The world's best waterparks have been ranked, and luckily for Brits there's an option in the top three that doesn't require a long-haul flight, yet still offers a huge variety of thrilling water-based activities.

Number one on the list, unsurprisingly, went to a USA-based water park, Universal Orlando Volcano Bay, while second place was given to a park in Brazil, Thermas dos Laranjais, which ranks as one of the world's most visited parks. However, third on the list was a European park that offers more of an outdoorsy, natural experience, surrounded by mountain landscapes.

AREA 47 is in the Tyrol area of Austria, perhaps better known for skiing than water sports. However, in the summer months when the snow melts, it becomes Austria's largest outdoor leisure park that offers over 40 fun ways to make a splash.

While many waterparks are either indoor complexes with a few waterslides and a lazy river, AREA 47 is completely different. The waterpark has been built on a natural lake and the focus is on adrenaline-pumping experiences that are out in the fresh air and nature.

Open from around mid-May to October, the waterpark includes a huge inflatable obstacle course in the middle of the lake, a diving tower, one of Europe’s steepest waterslides that features a 70° incline, and even a cliff diving area for amateurs brave enough to take the plunge.

Visitors can also go Blobbing, an activity where they jump from a height onto a massive cushion, before bouncing into the water, or try the Cannonball, which fires people into the air as if launching them from a cannon before they land in the lake.

Afterwards, relax in the beach bar or grab a sunlounger by the water, you'll no doubt be waiting for your heart rate to go down. AREA 47 also has climbing, mountain biking, and wakeboarding areas.

The rankings were complied by AttractionTickets.com, and while American and European waterparks did well in the rankings, the UK's offerings didn't crack the top ten.

Sandcastle Waterpark, the UK's largest indoor waterpark based in Blackpool managed to come in at number 14, making it the top UK waterpark on the list. The year-round attraction, always heated to a tropical 24C, has 18 slides including the UK’s longest indoor roller coaster waterslide, the 200-metre long Masterblaster.

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At number 15 was the Alton Towers Waterpark, which is a combination of indoor and outdoor water fun that's open year-round. While it's part of Alton Towers theme park, you can visit the waterpark individually with tickets from £18 for visitors over 90cm in height. Guests can enjoy high-speed waterslides such as Rampage and Rush, the latter even allows you to customise your music and lighting preferences before you head down.

Alton Towers Waterpark also has the Wacky Waterworks, full of colourful activities from bucket drops to water cannons that kids will love, and Calypso Creek, a lazy river where you can relax on a tyre and simply float around.

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