The weirdest theme parks you can visit in the UK – from digger-themed attractions to ice cream farms

FAMILIES wanting to keep the kids entertained for the last of the summer holidays can add a number of weird and wonderful theme parks to their bucket list.

From digger-themed attractions to an ice cream farm, here are the best places to take the little ones next.

The Ice Cream Farm, Chester

Ice Cream Farm in Tattenhall, Chester, is one of the most visited free to enter attractions in the UK.

After a £5m redevelopment in 2014  it became the world’s largest ice cream parlour and Europe’s largest indoor sand and water play area.

Rides and attractions include a giant ice cream tree, a mini JCB digger for children to scoop sand, and the Strawberry Falls crazy golf course, decorated with giant sand castles and oversized candy canes.

And then there’s all that ice cream to choose from – with over 50 flavours including sticky toffee pudding, bubblegum and honeycomb.

Diggerland

Kids and adults who are obsessed with diggers should head to Diggerland, where guests can play on real JCBs and excavators .

You’ll also find indoor and outdoor play areas – which includes a merry-go-round made from an old digger – along with dodgems,  go-karts and a Sky Shuttle where you can view the whole park from up above.

There are currently four Diggerlands in the UK – Kent, Yorkshire, Durham and Devon – although the Devon branch announced that they will be closing for good from September 5.

Critter Creek at Paulton’s Park, Romsey

Kids you aren’t scared of bugs should visit Critter Creek, one of the lands at Paulton’s Park in Romsey.

The Critter Creek zone has a caterpillar rollercoaster, as well as train ride called Professor Blast’s Expedition Express.

Off  the rides there’s the beastie burrow where you can meet bird as well as bugs – as well as the Curious Critter zone.

There is enough to entertain at the rest of the park – there are 70 more rides and attractions, as well as the famous Peppa Pig attraction.

Milky Way Adventure Park, Devon

Space fans will love the Milky Way Adventure Park in Devon with specially-themed rides like the Cosmic Typhoon rollercoaster and Time Warp death slide.

There newest attraction this year is the Ninja Arena where families can compete to win, with family favourites including the Clone Zone – where you’ll get to meet “aliens”.

And there’s sci-fi memorabilia where you can check out models of Darth Vader, the Daleks and R2D2 as well.

Science buffs will also want to check out the “nerd alert” science shows which run at the park from Easter until October.

Blackgang Chine, Isle of Wight

Blackgang Chine on the Isle of Wight is the oldest in the UK and has different themed zones, such as pirates, fairies and dinosaurs – so there’s something for every child.

There are also views of the sea and the surrounding countryside from the park, which was founded in 1843 – where a smuggling trade once took place.

Rides include the Cliffhanger rollercoaster, which is right on the edge of a cliff.

There’s also the Underwater Kingdom, where you’ll help Giuseppe the crab find his missing crab children and explore a shipwreck on your way.

Greenwood Forest Park, North Wales

Greenwood Forest Park, which first opened in 1993, is one of the most eco-friendly attractions with 80 per cent of the park’s power coming from solar panels and planting more than 500 trees a year.

There’s a rollercoaster called Green Dragon with a 360 degree loop as well as a solar-powered ride called the Solar Splash which is the first of its kind in the UK.

You can also ride tractors and have a go on the 70 metre Sledge Run down a hill.

Joyland, Great Yarmouth

Originally opening in 1949, Joyland is like taking a step back in time with vintage rides like the “snails” are still popular today.

It’s a smaller version of your standard amusement park and a little more low key for younger ones, found near Britannia Pier in Great Yarmouth.

As well as the famous snails there’s also the Tyrolean Tubs which spin as they whizz around a track, a pirate ship ride, a ferris wheel, a ghost train and an amusement arcade.

Even better, is it’s free to get in so you only pay per ride, which are as little as £1 each.