British theme parks may be a great family day out, but they are too expensive, the queues are too long and they serve too much fast food, according to consumer magazine Holiday Which?.

In a survey of six of UK’s top theme parks – including Alton Towers, Chessington World of Adventures, Drayton Manor, Flamingoland, Legoland and Thorpe Park – themagazine found that family tickets can cost up to £89, with food and travel costs excluded.

In addition, all of the parks – with the exception of Legoland – charge children aged 12 and over full adult fare.

Lorna Cowan, editor of Holiday Which?, said: “The whole family will have a great day out at a theme park, but if you’ve got teenagers a family of four could end up spending £130 just to get in.”

The report advises people to book ahead to get better ticket deals, buy ‘fast track’ tickets to avoid waiting in long lines – over an hour on some rides – and to pack a picnic.