First look at Paultons Park’s £12 million new Viking-themed world Valgard: Realm of the Vikings

Valgard is the Hampshire theme park’s largest investment to date and is aimed at families with older children and teenagers - helping to further broaden its appeal to all ages.

The new Viking-themed world, which opens on Saturday, May 16, features Paultons Park’s first inverting rollercoaster with Drakon set to become the park’s most thrilling ride with a vertical lift hill and two twists taking riders upside down.

Valgard also features a brand-new Vild Swing that swirls riders 12 metres in the air, and the popular rollercoaster Cobra has also been rethemed and will be reborn as Raven, which promises a thrilling bobsled adventure which complements the Viking village.

To complete the Valgard experience, Paultons Park has also created a highly themed Feasting Hall restaurant and new Viking-inspired playground for younger visitors to enjoy.

Lawrence Mancey, marketing and technology director at Paultons Park, said: “Despite weeks of rain and difficult conditions, our team and contractors have made incredible progress on site. We designed Valgard to offer an immersive, atmospheric, and action-packed experience for families, and it’s amazing to see the vision come together.

“In the last few weeks new pathways have gone in, landscaping has begun, and our Viking statues have been installed. Drakon and Vild Swing have begun testing and the Feasting Hall restaurant is looking incredible. We are so excited to open the gates in May and see Valgard conquered by our guests. It’s great to be able to share the construction journey and anticipation with our fans online too.”

Thousands of people have rushed to Paultons Park’s social media channels on to see the early reveal of Drakon’s ride vehicles. Guests at the park spotted the carts arriving last week, building excitement to see how the hotly anticipated ride will look.

On YouTube, fans celebrated the team’s attention to detail and investment in theming. @T_coasters commented: “This is why Paultons is the best themed park in the UK. It looks amazing” while @halcyondaystunes added: “Paultons continue to step it up a level. Putting the big parks to shame.”

The award-winning theme park is the home Peppa Pig World and also has more than 80 rides and attractions across its six themed worlds.

Valgard joins Midwestern America themed Tornado Springs, famous for its thrilling Cyclonator ride and free-spinning Storm Chaser coaster, and the park’s dinosaur themed world, Lost Kingdom which has also helped to boost its appeal to older children, families and adults.

To book tickets and find out more, visit paultonspark.co.uk