{"id":676831,"date":"2026-01-06T03:35:17","date_gmt":"2026-01-06T03:35:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/676831\/"},"modified":"2026-01-06T03:35:17","modified_gmt":"2026-01-06T03:35:17","slug":"inside-the-theme-park-named-best-in-europe-but-it-has-no-rides","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/676831\/","title":{"rendered":"Inside the theme park named best in Europe – but it has no rides"},"content":{"rendered":"

By MARTI STELLING, REPORTER<\/a> <\/p>\n

Published: 20:08 EST, 5 January 2026 | Updated: 20:09 EST, 5 January 2026 <\/p>\n

For adrenaline lovers, there’s no feeling like stepping into a park and hearing the screams of people whizzing past on giant rollercoasters.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Many theme park enthusiasts travel the globe to experience record-breaking rides, including Saudi Arabia<\/a>‘s Falcon’s Flight,\u00a0the world’s tallest, fastest and longest roller coaster.<\/p>\n

But coaster junkies would be disappointed if they turned up to this park in the hope of a high-thrill ride.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Puy du Fou Espa\u00f1a, a theme park in Toledo, Spain<\/a>, gained the title of Europe’s Leading Theme Park 2025 at the World Travel Awards.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The park, which opened in 2021, is based on the French theme park of the same name.\u00a0<\/p>\n

It is located approximately an hour south of Madrid and is\u00a0not typically visited by British tourists.\u00a0<\/p>\n

But at Puy du Fou Espa\u00f1a, you won’t find the classic pendulum ride or dodgems.<\/p>\n

Instead, there are immersive shows about history with recreations of events on a huge scale.<\/p>\n

\"Puy <\/p>\n

Puy du Fou Espa\u00f1a, a theme park in Toledo, Spain, gained the title of Europe’s Leading Theme Park 2025 at the World Travel Awards<\/p>\n

\"Since <\/p>\n

Since opening in 1977, Puy du Fou has grown to become France\u2019s second-most visited theme park after Disneyland Paris\u00a0<\/p>\n

More akin to what Brits would expect from a trip to a museum than a theme park, visitors can visit\u00a0medieval villages, see artisanal crafts being made and try traditional food.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Since opening in 1977, Puy du Fou has grown to become France\u2019s second-most visited theme park after Disneyland Paris, with a record 2.8million visitors last year and an annual turnover of<\/a> \u20ac3 billion (\u00a32.5billion).\u00a0<\/p>\n

Visitors can watch a Roman duel in a replica amphitheatre one moment, before finding themselves in the trenches of the First World War the next.<\/p>\n

It was named the world\u2019s top theme park in 2022 by voters in the TripAdvisor Travellers\u2019 Choice.<\/p>\n

Puy du Fou Espa\u00f1a entry costs vary but typically start around \u20ac30 (\u00a326) for a one-day adult ticket if booked in advance, with children (3-13) starting around \u20ac24, while on-the-day prices are higher (around \u20ac38-\u20ac39).<\/p>\n

In September, Puy du Fou\u00a0announced plans to build a massive new park near Bicester in Oxfordshire<\/a>, bringing its unique brand of immersive, history-themed attractions across the Channel.<\/p>\n

The boss of the firm behind the park has exclusively told the Daily Mail that plans\u00a0for the UK version have already been tirelessly developed in secret for the past two years.<\/p>\n

Forget high-thrill rides and classic coasters \u2013 this park will allow visitors to step back in time and witness centuries of history brought to life, including gladiator tournaments and Viking invasions.<\/p>\n

\"Visitors <\/p>\n

Visitors can watch a Roman duel in a replica amphitheatre one moment, before finding themselves in the trenches of the First World War the next<\/p>\n

The company submitted an outline planning application to Cherwell District Council on 1 September, with hopes to open the UK location in stages starting from 2029.<\/p>\n

Guests will be able to explore four fully recreated period villages – each designed around a different era in British history.<\/p>\n

There will be 13 live shows each day, ranging from theatrical performances to musketeer battles. The park also plans to build three themed hotels, each styled to reflect a different historical period, along with a large conference centre.<\/p>\n

In other theme park news,\u00a0the UK’s first Universal Studios has officially been granted planning permission to be built.<\/a>\u00a0Set to be located in Kempston Hardwick, near Bedford, the new theme park is expected to be ready by 2031.<\/p>\n

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