Ocean Beach Pleasure Park Ride Guide

Ocean Beach bills itself as the largest amusement park in the north east, and it sits right on the South Shields seafront on Sea Road. Entry is free and you pay per ride with a top-up card, which changes how you should plan: pick the rides that suit your group and only pay for what you will actually use.

The rides worth knowing

The line-up mixes proper fairground thrills with gentler family rides. At the bigger end you will find the Break Dance, Waltzer, Matterhorn, Miami Surf, the Pirate Ship and the Apple Rollercoaster, plus the ever-popular Dodgems. Space and Super Trooper cover the high-energy end.

For younger children

Little ones get their own zone: a carousel, teacups, the Toy Express and Thomas train, mini swings, a helter skelter and more, most at the cheaper end of the credit scale. The Bungee Trampolines are here too, though they carry height and weight limits and are for under-14s.

Beyond the rides

When you fancy a break, there is Quasar laser tag and the arcades, and the beach is right on the doorstep. That mix is the park's real strength for a mixed-age group.

Money Saver Load a little credit at a time and top up as you go. Unused credit doesn't expire, so you can top up as you go and save anything left over for next time.

How paying works

Rides run on the Tap & Play Fun Card, a contactless smartcard you buy, top up and keep for next time. Small children's rides start at 2 credits; larger rides run to roughly 3.5 to 4.5 credits (the Dodgems are 4.5 credits a car).

When it is open

The rides run on Fridays, weekends and school holidays, with closing times depending on the weather. In the outdoor season there are half-price Friday nights from 5pm. The arcades and Quasar open daily, from 11am on weekdays and 10am at weekends and in the holidays, so there is something to do even when the outdoor rides are not running.

Make a day of it

Because you are on the seafront, the smart move is to make the rides the paid centrepiece and build the rest of the day around the beach, a seafront walk and food, whether you bring your own or grab something from the kiosks. Dogs are welcome on leads, too.

FAQs

When is Ocean Beach open?

Rides run Fridays, weekends and school holidays, with closing times that vary with the weather. The arcades and Quasar laser tag open daily, from 11am on weekdays and 10am at weekends and in the holidays.

How do you pay for rides?

With a Tap & Play Fun Card, a contactless smartcard you top up and keep. Small rides start at 2 credits and bigger ones run to about 4.5 credits. Entry to the park is free.

Are all the rides always running?

No. Weather and maintenance affect which outdoor rides run, and the park can change its line-up, so check before you travel if there is one ride you are set on.