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 & Which Pass is Best?
✨ OFFER ALERT: Get up to £50 off Gold & Platinum Merlin Annual Passes until the 28th June 2026 – just click here for more info!
Full Merlin Attraction List:
If you’re not sure where you can go with a Merlin Annual Pass, here’s a full list of all of the attractions included. I’ve organised them into activities so you can find what suits your family.
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 Cbeebies Land offers gentle rides for little ones. It’s not far from the Peak District, so it can be a great day out for a UK staycation. We had so much fun, check out my Alton Towers Guide and my Hotel Review to help you plan your trip.
- 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 teens absolutely love Thorpe Park! For more info, check out my Thorpe Park 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 range of rides to suit little ones through to pre-teens so Chessington World of Adventures works well for families with kids of mixed ages. We had an awesome time on our last visit – take a look at my Chessington World of Adventures Guide and my Chessington Hotel Review for all the details.
- LEGOLAND Windsor Resort (Berkshire): A dream day out for LEGO-loving kids! With mini lands, building workshops, interactive rides and tamer rollercoasters, LEGOLAND Windsor is perfect for kids from toddler age through until about 10-11 years old. This one is the ultimate day out for families with little ones – we recently visited with our friend’s girls and they had the most amazing time! My LEGOLAND Windsor Guide and Short Break Review have all the info.
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 am interesting day out with the kids. Lola and I had a great time at SEA LIFE London, but our favourite one is SEA LIFE Weymouth – an outdoor site (you need a dry day for that one) with seals, otters, penguins and splash play.
You’ll find Merlin SEA LIFE centres in: London, Brighton, Birmingham, Manchester, Hunstanton, Scarborough, Great Yarmouth, Loch Lomond, Weymouth and Blackpool – each offering a slightly different experience.
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 shows, a Horrible Histories Maze, a playground, birds of prey displays and dungeon tours. We had a fabulous Short Break at Warwick Castle (click through for details) and can’t wait to head back over the festive season for the spectacular Christmas at the Castle event.
Enjoy a day out in London:
The Merlin Annual Pass covers their London-based attractions too – they have five sites in the city, four of which are located in a cluster on London’s South Bank making it super practical for family days out. They’re all indoor attractions so you can have fun whatever the weather. From tots through to teens there’s something for everyone, I’ve mentioned SEA LIFE London above already, and here’s a bit of info on the other four London Merlin Attractions.
- 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! Check out my London Eye Family Guide for all the details.
- 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. Not just in London, there are actually several Dungeon experiences – each offering a different experience. Edinburgh focuses on Scottish history, York delves into Viking lore, while London follows stories like Jack the Ripper. You can also enjoy a Dungeon experience at Warwick Castle.
- 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 fun, this attraction is best suited to kids under 10 years old.
Hide from the rain at these indoor attractions:
There are a couple of other options for rainy day fun with your Merlin Annual Pass so, if you’re wondering where to go with the kids when the weather lets you down, these attractions offer plenty of fun in the warm.
- 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.
- 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!
How to make the most of your Merlin Annual Pass:
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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.

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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 & Which Pass is Best?
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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!
Our Merlin Annual Pass experience
We recently got Merlin Essential Annual Passes and we’ve been to Alton Towers, Warwick Castle, LEGOLAND Windsor and SEA LIFE Weymouth already this year. The kids are planning another Thorpe Park trip too – we’re definitely making the most of it! 😂 (Make sure you check out my reviews.) It’s so easy to book – simply head to the Merlin Annual Pass Portal, log in to you account, select ‘Book New Trip’, pick your attraction and choose your visit date.

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 Merlin Annual Passes Guide. Have fun and keep scrolling for my reviews of our Merlin days out and short break stays!😊 
Check out my Merlin Attraction Reviews:
Ultimate Family Guide for Chessington World of Adventures
Ultimate Family Guide for LEGOLAND Windsor
Chessington Resort Guide: Is the Safari or Azteca Hotel Better?
Alton Towers with Kids: Tips, Rides, Queues + Planning Your Day
LEGOLAND Windsor Hotel Review: Is It Worth Staying On-Site?
Alton Towers Hotel Review: Is It Worth Staying On-Site with Kids?
Is Warwick Castle Worth It with Kids? Family Guide + Money-Saving Tips
Thorpe Park with Kids: Top Tips, Best Rides and Hotel Guide
SEA LIFE London Aquarium Review: Is It Worth It + Money Saving Tips
London Eye with Kids: Family Guide + Money Saving Tips
Warwick Castle Hotel Review: Is It Worth Staying Overnight with Kids?
SEA LIFE Weymouth Aquarium Review: Is It Worth Visiting with Kids?
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