A potentially record-breaking promotional campaign for the UK Theme Park Awards 2026 has commenced, marking the start of a crucial window for public engagement in the UK attraction industry recognition scheme.
Devon's Crealy Theme Park & Resort served as the inaugural stop for a nationwide tour led by Theme Park Network founder, Lawrence Roots. Designed to drive engagement and highlight the achievements of this year's nominees, the road trip involves a comprehensive itinerary across the country, utilising a direct-scan QR code placard to encourage public voting.
Roots is travelling with a giant 'Vote Now' placard, and is aiming to set a world record by visiting a staggering 37 nominated theme parks in just 15 days.
Showcasing Operational Excellence Across The Sector
The huge tour is set to visit a wide spectrum of UK attractions, ensuring visibility for both major operators and smaller independent enterprises. Confirmed stops include Paultons Park, Alton Towers Resort, Thorpe Park, Chessington World of Adventures Resort, LEGOLAND Windsor Resort, Drayton Manor Resort, and Blackpool's Pleasure Beach Resort, along with 30 other regional theme parks.
"The UK is home to some of the most creative, thrilling, and family-friendly attractions in the world," Roots commented. "Over the next few weeks, we want to put a spotlight on the incredible hard work of staff across all nominated parks and make it easier than ever for the public to support their favourites."
During the launch at Crealy, Roots also engaged with onsite developments, previewing upcoming capital investments. "It was amazing to get to help test their new ride Rotor ahead of its opening later in July," he noted. "Rotor and Pirates' Plummet are both up for the Best New Attraction award."
A Dual-Methodology Evaluation System
Now in its seventh year, the awards programme continues to highlight operational excellence, customer service, and seasonal events. To ensure a balanced and robust evaluation, the final outcomes rely on a 50/50 weighting system that combines thousands of consumer votes with scores compiled by a panel of 11 dedicated industry expert judges.
The public voting site at ukthemeparkawards.com will remain active until Friday, 28th August 2026. The campaign will culminate in a live awards ceremony on 10th September 2026, hosted by Blackpool's Pleasure Beach Resort, where the final winners will be revealed to the industry.
