 | £23 | Ages 2-8, budget | | Chessington | 20 miles | 7 | 26 | £56 | Zoo + rides combo | | Thorpe Park | 20 miles | 7 | 24 | £48 | Teenagers (not small children) |
1. LEGOLAND Windsor — 21 rides under 100cm
Distance: 30 miles west (M4, ~45 minutes) Price: £68 per person | Parking: £8
The best park near London for small children, and it's not close. LEGOLAND has 10 rides with no height restriction at all, plus 11 more accessible from 90cm. That gives an under-100cm child access to 21 of 30 rides — 70% of the park.
Duplo Valley is purpose-built for toddlers with gentle rides, water play, and building areas. But LEGOLAND's real strength is that small children aren't confined to one area — they can ride across the whole park.
The 100cm milestone matters here. When your child crosses 100cm, 7 more rides unlock (including Ninjago and Driving School). At 110cm, nearly the entire park opens up. This makes LEGOLAND a great park to revisit as your child grows.
Downsides: Most expensive park on this list. Gets extremely busy during school holidays. Book online in advance for lower prices.
View all LEGOLAND rides by height →
2. Adventure Island — 15 rides under 100cm
Distance: 40 miles east (A13/A127, ~1 hour) Price: Free entry, pay per ride or wristband | Parking: £8
The best-value option near London. Adventure Island has free entry — you only pay for the rides you go on, or buy an unlimited wristband. For a family with a small child who might only manage 6-8 rides, this pay-per-ride model saves significant money compared to a £68 gate price.
With 8 no-restriction rides and 7 more from 85-90cm, a child under 100cm has access to 15 of 28 rides (54%). The park sits on Southend seafront, so there's the beach, pier, and arcades as backup entertainment.
The 100cm milestone: 5 more rides unlock at 100cm, bringing the total to 20. By 120cm, your child can ride 27 of 28 attractions.
Downsides: It's a seaside funfair rather than a themed destination. No immersive theming. Weather-dependent.
View all Adventure Island rides by height →
3. Gulliver's Land — 9 rides under 100cm
Distance: 50 miles north (M1, ~1 hour) Price: £23 per person, under 90cm free | Parking: Free
The budget pick. At £23 per person with free parking and free entry for children under 90cm, a family of four might spend £69 total — what one adult ticket costs at LEGOLAND.
Gulliver's Land has 9 rides accessible under 100cm, including 2 with no restriction and 4 from 85cm with an adult. The park is designed specifically for children aged 2-13, so everything is scaled down. No intimidating thrill rides towering overhead.
The 110cm milestone matters here. At 110cm, 6 more rides unlock in a single jump (bringing the total to 15). This is the sweet spot for Gulliver's parks.
Downsides: Smaller park with less to do for older children or adults. The ride count under 100cm (9) is lower than other options.
View all Gulliver's Land rides by height →
4. Chessington World of Adventures — 7 rides under 100cm
Distance: 20 miles south (A3, ~35 minutes) Price: £56 child, £62 adult | Parking: £8
Chessington is the closest major park to London, but the ride count for small children is low — 7 rides under 100cm, all requiring at least 90cm with an adult. A child under 90cm has zero rides.
However, Chessington has something the other parks don't: a zoo and SEA LIFE centre included in the ticket. For a small child who can only manage a few rides, the animals fill the rest of the day. Room on the Broom (a dark ride from 90cm) and Gruffalo River Ride Adventure are standouts for young visitors.
The 110cm milestone is huge here. At 110cm, 8 more rides open up — including the iconic Vampire suspended coaster. Chessington transforms from a limited day to a full park experience between 100cm and 110cm.
Downsides: Poor value if your child is under 90cm (no rides, just zoo). Premium pricing for fewer accessible rides than LEGOLAND.
View all Chessington rides by height →
What About Thorpe Park?
Thorpe Park is only 20 miles from London, but it's not suitable for small children. Every ride has a height restriction (zero no-restriction rides), and the park is designed for thrill-seekers aged 12+. Of 24 rides, 13 require 130cm or more.
If your child is 130cm+, Thorpe Park is excellent. If they're under 100cm, look elsewhere.
View all Thorpe Park rides by height →
Quick Decision Guide
Your child is under 90cm: → LEGOLAND Windsor (10 no-restriction rides) or Adventure Island (8 no-restriction rides + free entry)
Your child is 90-100cm: → LEGOLAND Windsor (21 rides) is the best experience. Adventure Island (15 rides) is the best value.
Your child is 100-110cm: → LEGOLAND Windsor (28 rides — nearly everything). Adventure Island (20 rides) for budget.
You're on a tight budget: → Adventure Island (free entry) or Gulliver's Land (£23, under 90cm free)
You want more than just rides: → Chessington (zoo + SEA LIFE + rides)
Check Your Child's Exact Options
Enter your child's height on any park page to see their specific ride-by-ride breakdown:
Or use our height planner to compare all four parks side by side.
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