Blackpool Pleasure Beach wins 11 awards in UK's first amusement and theme park awards

The amusement park was entered in 20 categories for the new awards, which were launched by ThemeParks-UK.com, an independent guide to country’s amusement and theme parks.

The top ‘gold’ award wins for the Pleasure Beach were the best ride for Valhalla, the best indoor attraction for Wallace & Gromit’s Thrill-O-Matic and the best value park overall.

It is the first time the British public have been invited to vote for their favourite amusement and theme parks in a national award competition.

More than 154,000 votes were combined with the scores from the judges to determine the winners in each category.

Across the 20 categories, the awards recognised the best rides, attractions, shows and events, as well as the parks offering the best customer service, value and accessibility.

Expert judges included Paul Kelly, the chief executive at the British Association of Leisure Parks, Piers and Attractions.

As well as the top gongs, the Pleasure Beach also scooped the ‘silver’ awards for theme park of the year, best show for Hot Ice, best restaurant for the White Tower Restaurant, and best accommodation.

Overall, the Pleasure Beach came second to Alton Towers in Staffordshire, which won 14 awards, but it was ahead of Thorpe Park in Surrey, which collected 10.

A Pleasure Beach spokesman said: “Blackpool Pleasure Beach is delighted to have won awards in so many categories reflecting the quality, value and range of attractions.

“Our thanks go to the organisers of the awards, Theme Parks UK, the judges, and all the public who voted.”