Latest news with #ChessingtonWorldOfAdventures
The Sun
30-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Parents blasted for leaving sleeping child in a buggy alone while they go on a RIDE at Chessington theme park
IT'S the summer holidays - theme parks are heaving, queues are long, and parents across the country are doing their best to keep the kids entertained. But one shocking video has sparked a furious debate over just how far some mums and dads will go to enjoy themselves. 2 A TikTok clip filmed at Chessington World of Adventures has gone viral after capturing what appears to be a sleeping toddler left alone in a buggy while their parents allegedly hopped on a ride. The video, shared four days ago by user @ coachrobcradds, shows the small child dozing in a stroller near a ride entrance, with no adult in sight. Since it was posted, it's racked up a staggering 769,600 views and 521 comments, with many users slamming the behaviour that is being blasted as just 'wrong.' Sharing their shock, the video was captioned with: 'cannot believe someone done this!' According to the video's creator, the parents had gone on the ride themselves, leaving the buggy - and the baby - behind. Although some users tried to defend the decision, saying that they're sure it was 'fine', the majority were appalled. One wrote: 'Will never understand why they take the child who's too young for the rides (or kids under a certain age) if they don't have enough adults to stay with the younger ones and leave their kids in crowded environments just so they can selfishly go on the rides.' A second added: 'Not only would the baby be incredibly scared waking up to not see its parents, not being funny but someone could literally push that stroller away with the baby in it and I don't even wanna think of what could happen after that. 'These parents shouldn't have a baby if they can't look after one end of the [day].' While a third said: 'I bring my baby to the bathroom in my house cause I panic she's gonna wake up and panic. Seeing this just made me so sad.' Experience the Best of British thrills by exploring the top theme parks across the UK However, some also pointed the finger at onlookers and wrote: 'To be fair everyone walking past the child is also at fault here. 'If everyone could see the child had been left alone…why did no one actually step in and help by alerting a staff member.' The park's official guidelines clearly state that children must be supervised at all times. Brit parents bugbear As families across the UK embark on summer outings, a new poll reveals the top frustrations that can turn a daytrip dream into a nightmare. According to a survey of 1,000 parents with school-aged children, the biggest gripes include dive-bombing seagulls, gritty sandy sandwiches, and persistent, buzzing wasps determined to join every picnic. Other common annoyances cited by parents range from being stuck in sweltering traffic to lugging around heavy cool-boxes and enduring seemingly endless queues. These perennial problems are making a significant number of parents rethink their holiday plans, with 32 per cent admitting they'd prefer to spend more time relaxing at home during the school break. 2 How to survive six weeks of school summer holidays IF you are struggling with the six week summer holidays, you've come to the right place... BATTLING BOREDOM: Despite hours of activities and playdates, if your kids are already complaining there's nothing to do, parenting expert Liat Hughes Joshi says: 'Don't feel you have to organise every second of the holidays. Kids benefit from boredom and learn to make their own fun. 'Boredom can trigger creative and imaginative play but you need to encourage kids to get used to not being told how to spend their time. 'Ride out the pleas of boredom. Counter it with comments such as, 'What do you think you could do?' and maybe have a list of 'I'm bored' activity ideas on the fridge.' SCREEN OVERLOAD: It's tempting during the holidays to rely on a digital babysitter but don't let them gawp their whole summer away in front of a screen. Liat says: 'It's unfair to expect older kids to power down but it's important to set some ground rules. 'Set family tech rules together. If you're often distracted by your phone, follow the rules too. Maybe tell the kids they aren't allowed any screen time until they've done set chores, some exercise, or a board game. 'Are there times when you'd like to ban screens completely? Perhaps during dinner or when they have friends over to visit. 'Tech is a battleground for parents, but you have to set boundaries. Stand firm and be prepared to be unpopular.' TOO MUCH TOGETHERNESS: You love your kids, but being with them 24/7 can be exhausting. Do not feel guilty if you need a bit of downtime. Liat says: 'If you're juggling work and household tasks as well as occupying the kids, it's normal to start feeling overwhelmed or jaded and in need of some peace. 'If you can't afford or don't want to send your kids to all-day camps, look for free kids' workshops so you can get on with jobs or have a break for a couple of hours. 'Seeking a spell of quiet every now and then doesn't make you a bad parent — in fact it will probably make you more positive and enthusiastic when you are with the kids.' SCHEDULING CONFLICT: Schedules can go out the window during holidays, but late nights and early mornings can mean tired and unhappy children. Dr Tamara Bugembe, paediatrician and founder of says: 'Children get grumpy, test boundaries and become challenging when routines are broken. 'Sticking to some kind of routine during the holidays is a good idea. 'We release hormones at different times of the day and when regular meal times and bed times are broken, it causes dips and peaks in mood. 'Holidays are about having fun but an early night once or twice a week will make everyone happier.' EXCESS ENERGY: Make sure kids get out in the fresh air to tire them out — and make them healthier and happier. Dr Bugembe says: 'Sunshine also tops up vital vitamin D levels which helps improve bone strength and energy levels in children. Our levels run low in winter so let the kids stock up in warmer weather. 'Letting them run around in shorts and a T-shirt is the best way to top up. Make sure they're wearing sun cream, get outside and have fun. 'Encourage them to try healthy habits such as cycling and walking. They'll hopefully get hooked and want to carry them on when the weather gets colder.' Despite nearly half of parents (47 per cent) feeling the pressure from social media to orchestrate jam-packed, adventurous excursions, a substantial 79 per cent recognise the immense value of staying home. They see it as a prime opportunity to truly reconnect with their children after the whirlwind of the school year. The study further reveals a significant shift in parental preference, with 45 per cent of those surveyed claiming some of their most cherished days are spent with their children right in the comfort of their own home. This home-centric approach offers a noticeable reduction in stress for 33 per cent of parents, contributing to more relaxed days. Additionally, 14 per cent appreciate the opportunity to host playdates for their children's friends, fostering social connections in a familiar environment. And, perhaps most appealing for many, 24 per cent value the simple pleasure of being able to put their feet up on the sofa and unwind for a while. Where can kids eat for free this summer? THE summer holidays are here, but entertaining the kids need not cost a fortune. Here, we reveal where you can get free and cheap meals for your little ones during the 'endless' summer holidays. ASDA CAFE: Nip into an Asda cafe to feed the kids after the weekly shop. Under-16s get a hot or cold meal for £1 at any time of day. Little ones are covered, too. Kids under 18 months get a free Ella's baby food pouch with any purchase. BEEFEATER: This family-friendly pub chain makes mornings a breeze. Two kids under 16 eat for free with the purchase of an adult breakfast for £10.99. It's available from 6.30am to 10.30am midweek and 7am to 11am at weekends. BELLA ITALIA: Book a table and order an adult meal at the Italian eatery for kids aged two to 11 to get three courses and a drink for £1. Offer valid between 4pm and 6pm on Sundays to Wednesdays. On Thursdays, kids eat free all day when an adult meal is ordered from the a la carte menu. DUNELM: Make homeware shopping a fun day out. Dunelm's Pausa Cafes are offering free kids' meals for every £4 spent on their food or drink. Available all day, every day. BILL'S: Dine in at a Bill's restaurant to get up to two free kids' meals (normally £6.95 each) with an adult meal. Valid weekdays only until August 30. IKEA: Make it a food day at the Swedish home store. On every day except Fridays, enjoy a pit stop at their famous cafe from 11am to get a kids' pasta or mac and cheese dish for 95p. Other mini meals are available for £1.50. PIZZA EXPRESS: Kids up to age ten can get a free three-course Piccolo meal including dough balls, pizza or pasta and dessert with every adult meal purchased. The offer runs every day until August 11. TESCO: Pop to the supermarket cafe from Monday to Friday until August 30 for free kids' meals when an adult buys any item in the cafe. You must have a Clubcard to redeem the offer. THE RANGE: Kids under 16 get one free meal per adult main purchased at The Range cafes. Options include sandwiches, a cooked breakfast and fish and chips. All kids' meals come with a piece of fruit and a drink.
Daily Mail
30-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Father left shocked after spotting a sleeping child alone in its pram at Chessington World of Adventures while its parents 'go on a ride'
A concerned father has revealed his shock after he saw a toddler left alone in its pram at a British theme park. Rob Cradds, who goes by @coachrobcradds on TikTok, was enjoying a family day out at Chessington World of Adventures in Surrey when he spotted a child left in a pram while his parents were thought to have queued for a ride. He shared his shock online, sparking backlash as many blasted the parents of the toddler as 'selfish' and 'irresponsible'. However, not everyone thought the unknown mother and father deserved such criticism. Rob was approaching the queue for the child-friendly Gruffalo ride at the busy adventure park when he spied the unattended child. They appeared to be sleeping in their pram among a cluster of empty strollers left by parents who were enjoying the children's ride. Rob also showed a crowd waiting for the slow-moving attraction that takes passengers down a 'lazy river' and past a collection of characters and scenes. There is no age limit for the ride, but an adult must accompany children under 1.4 metres tall. Thousands were up in arms over the parents' 'neglectful' act and encouraged the father to report them to park security. 'I just cannot. In no way is this ever okay,' one woman said. 'Even if it was thirty years ago, you wouldn't leave your young child alone to go ride. If the kid wakes up, he doesn't know where anyone is. It's wildly irresponsible parenting,' a second agreed. 'I would have to stand there to make sure he was okay until they came back,' another wrote. 'The fear that little boy would experience if he woke up to nobody he recognises being there, never mind what else could go wrong. Hope the parents were told straight!' someone added. The gentle nature of the ride added to many parents' confusion, with some claiming they had previously brought young babies on it with them. 'It's never acceptable, but especially on The Gruffalo ride! It's not like a quick whizz round a rollercoaster, or you can see them from the queue. How awful,' one mother said. 'Plus, it's got no restrictions, I took my three-month-old on before! Literally no excuse!' someone replied. 'I'm pretty sure you can take a few-months-old baby on the Gruffalo (ride) if you carry them, why is a near-toddler being left outside?' another asked. However, there were many people who didn't see the big deal in leaving the young child sleeping in his pram. 'We used to get left in our prams when our parents went in the shops, sometimes they'd forget us when they got home,' one user laughed. 'Mate, in Scandinavia, parents leave their kids outside cafes and restaurants all the time. It's absolutely fine,' another pointed out. 'This never was too much of an issue in the UK. Kids would get left at holiday parks to run about whilst parents had a drink. Loads of us have been left in the car whilst the adults went in to a shop etc,' a third answered. 'You'd like to think in a theme park full of families the kid would be safe,' someone chimed in. It comes after a rollercoaster enthusiast revealed that he packed up his life and moved 170 miles away in order to live next to Alton Towers. Sam, who is known as @coastertog online and has a partner and young daughter, said he visits the theme park in Staffordshire 'basically every day'. He now only lives a 15-minute drive away from the attraction after making the move from Essex, but admits there's 'not much else to do' nearby - though they do have a Home Bargains. Many shared their outrage and dubbed the parents 'irresponsible' - but not everyone thought the act was so terrible with some jumping to their defence Speaking on his TikTok account, where he has more than 176,000 followers, the thrill seeker confessed: 'I moved 170 miles from Essex just to live nearby to this park. I know it sounds a bit mental but this place makes me happy.' Though tickets to the resort can cost up to £68 for an adult day ticket, Sam insists that it's 'actually pretty cheap' to visit every day, explaining that he has the 'platinum Merlin pass'. This allows him access the park 'whenever I want' and means that, if he visits the park every day, it works out at less than £1 and includes free parking (usually £12). However, he says he's ridden the rides 'so much' that he no longer finds them scary as 'I know exactly what to expect'. When asked if he ever gets 'bored' going on the same rides over and over again, he admitted: 'Truthfully, some of the rides aren't as exciting to me as they used to be.' These days, he generally visits the park as it's become a 'local hangout' for his friends. 'A lot of the time I don't even bother riding anything!' he explained. In addition to making money from sharing rollercoaster videos on TikTok, Sam also has a 'normal job' as a photographer and videographer. This means he is his own boss, and can pop down to the Towers whenever he desires. People were left divided in the comments as, while some said it was their 'dream' to live so close, others didn't get the appeal. When one person commented: 'This is proper sad', Sam replied: 'Can you please tell me how it's any different from you going and watching your team lose from row z mate.'
The Sun
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
How to save big on theme parks this summer with TWO for the price of one and an unlimited monthly pass
THEME park enthusiasts need to take advantage of this two-for-one offer over the summer holidays. Thrill-seekers wanting to spend their break on adrenaline-pumping rides can visit two theme parks for the price of one, or get a three-month pass to use throughout July and August on unlimited rides and attractions. 5 5 The new summer offer has been launched by Merlin Entertainments across four of the UK's top theme parks - Alton Towers, Legoland Windsor, Chessington World of Adventures and Thorpe Park. If you book your theme park trip between July 21, 2025, and August 17, 2025, you can visit two parks for the price of one. The tickets are called Twice the Fun and have savings of at least £29 per person. It is the perfect way to entertain kids during the six-week-long summer holidays. To bag the deal, make sure to select a 'Twice the Fun' ticket at any of the four park's websites which cost from £32. The offer can either be used at the same park, or you can mix and match. Dates are flexible, too, and visitors can redeem their second visit at any point before September 30, 2025. To claim the second theme park visit you'll still need to pre-book your visit using your second 'free' ticket which will have a barcode that can be used to reserve your slot at the park. For anyone who wants to go back to the theme park more than twice this summer, you might be interested in the three-month pass. Alton Towers unveils 'highest ride of its kind' in TV advert 5 5 This offer applies to the same four parks - Thorpe Park, Alton Towers, Chessington, and LEGOLAND Windsor. Tickets cost £59 per person and the offer allows unlimited access to rides, shows, and attractions during the summer. The main difference with this pass is that it's for one park only - you can't mix and match. Once chosen, you can use it in that particular park whenever you like during the selected three-month period. If you have trouble deciding which park to visit, one Sun writer headed to Alton Towers to try out the thrilling Nemesis Reborn rollercoaster. He also checked out the Rita ride which goes from 0-60mph in 2.5 seconds as well as the more chilled out Gangsta Granny ride and Runaway Mine Train. Another checked out . There are gentler rides, or the Croc Drop which plunges 82 feet. And of course it's where you'll find the world's only Jumanji coaster which flips you upside down. At Legoland, there's a Minifigure Speedway as well as the Lego-themed indoor golf experience. Car enthusiasts can head over to Lego Ferrari Build and Race, an interactive attraction that sees guests create their own Ferrari race car. One fan of Thorpe Park has been going for 22 years and maintains it's even better now that she's an adult. She admits that Colossus is still just as terrifying, and there are plenty of other scary rides too like Nemesis, Stealth, Saw: The Ride and The Swarm. Here's more on the new dining packages available at Alton Towers. And here are the UK's best theme parks with record-breaking rollercoasters. 5
Daily Mail
20-07-2025
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Where should we take the kids? These are the most expensive family days out from Alton Towers to Legoland - so where will YOU go?
Britain's beloved family days out are under threat as high parking charges pile pressure on already cash-strapped parents. A MailOnline investigation can today reveal the shocking cost of parking at some of the country's most popular tourist attractions, with families forking out as much as £30 just to leave the car - on top of steep ticket prices. At Legoland Windsor, a walk-up family ticket for four comes in at a staggering £272, before adding up to £18 just to park. At Chessington World of Adventures, the gate price for a family of four reaches £264, plus £20 for an 'express' car space - taking the total to £284 for a single day. It is a similar story at Blackpool Pleasure Beach, where entry for four costs £156, with a further £20 to park at its North Car Park. At Whipsnade Zoo, families who don't want to use a distant free parking area face a £30 charge for a space closer to the entrance. Money and business expert Maddy Alexander-Grout, 41, said 'It's expensive enough to visit these theme parks without adding parking charges on top. 'Families are already stretched day to day with rising costs, so to then face a hefty parking fee feels like a hammer blow which prices many out. 'Attractions already make huge profits through ticket sales, food and drink, and adding parking charges just feels greedy. You're already spending so much once you're inside the park. 'I really think parking should be free as part of the experience. I'm lucky that at Paultons Park, just down the road from me in Southampton, parking is free - it makes a real difference and more attractions should follow that example.' Standard parking at Alton Towers costs £12, but for a premium space, families must cough up £20. That is on top of £272 for four walk-in tickets. Other Merlin-run destinations do not fare much better - with Thorpe Park charging up to £20 and Warwick Castle asking up to £10 for parking. Meanwhile families in the UK could spend up to £65 on parking alone during day trips to the most popular visitor attractions, which do not have dedicated car parks. The nearest private car park to Buckingham Palace costs £64.99 for an eight-hour Saturday stay, dwarfing the £38 charged near the British Museum, or £36 close to the Tower of London. In Edinburgh, parking near the Castle or National Museum of Scotland could cost up to £40. A few big-name attractions still offer free parking, including Chester Zoo, Flamingoland in North Yorkshire, and Longleat Safari Park in Wiltshire. In Northern Ireland, Titanic Belfast charges by the hour -with a full day and entry for four costing £78.60, though officials insist online deals could bring it down to £65.60 with early booking and shorter stays. A spokesperson said: 'We continually benchmark parking prices across Belfast city to ensure that we are in-line with others.' Many venues offer free or discounted entry for smaller children, and online ticket deals can help cut the cost. ZSL, which runs Whipsnade Zoo, said it offers free parking in an off-site area and free entry for children under three. For visitors to London Zoo, a spokesperson added: 'As well as supporting ZSL's conservation work at London Zoo and beyond, the car parking charge ensures the spaces in it are reserved for London Zoo's visitors.' Merlin, which runs Thorpe Park, Chessington, Alton Towers and Legoland, said: 'We regularly review our prices to ensure that we continue to deliver the best possible value and experience for our guests. 'The prices quoted are our gate prices, however the overwhelming majority of guests book online in advance to get the best deal. A number of our attractions provide on-site parking, with prices in line with market standards. 'In 2024, we saw a further year-on-year increase in visitor numbers and our highest ever levels of guest satisfaction. We are confident that the vast majority of guests will continue to book in advance to get the best deals and have memorable days out at Merlin attractions.' Catherine Warrilow, visitor attraction brand strategist at The Plot, told MailOnline: 'For many attractions, parking fees have become a vital source of revenue to cover rising costs ranging from maintenance and security to staff and insurance. 'Separating parking charges from ticket prices enables attractions to keep headline admission fees more competitive in a market where visitors shop around online for deals and discounts. 'It makes tickets also appear more affordable, even if the total cost tells another story 'However, for many families, the cost of parking is now the straw that breaks the camel's back on a supposedly fun day out. 'It's not just an annoyance, it's a major factor pricing people out of precious summer experiences - that's before you've even got to the restaurant or gift shop.' Lavania Oluban, 38, a parenting blogger from Birmingham, West Midlands, and mother to Arlo, eight, said attractions' steep parking charges 'wind her up'. She said: 'Even when you hunt for special offers or discounts, the hidden costs like parking really sting. 'What's worse is how unclear these charges often are online, so you don't even know the full cost until you arrive. 'It feels unfair when ticket prices are already sky-high and there's no real alternative, especially for theme parks or rural attractions where public transport just isn't practical. 'You'll get there and pay £20, only to be directed onto some boggy overflow field with no attendants. 'Then, at the end of a long day, you're exhausted, the kids are tired, and you end up stuck in a car park gridlock with no proper system to get out. 'It's hard to see how they justify these prices when the service doesn't match. It makes me more reluctant to spend money at these attractions and so I will take my own packed lunch and avoid the gift shop to claw some of that expense back.' How much do some of Britain's top attractions really cost? Attraction Tickets Parking Total Alton Towers £272 £12-£20 £292 Legoland £272 £12-£18 £290 Thorpe Park £264 £12-£20 £284 Chessington World of Adventures £264 £12-£20 £284 Blackpool Pleasure Beach £156 £15-£20 £176 Warwick Castle £156 £7-£10 £166 Longleat Safari Park £157.30 Free £157.30 Eden Project £157 Free £157 Whipsnade Zoo £115.60 £30 £145.60 Tower of London £99 £36 £135 Chester Zoo £131.80 Free £131.80 London Zoo £114.20 £17.50 £131.70 Windsor Castle £105 £24 £129 Edinburgh Castle £77 £40 £117 Roman Baths, Bath £86 £13.90 £99.90 Titanic Belfast £68 £10.60 £78.60 Buckingham Palace Free £65 £65 British Museum Free £38 £38 National Museum of Scotland Free £36 £36 Parking for whole day or eight hours for attractions in italics, which are for parking closest to the site. Tickets are for two adults and two children.
