As a family we absolutely love Drayton Manor. It has something for all of us to enjoy.
We headed over to Drayton Manor Theme Park and Zoo – home of Thomas Land on a teacher training day before the official school Easter Holidays.
When it isn’t school holidays, you can get a parent and toddler pass for one adult and an under 5 for only £24. Additional adults are charged at £20.
Such a bargain price!
We headed to the park for opening time and we didn’t leave until 5 minutes before it closed. And there was still rides we hadn’t yet been on and things that were still left to do.
Main Park
In the main park we all jumped onto the Carousel. The girls love riding on the horses. Because they are both so little, me and my husband sit on the horses with them. It’s a beautiful carousel and has been there since I myself was a little girl.
Me and Matilda headed on over to the Buffalo Rollercoaster, sadly for Jemima she was a cm too short to ride but she enjoyed waving at me and Matilda zooming around. Matilda had her arms in the air like a true Rollercoaster rider, screaming loudly and giggling. I didn’t take any photos as I’m a wuss and was holding firmly onto the bar in front of me.
We all went on the Flying Dutchman which gave a great view around the park and Matilda gave a big thumbs up too.
And we tried out the Jolly Buccaneer too.
The girls and us really enjoyed the Sheriff’s Showdown which is a shooting cart game. You head around a track in a family cart shooting targets. All competing against each other. I’d just like to mention here that I won. I’m quite proud of that. Ha!
Ice Age: No Time For Nuts 4d was the 4d cinema showing which saw us get wet and have our bums shaking on the seats. It was great fun and the girls loved watching it. It’s the perfect length for kids too at approx 10 minutes.
If you fancy a tour of the one side of the park, you can jump aboard the Polperro Express Train which gives you a leisurely ride around the park looking at some of the rides, the picturesque lake and a few little scenes.
Mr Trips is a bit of a daredevil and decided he wanted to have a go on some of the thrill rides in the park. There’s 7 to choose from. He headed on Shockwave and Maelstrom which he enjoyed as we waved at him from the bottom.
Thomas Land
Thomas Land, our girls favourite section has 20 different rides/attractions for children. 16, of these are suitable for children under 1m tall.
We didn’t get chance to do them all this visit. We missed out Emily’s Adventure Play which is a giant Thomas Land themed soft play (included in the price of your ticket) and the Discover Thomas Exhibition where you get to see a whole room full of scenery and the trains travelling around.
The girls favourite ride was James and the Red Balloon which they went on with their Daddy.
And they loved Spencer’s Outdoor Adventure Play which was huge and had lots of slides and tunnels to play on.
Mr Trips favourite was the Captain’s Sea Adventure where he absolutely soaked me with water jets (he jumped on a different boat so he could run between the four jets to spray me as much as possible – meanie!)
My favourite was Winston’s Whistle-Stop Tours as I could sit nicely and enjoy the view of the park.
As you walk out of Winston’s Whistle-Stop Tours you walk into Europe’s Biggest Thomas Land Shop.
There’s lots of great rides for all of the children and you could easily spend the whole day just in Thomas Land with the Children.
The Zoo
There’s 15 acres of exotic and captivating animals. Drayton Manor Zoo is home to a mischievous Meerkat mob and a wide range of animals from across the globe.
You can listen to daily keeper talks where you get to find out all about the animals, what they like to eat and ask any questions.
Food and Drink
There’s a large number of eateries to choose from (although most are only open on weekends and in school holidays). There’s a Burger Kitchen, Fish and Chip shop, Hot dog stand, Humble Pies, Chicken Diner, Pizza and Pasta restaurant and lots more.
We got a bite to eat from Lakeside Teashop it was very expensive and for 4 of us to have three sausage rolls, a pie and mash potato and 2 soft drinks cost over £20.
Next time we come, we will definitely be bringing a picnic.
Overall Conclusion
We had a fantastic time and the tickets are great value for money when using the Parent and Toddler pass for £24.
Even during the holidays they have an offer for 4 people to come for only £95 (when prebooking). Under 2s are free, 2-3 year olds are £8, 4-11 year olds are £24 and adults are £28 (all pre-booked prices, it’s more expensive on the gate).