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This year’s UK Theme Park Awards will be hosted at Thorpe Park, with presenter George Akid also set to return to his role as host for the event’s awards ceremony
Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 11 Sep 2024
Thorpe Park’s Hyperia is up for Best New Attraction in this year’s UK Theme Park Awards Credit: Thorpe Park
Thorpe Park will be the host for this year’s UK Theme Park Awards, with George Akid set to return to his role as presenter for the awards ceremony at the popular attraction.
Representing the leading public facing awards for the UK theme park industry, the UK Theme Park Awards recognise the best rides and attractions, shows and events, as well as the theme parks offering the best customer service and value.
Featuring 22 voting categories, a shortlist of finalists has been whittled down by an expert panel of judges including Planet Attractions’ Editor-in-Chief, Tom Anstey.
Thorpe Park is nominated in a number of categories, including the coveted Theme Park of the Year, Best New Attraction and Best Theme Park for Families. The park has recently made a record-breaking addition, with the Mack-manufactured steel hypercoaster, Hyperia, representing the tallest (236ft, 72m) and fastest (80mph, 130kmph) rollercoaster in the UK.
“We’re delighted to be welcoming fellow industry peers from all over the country to the 2024 UK Theme Park Awards, hosted here at Thorpe Park - the home of feel-good thrills,” said Neil Poulter, divisional director for Thorpe Park.
“We’ve no doubt this will be an amazing event and we look forward to collectively celebrating everyone’s hard work and wins.”
Beginning his professional career in attractions, George Akid first worked as a Redcoat for resort operator Butlins. From there, he has performed in a number of entertainment positions, including theatre, TV and voiceover work. Taking up the role as presenter of the UK Theme Park Awards for a third year, Akid is excited to be returning as host.
“I have had such an amazing time over the last two years and it is truly a privilege to be asked back for my third,” said Akid.
“The thing that makes the UK Theme Park Awards so special is that they are voted by the public which means the categories are so varied and bring the smaller parks up against the big hitters which is really exciting!
“The thing I am most looking forward to is the big day itself - the atmosphere is truly magical. There is such a sense of community within the theme park world and you can truly see that on the day.”
In addition to Thorpe Park, major contenders for the awards include Alton Towers and Drayton Manor in Staffordshire, Blackpool Pleasure Beach in Lancashire, Thorpe Park and Chessington World of Adventures in Surrey, Legoland Windsor in Berkshire and Paultons Park in Hampshire.
Other UK theme parks to receive multiple nominations this year include Adventure Island in Essex, Blackgang Chine on the Isle of Wight, Crealy in Devon, Fantasy Island in Lincolnshire, Flamingo Land in Yorkshire, Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach and Roarr! in Norfolk, Pleasurewood Hills in Suffolk, Wicksteed Park in Northamptonshire, West Midlands Safari Park in Worcestershire and the various Gulliver's Theme Parks.
There is also an award for Content Creator of the Year, in recognition of the high-quality user-generated content via blogs and platforms such as YouTube, Instagram and TikTok.
This year’s UK Theme Park Awards take place on September 19th. A live stream, supported by TAG Live, will be available at ukthemeparkawards.com
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