BRIGHTON’S Palace Pier and a children’s adventure farm have been crowned two of the best amusement parks in Europe.

The city’s star attraction and Fishers Farm Adventure Park in Wisborough Green were named sixth and seventh best amusement parks in the UK at Trip Advisor’s Travellers’ Choice awards.

The prizes, which were awarded based on millions of reviews from travellers, saw the two venues make a top 25 European list that included the likes of Disneyland Paris and Walt Disney Studios.

Anne Martin, manager of Brighton Pier, said: “There are two ingredients to our success.

“Brighton is a world-renowned seaside destination so being associated with that brand helps enormously.

“Secondly, without a shadow of a doubt, Brighton has the best pier not only in the UK but in the world.

“Piers are typically English and what we’ve managed to do is marry the old with the new. We have new exciting rides, modern games and amusements – but have managed to maintain the pier’s original condition. There’s lots of character and soul here still.”

When asked what she thought of Blackpool Pleasure Beach – Britain’s number one amusement park – Ms Martin joked: “We can’t be having that. We’ll be number one next year.”

Fishers Farm Park, near Billingshurst, describes itself as the ‘number one all-inclusive, all-year attraction in the heart of the West Sussex countryside’, promising a ‘farm-tastic’ day of excitement including animal encounters, museums, tractor rides, climbing walls and more than 40 different rides and attractions.

The venue was opened by Tim and Trina Rollings in 1990 and celebrates its 25th birthday next year.

Mel McAlpine, general manager at Fishers Farm, said: “We are delighted. We are especially pleased as the award is calculated through reviews by our visitors.

“That makes all the difference to us and will inspire us to continue to work hard on giving our guests the best family day out.

“Many congratulations to Brighton Pier – the best in East Sussex from the best in the West.”

The park followed Brighton Pier in the top ten UK list behind Thorpe Park in Surrey, Drayton Manor in Tamworth, Alton Towers in Farley Paultons Park in Romsey and first-placed Blackpool Pleasure Beach.

James Kay, of TripAdvisor, said: “Whether you’re a thrill seeker looking for a buzz this summer or a parent planning a family day out during the school holidays, this list of winners should provide plenty of inspiration.”

Top 10 British amusement parks:

1. Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Blackpool, Lancashire

2. Paultons Park, Home of Peppa Pig World, Romsey, Hampshire

3. Alton Towers, Farley, Staffordshire

4. Drayton Manor, Tamworth, Staffordshire

5. Thorpe Park Resort, Chertsey, Surrey

6. Brighton Pier, Brighton, East Sussex

7. Fishers Adventure Farm Park, Wisborough Green, West Sussex

8. Sundown Adventureland, Retford, Nottinghamshire

9. GreenWood Forest Park, Y Felinheli, North West Wales

10. Adventure Island, Southend-on-Sea, Essex