The Best Small Theme Parks for Small Children on Holiday
Holiday Cottages Near Our Favourite UK Child-Friendly Theme Parks
The UK has fantastic family attractions that are more than just a fairground ride - where kids can drive diggers, race sheep or meet mysterious woodland characters. From North Yorkshire to Devon, here are a few of our favourite small children’s theme parks.
The Big Sheep
Rollercoasters, ‘EWEtopia’ indoor adventure playground, animal petting, lamb-feeding and sheep-racing on the North Devon coast
You will find this much-loved family attraction in Abbotsham, inland, from Westward Ho! Beach in North Devon. Sheep Racing (Red Ram wins by a nose ahead of Sheargar), Pony rides, animal shows, lambs to bottle feed, piglets to pet, sheep dogs at work, indoor adventure playground, the biggest rollercoaster in Devon and an award-winning brewery make the Big Sheep a great day out for the whole family. Venture there too early in your holiday, and be prepared for your children to demand a return visit.
Where to Stay: The Corn Tallet
A quaint two-bedroom coastal cottage within walking distance of the ocean in Bucks Mills near Clovelly in North Devon. To enjoy a 10% discount when booking Melinda’s - tell the owners you found the cottage on My Favourite Holiday Cottages.
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Flamingo Land
“Wild animals and wild rides” in Kirby Misperton, North Yorkshire
Flamingo Land is one of Yorkshire’s top family attractions with incredible rides, including a Cliff Hanger combo tower, Pterodactyl vertical swing and Velocity booster bikes. Don’t miss Mumbo Jumbo, featuring one of the world’s steepest drops of any rollercoaster. Oh, and there are plenty of colourful flamingos and other animals to admire. Adapt an animal or be a zoo keeper or meet a creature - just a handful of the many experiences in store for you and your children at Flamingo Land.
Where To Stay: Duncruzin Cottage in Kirby Misperton, North Yorkshire
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Gulliver’s Kingdom
Thrilling woodland rides in Derbyshire, including Switchback Rollercoaster, Pirate Ship and Crow’s Nest Quest
Hidden away in Peak District ancient woods with brilliant views of the Heights of Abraham, this family-run park in Matlock Bath is not to be missed on holidays in Derbyshire for families with children under 11. Along with a great selection of fun non-white knuckle rides, there are 13 remarkably life-like animatronic dinosaurs to roar back at.
Where To Stay: Clematis Cottage - a Family-Friendly Peak District Countryside Cottage near Bakewell in Derbyshire
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Diggerland
Dodgems, giant dirt-diggers, mini-tractors and go-karts in West Yorkshire
If you or your children ever dreamed of being swung around in the bucket of a super-sized JCB, then you need to meet Spindizzy! This digger-themed adventure park near Castleford allows kids and their parents to operate real diggers, dumpers and other full-size construction machinery. A range of inventive rides and live shows guarantee a fun family day in Yorkshire.
Where To Stay: Stables Cottage - a dog-friendly holiday cottage near Todmorden in West Yorkshire.
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Bewilderwood
Mazes, zip wires, rope bridges and slides hidden amongst Norfolk woods
Book a holiday cottage in the Norfolk Broads and share a magical treehouse adventure with your family through Bewilderwood in Horning. As you explore this enchanting woodland attraction, you will come across a variety of unusual characters, including Swampy the Marsh Boggle, Mildred the Crocklebog and Thornyclod the spider.
Where To Stay: Clippesby Pine Lodges near Wroxham in the Norfolk Broads
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Greenwood Forest Park
Jungle boats, Crocodile Maze, and Wales’ longest sledge run in Gwynedd
This family activity centre is packed with hidden tunnels, trails and treetop towers near Y Felinheli, between Snowdonia National Park and the Isle of Anglesey. There are great shows all day, too, including clowns, magic and crafts. The sledge run is epic: no snow is required!
Where To Stay: Ashcoast House A child-friendly country cottage welcoming dogs near Caernarfon
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Cattle Country Adventure Park
Farm-themed fun in the Gloucestershire countryside
This low-key but intensely stimulating adventure park is located at Berkley Heath Farm in Gloucestershire. Attractions include an animal handling experience centre, outdoor assault courses, play barns with wavy slides and zip wire, trampolines, rides, boating lakes and, gosh - lots more! Don’t miss the daily magic and Punch and Judy Shows.
Where to Stay: Ingleside House** Take a break with another family or two - Ingleborough can sleep up to 14 in Westbury-on-Severn and has a hot tub for adults to play with.
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Crealy Adventure Park
Multi-award-winning theme park just outside Exeter, Devon
Nestled amid 100 acres of rolling East Devon countryside, award-winning Crealy Adventure Park is home to more than 60 fantastic family rides and farm-themed attractions. Take a hair-raising ride on the Flying Dutchman or Aqua Blasters before meeting the animals at Meerkat Manor, Tortoise Town and Bugz Unlimited.
Where To Stay: Rydon Stables, a quaint thatched coastal cottage in Otterton, East Devon
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Drusillas Zoo Park
An incredible variety of zoo animals, rides and play areas near Alfriston, East Sussex
Penguins, ring-tailed lemurs, giant anteaters and armadillos make Drusillas a memorable family day out in East Sussex. There’s also a great selection of rides, a soft play area, Hello Kitty Secret Garden and the Safari Express train rides.
Where To Stay: The Salty Dog, a characterful, contemporary coastal holiday home near Camber Sands in East Sussex.
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