Paultons Park announces new £12 million attraction, Valgard – Realm of the Vikings, set to open in 2026

AN award-winning New Forest theme park has unveiled plans for a new £12m Viking-themed attraction, which includes its first inverted rollercoaster.

Paultons Park at Ower confirmed the build for Valgard – Realm of the Vikings, which is aimed at families with older children and teenagers, was “firmly under way” on the same day it opened its latest ride, Ghostly Manor, to visitors.

The new Viking-themed world, set to open in spring next year, features Paultons’ first inverting rollercoaster, Drakon, which it says is set to become the park’s “most thrilling ride” with a vertical lift hill and two twists, taking riders upside down.

The attraction will also feature a UK first with the installation of a new swing ride by ART Engineering which swirls riders 12 metres in the air.

In addition to the two new thrill rides, the park’s former rollercoaster Cobra will be rethemed into a bobsled adventure, and there will be a new restaurant and playground.

There are also plans for another major thrill ride to be added to the new land in 2027, reportedly a “water-related experience”.

Last month the park unveiled plans to create a Scandinavian-themed self catering holiday village to accommodate around 700 guests. The company submitted an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) screening request – a precursor to a request for planning permission – to the New Forest National Park Authority, with proposals for up to 95 units comprising two, three and four bedrooms, alongside a restaurant, shop, and new welcome building specifically for resort guests.

On the Valgard plans, the park’s deputy managing director, James Mancey, said: “We are thrilled to share our plans for our largest and boldest investment to date, and on the day that we welcomed guests into our brand new Ghostly Manor.

“As an independent, family-owned theme park, we’re incredibly proud of the investments we make to deliver the very best guest experience. We’ve opened two brand-new rides in the last two years and with the build of Valgard firmly under way, we’re excited to open a further three, bigger-and-better-than-ever-before rides, between now and summer 2027.

“Valgard promises an immersive, atmospheric, and action-packed experience for families and has been specifically designed to grow with our fans. The introduction of inversions and a vertical lift hill on Drakon certainly up the adrenaline levels at Paultons Park, but staying true to our roots, we haven’t forgotten about the little ones and there is something for all of the family in our new Viking village.”

The park’s first indoor dark ride, Ghostly Manor, costing £3.5m, features interactive gameplay suitable for guests from aged five and over.

A park spokesperson said: “Upon boarding the four-seater ride carriages, guests are armed with their own phantom phaser, a device to capture and contain mischievous ghosts and misbehaving spirits. Innovative haptic interactive technology and LED lights on the handheld phaser further immerse guests as they explore the haunted house through eight themed and digital scenes.

“At the end of the adventure, each rider is presented with their ghost-catching score, revealing who has the best ghost hunting skills.”

Mr Mancey added: “We have worked with the very best technical and theming experts in the attractions business to create Ghostly Manor. Our teams and partners have done a remarkable job at creating our very own haunted house, brimming with entertaining paranormal activity. Ghostly Manor really does look like it’s always been part of Paultons Park, and I’m sure it’s going to be an enormous hit with our guests.”

The park, which opened in 1983, covers 140 acres and has more than 80 rides and attractions including midwestern America-themed Tornado Springs, dinosaur-themed Lost Kingdom, and the UK exclusive Peppa Pig World.

Last year Paultons was named the best park for families at the UK Theme Park Awards, while Peppa Pig World was named best for toddlers. It also won a gold award for the best new food outlet for the Grande Central cafe and restaurant, and a gold award for the best customer service at a large park.

Paultons won a bronze award in the best new entertainment category for Blast Off – A Space Rocket Adventure, and bronze in the best sustainability initiative for the ‘Paultons Promise’ to care for the environment and the local community.