Summer is here and many parents are on a desperate hunt for activities to keep the little ones happy without breaking the bank.
While theme parks are a popular choice for many families, they can often be on the pricier side. And during the height of summer, they can be packed with visitors, meaning you end up paying a hefty sum to spend most of your day waiting in lines.
However, Yorkshire Live reporter, Megan Shaw, has discovered a lesser-known theme park right on the Yorkshire border, nestled on the edge of the Peak District National Park. She took her family there for the day and this is how it went…
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Gulliver’s Kingdom in Matlock Bath has been getting rave reviews on Tripadvisor, with many praising the lack of crowds and more opportunities to enjoy the rides compared to bigger, busier parks.
Intrigued, 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 found ourselves 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 chock-a-block, forcing us to park at the very top.
Seeing so many cars, I began to worry if our day out would be as chilled as we’d hoped. But my fears were soon put to rest when we got to the entrance and walked straight in.
When we arrived, the staff at the entrance told us that the log flume was down due to a technical glitch. This was a bit of a let-down as it was the ride we were most looking forward to, but we quickly found there was plenty else to keep us busy.
(Image: Megan Shaw – Yorkshire Live)
Gulliver’s Kingdom is clearly aimed at younger children. While there are no big-name rides, there’s plenty to keep the little ones entertained.
My eldest, who is 9, was quite taken with the whole experience, much to my relief. Our voyage commenced by us tackling the crazy barrel ride – a venture so enjoyable that a second attempt was immediately requested by my little ones.
With few people around and obliging staff on hand, round two quickly ensued.
Our journey continued onwards to the Drop Tower – an attraction greatly appreciated by my elder lad who enthusiastically participated on four occasions. The fact that other parks always have enormous lines making numerous rides unfeasible made this a sizeable bonus.
Our family then transitioned to the Chair Lift situated in Adventure Land. This wasn’t only an amusing diversion but also granted us a comprehensive panorama of the entire park, assisting us in planning our subsequent stop.
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The Chair Lift emerged as a productive mode for traversing the hillocky park, along with the travellator which my children enjoyed immensely. The gradient walks separating the rides may pose difficulty for those manoeuvring pushchairs; however, it provided an excellent exercise opportunity for us.
Regardless of the considerable number of vehicles lining the car park, queuing was never more than a brief wait. This proved to be particularly handy when dealing with a three year old regularly querying “is it my turn now?”
My eldest and my partner were both thrilled by the Riggers Revenge zip line course. This relatively new attraction whisks you along the edge of the hillside, offering both a rush of adrenaline and stunning views of the Derbyshire countryside.
However, with a height requirement of 110cm, my youngest was unable to join in. Even if he had been unusually tall for his age, I doubt he would have had the courage – much like his mother!
The log rollercoaster proved to be a hit with my youngest, who delighted in its twists, dips and turns. We all rode this together at least three times consecutively.
The pirate ship located in Smuggler’s Wharf was also popular with everyone. Both children enjoyed the Crows Nest Quest area, which offers high ropes and rock climbing for older kids and a scaled-down version for the little ones – my three year old loved it.
In addition to the rides, there are parks and play areas scattered throughout the site, providing plenty of opportunities to stop for refreshments. The unique layout of the park ensures that you rarely cross paths with other families, keeping the crowds manageable.
We stopped for a meal, ordering a toastie, two hot dogs, four drinks and four ice creams, which came to 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 plenty of 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 like I needed a spa weekend to recover afterwards.
Yes, some areas are a bit outdated and could do with a fresh coat of paint, but there are fantastic rides that will delight younger kids. Teenagers might not be as thrilled, but there’s no denying that the park caters superbly to its intended audience.
It’s not Alton Towers, but then again, 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 choice if you don’t want to spend the whole day there, and three hours should be ample time to see everything.
All in all, it was a delightful day out that was fun for the kids, stress-free for the adults, and didn’t empty our wallets. So, if you’re on the hunt for a summer day out that ticks all the boxes, I’d highly recommend giving Gulliver’s Kingdom a go.
