Paultons Park Unveils “Valgard – Realm of the Vikings” with New Thrill Coaster, Drakon

Paultons Park in Hampshire, UK — best known for family-friendly attractions like Peppa Pig World — is making a bold move into the thrill ride space with the announcement of a brand-new themed land: Valgard – Realm of the Vikings, opening in 2026.

The £12 million expansion will include two new rides, headlined by Drakon, a Gerstlauer Euro-Fighter roller coaster that promises to be the park’s most intense attraction to date. Featuring a beyond-vertical drop and two inversions, Drakon will be Paultons Park’s first coaster to include upside-down elements, marking a major step toward offering more for thrill-seekers, teenagers, and adult guests.

Alongside Drakon, the park will debut Vild Swing, a flat ride manufactured by Art Engineering. While details are still limited, the ride is expected to offer high-energy thrills to complement the land’s Viking-inspired theme.

As part of the new area, the park’s existing Gerstlauer Bobsled Coaster, Cobra, will be rethemed and renamed Raven to better align with the new land. Cobra has long been one of the park’s more thrilling family coasters, but the shift toward a darker, Norse-style aesthetic will give it a fresh identity within Valgard.

While Paultons Park is traditionally geared toward younger families — especially with the huge popularity of Peppa Pig World — this new development shows a clear intention to broaden the park’s appeal. With the introduction of inversions and more intense ride experiences, Valgard represents Paultons’ first real push into the teen and adult thrill market.

And it looks like the expansion isn’t stopping there. The park also teased a water-based ride coming in 2027, hinting at a continued investment in large-scale attractions beyond 2026.

This is an exciting evolution for Paultons Park, which has earned a strong reputation for theming, operations, and guest satisfaction. With Valgard, the park is stepping into new territory — and it looks like thrill fans will want to keep a close eye on what’s coming next.

Stay tuned to Coasterdex for more updates, concept art, and construction progress as Valgard – Realm of the Vikings comes to life.