'We found a theme park much cheaper than Alton Towers with no queues'
The summer holidays have arrived, and countless parents are looking for ways to entertain their children without spending a fortune. Theme parks are a go-to during the summer months, yet they can be quite costly and notoriously crowded, leading to more time queuing than enjoying the attractions.
Yorkshire Live reporter Megan Shaw has visited a fair share of theme parks, including Alton Towers and Drayton Manor, only to often leave feeling let down.
She said: "I've noticed that such places tend to trigger tantrums, at least with my two children. They become overexcited, the parks are too busy, there's too much going on, too many people around and I invariably leave thinking we would have had a more enjoyable day simply visiting the local park."
With entry fees pushing past £100 for a family of four, not accounting for the additional costs of food, drinks, ice creams, and the inevitable splurge in the gift shop, a nice day out amounts to a hefty sum.
So when Megan discovered a hidden gem of a theme park right on the Yorkshire border, by the Peak District National Park, promising equal enjoyment without the overcrowding, she was eager to check it out.
"My children are fans of amusement rides, but they detest waiting in line," she wrote. "Gulliver's Kingdom in Matlock Bath has received high praise on Tripadvisor, with visitors noting the absence of large crowds allows for more frequent turns on the rides compared to larger, more popular parks."
They decided to see if Gulliver's Kingdom lived up to its reputation. Following a car journey of roughly an hour and a half from Huddersfield, they reached Matlock Bath.
"As we entered the park, we noticed that the parking lots were arranged on various levels along the steep incline. The parking areas were incredibly crowded, leading us to park at the very top lot. The number of cars initially made me doubt whether our day out would be relaxing. However, my concerns were alleviated when we reached the entrance and were able to walk straight in."
To her children's dismay, the log flume - the attraction they'd been most eager to experience - was closed for maintenance, though they quickly found there was no shortage of alternative entertainment.
"Gulliver's Kingdom is clearly designed with younger children in mind. While there are no headline-grabbing rides, there is ample entertainment for the little ones."
Despite this, her eldest child, a nine-year-old boy, had an absolute blast. Their day kicked off with the spinning barrels attraction, which her youngsters enjoyed so much they had another go thanks to the peaceful atmosphere.
"We then moved on to the Drop Tower, which my eldest couldn't get enough of - he went on it at least four times. This was a major plus point as usually, long queues at other parks make multiple rides impossible. Next, we all hopped onto the Chair Lift in Adventure Land. It was not only fun but also provided us with a panoramic view of the entire park, helping us decide our next stop.
"The Chair Lift proved to be an efficient way to navigate the hilly park, along with the travellator which was a hit with the kids. The steep walks between rides could be challenging for those pushing prams, but for us, it was a great way to clock in some steps. Despite the number of cars in the car park, we never had to queue for more than a couple of minutes - a blessing when you have an impatient three year old constantly asking 'Is it my turn now?'"
Her partner and older son were fans of the relatively new Riggers Revenge zip line course that races you along the edge of the hillside, offering thrills as well as lovely views of the Derbyshire countryside. Megan pointed out that riders have to be 110cm to ride it, which meant her youngest wasn't able to.
"The log rollercoaster was a firm favourite with my youngest, who loved the twists, dips and turns. We all went on this together at least three times back to back. The pirate ship in Smuggler's Wharf was a huge hit with everyone too. Both kids also loved the Crows Nest Quest area which featured high ropes and rock climbing for the older ones and a mini version for the smaller ones, which my three-year-old loved.
"As well as the rides there are parks and play areas dotted around as you walk from each attraction and ample places to stop for a bite to eat or a drink. The unique layout means you barely cross paths with other families and nothing is overly busy. We stopped off for a bite to eat grabbing a toastie, two hot dogs, four drinks and four ice creams and it came to around £25 - which we thought was fairly reasonable."
Megan mentioned that for families planning a visit, they could cut costs by packing a picnic and being more organised, as there are plenty of spots to settle down. She concluded that the park offered great value for money, especially considering how much her children enjoyed themselves without her having to spend a fortune.
"It's a little dated in areas and could certainly use a lick of paint, but there's some great rides to appease younger children. Teenagers would probably be less impressed but there's no denying it caters brilliantly to its target audience. No, it's not Alton Towers, but nor is the price tag."
The mum recommends opting for an afternoon pass which allows you three hours of fun from 2pm to 5pm from just £14 per person, suggesting it's an ideal choice if you're not after a full day out and that this time frame is ample to experience everything on offer.
On the gate prices at Gulliver's are £27, compared to Alton Towers which charge £68 for walk-ins. However, it's worth noting that both parks offer discounts if you book in advance. This brings the Gulliver's price down to £23, while peak time tickets for Alton Towers can be bought for £37. Both parks also offer free tickets for kids under 90cm in height.
"Overall, it was a really nice day out that was fun for the kids, stress-free for the adults and didn't break the bank. So if you're looking for a day out that ticks all the boxes this summer, I'd definitely recommend giving Gulliver's Kingdom a try," Megan concluded.
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