Paultons Park opens Valgard to the public

The £12 million Viking-themed land is now open, bringing Paultons Park its first inverting coaster and a stronger thrill offer for older families.

Valgard: Realm of the Vikings has officially opened to the public at Paultons Park today, Saturday 16 May 2026. The new Viking-themed area is one of the park’s most significant expansions to date, led by Drakon, Paultons Park’s first ever inverting roller coaster and its most thrilling coaster so far. The land also includes Vild Swing, billed by the park as the UK’s first epic “Vild Swing” ride, a Viking-themed playground and a new Nordic-themed dining hall.

The opening matters because Paultons has built its reputation around high-quality family theme park experiences, but Valgard clearly pushes the park further towards older children, teenagers and thrill-seeking families. Drakon brings a vertical lift hill and two inversions, while the existing Cobra coaster has been reimagined as Raven, giving the new land more than one coaster headline. It is not just another children’s area. It is a statement of intent.

The practical question is how the area performs now guests are inside it. Concept art, ride names and investment figures are useful, but the real verdict will come from atmosphere, operations, throughput, food quality and whether the land feels substantial enough on a busy summer day. For families planning May half-term visits, Valgard is now part of the park’s live offer, with Paultons promoting the new area alongside more than 70 rides and attractions.

To book tickets and find out more, visit: paultonspark.co.uk

The TT Take:

Valgard opening is good news for Paultons Park and for the UK family theme park scene. The park has earned a strong reputation for polished, well-kept themed areas, and adding its first inverting coaster gives older children and teenagers a clearer reason to see Paultons as more than a Peppa Pig World day out. The important question now is whether Valgard feels like a fully realised Viking realm in person — not just a strong ride package with attractive theming around it.