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A LITTLE-KNOWN theme park is known as one of the best in the UK and has previously been rated higher than the likes of Thorpe Park and Alton Towers.

The summer weather has people planning days out, with theme parks a great choice for both families and thrill-seekers.

Axis is one of Adventure Island's most popular rides
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Axis is one of Adventure Island's most popular ridesCredit: Alamy
The theme park has free entry although day and annual passes are available
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The theme park has free entry although day and annual passes are availableCredit: The Sun

However, one place they might not have considered going to is Adventure Island in Southend-on-Sea.

It's described on TripAdvisor as is the U.K's No.1 free admission fun park, with guests able to turn up and pay only for what they want to ride, although both day and annual passes are available.

In a previous list of the country's best amusement parks, it came in third place, beating some of the more famous parks like Blackpool Pleasure Beach, and Alton Towers, which were fifth and 10th in the list.

The rankings were produced as part of the TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice Awards, meaning its position was based on public opinions.

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The park still gets good ratings from the public with an overall score of 4.5/5 from more than 4,000 reviews on TripAdvisor.

One recent review reads: "Great rides and great value with the yearly ticket for the kids.

"In a day and age where the phones and laptops seem to be attached to the kids' vital organs this is just perfect to reclaim the children and see them natural and beautiful smiles come out again."

Another wrote: "This is a fantastic place. We love everything in there.

"Staff members are so kind and helpful. We are a family of five and every one of us found something."

Last winter the park opened its new CityWheel, to celebrate Southend being given city status.

It stands at 118ft tall and offers views of the whole of the city.

Other rides include Axis, a fast-moving, pendulum-style attraction that swings, spins and twists its riders upside down, more than 100ft in the air.

Adventure Island is found in Southend-on-Sea and was named on of the best theme parks in the country
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Adventure Island is found in Southend-on-Sea and was named on of the best theme parks in the countryCredit: Getty
It has a rating of 4.5/5 on TripAdvisor from more than 4,000 reviews
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It has a rating of 4.5/5 on TripAdvisor from more than 4,000 reviewsCredit: The Sun

However the "biggest and best" ride, according to the theme park's website is Rage, which has loops, twists and "flat-out speeds".

The ride was said to be the inspiration for Thorpe Park's Saw.

One person who visited the park recently was Tiktoker .

They said in : "Adventure Island Fun Park is situated on Southend-on-Sea's famous seafront and has over 40 fabulous rides and attractions.

"We’re having a fab day."

Her followers were delighted to see the footage, with one saying: "Get me on now."

Another wrote: "I went on there recently, SO MUCH FUN!"

A third added: "YES, I'm going there today! so excited for this ride."

A day pass granting guests unlimited rides costs £26, while it's £56 for the whole year, with discounts for other attractions.

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Meanwhile, these are the 20 best theme parks and waterparks in the world.

And this is the cheapest theme park in the UK.

Rage is the park's most popular ride and inspired Thorpe Park's Saw
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Rage is the park's most popular ride and inspired Thorpe Park's SawCredit: Alamy
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