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What if one simple overnight stay could unlock a whole year of family days out? Well that’s exactly what this limited time deal from Merlin offers – and here’s exactly how to make the most of it.
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Stay for a Night, Play for a Year!
That’s what Merlin are offering with their latest deal where if you book a short break before Sunday 1 March, you’ll get an Essential Merlin Annual Pass included for each person staying.
And when we say deal, we mean it – there’s some serious money saving going on here!
What Merlin attractions are included in the Essential Merlin Annual Pass?
The Essential Merlin Annual Pass unlocks access to over 20 top UK attractions including Alton Towers, SEA LIFE, LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort and more!
It can be used for 339 days entry – yes there are 25 exclusion days – and it also gets you 10% off Fastrack or Reserve & Ride.
This pass usually costs £139 for the year – so there’s a huge chance of a big saving here!
How do I get a free annual pass?
For a limited time, you simply have to book a short break at either Alton Towers, Chessington World of Adventures, LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort, Thorpe Park or Warwick Castle.
And the best bit? A one night stay counts as a short break and everyone who stays over gets a free annual pass too!
How much will a one night stay cost me?
This is where travelling as a family will really win out on value, since rooms can sleep up to 5 and the more people you can fit into a room, the more the price comes down per person!
In fact, whilst the below are the ‘official’ prices given by the different accommodations, we may have been able to find them for even less if it’s a room for 4 or 5 people that we’ve been searching for.
However, these prices below should give you a good steer on how much it’s going to cost you.
Alton Towers: from £95 per person
Chessington World of Adventures: from £72 per person
LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort: from £94 per person
Thorpe Park: from £66 per person
Warwick Castle: from £77 per person
When do I need to book by?
You have until 1 March 2026 to book your stay, which must be between the following dates – depending on which attraction you’re staying at:
Do I need to know anything else?
Yes!
As is always the case with these things, there are a few terms and conditions – including exclusions and restriction days – so make sure you give them a full read before you book anything.
Terms & conditions
- This offer is valid for new short break bookings made before 11.59pm on 1 March 2026, for the stay dates as outlined above.
- This offer includes the following resorts:
- Alton Towers: Alton Towers Hotel, Splash Landings Hotel, CBeebies Land Hotel, Enchanted Village Lodges, Treehouses. Excludes Stargazing Pods.
- The LEGOLAND Windsor Resort: LEGOLAND Windsor Resort Hotel, LEGOLAND Castle Hotel, LEGOLAND Woodland Village
- Chessington World of Adventures: Safari Hotel, Azteca Hotel
- Thorpe Park: Thorpe Shark Cabins
- Warwick Castle: Warwick Castle Hotel, Tower Suites and Medieval Village Lodges. Excludes Glamping tents
- This offer only applies to new bookings made through the direct resort booking portal in the promotional period for the eligible stay dates. It is not valid in conjunction with any other offer or via 3rd party websites or non-Merlin owned hotels.
- All rooms are subject to availability at time of booking. All bookings are non-changeable and non-refundable.
- Age & height restrictions may apply and attraction opening dates & times may vary. See attraction website for full details.
- The Merlin Annual Pass included in the promotion is the Essential Merlin Annual Pass which gives you 339 days’ entry to over 20 top UK attractions.
- Merlin Entertainments reserves the right to withdraw this offer prior to the stated end date if circumstances beyond its control require.
- All Pass types are subject to restriction dates and exclusions. Please review full terms and conditions before purchase. Prices subject to change at any time. Passes are non-transferable.
What are the exclusion dates?
Just be aware there are some dates you can’t use your Essentail Merlin Annual Pass for, listed below:
February 2026
Fri 14 & Sat 15
April 2026
Sun 5 & Mon 6
May 2026
Sun 3 & Mon 4
Sun 24 & Mon 25
August 2026
Sat 1
Sat 8
Sat 15
Sat 22
Sat 29, Sun 30 & Mon 31
October 2026
Sat 17
Sat 24 & Sun 25
Sat 31
November 2026
Fri 6, Sat 7 & Sun 8
December 2026
Sat 19
Sat 26 & Sun 27
Book a Merlin Stay and Get Free Annual Merlin Passes for All the Family
This free annual Merlin pass offer is a great opportunity to save some money on entry fees if you’re a family that plans several getaways during the year to some of these theme parks and attractions. Just remember to book before 1 March 2026 to take advantage of this deal!
