Valhalla Attraction in the United Kingdom Recognized as the Best Water Slide in Europe for the Second Time.

Best Water Attraction in Europe

According to The Sun: A theme park in the United Kingdom has been awarded the title of the best water attraction in Europe for the second consecutive year.

The Valhalla attraction at Blackpool Pleasure Beach Resort in Lancashire was recognized as the best water attraction in Europe at the European Star Awards ceremony.

This is the fourth victory for the resort featuring Valhalla.

The European Star Awards evaluate various sectors in the leisure industry across Europe, and Valhalla managed to surpass many other popular attractions, including De Vliegende Hollander at Efteling, Netherlands.

Description of Valhalla Attraction

Dubbed the "largest water attraction in the United Kingdom", Valhalla opened in 2000 and underwent a £4 million refurbishment in 2023.

Guests are invited to board a long boat and embark on a journey to the Viking afterlife, overcoming various elements such as fire, ice, and water.

As noted by Ride Rater, during the elevation of the attraction, storytelling and music play, followed by a sudden scare, a room of ice, and numerous light and water effects.

One recent visitor claimed that "nothing like [Valhalla] exists in the United Kingdom". Another added: "Valhalla is one of the most creative attractions I have ever seen!"

“Winning this award is a great achievement, especially given the enormous competition in this category,” said Andy Higate, the operations director of the Pleasure Beach resort.

“We are incredibly proud to have the best water attraction in Europe. With the arrival of our new attraction Aviktas in 2026, our future looks bright, but it's gratifying to see our current lineup continue to set standards and receive leading industry awards.

Latest Awards and Plans

The theme park recently received another four awards at the UK Theme Park Awards, including a gold award for the best reimagined attraction.

The Blackpool Pleasure Beach has also announced plans for a new attraction worth £8.8 million, set to open in 2026.

The attraction will feature a 138-foot swing that will allow visitors to fly through the air parallel to the coast.

The new attraction will be named Aviktas and, according to the park, will be the "tallest of its kind" in the United Kingdom.

Up to 40 visitors will be able to sit with their legs dangling on a massive swinging pendulum that will then sway at 120 degrees.

“This attraction will be colossal, terrifying, exhilarating, and an incredible addition to the city,” said Amanda Thompson OBE, managing director of the Pleasure Beach resort, during the announcement.

Additionally, the amusement park updated the “Wallace and Gromit’s Thrill-O-Matic” attraction earlier this year. New figures, including crowd favorites Norbot and Fats McGraw, have been added.

The attraction, which was the first in the world dedicated to Wallace and Gromit, is indoors and runs for four minutes. Each visitor boards a giant shoe and travels through scenes from iconic films, including “Close Shave”.

General News about Blackpool

Blackpool was also recognized as the best place in the world for children this summer.

This seaside town is also known for having the best hotel in the United Kingdom – overlooking the amusement park and offering free entry to the park.

Thus, Blackpool Pleasure Beach proves that it deserves recognition on the European stage of attractions. With continuous updates and the implementation of innovative ideas, the resort continues to be a hallmark not only for tourists but also for locals. The vibrant development of new attractions promises that Blackpool will remain an attractive destination for visitors from around the world.