“A little slice of Disney right here in the United Kingdom” – Lift Hills & Thrills
Theme park critics have flocked to Paultons Park in the New Forest National Park to put the award-winning attraction’s latest ride, Ghostly Manor, to the test.
More than 150 theme park enthusiasts, including some of the most experienced and prolific theme park critics in the UK such as Jack Silkstone, Shawn Sanbrooke, Andrew Rumney (Coaster Crazy), and Joe Marshall (Theme Park Insanity) have taken to social media to review the Ghostly Manor experience.
Sean Evans of Lift Hills & Thrills shared in his blog: “The entire space is so impressive and reminds me of a little slice of Disney right here in the United Kingdom, if only more parks strived for this level of detail and it doesn’t just stop at the rides external design and landscaping. The level of effort, immersion, and detail that Paultons Park puts into their rides is unrivalled in the UK.” On TikTok, Sean said Ghostly Manor is “the UK’s most immersive dark ride”.
Jack Silkstone said: “I can see so many parks, not just around the country but around the world, getting a Ghostly Manor type ride in. Even the queue line is gorgeously themed. Paultons Park has smashed it.”
On YouTube, Theme Park Worldwide shared with their almost 500,000 subscribers that they thought the ride and theming was “excellent”. Digital Dan said Ghostly Manor is “very well themed” in his YouTube review, giving the ride a score of 8.5/10.
A guest on Ghostly Manor’s opening day said[i]: “Ghostly Manor has got to be one of, if not the best, indoor dark rides in the UK. Absolutely amazing!”
In just over six weeks since opening, more than 160 videos and reviews of Ghostly Manor have been posted on social media.
Lawrence Mancey, marketing and technology director at Paultons Park, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled by the response and reaction to Ghostly Manor. We don’t do things in halves at Paultons Park and work with only the best partners in the industry to create and deliver high quality, unique experiences for our guests.”
Ghostly Manor is the first Mack Rides Gameplay Theatre to open in the UK, making it an exciting addition to Paultons Park for theme park critics. The new indoor ride offers five minutes of game play and additional pre-show thrills.
Ghostly Manor is suitable for guests from aged five and above. From the moment riders enter the queue line they are transported into a family-friendly supernatural world, with many eerie apparitions and haunted artefacts to discover as they journey through the home of paranormal investigator, Dr Kinley.
Upon boarding the four-seater ride carriages, guests are armed with their own Phantom Phaser, a device to capture and contain mischievous ghosts and misbehaving spirits. Innovative haptic interactive technology and LED lights on the handheld Phaser further immerse guests as they explore the haunted house through eight themed and digital scenes. At the end of the adventure, each rider is presented with their ghost-catching score.
Paultons Park prides itself on being a destination for all the family and recently announced the addition of brand-new themed world, Valgard – Realm of the Vikings, due to open in May 2026. Valgard adds to Paultons Park’s existing collection of over 70 rides and attractions across its five themed worlds including Midwestern America themed Tornado Springs famous for its thrilling Cyclonator ride and free-spinning Storm Chaser coaster, and the park’s dinosaur world, Lost Kingdom.
Paultons Park – the home of UK exclusive Peppa Pig World – remains one of Britain’s top attractions, having been listed in the top 10 attractions in the world in the 2025 Tripadvisor Traveller’s Choice awards. The attraction was also named the UK’s best value theme park in 2023 and took home several awards at the 2024 UK Theme Park Awards. In addition to an extensive family offering, Paultons Park offers free parking, free entry for children under 1 metre, and some of the lowest ride queue times in the UK.
Ghostly Manor is open at Paultons Park now. To book tickets and find out more, visit: paultonspark.co.uk
