The awards are organised by independent consumer guide to UK theme parks Theme Parks UK, and awards are presented in associated with Attraction Tickets.

There are 22 categories for parks to be nominated in, and Barry Island Pleasure Park finds themselves nominated in the ‘Best Theme Park for Thrills’ category.

Barry Island Pleasure Park finds themselves in good company in their category and are nominated alongside giants like Alton Towers Resort, Drayton Manor Resort, and Thorpe Park.

Park owner Henry Danter is simply ‘excited’ at the nomination.

He said: “We’ve done an awful lot in the last ten years. We’ve taken this from the worst amusement park in the UK and now it’s one of the best and improving year on year.”

The Danter family has spent over £12million to get the park up to its current standard, bringing people from all over the world to visit the attraction on Barry’s seafront.

Henry Danter is ‘excited’ at the Pleasure Park’s nomination (Image: NQ) Henry said: “This park brought back the heydays and the golden days to Barry. Everything around here was closing when we bought the park, and we’ve helped to bring life back here.”

As one of the only parks on the list of nominees without accommodation to offer thrill seekers, the achievement is that much more poignant. Mr Danter hopes in the future that they may be able to offer this service to those who travel to the Pleasure Park, as ‘working class people is what Barry is all about.’

Henry said: “We’re going places and doing great things – it’s nice to be recognised.”

In advance of the public vote (which opens on 21 July) a shortlist has been compiled using public nominations and with the help of a panel of judges including 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). 34,131 nominations were received, with a total of 35 theme parks nominated for awards in 2025.

There are also awards for Best Established Content Creator and Best Developing Content Creator, which includes bloggers, vloggers and podcasters, as well as those creating content on other platforms such as Instagram and TikTok.

For the sixth year, the British public will be able to vote for their favourite theme parks in the awards, which recognise the best rides and attractions the country has to offer.

The full list of nominees is available at ukthemeparkawards.com/nominees

The public vote will take place from 21 July until 1 September.