Thursday, 20 March 2025 17:18

Blackpool's Pleasure Beach Resort set to open the UK’s tallest Gyro Swing in 2026

Blackpool's Pleasure Beach Resort has announced plans to add an exhilarating new ride to its collection – a massive £8.72 million Gyro Swing set to open in 2026.

Set to become the largest of its kind in the UK, the new attraction will provide thrill-seekers with an unparalleled experience, offering both height and a unique dynamic spinning sensation.

The Gyro Swing, which swings riders at a 120-degree angle and reaches a height of 138 feet, will be a standout addition to the park’s extensive lineup of thrilling rides. Riders will be seated in outward-facing positions with their legs dangling, experiencing a sensation akin to flying as the pendulum swings high into the sky.

The new ride will seat 40 people at a time and promises to deliver an unmatched experience in terms of both speed and altitude. While other swinging pendulum rides exist in the UK, none compare to the towering new attraction at Pleasure Beach. The Maelstrom at Drayton Manor, for example, reaches 74 feet, while the Gyro Swing nearly doubles that height, making it the tallest pendulum ride in the country.

"We’re thrilled to confirm the addition of a Gyro Swing at Pleasure Beach Resort, with work already underway. We’re well known for doing things on a large scale, so becoming home to the largest Gyro Swing in the UK made complete sense," said Amanda Thompson OBE, CEO of Pleasure Beach Resort. “The Gyro Swing is one of the most exciting flat rides in existence – it’s dynamic, fast, and incredibly high, as well as being completely weightless at the top. It will be a fantastic addition to our ride line-up and we can’t wait to see people’s reactions when they experience it for the first time.”

The site for the Gyro Swing will be located in the northern part of the park, near the perimeter. Its placement will provide a unique perspective, making it feel as though riders are swinging out over the sea. Work has already begun, with the demolition of the former Bowl-A-Drome building earlier this year making way for the new ride.

This latest addition to Pleasure Beach's iconic attraction roster comes after the park teased its upcoming plans earlier this year, with a cheeky digital van appearing at rival Thorpe Park on the opening day of their Hyperia rollercoaster, cheekily stating, “We’ll just have to come up with something else then, won’t we?”

In addition to the Gyro Swing, several other exciting updates were announced at the park’s season launch event. These include the revamped Launch Pad ride, which will open this spring, and new scenes to be added to the popular Wallace & Gromit’s Thrill-O-Matic ride, inspired by the recent BAFTA award-winning film Vengeance Most Fowl. Furthermore, the beloved River Caves ride is set to receive its own re-imagining, ensuring that long-time visitors will have new experiences to enjoy.

Pleasure Beach Resort, which is currently open on weekends throughout March, will begin its regular weekday and weekend operations starting April 5.

With these ambitious projects underway, it’s clear that Pleasure Beach is ready to continue its legacy as one of the UK’s premier amusement destinations, delivering thrills, innovation, and unforgettable experiences to guests for years to come.

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