The log flume at Gulliver’s Kingdom in Matlock Bath is a big hit with younger thrill seekers (Image: Megan Shaw)
The summer holidays are here and, like many parents, I’m always on the hunt for activities to keep the kids entertained without breaking the bank. Theme parks are a popular choice for the summer break, but they can often be a costly day out. Furthermore, during the height of summer, they’re usually packed with visitors, resulting in you shelling out a significant amount to spend most of your day waiting in lines.
We’ve been to numerous theme parks, from Alton Towers to Drayton Manor and several others, and I always leave feeling somewhat disappointed. 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.
Just the tickets alone will set you back a minimum of £100 for a family of four, if not more, and once you’ve added in food, drinks, ice-creams, and inevitably being stung in the gift shop, you’ve spent a small fortune. So, when I found out that there’s a lesser-known theme park on the Yorkshire border, nestled on the edge of the Peak District National Park that offers just as much fun but is designed in a way that it never feels overcrowded, I was keen to give it a go, reports Yorkshire Live.
My kids love a good thrill ride, but they can’t stand the queues. Gulliver’s Kingdom in Matlock Bath has been highly recommended on Tripadvisor, with visitors praising the lack of large crowds and more frequent rides compared to bigger, busier parks.
We decided to put it to the test and set off for a day trip. After a car journey of roughly an hour and a half from Huddersfield, we arrived in Matlock Bath. As we pulled into the park, we noticed that the car parks were tiered along a steep hillside. The parking areas were jam-packed, forcing us to park at the very top lot.
Diplodocus Falls at Gulliver’s Kingdom (Image: DingRawD/Wiki Commons)
The sheer number of cars initially made me question whether our day out would be as relaxing as we’d hoped. However, my worries were quickly dispelled when we reached the entrance and walked straight in without any delay.
Upon entering, we were told by the staff that the log flume was temporarily out of order due to a technical glitch. This was a bit of a letdown as it was the ride we had been most looking forward to, but we soon found there was plenty else to keep us busy.
Gulliver’s Kingdom is clearly aimed at younger children. While there are no big-name attractions, there’s plenty of fun to be had for the little ones.
My eldest child, who is nine, surprisingly enjoyed our adventure at the theme park. We started with the crazy barrels ride, which was such a success that the kids insisted on a second go. Thanks to the serene environment and helpful staff, they were able to have another round.
We then proceeded to the Drop Tower, which my eldest couldn’t resist – he rode it at least four times. This was a significant advantage as typically, lengthy queues at other parks make multiple rides unfeasible.
Following this, we all boarded the Chair Lift in Adventure Land. It was not only entertaining but also offered us a sweeping view of the entire park, aiding us in planning our next destination.
The Chair Lift turned out to be an effective way to traverse the hilly park, along with the travellator which was popular with the children. The steep walks between rides could pose a challenge for those pushing prams, but for us, it was an excellent opportunity to get some exercise.
I took my kids to the overlooked theme park near Yorkshire border that’s built into a hill – and we didn’t queue once (Image: Megan Shaw – Yorkshire Live)
Despite the number of cars in the car park, we never had to wait for more than a few minutes – a godsend when you have a restless three-year-old constantly asking “is it my turn now?”
My eldest (9) was thrilled by the Riggers Revenge zip line course, a relatively new addition that races you along the edge of the hillside, offering both a thrill and stunning views of the Derbyshire countryside. My partner also enjoyed it.
The ride requires a minimum height of 110cm, which meant my youngest couldn’t participate. Even if he had been unusually tall for his age, he wouldn’t have dared! He’s much like his mum in that respect.
The log rollercoaster was a hit with my youngest, who delighted in the twists, dips and turns. We all rode this together at least three times consecutively.
The pirate ship in Smuggler’s Wharf was universally popular. Both children also enjoyed the Crows Nest Quest area, which offered high ropes and rock climbing for the older ones and a mini version for the younger ones, which my three year old adored.
In addition to the rides, there are parks and play areas scattered around as you move from one attraction to another, with plenty of spots to pause for food or drink. The unique layout ensures minimal crossing paths with other families, and nothing feels overly crowded.
We stopped for a bite to eat, ordering a toastie, two hot dogs, four drinks and four ice creams, which totalled around £25 – a price we considered quite reasonable.
While you might anticipate paying a bit more in such locations, with better planning, we could have saved by bringing our own picnic as there were ample spots to settle down. My overall impression was that the park offered excellent value for money.
The children thoroughly enjoyed it, it didn’t leave me penniless, and I didn’t feel the need for a spa weekend to recuperate afterwards.
Despite some areas appearing slightly outdated and in need of a fresh coat of paint, there are plenty of fantastic rides to entertain younger kids. Teenagers might not be as thrilled, but there’s no denying the park caters superbly to its intended audience.
It may not be Alton Towers, but neither is the price tag. If booked online ahead of time, the prices are quite reasonable at £19 for both adults and children, while tots under 90cm get in free.
There’s also the option of an afternoon pass, which gives you three hours between 2pm and 5pm for just £12.50 per person. This is a great alternative if you don’t want to spend the whole day there, and three hours should be sufficient to see everything.
All in all, it was a delightful day out that was enjoyable for the kids, stress-free for the adults, and didn’t empty the wallet. So, if you’re seeking a summer day out that ticks all the boxes, I’d highly recommend giving Gulliver’s Kingdom a go.