What is the Merlin Pass? UK cost and which UK attractions like Alton Towers, Chessington are included

As a seasoned traveler and theme park enthusiast, I can confidently say that the Merlin Annual Pass is a must-have for anyone looking to explore the magical world of attractions offered by Merlin Entertainments. With over 125 attractions worldwide, this pass offers endless fun and adventure for families and friends alike.

Outings can quickly add up in cost, particularly when everyone in the family is tagging along. Fortunately, there are several strategies to help reduce expenses – one such method is the Merlin Pass.

For your convenience, we’ve prepared guides that offer tips on reducing costs for family outings, including strategies to acquire discounted tickets for Alton Towers and Chessington. Moving forward, we’re excited to introduce a guide that will show you how to gain access to all three attractions at a lower cost.

The Merlin Annual Pass offers you entry to more than 25 amazing experiences and sites scattered across the nation. This includes educational destinations such as SEA LIFE centers and Warwick Castle, iconic landmarks like the London Eye and Blackpool Tower, and your favourite theme parks including LEGOLAND, Alton Towers, Chessington, and Thorpe Park.

The pass gets you at least 200 days entry to all of these attractions as well as additional perks and discounts on your days out.

But what exactly is the Merlin Pass? And how does it work? Well, that’s what we can answer for you in this guide. Below, you’ll find exactly how the Merlin Pass works, where it can take you, what different types you can buy, and of course, how much it costs.

  • Save on Merlin attractions at Virgin Experience Days

Jump to:

  • What is the Merlin Pass?
  • How does the Merlin Pass work?
  • Where can you go with the Merlin Pass?
  • What are the different types of Merlin Pass?
  • How much does the Merlin Pass cost? 
  • How to buy the Merlin Pass?

What is the Merlin Annual Pass?

Essentially, a Merlin Annual Pass functions like a membership ticket that grants you entry into some of the United Kingdom’s premier theme parks, iconic landmarks, and family-friendly outings. Ranging from The London Dungeon to LEGOLAND, this pass offers access to numerous attractions scattered across the UK, with a validity period stretching over at least 200 days annually.

As a movie buff, I’d say: “The annual pass, dubbed as ‘the ultimate ticket to a year of unforgettable shared experiences,’ is the most convenient way to explore an array of captivating attractions, all within a short span, just like a whirlwind vacation. With 29 enticing choices at your fingertips, you can seamlessly hop from one place to another without the hassle of purchasing individual tickets.

How does the Merlin Annual Pass work?

The Merlin Pass gives you at least 200 days of entry to 29 family attractions across the UK.

There are four tiers of passes – Discover, Silver, Gold, and Platinum – each providing a broader range of available dates as their cost increases. For the less expensive memberships, you’ll encounter more “restricted dates” where you won’t receive free admission to attractions, while for the higher-priced memberships, there are fewer restricted dates and additional benefits such as complimentary parking. However, all passes grant access to an equal number of parks and experiences like Chessington, Thorpe Park, Alton Towers, and others.

Every pass is personal, featuring the user’s name and photo. Since this is the case, it’s necessary for each family member to have their own pass in order to grant access to all.

After purchasing the Merlin Pass, it’s important to remember that you can’t simply show up at the entrance of the attractions. Instead, you’ll need to make reservations in advance. Once your pass is issued digitally, you will receive a barcode and unique pass number. Utilize these details to select the date and time you prefer for each attraction visit and input the pass information for other family members as well. With everything set up, you’re all ready for an exciting day out!

  • Save on Merlin attractions at Virgin Experience Days

Where can you go with the Merlin Annual Pass?

With a Merlin Annual Pass, you gain entry to an impressive collection of 29 venues scattered throughout the United Kingdom. These range from thrilling major theme parks to captivating SEA LIFE centers in your community. Here’s a comprehensive list of the attractions you can explore:

  • Alton Towers Resort
  • Chessington World of Adventures Resort­­
  • LEGOLAND Windsor Resort
  • The London Eye
  • Thorpe Park Resort
  • SEA LIFE London
  • National SEA Life Centre Birmingham
  • SEA LIFE Manchester
  • SEA LIFE Blackpool
  • SEA LIFE Brighton
  • SEA LIFE Weymouth Adventure Park
  • SEA LIFE Great Yarmouth
  • SEA LIFE Sanctuary Hunstanton
  • SEA LIFE Scarborough
  • SEA LIFE Loch Lomond
  • SEA LIFE Bray
  • Warwick Castle
  • The Blackpool Tower
  • Madame Tussauds London
  • Madame Tussauds Blackpool
  • Shrek’s Adventure! London
  • LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Birmingham
  • LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Manchester
  • The London Dungeon
  • The Blackpool Tower Dungeon
  • The York Dungeon
  • The Edinburgh Dungeon
  • The Bear Grylls Adventure
  • Peter Rabbit: Explore and Play
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What are the different types of Merlin Annual Pass?

— Merlin Annual Pass UK (@MerlinapUK) June 11, 2023

As a follower, I’d like to share that there are four distinct types of Merlin Annual Passes available. Each pass grants access to an equal number of UK attractions, but they vary in terms of the number of days you can visit these places and the exclusive discounts and benefits you can enjoy during your visits.

To clarify, budget-friendly membership plans come with a higher limit for restricted dates, which are typically prime visiting hours such as weekends and summer vacations. Therefore, it’s essential to consider whether these limitations align with your preferences before making the purchase.

On the other hand, pricier options come with fewer blackout periods and often include extra perks such as discounts on dining and beverages, plus occasionally complimentary parking.

Here’s a closer look at the four types of passes on offer:

Discovery Pass

The Essential Pass is our most fundamental option, providing access to more than 200 attractions, but only during off-peak hours. This means it’s not valid for use during the summer, Easter, Christmas holidays, or any of the half-term breaks. Additionally, it may not be used on several Saturdays and occasionally entire weekends. If your children are in school, you’ll need to plan accordingly.

On a positive note, the Discovery Pass offers the most affordable option. Typically, it costs £99 per individual, but considering that Alton Towers day tickets begin at £36 each, you’d recover your investment in less than three visits!

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Silver Pass

The Silver Pass offers an immediate upgrade, granting you access to more than 300 attractions over the course of a year, with the exception of peak dates such as Bank Holiday Mondays and October Half Term. However, it’s important to note that the pass does not allow booking for most of August. On those limited peak dates, you can enjoy a discount on tickets if you choose to visit. Additionally, you’ll receive a 20% discount on selected hotel stays, as well as a 10% reduction on food, drink, and retail purchases during your visit.

You have two options for acquiring the Silver Pass: either a yearly subscription or a monthly plan. The individual yearly subscription will set you back £179, while the monthly option is £12.99 per month, with an initial joining fee of £39.99.

Gold Pass

For up to 340 days of access, the Gold Pass offers entry on most dates, with only a few exceptions like Bank Holidays and the extended Easter period. This pass also includes benefits such as complimentary parking at theme parks and Warwick Castle, 20% off food, drinks, shopping, and hotel accommodations, along with a £5 reduction on FastTrack vouchers. Additionally, you’ll receive a free lanyard and card holder via post.

The Gold Pass costs £249 for the year, you can also snag one for £17.99 per month with a £49.99 joining fee.

Platinum Pass

To conclude, there’s also the Platinum Pass available, without any blackout dates except for Christmas Day. Similar to the Gold Pass, it offers a 20% discount on additional attractions and a £5 reduction on FastTrack tickets. The primary added benefits compared to the Gold Pass include a complimentary Coca-Cola Freestyle cup with a lanyard and two refill vouchers, and Share the Fun vouchers that enable you to purchase £19 tickets for your family and friends.

The Platinum Pass is available for £299 a year. It’s also available on a monthly basis for £22.99 with a £59.99 joining fee.

How much is the Merlin Annual Pass?

Moving forward, let me clarify that each ticket incrementally increases in price, starting at £99 and peaking at £299 for an annual pass. For Silver, Gold, and Platinum passes, you have the option to choose either a yearly or monthly payment plan, but it’s advisable to opt for the yearly payment if feasible as it will ultimately save you money.

  • Discovery Pass, £99 
  • Silver Pass, £179 
  • Gold Pass, £249 
  • Platinum Pass, £299 

How to buy the Merlin Annual Pass

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2024-12-12 16:34