Nominations for the UK Theme Park Awards 2021 will open on 21 May 2021. Expert Judges include Paul Kelly (British Association of Leisure Parks, Piers and Attractions). 21 categories including Theme Park of the Year, Best New Attraction and Best New Event!

The organisers of the UK Theme Park Awards announced that the awards will return in 2021, with the public able to nominate from 21st May. Last year, in celebration of 20 years as the independent consumer guide to UK theme parks, the ThemeParks-UK.com website launched the inaugural UK Theme Park Awards.

For the very first time, the British public were invited to vote for their favourite theme parks in national awards recognising the best rides and attractions, shows and events, as well as the theme parks offering the best accommodation and social media engagement.

154,104 public votes were combined with the scores from the judging panel to determine the winners in each category.

There are 21 categories this year, including Theme Park of the Year, Best Customer Service and Best Value. New categories include Best Theme Park for Toddlers, Best Family Coaster, Best Classic Coaster and Best Live Entertainment.

Expert Judges include Paul Kelly (Chief Executive of the British Association of Leisure Parks, Piers and Attractions) and Andy Hine MBE (Chairman – Roller Coaster Club of Great Britain).

The public will be able to nominate from 21st May at www.ukthemeparkawards.com and then participate in voting during the summer.

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 theme parks in the UK likely to receive nominations include Pleasurewood Hills in Suffolk, Lightwater Valley and Flamingo Land in Yorkshire, Adventure Island in Essex, Oakwood Theme Park in Pembrokeshire and Fantasy Island in Lincolnshire.

For theme park fans, there will also be awards for Blogger of the Year, YouTuber of the Year and Instagrammer of the Year.

“We were blown away by the response to the awards last year, despite all the challenges faced by the UK theme parks due to the coronavirus. I’m delighted that the awards will be be back this year and with a range of new categories.” said Lawrence Roots, Editor of ThemeParks-UK.com

Paul Kelly, Chief Executive of the British Association of Leisure Parks, Piers and Attractions, said: “With my career long love affair with Theme Parks and Attractions I am delighted to be part of the judging panel for the UK Theme Park Awards 2021”.