UK's tallest ride that sends guests 138ft into the air opens at Blackpool Pleasure Beach

Blackpool Pleasure Beach has thrown open the gates to Aviktas today, and it is officially the tallest attraction of its type anywhere in the UK.

The brand new ride propels thrill-seekers an incredible 138 feet skyward, with angles reaching a stomach-churning 120 degrees.

This comes as the park was named the UK's cheapest summer getaways, with rooms from £62. The new ride is nearly twice the height of Drayton Manor's Maelstrom, which previously held the record.

Fans from all corners of Britain made the journey to be among the first to experience the heart-pounding new addition, which was initially revealed back in May 2025.

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The ride's restraint system gives passengers a genuine sensation of weightlessness as they climb towards the peak.

The park has poured £8.72million into its newest attraction, making it the single biggest investment Pleasure Beach has made in eight years.

The last time they spent this much was on ICON, their double-launch rollercoaster.

CEO of Pleasure Beach Resort, Amanda Thompson OBE, said: "Pleasure Beach has always had a reputation for going big and pushing boundaries - Aviktas is no exception. Its sheer size and presence speaks for itself, there is simply nothing like it in the UK.

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"We wanted to build something that sets us apart from anywhere else and gives our guests a genuine must-visit reason to come to the park."

Early reactions from those brave enough to take on Aviktas have been overwhelmingly positive, with many calling it a standout experience in the UK theme park scene.

Scott Bickerton, a rollercoaster enthusiast who runs the YouTube channel Your Experience Guide, said: "Aviktas is a must-ride. It combines airtime, hangtime and intense thrill to provide a completely fresh experience.

"When you're up at 138 feet, the views across Pleasure Beach and out to sea are spectacular. Not only is it an incredible thrill ride, it's already become a striking visual landmark for the town."

The opening of Aviktas comes at a particularly special moment for the seaside park, which is marking 130 years of operations this year.

It comes as Pleasure Beach was recently crowned the best theme park in the UK by TripAdvisor's Best of the Best awards. T

The park has been busy reinventing itself in recent years, breathing new life into classic attractions like Launch Pad and Valhalla, which holds the title of Europe's best water ride.

Those wanting to experience Aviktas can catch the Twilight Thrills event, running until 9pm on Saturday, May 23, with tickets available online.

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