Merlin Attractions Guide: Where can you go with an Annual Pass?

Table of Contents

If you’re a family who loves to have adventures without breaking the bank, a Merlin Annual Pass could be your golden ticket to a year packed with fun as there are so many family-friendly attractions included. Whether you’re after thrill rides, animal encounters or interactive indoor experiences, the passes give you access to a whole host of attractions across the UK – and it can quickly pay for itself if you plan wisely. If you want more info on prices and pass options, make sure you also check out my article: Are Merlin Annual Passes worth it and which pass is best?

CRAZY DEAL! 😍 When you book a short break stay between 3rd February and the 1st March 2026, you’ll get an Essential Merlin Annual Pass included for each person staying for FREE! Check out my guide for all the details: How to get a FREE Merlin Annual Pass – short break offer! Click below to check out the terms, or to make a booking, on the relevant websites – I’ve included the stay dates below as they vary with each resort.

Alton Towers Resort Short Breaks: For stays between 14th March and the 26th June 2026.
Thorpe Park Resort Short Breaks: For stays between 27th March and the 26th June 2026.
Chessington World of Adventures Short Breaks: For stays between 20th March and the 26th June 2026.
LEGOLAND Windsor Resort Short Breaks: For stays between 14th March and the 26th June 2026.
Warwick Castle Short Breaks: For stays between 28th March and the 26th June 2026.

But for now let’s dive in and take a look at all the brilliant days out included with my complete guide to the UK Merlin attractions – here are all of the places you can go with a Merlin Annual Pass:

Thrill-seek at the Merlin Theme Parks:

You’ll be pleased to know that some of the UK’s best theme parks are owned by Merlin Attractions, so if you have little thrill-seekers in the family then you’ll definitely want to check out these places with the kids:

Alton Towers Resort (Staffordshire): One of the UK’s biggest and most famous theme parks, Alton Towers is home to iconic rollercoasters like Wicker Man, Nemesis and The Smiler. There’s something for all ages though – as well as the big rides CBeebies Land offers gentle rides for little ones. It’s not far from the Peak District, so it can be a great one to include within a family UK staycation too. We had so much fun when we visited Alton Towers – for more info, check out my article: Alton Towers with kids – the ultimate theme park and hotel guide!

Thorpe Park Resort (Surrey): Geared towards teens and adults, Thorpe Park is a haven for adrenaline junkies. With rides like Stealth, Saw and Colossus, it’s one of the most intense parks in the UK – it also hosts popular seasonal events like Fright Nights in autumn for a bit of extra drama. (Though some events may carry a small additional charge, even with a pass.) My children, 12 and 13, absolutely loved our day at Thorpe Park – it’s definitely one of their favourite places for a day out! For more info, check out my article: Thorpe Park with kids – the ultimate theme park and hotel guide!

Chessington World of Adventures (Surrey): Ideal for families with younger children, Chessington combines theme park rides with a zoo and SEA LIFE centre. There’s a wide mix of rides from the jungle-themed Zufari to the fun Room on the Broom attraction. The zoo and SEA LIFE centre are included with your pass – great for a calmer afternoon if you want a break from the rollercoasters, or for filling a full weekend. There are lots of rollercoasters for pre-teens too, I think Chessington World of Adventures is a great option for kids around 13 and under. We had an awesome time on our Chessington visit so make sure you read my articles: The Ultimate Family Guide for Chessington World of Adventures and Chessington Resort Guide: Is the Safari or Azteca hotel better? for all the details.

LEGOLAND Windsor Resort (Berkshire): A dream day out for LEGO-loving kids! With mini lands, building workshops, interactive rides and live shows, LEGOLAND Windsor is perfect for kids from toddler age through until about 10 years old. This one is the ultimate day out for families with little ones, and there are other lego-based days out available too (more on that below).

Dive into the deep at the Merlin SEA LIFE centres:

There are loads of SEA LIFE centres included in the Merlin Annual Pass – so if you’re wondering where to go on a rainy weekend these attractions are a great option (especially as they’ll likely be one not too far away from you!). With everything from touch pools to shark tunnels and penguins, the SEA LIFE centres make for a really interesting day out with the kids – Lola and I recently visited the London Aquarium – so check out my review. You’ll find Merlin SEA LIFE centres in: London, Brighton, Birmingham, Manchester, Hunstanton, Scarborough, Great Yarmouth, Loch Lomond, Weymouth and Blackpool. Each centre varies slightly in size and layout, but all include a range of fascinating marine creatures and educational experiences.

Hide from the rain at these indoor attractions:

The Merlin Annual Pass includes quite a few indoor attractions which is perfect if you’re wondering where to take the kids over the winter months, or even looking for somewhere to go to hide from a rainy summer’s day! These attractions are dotted all over, so if you’re planning a UK family staycation then you could use your pass for some interesting days out while you’re on your travels – here are some of the places that are included:

The London Eye (London): One of the capital’s most iconic landmarks, the London Eye gives you a bird’s eye view of the city. Merlin pass holders can book free tickets in advance – just make sure you secure your slot online – the views are fabulous and the queue moves surprisingly quickly! We had our first trip on the London Eye recently, so check out my article for more info: The London Eye with kids – a family guide and money-saving tips!

Madame Tussauds (London)
Snap selfies with celebrity wax figures, from the Royal Family to Marvel superheroes at the Madame Tussaud attraction in London, which often includes seasonal zones or temporary exhibits. This one is great fun for older kids and teens who might want to hunt out their favourite celebs.

The Dungeons (London, Edinburgh, York)
A blend of theatrical storytelling, spooky sets and history lessons with a dark twist – the Dungeon experiences aren’t suitable for younger children, but older kids (usually 10+) and adults will love the creepy fun. Each Dungeon has its own regional flavour offering a different experience – Edinburgh focuses on Scottish history, York delves into Viking lore, while London follows stories like Jack the Ripper.

Shrek’s Adventure! London
A unique walkthrough attraction that’s brilliant for younger kids and fans of the Shrek movies – Shrek’s Adventure is the perfect rainy-day family attraction. Join Donkey on a magical bus ride and meet all your favourite characters along the way. Interactive and funny, it’s a good hour of indoor fun just steps from the London Eye – this attraction is best suited to kids under 10 years old.

LEGOLAND Discovery Centres (Manchester, Birmingham)
The LEGOLAND Discovery Centres are ideal for preschoolers and primary-aged kids. Expect mini LEGO cities, soft play, gentle rides and lots of building zones. It’s easy to spend a full morning here, and it’s a great go-to for a rainy weekend.

Cadbury World (Birmingham)
A delicious day out, Cadbury World takes you through the history of chocolate, the origins of the Cadbury brand and behind-the-scenes of how your favourite treats are made. There’s interactive fun, chocolate samples, a gentle ride for little ones and even live shows featuring Freddo and friends. Plus, there’s a shop at the end where you can stock up on sweet treats!

Take on a castle:

A unique attraction that is actually part of the Merlin group is Warwick Castle (Warwickshire) – it’s a full-day historical adventure with live jousting shows (check the website for event dates), birds of prey displays and dungeon tours. There’s also a fabulous Zog-themed activity trail for little ones. If you love history, or just want to picnic in stunning grounds with the kids on a sunny day, this is a top pick. Or, head to Warwick Castle over the festive season for the spectacular Christmas at the Castle event.

Final tips: How to make the most of your Merlin Annual Pass

Book in advance: Tickets need to be pre-booked online with your Merlin Pass – so when you’ve decided where to go make sure you book the attractions you want to visit in advance.

Check your pass type: There are some restrictions on which dates you can visit the Merlin Attractions – this is determined by which pass you buy. Find out more information about the different passes, and when they can be used, in my guide: Are Merlin Annual Passes worth it and which pass is best?
Use it for city breaks: If you’re heading to London for the weekend there are lots of attractions that you can take advantage of – so make the most of it by visiting as many as you can!

Look out for member discounts: Some of the Merlin Annual Passes include food, drink, parking and even discounted tickets for your friends and family, so see what your pass includes to save money on the extras.
Use it as much as possible: Make sure that you get your money’s worth by plotting your days out and UK staycations around all of the attractions available – a year of Merlin fun can be super affordable as long as you see and do as much as you can whilst you have your pass!

If you’re a family who loves variety and you enjoy days out year-round, the Merlin Annual Pass can be a real money-saver. From castles, to coasters and creatures – there’s truly something for everyone, and they can be great value for money if you make the most of them. If you’ve not yet bought your pass, and you’re not sure which one to choose, check out my article: Are Merlin Annual Passes worth it and which pass is best? Got a favourite Merlin attraction? Let me know in the comments below!