For an unforgettable day out full of thrill and amusement look no further than Drayton Manor Theme Park, located just a 45 minute drive away from Leicester in Tamworth. The park has a huge amount to offer and isn’t limited to rides alone! With something to satisfy everyone and the end of the season approaching, it’s a trip you don’t want to miss out on.
As you walk in, the first stop is Thomas LandTM, great for both little ones and older fans of the nostalgia filled series. It’s a great start to the day as you warm up to the more thrill-filled rides later on. Home to ‘Toby’s Tram Express’, ‘Bertie Bus’, ‘Cranky Crane’, and many more Thomas themed rides. Kids are sure to love everything it has to offer, and the contagious atmosphere will leave you smiling long after you’ve left.
Upon leaving Thomas LandTM you are greeted face to face with ‘Maelstrom’, which is Drayton Manor’s answer to something akin to a swing, but with a whole heap of excitement thrown on top. If you can handle the thrill of it, there are tons more rides which can help you get your adrenaline buzz. From ‘G-Force’, a coaster that features a surprise element of an inverted chain lift which leaves you hanging upside down, to ‘Apocalypse’, the first stand up drop tower ride in the world, and a personal favourite. ‘Stormforce 10’ is also amongst these “thrill rides”, which you are required to be a minimum height of 1.2m-1.4m depending on the ride. We recommend you leave this one until last though and pack spare dry clothes in the car for the journey home because there’s an unexpected backwards plunge which leaves you equally unexpectedly soaked.
It’s important to note that not all the most exciting rides in the park are exclusive to just the 1.2m or above population. ‘Ben 10 Ultimate Mission Coaster’ is a notable for its 1m height restriction but still managing to pack a huge punch in terms of enjoyment. Also, if you’re looking for something a little different and perhaps very apt for this time of year, ‘Haunting’ is a fantastically scary experience which will help get you in the mood for Halloween.
The zoo is a welcome escape from thrill of the rides and provides an added experience from your usual trip to a theme park. When you first walk in you are greeted by the charming meerkats who perch themselves high on the tree trunks peering over at you. Opposite them is the reptile house, home to everything from tiny turtles to incredibly large pythons. The zoo is also home to a number of other animals, including tigers, leopards, a huge array of birds and a tamarin trail which is a definite highlight for any monkey fan.
Another excellent way to take a break from the park, but keep the excitement levels high is to visit ‘VertiGO’, a high ropes adventure course. For a reasonable £2 extra you can brave the heights whilst strapped into a harness, and don’t worry if you’re with young children, there’s a smaller version for them to have a go at too.
Drayton Manor is a theme park with a little more to offer than what you might be used to. It’s an absolutely fantastic day out for a family, but equally as exciting for a group of friends looking to test their bravery on some of the best rides and experiences in the UK. The end of the season is fast approaching as well as a Halloween firework extravaganza 28th-30th October so make sure you grab your tickets now to avoid disappointment.
For advance tickets and further information visit the Drayton Manor website.
Words by Olivia Anderton