Thomas Land

Thomas Land is a world of Thomas-themed rides

 

 

 

 

 

 

and attractions.  

 

 

 

 

 

You can see characters like James

 

 

 

 

 

Toby

 

 

 

 

 

Cranky

 

 

 

 

 

 

Henry

 

 

 

 

 

Gordon

 

 

 

 

 

Flynn

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and Harold. 

 

 

 

 

 

Thomas, Percy and Rosie make regular appearances, pulling passengers riding in carriages Annie and Clarabel between Knapford station and Tidmouth Halt station.

 

 

 

Tidmouth Halt Station

Once at Tidmouth Halt station, you find Spencer and an adventure play area

 

 

 

 

a dinosaur trail and some zoo animals. 

 

 

 

 

 

Drayton Manor

Drayton Manor is a theme park with rides for all ages, zoo animals and crazy golf. 

 

Nearest Town: Tamworth, Near Birmingham
County: Staffordshire
Nearest Postcode: B78 3TW

Adult Cost Range: Various prices depending on when you go. Please see their website for details.
Child Cost Range: Various prices depending on when you go. Please see their website for details.
Free if: Under 2 years old

Opens: Various times and days throughout the year. Please see their website for details.

Where to Eat: Various restaurants, cafes and picnic areas.
Facilities: Toilets, accessible toilets, shops, cafes, snacks and ice creams.

How Long We Spent There: 5 hours
Buggies: Buggy friendly 

Parking: Large car parks
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife you might see: Zoo animals, including tigers, red pandas, monkeys, meerkats, lynx, capybara, tapir, gibbon, marmoset, porcupine, frog, snake and bird like emus, cockatoos, flamingos and rheas.

Information Written: July 2020

 

Paultons Park

Paultons Park itself is a family theme park that also has

 

 

 

 

dinosaurs to spot

 

 

 

 

 

animals to watch

 

 

 

 

 

adventure play areas and splash pads

 

 

 

 

 

a wide variety of rides for all ages

 

 

 

 

 

and a train and several garden walks for anyone who prefers something a little more gentle. 

 

 

 

 

Peppa Pig World

This Peppa Pig themed part of the park brings the Peppa Pig stories, characters and illustrations to life and allows you to explore Peppa’s town

 

 

 

 

meet her family and friends

 

 

 

 

 

ride in their trains and boats

 

 

 

 

 

cars and helicopters

 

 

 

 

 

and even meet Peppa herself. 

 

 

 

 

 

Peppa Pig Prep!

Believe it or not, we visited Peppa Pig World without having watched or read anything about Peppa Pig!

 

 

 

 

We still enjoyed our first visit, even without knowing the characters, but reading the books definitely made subsequent visits more magical!

 

 

 

 

George’s Spaceship Playzone

This is a soft play area with slides and climbing frames

 

 

 

 

as well as an area for smaller children. 

 

 

 

 

 

Dinosaurs

Dinosaurs roam around the Lost Kingdom!

We spotted several, including Tyrannosaurus rex, Triceratops, Velociraptors and the staggeringly large Argentinosaurus. 

 

 

The Dinosaur Tour Co. offer dinosaur safaris by Jeep! 

 

 

 

 

 

Water Kingdom

Paultons Park has two splash parks – a large splash pad with tipping buckets, fountains and water shooters and another smaller one called Muddy Puddles.

 

 

 

Adventure Play Areas

There are three adventure play areas, including one that is themed around Mr Potato from Peppa Pig and another dinosaur-themed one where you can dig for fossils. 

Nearest Town: Romsey, Near Southampton
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: SO51 6AL

Adult Cost Range: Various prices depending on when you go. Please see their website for details.
Child Cost Range: Various prices depending on when you go. Please see their website for details.
Free if: Under 1 metre tall

Opens: Various times and days throughout the year. Please see their website for details.

Where to Eat: Various restaurants, cafes and picnic areas.
Facilities: Toilets, accessible toilets, shops, cafes, snacks and ice creams.

How Long We Spent There: 5 hours
Buggies: Buggy friendly 

Parking: Large car parks
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife you might see: Penguins, giant tortoises, flamingos, pelicans, tropical birds, owls, fish, lizards and insects.

Information Written: July 2017
Information Checked: April 2021

 

100 Aker Wood

Walking through 100 Aker Wood was magical, like walking through scenes from the Winnie-the-Pooh books and cartoons. 

 

 

 

 

We found Winnie the Pooh’s house

 

 

 

 

 

Eeyore’s Gloomy Place

 

 

 

 

 

a bridge to play Poohsticks

 

 

 

 

 

Wol’s tree

 

 

 

 

 

Roo’s Sandy Pit 

 

 

 

 

 

Rabbit’s house

 

 

 

 

 

a heffalump trap

 

 

 

 

 

and a bee tree.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

There is a map of 100 Aker Wood that shows the places you can find on the Aldenham Country Park website.  

 

 

 

 

Aldenham Country Park

The Country Park itself is full of things to do, including orienteering and cycling trails 

 

 

 

 

mini golf and trampolines

 

 

 

 

 

a lake and nature trails. 

 

 

 

 

 

Aldenham Country Park Farm

On Aldenham Country Park Farm, a route leads you past farm animals, including cows and pigs

 

 

 

 

goats, donkeys and ducks.  

 

 

 

 

 

It also has various tractors to ride

 

 

 

 

and an area where you can pay a little extra and meet some smaller animals, like rabbits, guinea pigs and giant snails.  

 

 

 

We even spotted Winnie the Pooh!

 

 

 

The Adventure Play Area

This fabulous Aldenham Country Park Adventure Play Area has wooden play equipment, including a zip wire, sand play areas

 

 

 

and a water play area complete with a water pump.

 

 

 

 

At the time of writing, you must book to use the play area and there was a charge of £3.

Some sessions are exclusively for children with special needs. 

Nearest Town: Elstree, near Watford
County: Hertfordshire
Nearest Postcode: WD6 3BA

Opens: Daily

Adult Cost Range: The Country Park is free but you pay to enter the farm and the adventure play area. 
Child Cost Range: The Country Park is free but you pay to enter the farm and the adventure play area. 
Free If: You are only visiting the Country Park.

Where to Eat: Eat at the cafe, hire a barbecue or bring a picnic.
Facilities: Cafe offering snacks and ice cream, toilets and accessible toilets, picnic areas. 

How Long We Spent There: 2 hours at the farm and the rest of the day in the Country Park.
Buggies: Buggy friendly.

Parking: There is a large car park. 
Cost of Parking: From £4.50 per day.

Wildlife You Might See: Birds and insects and farm animals – cows, pigs, chickens, ducks, sheep, rabbits, guinea pigs – maybe even Winnie the Pooh!

Information Written: July 2022

 

Aldenham Country Park Farm

On the farm, a route leads you past the farm animals, including cows and pigs

 

 

 

 

goats and donkeys

 

 

 

 

 

ducks and peacocks.  

 

 

 

 

 

It also has tractor rides

 

 

 

 

 

and an area where you can pay a little extra and meet some smaller animals, like rabbits, guinea pigs and giant snails. 

 

 

 

 

Winnie the Pooh

When we visited, Winnie the Pooh was there to meet, cuddle and wave at the guests.

 

 

 

 

100 Aker Wood

After our visit to the farm, we walked through the Country Park to 100 Aker Wood and explored the magical places where Winnie the Pooh and his friends have their adventures.  

 

 

 

We discovered places like Winnie the Pooh’s house

 

 

 

 

 

Wol’s tree

 

 

 

 

 

and the bees.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aldenham Country Park

Aldenham Country Park itself has an orienteering course and cycle trails 

 

 

 

 

mini golf and trampolines

 

 

 

 

 

a lake and nature trails. 

 

 

 

The Adventure Play Area

This exciting Aldenham Country Park Adventure Play Area has wooden play equipment, including a zip wire, sand play areas

 

 

 

a water play area complete with a water pump

 

 

 

 

and accessible equipment.

 

 

 

 

At the time of writing, you have to book to use the play area and there was a charge of £3.

There are sessions exclusively for children with special needs. 

Nearest Town: Elstree, near Watford
County: Hertfordshire
Nearest Postcode: WD6 3BA

Opens: Daily

Adult Cost Range: Various starting at £4.50. Please see their website for details. 
Child Cost Range: Various starting at £4.50. Please see their website for details. 
Free If: You are only visiting the Country Park (and not the farm or play area).

Where to Eat: Eat at the cafe, hire a barbecue or bring a picnic.
Facilities: Cafe offering snacks and ice cream, toilets and accessible toilets, picnic areas. 

How Long We Spent There: 2 hours at the farm and the rest of the day in the Country Park.
Buggies: Buggy friendly.

Parking: There is a large car park. 
Cost of Parking: From £4.50 per day.

Wildlife You Might See: Birds, insects and farm animals – cows, pigs, chickens, ducks, sheep, rabbits, guinea pigs – maybe even Winnie the Pooh!

Information Written: July 2022

 

 

Paddle Steamers, Rainforests and Climbing Webs

The play equipment includes:

• a sand play area with buckets and pulleys and a water play area with chutes, taps, bridges and collection pool

 

 

 

• a two-storey paddle steamer climbing frame
• a lily pad balance trail
• a wooden climbing frame shaped like rainforest plants with ladders, bridges, spider webs and walkways
• two springers
• a barrel shaped roundabout
• a zip wire
• a tunnel and
• a playhouse.

 

 

There is also:

• net climbing frame
• a climbing wall and spider web
• an uphill balance course and wobbly bridge
• swings
• toddler swings
• a basket swing
• a centipede seesaw
• two huge slides set into a hill with easy to climb steps and
• a toddler-sized slide.

 

Woking Park

The play area is on the edge of Woking Park, which has gardens filled with trees, bridges and pathways, a duck pond, stream and a multi-gym.

 

 

 

 

 

We find this a calming place to be, which is useful after all the excitement of the play area.

 

 

 

 

Leisure Facilities

Also within Woking Park are some leisure facilities including Pool in the Park, tennis courts and mini golf.

The tennis courts and mini golf can be pre-booked.

 

Nearest Town: Woking
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU22 9BA

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic or eat in the one of the cafes.
Facilities: Cafe, toilets and accessible toilets in the leisure centre by the park.

How Long We Spent There: 2 hours
Buggies: Buggy friendly

Parking: Large pay and display car park.
Cost of Parking: Free for the first two hours. 

Wildlife You Might See: Ducks and squirrels.

Information Written: October 2016
Information Checked: October 2022

 

The Play Area

The play area has equipment that includes:

• a swing
• a toddler swing
• a basket swing
• a hill with two slides, a tunnel, a rope bridge and easy to climb stairs
• a multiplay with a slide, nets and a climbing wall
• picnic tables.

 

The Railway

The miniature railway rumbles around the gardens, past engine sheds and back to the cute little station, complete with signals, water tower and platform.

 

 

 

The Maze

The circular, hedge maze is a family attraction.

 

 

 

 

The Parkland

Stansted Park has about 1,200 acres of parkland, with ancient woodland and an arboretum of beautiful, mature trees for you to explore.  

Nearest Town: Havant, near Portsmouth
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: PO9 6DX

Adult Cost Range: Various, depending on where you want to visit. Please see their website.
Child Cost Range: Various, depending on where you want to visit. Please see their website.
Free if: Play area – free. Parkland – free. Railway – free if under 2. House – under 2s are free at all times; under 16s are free when visiting during the holidays.

Opens: Various – the parkland is open daily; the railway and the house only open at certain times. Please check their website for details.

Where to Eat: A shop, a tearoom or bring a picnic.
Facilities: Snacks, ice cream, toilets and accessible toilets.

How Long We Spent There: 3 hours
Buggies: Buggy friendly.

Parking: There is a large car park.
Cost of Parking: Free

Information Written: October 2018

 

Stansted Park 

Stansted Park has about 1,200 acres of parkland, with ancient woodland and an arboretum of beautiful, mature trees for you to explore.  

 

 

 

We didn’t visit the house but understand it has state rooms and servants’ quarters laid out as if they were still in use.

 

 

 

You only pay for the attractions you actually use.

The play area, arboretum and parkland are all free but the house, the maze and the railway all have individual costs. 

 

 

The Railway

The miniature railway rumbles around the gardens, past engine sheds and back to the cute little station, complete with signals, water tower and platform. 

 

 

 

We paid £2 for an adult and £1.50 for a child over 2 years (under 2s were free). 

 

 

 

 

The trains only run at certain times and on certain days so be sure to check the website before you go. 

 

 

 

 

The Play Area

Inside the Walled Garden is The Stansted Park Play Area, a well equipped play area where the children can play while you eat. It has swings, slides, rope bridges and a multiplay.

 

 

 

The Maze

The circular, hedge maze is a family attraction. It opens at various times of the year, weather permitting, so double-check before you visit. 

Nearest Town: Havant, near Portsmouth
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: PO9 6DX

Adult Cost Range: £10 to £14.99
Child Cost Range: £5 to £9.99
Free if: Parkland – free. Railway – free if under 2. House – under 2s are free at all times; under 16s are free when visiting during the holidays.

Opens: Various – the parkland is open daily; the railway and the house only open at certain times. Please check their website for details.

Where to Eat: A shop, a tearoom or bring a picnic.
Facilities: Snacks, ice cream, toilets and accessible toilets.

How Long We Spent There: 3 hours
Buggies: Buggy friendly.

Parking: There is a large car park.
Cost of Parking: Free

Information Written: October 2018

 

The play area has a range of equipment including:

• toddler swings
• swings
• a tyre swing
• a swinging seesaw
• a large multiplay with three slides, easy to climb stairs, a role play cafe and nets
• a second multiplay for younger children
• a game board
• a springer
• a fire engine with little tunnels
• a roundabout
• spinning seats
• a zip wire.

 

The Splash Pad

We spent most of our visit playing with the water jets in the splash pad, which is surrounded by benches, sun umbrellas and a cafe giving it that holiday feeling.

 

 

 

Splash Pad Restrictions

There are some restrictions on the use of the splash pad – only children under 8 years are allowed to use it before 5pm and there are no balls or inflatable toys allowed.

You must wear swimming suits and swimming nappies (if necessary).

 

 

The Sports Facilities

There are tennis courts, a five-a-side football pitch, a kick about area, table tennis and a sports field.

There is also a miniature golf course, a walk to Jocks Copse and Tinkers Copse and a miniature railway that is run by the Bracknell Railway Society.

Nearest Town: Bracknell
County: Berkshire
Nearest Postcode: RG12 2BH

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Cafe or bring a picnic.
Facilities: Ice creams, snacks, cafe, toilets and accessible toilets.

How Long We Spent There: 3 hours
Buggies: Buggy friendly

Parking: Car park
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Butterflies, lots and lots of ducks and water birds.

Information Written: June 2017

 

The play area has a range of equipment including:

• toddler swings
• swings
• a tyre swing
• a swinging seesaw
• a large multiplay with three slides, easy to climb stairs, a role play cafe and nets
• a second multiplay for younger children
• a game board
• a springer
• a fire engine with little tunnels
• a roundabout
• spinning seats
• a zip wire.

 

The Splash Pad

We spent most of our visit playing with the water jets in the splash pad, which is surrounded by benches, sun umbrellas and a cafe giving it that holiday feeling.

 

 

 

Splash Pad Restrictions

There are some restrictions on the use of the splash pad – only children under 8 years are allowed to use it before 5pm and there are no balls or inflatable toys allowed.

You must wear swimming suits and swimming nappies (if necessary).

 

 

The Sports Facilities

There are tennis courts, a five-a-side football pitch, a kick about area, table tennis and a sports field.

There is also a miniature golf course, a walk to Jocks Copse and Tinkers Copse and a miniature railway that is run by the Bracknell Railway Society.

Nearest Town: Bracknell
County: Berkshire
Nearest Postcode: RG12 2BH

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Cafe or bring a picnic.
Facilities: Ice creams, snacks, cafe, toilets and accessible toilets.

How Long We Spent There: 3 hours
Buggies: Buggy friendly

Parking: Car park
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Butterflies, lots and lots of ducks and water birds.

Information Written: June 2017

 

The Play Area

This playground is said to be for children from 3 to 12 years old. The play equipment includes:

• swings
• toddler swings
• springers
• a seesaw
• a rope climbing frame
• a zip wire
• multiplays with slides, nets, a climbing wall, bridges and easy to climb stairs and a ladder
• a sand play area with a hill, palm trees and a hammock
• a mini golf course
• a cafe that serves refreshments as well as hot food.

 

Maidenhead Promenade

Just over the road is Maidenhead Promenade where you can catch a boat to Windsor at certain times of the year.

There is also boat rental available nearby and you can walk up or down the Thames Path.

 

 

Boulters Lock

About a ten minute walk down the road are Boulters Lock and Ray Mill Island, a beautiful riverside spot with a cafe, play area and a thundering weir. 

Nearest Town: Maidenhead
County: Berkshire
Nearest Postcode: SL6 8NP

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic or eat at the cafe. 
Facilities: Picnic table.

How Long We Spent There: 1 hour.
Buggies: Buggy friendly.

Parking: There is a car park. 
Cost of Parking: Pay and display.

Wildlife You Might See: Ducks, swans, Canada geese, coots and moorhens.

Information Written: March 2017