Vikings to invade Paulton’s Park
New coaster and more on the way to UK park in 2026
Located in the New Forest National Park in the south of England, Paultons Park has carved out a niche as a haven for families with younger children. Among its highlights is a land based on the UK’s veddy own superstar among the toddler set, Peppa Pig. While it does boast some coasters and more thrilling rides, none of them veer into “extreme” territory. That will change in 2026 when the park debuts Drakon, a coaster that will feature a vertical lift, a beyond-vertical first drop, and two inversions.
The coaster will be the focal point of a new land, Valgard: Realm of the Vikings. (With the recent opening of How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk at Universal Epic Universe, Vikings seems to be having a theme park moment.) Paultons Park hasn’t released many details about Drakon. The coaster will be a “Euro-Fighter” from German ride manufacturer, Gerstlauer Amusement Rides. The model is known for its vertical lifts and beyond-vertical drops. They typically feature either one- or two-car trains.
Drakon will reportedly climb 76 feet and include two inversions–a first for the park. While it will be a custom layout, the ride will likely be similar to other Euro-Fighters, such as Vindfald at Tivoli Friheden in Denmark. That coaster climbs 76 feet as well. It drops 66 feet, reaches a top speed of 45 mph, and sends passengers upside down twice, once through a loop and once through a corkscrew.
In addition to the coaster, the park will be welcoming Vild Swing, a non-inverting swing ride from ART Engineering. An existing Gerstlauer coaster, Cobra, will be rethemed as Raven to conform to the land’s Viking theme. The park says there will also be a playground for kiddos and a dining hall. (Taking inspiration from Erik the Red and the gang, I’m guessing utensils could be optional at the eatery.) Paultons Park also teased that another major thrill ride, this one involving water, is in the works for 2027 in Valgard.
The family-owned park, which is obviously in expansion mode, recently revealed that it has plans to open a Scandinavian-style resort–which will presumably play off of the Vikings motif. Designed to welcome 700 guests, it will be the first overnight accommodations at Paultons. The resort will include a restaurant, meeting and conference facilities, and evening entertainment. No opening date was given.
This season, the park welcomed Ghostly Manor. The haunted attraction incorporates Mack Rides’ GamePlay Theater technology, in which ride vehicles travel on a continual loop, but can themselves rotate to face a variety of practical sets and screens. While the show building is relatively small, guests feel as if they are visiting a bunch of chambers in the spooky house. The interactive ride includes Phantom Blasters that passengers use to take out ghosts and score points.
In addition to rides, Paultons Park includes a zoo with exhibits such as a bug emporium, an aviary, and a collection of reptiles. There is also a Lost Kingdom with animatronic dinosaurs.
Have you been to Paultons Park? How about other parks in the UK?