If you want to experience the sensation of free-flying prehistoric flight, you don’t need a time machine; you just need a trip to Hampshire. Long before Tornado Springs brought retro Americana or Valgard unleashed its Viking wrath, Paultons Park took a massive £9 million gamble on an entirely new demographic, anchoring its prehistoric empire with Flight of the Pterosaur.
A Pioneering Attraction
Far from a standard, look-at-the-scenery family ride, this pioneering attraction swoops, dives, and glides above a living, breathing landscape, making it a benchmark for immersive family thrills in the UK. What follows is a beautifully engineered sequence of sweeping bank turns and sudden terrain-hugging drops. Because the track sits entirely above your head, your feet dangle freely in the open air, dramatically increasing the sensation of actual flight. The train hits a top speed of 34 mph, threading the needle through dense prehistoric foliage and skimming just feet above the pathways below. It is a masterclass in pacing, providing plenty of stomach-drop moments without ever feeling overly aggressive or jerky.
Vekoma Suspended Family Coaster
As the UK’s very first Vekoma Suspended Family Coaster, Flight of the Pterosaur successfully proved that a ride could appeal to 4-year-olds and coaster enthusiasts simultaneously. Its massive success laid the operational and thematic blueprint for the park’s future multi-million-pound investments, directly influencing the layout strategies later used to build Storm Chaser in 2021 and the custom Euro-Fighter, Drakon, in 2026.
Flight of the Pterosaur Statistics
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Top Speed – 55km/h 34mph
Original Cost – £7m
Est Cost Today – £10m
Length – 1295ft 395m
Height – 66ft 20m
Manufacturer – Vekoma
Type – Suspended Family Coaster (SFC)
Lift/Launch – Friction Wheels
Inversions – 0
G-Force – 2.5
Trains – 1
Passengers per Train – 20
Ride Duration – 1m 03s
Theme Park – Paultons Park
Year Opened – 2016
Attractions Near Me – Paultons Park
Paultons Park Official Website
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Where to Stay: Local Accommodation
Finding a base for your Paultons expedition is easy, whether you’re looking for a quick stopover or a longer family getaway.
Travelodge: For those prioritising proximity and reliability, Travelodge Southampton Central is a fantastic choice, located just 10 miles from the park. It’s perfect for getting an early start to beat the crowds at the Valgard gates.
Booking.com: If you’re looking for more variety, ranging from boutique New Forest cottages to budget-friendly city stays then Booking.com offers an extensive list of local properties to suit any group size.
Haven: For families wanting to turn their visit into a coastal holiday, Haven’s Rockley Park in Poole is a great partner option. While it’s about a 45-minute drive away, the addition of pools, entertainment, and seaside air makes it a brilliant choice for a multi-day trip.
Plan Your Strategy
Paulton’s Park doesn’t tend to get too busy, but the big roller coaster rides can draw a crowd and Peppa Pig World is very popular choice for families with younger children. To make sure you spend more time on the rails and less time in the zig-zags, be sure to keep an eye on our Paultons Park live queue times. These live queue times give a great insight into what to expect when planning your visit to Paulton’s Park and monitoring the wait times in real-time is the secret to navigating the park like a pro and ensuring you hit every major attraction before the gates close.
UK Roller Coaster Rides
If you enjoyed reading about Storm Chaser at Paultons Park, you may also be interested in these other Roller Coasters located at Theme Parks across the UK.
Theme Park
Roller Coasters Nearby
Disclaimer: Attractions Near Me makes every effort to ensure that all pricing, ticket perks, opening hours, and facilities listed on this directory are accurate at the time of publication. However, attraction details can change frequently. We strongly advise checking the official venue website to verify operating schedules, booking requirements, and current admission models prior to starting your journey.
