The UK’s ‘best theme park’ has finally revealed the opening date for its much-anticipated Viking attraction after announcing plans earlier this year.
Paultons Park, which sits on 65 acres on the New Forest’s edge in Hampshire, announced in May that it would open a brand new £12million themed world, Valgard – Realm of the Vikings, in 2026.
Now, the park, already a hit with younger children thanks to Peppa Pig World, has revealed the development is set to open on May 16, 2026.
The latest developments at the park will see it likely rival some of the nation’s biggest theme parks – including Alton Towers, Chessington World of Adventures and Thorpe Park – for visitors next summer.
Viking-themed Valgard is Paultons’ biggest investment in a new themed area to date and is aimed at teens and older children.
The biggest crowd-pleaser at Valgard is likely to be Drakon, a high-octane thrill ride with a vertical lift hill and two twists that take riders upside down.
There will also be Raven, which is the park’s Gerstlauer Bobsled ride reimagined.
Elsewhere, there’s also set to be a Vild Swing, which will whirl those brave enough to ride it 12 metres in the air – and one of the park’s most famous rides, Cobra, is also set for a makeover.
Viking-themed Valgard is Paultons’ biggest investment in a new themed area to date and is aimed at teens and older children
Paultons Park, which sits on 65 acres on the New Forest’s edge in Hampshire, announced in May that it would open a brand new £12million themed world, Valgard – Realm of the Vikings, in 2026
Cobra will be transformed into a bobsled adventure named Raven, with plans afoot to create a playground aimed at younger children in the village too.
After exploring the attractions, visitors can head to the Feasting Hall, a themed canteen with ‘hearty dishes to satisfy even the fiercest appetite’.
Valgard: Realm of the Vikings will be located next to the existing Lost Kingdom area.
James Mancey, deputy managing director at Paultons Park, previously said: ‘Valgard promises an immersive, atmospheric, and action-packed experience for families and has been specifically designed to grow with our fans.
‘The introduction of inversions and a vertical lift hill on Drakon certainly up the adrenaline levels at Paultons Park, but staying true to our roots, we haven’t forgotten about the little ones and there is something for all of the family in our new Viking village.’
It has been a year of big news for Paultons Park, which was named the best theme park in the UK earlier this year, scooping up 10 awards recently.
It has also been crowned the UK’s best value theme park with has the shortest queue times in the country.
In March, the park submitted plans to build a new holiday village which would feature between 85 and 95 lodges, parking and its own entrance.
This year saw the launch of Ghostly Manor, a £3.5million ghoulish interactive gameplay ride
Riders board four-seater carriages and get their own Phantom Phaser on new-for-this-year ride, Ghostly Manor
The year also saw the park cut the ribbon on Ghostly Manor, a £3.5million ghoulish interactive gameplay ride.
Valgard – Realm of the Vikings is one of many Viking-themed attractions in the UK.
JORVIK Viking Centre in York offers an immersive experience on the site of a major Viking excavation
Drayton Manor’s Vikings area includes family-friendly rides like the Jormungandr rollercoaster and the Thor Disk’O Coaster, all themed around Norse mythology.
In Camden Market, London, there are plans for an immersive experience that uses VR, holograms, and interactive exhibits to teach about Viking history, based on a similar successful museum in Norway.
