Paultons Park has announced it will open its new £12m Viking-themed land featuring the attraction’s first ever inverting roller coaster this May, as the park looks to boost its appeal to families with older children and teenagers.

Valgard: Realm of the Vikings will welcome a new custom Gerstlauer Euro-Fighter named Drakon as well as a 12 metre high Art Wild Swing, while the existing Gerstlauer Bobsled will be reborn as Raven.

“We are thrilled to share our plans for our largest and boldest investment to date,” said deputy MD James Mancey. “As an independent, family-owned theme park, we’re incredibly proud of the investments we make to deliver the very best guest experience.”

Drakon will incorporate a vertical lift hill that “plunges into a beyond-vertical drop, with an inversion coaster track that intertwines at top speeds with a legendary existing coaster at the park.”

Valgard will also include a Viking themed playground and feasting dining hall, and will welcome another new thrill ride in 2027, which Mancey described only as “a water-related experience.”

“Parents, older children and teens will love this new line up of rides, but they are not for the faint-hearted. So be prepared to be brave.”