Blackpool Just Got Cheaper This Summer: Here's What Families Need to Know

Right, listen up! If you've been umming and ahhing about a family trip to Blackpool this summer, this is the sign you've been waiting for.

The government has just cut VAT on family attractions from 20% down to 5% for the entire school summer holiday period. That runs from 25 June all the way to 1 September 2026. And Blackpool, with more qualifying attractions packed into one resort than almost anywhere else in the UK, is arguably the single best place in the country to make the most of it.

We're talking theme parks, waterparks, zoos, soft play, aquariums, museums and children's meals out. All cheaper. All this summer. Here's exactly where your family saves.

What's Covered

The VAT cut applies to admission tickets for theme parks, waterparks, zoos, aquariums, soft play centres, circuses, museums, observation attractions and adventure parks. Children's tickets for cinemas and theatres are included too, as are children's meals in restaurants and cafes. And crucially, it's not just kids' tickets at attractions. Adults get the reduced rate too.

Businesses aren't legally obligated to pass the saving on, but the government expects them to and the big Blackpool operators have confirmed they will. More on that below.

Where You'll Save in Blackpool This Summer

Blackpool Pleasure Beach

The one everyone comes for, and this summer it just got more affordable. Pleasure Beach is in scope for the VAT cut, which means cheaper tickets across the board from 25 June. If that isn't enough of a reason to visit, they've also just opened a brand new £8.72m ride called Aviktas that by all accounts is absolutely terrifying in the best possible way. Book at Blackpool Pleasure Beach.

Blackpool Tower

The Tower Top, Tower Circus, Tower Dungeon and Tower Ballroom are all covered. The Tower Circus alone is worth the trip. It's been running since 1894 and it is brilliant for children of all ages. And if you've never stood on the glass floor at the top and looked straight down at the promenade below, you're in for a treat. The reduced rate kicks in from 25 June. Find out more at The Blackpool Tower.

Sandcastle Waterpark

The UK's largest indoor waterpark. 18 slides including the Master Blaster (the longest indoor water coaster in the country), a wave pool, a lazy river and dedicated zones for the littler ones. Waterparks are fully covered by the scheme. And it doesn't matter what the weather's doing because the whole thing is indoors, which in Blackpool in summer is never a bad thing to have up your sleeve. Book at Sandcastle Waterpark.

Blackpool Zoo

A proper full day out away from the promenade. The VAT cut applies to tickets here, and children under three already get in free. There's a children's farm, a walk-through lemur enclosure, a dinosaur exhibition and over 1,000 animals. It's the kind of day out where the kids actually sleep in the car on the way home, which is its own kind of reward. Book at Blackpool Zoo.

SEA LIFE, Madame Tussauds, Peter Rabbit and the Gruffalo Clubhouse

Merlin Entertainments, who run or license all four of these Blackpool attractions, have confirmed they're applying the full VAT reduction across every one of their UK sites. So cheaper entry at SEA LIFE, cheaper at Madame Tussauds, cheaper at Peter Rabbit: Explore and Play and cheaper at the Gruffalo and Friends Clubhouse.

Showtown

Blackpool's entertainment museum only opened in 2024 and it's already one of the most underrated things to do in the resort. Six gallery spaces telling the story of Blackpool's extraordinary showbiz history. Museums are included in the VAT cut, so it's cheaper this summer too. A brilliant option if you want to mix things up from the rides and waterslides for an afternoon. Find out more about Showtown.

Bundle Tickets

Blackpool Tourism Limited have put together some cracking bundle deals for 2026. The Ultimate Ticket at £65 per person gets you into the Tower attractions, Madame Tussauds, Sandcastle Waterpark and Pleasure Beach. With the VAT cut applied on top, that's a serious amount of Blackpool for your money. Worth checking what's available before you book individual tickets. See bundle options at Visit Blackpool.

For the full lowdown on every family attraction worth your time in Blackpool, take a look at our 12 family friendly things to do in Blackpool.