Award-winning theme park Paultons Park has released a ‘first look’ of its latest themed world, Valgard: Realm of the Vikings.
The park, already a hit with children thanks to Peppa Pig World, is set to open up Valgard, appealing to families with older children and teenagers.
The Hampshire attraction is known for its ‘Disney-like’ theming, details, and immersive experiences.
The new Viking-themed world, which opens on Saturday, May 16, 2026, features Paultons Park’s first inverting rollercoaster and will be the park’s largest investment to date at £12 million.
Drakon is set to become the park’s most thrilling ride with a vertical lift hill and two twists taking riders upside down – not for the faint of heart.
Valgard: Realm of the Vikings is set to open in May at Paultons Park
Valgard also features a brand-new Vild Swing that swirls riders 12 metres in the air, and Cobra, a famous favourite ride at Paultons Park, will be revamped as Raven – a thrilling bobsled adventure.
To complete the Valgard experience, Paultons Park – which sits on 65 acres on the New Forest’s edge in Hampshire – has also created a themed Feasting Hall restaurant and new Viking-inspired playground for younger visitors to enjoy.
Lawrence Mancey, marketing and technology director at Paultons Park, said: ‘Despite weeks of rain and difficult conditions, our team and contractors have made incredible progress on site.
‘We designed Valgard to offer an immersive, atmospheric, and action-packed experience for families, and it’s amazing to see the vision come together.
‘In the last few weeks new pathways have gone in, landscaping has begun, and our Viking statues have been installed.
‘Drakon and Vild Swing have begun testing and the Feasting Hall restaurant is looking incredible.
‘We are so excited to open the gates in May and see Valgard conquered by our guests. It’s great to be able to share the construction journey and anticipation with our fans online too.’
The new Viking-themed world is the park’s largest investment ever
Drakon is set to become the park’s standout ride, with visitors taking a sneak peek
Thousands of people took to Paultons Park’s social media on Saturday to see the early reveal of Drakon’s ride vehicles.
Guests at the park spotted the carts arriving on Friday afternoon, building excitement to see how the ride will look.
On YouTube, fans celebrated the team’s attention to detail and investment in theming.
@T_coasters commented:, ‘This is why Paultons is the best theme park in the UK. It looks amazing’, while @halcyondaystunes added: ‘Paultons continue to step it up a level. Putting the big parks to shame.’
The addition of Valgard: Realm of the Vikings sees the attraction boast a collection of more than 80 rides and attractions across its six themed worlds.
Valgard joins Midwestern America themed Tornado Springs, famous for its thrilling Cyclonator ride and free-spinning Storm Chaser coaster, and the park’s dinosaur themed world, Lost Kingdom.
Paultons Park – the home of Peppa Pig World – is one of Britain’s top attractions, having been named by Tripadvisor as the eighth best-rated amusement park in the world and the fourth best in Europe in 2025.
It also took home numerous awards at the 2025 UK Theme Park Awards, including Theme Park of the Year.
In addition to an extensive family offering, Paultons Park offers free parking, free entry for children under one metre, and some of the lowest ride queue times in the UK.
To book tickets and find out more, visit paultonspark.co.uk.
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