Theme Parks
Day Trips out from Manchester

Alton, Staffordshire ST10 4DB.
Guest Services Tel: 0990-20 40 60.
Hotel Reservations: 0990-00 11 00.
Web: www.alton-towers.co.uk

Perhaps the most famous theme park in Britain, Alton Towers is a complete day out, though rather expensive, for the family set in the Staffordshire countryside a few miles from Uttoxeter, and about 1 hour's drive from central Manchester. Rides, attractions and over 200 acres of landscaped garden and parkland.

LOCATION
42 miles from Manchester. By Car: travelling north M1 Motorway Junction 23A, M6 Junction 15. Travelling south M1 Junction 28, M6 Junction 16. By Rail the Intercity service offers inclusive travel-entry tickets from London Euston and many other parts of the country, with bus transfers from Stoke-on-Trent station to Alton. Telephone British Rail: 0171-387 7070 for times and prices. Buses from Stoke-on-Trent to Alton.

ENTRY
In 2009 entry is about £35.00 per adult, car parking free, with concessions (children 4-11 years £27.50, Seniors and Disabled Persons around £17.50) and family tickets at around £100.00 for a day, with substantial discounts for online advance booking. But please check - prices may have changed since publication. Prices include admission and entry to all rides and attractions. Special group rates available for parties of 12 or more by coach or minibus. Contact Guest Services for details.

OPENING
In 2009, the park opens from 9.30am with rides and attractions opening at 10.00am. Rides and attractions open 7 days a week from around the 28th March to 1st November. Times may change - please check before setting out. Closing times vary throughout the season, but are typically between 5.00pm and 7.00pm.

FACILITIES
Extensive facilities for the disabled, including toilets and Medical Centre on site, but some attractions and rides are restricted. See Medical Centre for advice and explanatory leaflet "Guide for Disabled Visitors". Food concessions throughout the park including several Alton Eats Restaurants and Explorers Restaurant, Bagshaws Family Restaurant and Corner Coffee Shop, the Katanga Cookhouse, Garden Terrace Restaurant, Cadbury's Chocolate House and the Haagen-Dazs World of Ice Cream. No dogs allowed except guide dogs. Numerous souvenir and merchandising shops, educational packs available for school parties - contact Guest Services on Telephone : 0990-20-40-60.

Adventure Land
With ball pools, slides, playgrounds and the Beastie Children's Rollercoaster, the fantastic Spinball Whizzer spinning roller coaster offers thrills and spills for the whole family in a giant pinball machine experience and you can travel through the tree-tops on the Squirrel Nutty Ride.
Cloud Cuckoo Land
Visit the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Ride, and travel through the amazing chocolate factory and above the park in the great glass elevator. Kids can get their own driving licence at the Driving School. Other rides and attractions include the Twirling Toadstool, Frog Hopper, Gallopers Carousel, Wobble World indoor play area, and the Cloud Cuckoo Land Theatre.
Forbidden Valley
The "Edge of the Earth" zone with some amazingly terrifying rides including the famous Nemesis inverted roller coaster, and Air where riders assume the flying position for an amazing experience as well as the swinging ship Blade and the twisting, rolling Ripsaw .
Katanga Canyon
A recreated African village with a Runaway Minetrain, and the ferocious Congo River Rapids.
X-Sector
Enter the X-Sector, with the foreboding "Oblivion" vertical drop rollercoaster, the gravity-defying vertical spinning ride "Enterprise" and "Submission".
Gloomy Wood
Explore a forest cemetery and enter what is reputedly the most haunted house in Britain.
UGLand
See the prehistoric age and have fun in UG Land.
Old MacDonalds Farm
Take a trip round the Riverbank Eye-Spy or drive a tractor on the Tractor Ride.
Towers Street
The Park offers plenty of quirky shops and cafes to grab a snack or buy some souvenirs. You can also board the Sky Ride, which can take you to either the Forbidden Valley or Cred Street.

Opened in 1996, this 175 room hotel is located within Alton Towers Park, and is uniquely themed - with 37 foot high Jules Verne flying machine in the glass atrium, and rooms where fizzy drinks are on tap. Open 365 days a year. Facilities include Cadbury's Chocolate Room with free constantly supplied chocolates; the Coca-Cola Fizzy Room with free running Cola fountain; the Secret Garden Restaurant open for light snacks and meals with daily specials and children's menu; the Time For Tea Lounge, an Edwardian traditional tea room serving morning coffee and afternoon teas with wall clocks everywhere; the Dragon Bar with licensed cocktails, wines and beers; an Amenities Room designed for safe changing of nappies, baby's food preparation with washing and ironing facilities; the Nickelodeon TV Lab with children's cable and satellite TV; the Pirate's Lagoon Leisure Spa with seascape murals, swimming pool and upstairs games room. Prices from about £80.00 per night including room and full English Breakfast (off peak), with suites from £220.00, family rooms with concessions for children, and combined Hotel and Amusement Park Packages from just over £150.00. VAT is included in all prices. Telephone Hotel Reservations on 0990-00 11 00. Please note: Prices are liable to change - check before setting off.

Extraordinary Golf
Test your skills with two wacky 9-hole courses featuring outrageous obstacles themed around some of the famous Alton Towers rides. Putt your way to Oblivion and meet your Nemesis. A superb extra to your day.

Splash Landings Hotel
A tropical hotel offering a taste of the Caribbean all year round, overlooking the spectacular Cariba Creek Waterpark. Enjoy mouth watering cuisine at Flambos restaurant and exotic cocktails at Ma Garrita's Bar!

Cariba Creek Waterpark
An oasis of fun for all the family, boasting hundreds of fantastic water features, from lazy rivers and crazy cannons to the thrills of a water coaster. This tropical lagoon offers gallons of excitement all year round.

Alton Towers Spa
The luxurious Spa featuring Declor and Elemis products and open all year round. A tranquil oasis for you to unwind and refresh mind, body and soul complete with pool, relaxation rooms, steam room, and sauna.

Camelot Theme Park

Charnock Richard, Chorley. Tel: 01257-453044.
Website: www.camelotthemepark.co.uk/park_info.html

THE PARK ATTRACTIONS
Voted Lancashire's "Family Attraction of the Year 2002" by the Good Britain Guide. An amusement park with nerve shattering ides for adults and children alike. The park is divided into five "magical lands" including 'Squire Bumpkin's Friendly Farm' and 'Knights Valley'. You can run the 'Gauntlet' rollercoaster or take the 'Pendragon's Plunge'. For younger children there's the huge soft playground and a little animal kingdom. The Jousting area is where King Arthur could choose you to star in a jousting tournament, and there are 'Dungeons of Doom' to inspect in King Arthur's Castle with daily shows including juggling and the like.
Themed weekends are held regularly with the likes of 'Wizards' Weekend' and 'Scream Week' for Halloween. There is also a 'Cadbury's Chocolate Themed Room'

OPENING & PRICES
For details on opening times call the Camelot 24 hour hotline on: 08702 20 48 20 or 01257 452100 .
Special needs? Please ask - we will do our very best to help.
Entrance is £20.00 per person, which includes unlimited rides, shows, attractions and farm (extra charge for Go-Karts & Driving School). Children under 1 metre tall go free. Family tickets available - only £55 for 4 guests for unlimited rides all day long.... BUT Please note that prices and times may have changed - check before you set out.
Special Rates Available for senior citizens, disabled visitors and pre-booked groups of twelve or more. For information on advanced group bookings call 01257 455030. Pre-booked groups of 12 or more paying guests can enjoy Camelot's thrilling rides, spectacular live shows and other exciting attractions for just £8.50 per person and children under 1 metre tall are free of charge. Plus free entry for the Group Organiser & Coach Driver, free posters and leaflets to help promote your visit.
To receive the new information when available email your name and address to: kingarthur@camelotthemepark.co.uk.

LOCATION
From Manchester take the A56 (Bury New Road) north towards Bury, and join the M62 at Whitefield (Junction 17) about 5 miles north of Manchester City Centre. Exit Junction 15 onto M61 follow signposts for Preston and M6 Motorway. Exit Junction 8 for Camelot (well signposted. Or from the M6 Motorway, exit Junction 27 northbound or Junction 28 southbound and follow the signs for Camelot.

CAMELOT'S PARK HALL HOTEL
Charnock Richard, Chorley, Lancs PR7 5LP.
Tel: 01257 455 000. Fax: 01257 451 838.
Website: www.parkhall-hotel.co.uk.

Thorpe Park

Thorpe Park is the UK's most thrilling theme park with incredible rides including Tidal Wave, Slammer and Rush. New for 2009, extreme horror experience SAW - The Ride joins the “unholy trinity” of fantastic roller coasters - 10 looping Colossus, the heart pounding Nemesis Inferno and Europe's tallest fastest launched roller coaster, Stealth.

Thorpe Park Opening Times & Prices

Opening Times
In 2009 are daily from the 14th of March until the 8th of November (subject to change). First admission to the park is at 9.30am or 10.00am depending on the time of year. Closing times vary throughout the season, typically between 5.00pm and 7.00pm
When planning your visit do check the latest opening times.

Entry Prices
Adult Tickets 1 Day, Gate Price: £35.00, Online Price: £24.00.
Child Tickets 1 Day (aged 4-11 years), Gate Price: £21.00
Online Price: £16.00.
Family Tickets (2 Adults, 2 Children): Gate Price: £92.00,
Online Price: £72.00
Family of 5 (2 Adults, 3 Children): Gate Price: £115.00.
Online Price: £88.00.
Concessions: Senior: £24.00, Disabled: £20.00, Annual Pass per Individual: £68.00.
Prices may be subject to change - please check before setting out.

Thorpe Park Rides & Attractions

Thorpe Park is made up of six main themed lands, as follows:

Amity Cove
This New England fishing village is repeatedly inundated by the giant "Tidal Wave" which causes utter devastation. Alternatively, take a pin on "Storm in a Teacup" and the "Flying Fish" family rollercoaster or visit the Amity Speedway to ride Europe's tallest and fastest launched roller coaster, "Stealth".
Calypso Quay
Set in a colourful Caribbean quayside, several exciting rides including "Detonator", the 5.5 G-force tower drop plus the great family attraction "Time Voyagers" and the wild water "Rumba Rapids". Also enjoy the white knuckle inverted rollercoaster, "Nemesis Inferno", which winds through the volcanic and tropical land.
Canada Creek
Canadian Creek complete with a range of attractions including "Loggers Leap" log flume (the tallest in the UK), the "Rocky Express" spinning train ride, or the intense "Slammer". There is also the Canada Creek Railway taking you through a dramatic canyon and around a beautiful lake. On the nearby island of SAW is "The Ride", the world's first horror movie themed rollercoaster.
Lost City
A themed lost civilisation zone including the "Vortex", "Zodiac" and "Quantum" rides. There is also "Rush", the world's largest speed swing and the world's first 'backwards' rollercoaster "No Way Out". Also see the world record breaking 10 inversion roller coaster "Colossus" and the mighty "Samurai" rides.
Neptune's Kingdom
A watery wonderland for the whole family, set around the delights and pools of Neptune's Beach. There are slides at "Wet Wet Wet", a playground of "Sea Snakes & Ladders" and the racing boats of "Depth Charge".
Ranger County
An exotic jungle with family favourites like the swinging "Mr Monkeys Banana Ride" and the spinning "Chief Rangers Carousel" along with live shows at the Ranger County Showcase.

Location & Getting There

Thorpe Park is situated in the south of the UK within the county of Surrey and just 20 miles from the city of London. This section will help you plan your visit, with directions to the park by car and information on public transport.
Directions By Car, from the North: M25 - Junction 13, from the South: M25 - Junction 11, from London: M25 - Junction 11 or 13. Sat Nav: KT16 8PN.

Parking: FREE

Public Transport: You can get to Thorpe Park using a combination of Train and Bus services, visit www.transportdirect.info to plan your journey.

Drayton Manor

Drayton Manor is the UK's largest family owned theme park with legendary rides including Shockwave, Stormforce 10 and Apocalypse. From intense thrills on Pandemonium and G-Force to family adventures in Thomas Land and Drayton Manor Zoo. New for 2009, cinematic 4D experience The Curse of Skull Rock, a fun filled adventure!
Drayton Manor is made up of six main themed lands - Action Park, Aerial Park, Fisherman's Wharf, Pirate Cove, Thomas land and the Zoo & Farm Museum.

Opening Times
The theme park is open most days from the 21st of March until the 1st of November (subject to change) On days that the park is closed, Drayton Manor Zoo remains open to the public. First admission is at 9.30am, closing times are typically between 5.00pm and 6.00pm
When planning your visit please check the current opening times before setting off

Entry Prices
Adult Tickets: 1 Day Gate Price: £23.00. Online Price: £19.50.
Child Tickets: 1 Day (aged 4-11 years), Gate Price: £19.00. Online Price: £16.20.
Family Tickets: Family of 4 (2 Adults, 2 Children), Gate Price: £70.00.
Family of 5 (2 Adults, 3 Children) Gate Price: £88.00.
Concessions: Senior: £11.00. Disabled: £18.00

Location
Drayton Manor is situated in the county of Staffordshire and near the cities of Birmingham and Coventry.
Directions By Car: From the North, M42 - Junction 10. From the South
M42 - Junction 9. Sat Nav: B78 3TW.
Route Planner see: www.transportdirect.info.
Public Transport: You can get to Drayton Manor using a combination of Train and Bus services, visit www.transportdirect.info to plan your journey.

Parking
FREE

Pleasure Island

South Promenade, Lytham St Annes (next to pier)
Telephone: 01253-78138 / 700222

For the best of family entertainment, St Annes Pleasure Island offers good value for money for a whole day's worth under covered protection, with a value family entrance ticket for 4 persons of around £10.00. There are indoor adventure trails, slides, boating lake, and a ball pond, as well as evening family discos and live entertainments throughout the day. Shops and tea shop inside an old railway carriage!! There is an on-site cinema, and miniature railway rides around the seafront. Outside there is a courtyard with a play galleon and play area for younger children, paddling pool, helter-skelter, adventure golf and a bouncy maze, as well as a sun terrace with deck chairs and trampolines. Licensed Pirate's Tavern with satellite television and 2 back hole water chutes. Free parking.

Gulliver's World

Warrington
Telephone: 01925-444888.

THE PARK
Gulliver's World is a day out of fantasy and fun for the whole family, with a range of adventure and theme rides and attractions within a safe controlled environment. Attractions include Alice in Wonderland with its Mad Hatter's Tea Party Ride, a Maze of Cards, a water lake ride and a Soft Play Area for small children within the main entrance complex. There is also Circus World, designed mainly for younger visitors, with its Flying Bug Ride, the Ladybirds, a soft inflatable bouncy castle, a Ferris wheel and the Horses Carousel. In Western World the visitor can play cowboys and indians in the Dodge City Fort, with its sheriff's office, and regular shows held in the Hard Luck Bear Theatre. Smuggler's Wharf has a Pirate Ship and a Galleon Ride, smugglers buildings, Woodies Roller Coaster and a mini golf course. There is also Dinosaur World with its dinosaur ride and the Cine 2000 experience for the more brave-hearted. Count's Castle, the centrepiece of the park, has a huge castle surrounded by a Giant Bumpy Ride, Water Shoot, Log Flume, Ghost's House, aerial Cycle Monorail and Dodgem Cars. Special facilities for celebrating children's birthdays, and seasonal Christmas Parties, held throughout December. Bonfire Night Special (November 5th or thereabouts) with Fireworks Display - telephone to check specific details: 01925-444888.

LOCATION
From Manchester take the M602 motorway from Salford/Eccles towards Warrington/Liverpool, and continue onto the M62, and exit at Junction 9 and follow the numerous well-placed signs for Gulliver's World. From the M6 motorway, exit at Junction 21A onto the M62 towards Liverpool, and exit at Junction 9 from where Gulliver's World is well signposted. OPENING TIMES Open from 10.30am to 5.00pm daily from late March to November, but closed on certain days, so telephone in advance to check.

ENTRY
Entrance costs about £6.00 per adult (currently - please check - prices may change), and includes all rides and attractions. Children under 3 feet tall go free. Small discount for Senior Citizens. Discount entry fee for last hour of opening. Payment accepted in cash, cheque with banker's card, most major credit cards.

FACILITIES
Lost children centre, Guest Relations, no dogs admitted (except guide dogs), disabled toilets in Entrance Plaza and Count's Castle. Refreshments and light meals, selection of fast food outlets and kiosks, Diamond Lil's Bar offers jacket potatoes and sandwiches. The Woodland Restaurant offers a full menu of "home-made" dishes - no alcohol available or allowed in the park.

Gulliver's Kingdom

Temple Walk, Matlock Bath, Matlock, DE4.
Tel: 01629 57710. Info Line: 01925 444888 or 0871 360 2535.
Part of the Gulliver's Theme Parks, opened in 1978.

 

Pleasureland

Marine Drive, Southport.
Tel: 01704-532717 Fax: 01704-537936.
Party Hotline: 08702 200 205.
Website: www.pleasureland.uk.com

Advertised as "The Amusement Park on the Sands - Full of Eastern Promise", Southport's Pleasureland offers over 100 rides and attractions set to "an exotic Moroccan Theme". Rides include the Log Flume, High Flyin' Rainbow, Cyclone and Wildcat Roller Coasters, River Caves, Ghost Train, all with a 10-ride discount ticket. Other attractions include a Go Kart Track, the Moroccan Adventure Golf Course, Funhouse and the Sultan Towers Theme Park for younger children. Open weekends from early March and daily from end of May, with special half-price discounts on Friday nights in July and August. Café and fast food facilities available, and a free coach park with special facilities for coach drivers. Special Group and Party Rates.