This One-Of-A-Kind, Family-Friendly Theme Park World Is Coming To The UK In 2027

The U.K. isn't necessarily well-known as a theme park destination. Alton Towers might make it onto a list of the best amusement parks in Europe, and spots like Thorpe Park and Blackgang Chine on the Isle of Wight have undeniable charm, but compared to the U.S., or even other European countries like Germany and France, it can't compete.

But all that might be about to change. Chessington World of Adventures, one of the most popular theme parks in the U.K., has just announced that its brand-new, Minecraft-themed park land is set to open in 2027. Designed to be a one-of-a-kind park that immerses fans of the game in the Minecraft world, it hopes to replicate the success of the immersive worlds of Universal's Epic Universe park. Chessington World of Adventures is located just outside of London, easily accessible on a 35-minute direct train from Waterloo Station.

Of course, this won't be the first slightly unusual theme park to open in the U.K. The Legoland Amusement Park has been helping adults travel back to their childhoods since 1996, and Peppa Pig World is a family-friendly favorite. But Minecraft World is arguably one of the most ambitious and intriguing new openings in the amusement park space, as well as being a huge indicator of the popularity of Minecraft the game, coming off the back of the success of "A Minecraft Movie," released in 2025 and starring Jack Black and Jason Momoa.

Minecraft is the best-selling video game of all time, so this latest iteration has some big shoes to fill. Merlin Entertainments, the company that runs Chessington World of Adventures, has collaborated closely with Mojang Studios, the creators of Minecraft, to ensure that the new park is authentic, immersive, and as true to the game as possible. "We're absolutely thrilled to be bringing Minecraft's creativity, bold adventures, and ridiculous fun to life at a theme park for the first time at Chessington World of Adventures," said Angela Jobson, SVP of Global Brand at Merlin Entertainments, in an official press release. "Working closely together with Mojang Studios we are meticulously creating an authentic world that the global community of Minecraft fans will want to immerse themselves in and experience the game in a whole new way."

The park will obviously take inspiration from the biomes, mobs, and items in the game to create incredible block-built landscapes and rides, as well as themed retail and entertainment. The press release promises a "world first coaster," and the team has partnered with several passionate Minecraft creators to really lean into the authenticity and fan experience of the Minecraft world. Torfi Frans Ólafsson, the senior creative director of entertainment at Minecraft, said, "The team at Merlin Entertainments and Mojang have worked hard to craft an experience that feels immersive, authentic and welcoming, and we can't wait for our community to experience it."