Paultons Park

What THEY Say...

Paultons Family Theme Park in Hampshire, on the edge of the New Forest, offers a great family day out with over 50 different attractions and rides included in the price. The variety of things to see and do includes thrilling and gentle rides, dinosaurs, museums, animated shows, play areas, exotic birds and other fun activities for all ages in a garden setting.

There are over 35 different rides for the whole family to enjoy, from big thrills like The Cobra (the park's largest rollercoaster) to smaller rides like Seal Falls, a mini log flume for younger children.

But there is something for everyone, and guests looking for something other than rides will not be disappointed. There are 14 different attractions to enjoy from fun playgrounds to educational displays and museums. There is also a wonderful collection of exotic birds and animals - most particularly Meerkat Manor and the Penguin Pool.

Email: guestservices@paultons.co.uk

Website: www.paultonspark.co.uk

Paultons Park

What WE Say...

Paultons Park is not one of the best-known theme parks in this country, let’s be honest. When thinking of a place to take the children for a really great, exciting day out, it’s quite possibly not the first place to spring to mind.

But.

A place that was recently voted 'Most Family Friendly Theme Park for Young Children' by Mother & Baby magazine has to have something pretty special, considering the competition.

So, as we were staying in the area, we decided to put them to the LittleStuff test. No mean feat - they have to keep the raging Toddler, the thinks-he's-bigger-than-he-is 5 yr old, the scaredy-cat 7 yr old, and the brave-as-lions 9 year old all happy; not to mention their parents too. No pressure then.

The excitement in the car was palpable - we had never visited a full theme park with the children before, as it seems pointless with very young ones who just can't join in and end up spending all day watching. But a careful peruse of the Paultons web site clearly showed that Ella could join in some, if not all, the rides, and there would be enough to please us all. Cam, at 9, was very full of how he would be going on every single ride of course. Joe at 7 was equally adamant he would not. Toby (5) was just saucer-eyed and in need of the toilet.

Upon arrival we decided we would start at one side, and work our way back across the park, starting off with the gentle Tractor ride. Slowly we meandered our way across the park, but our oh-so-brave boys were downright refusing to go on anything vaguely scary or fast. In the end, Daddy took matters into his own hands after an hour of hesitation, and coerced Cameron onto the ‘Stinger’ the middle-sized rollercoaster, and his first time ever on one. He was terrified, but not unwilling – and by halfway round the first lap had sat up straight and was laughing with glee.

From then on, there was no stopping him, and he was prepared to try anything. Joe however was adamant he would try nothing at all, and stuck to the gentler, smaller rides – until he saw the Astroglide. A bumpy slide of monstrous proportions, standing a good 80’ high, he shimmied up the steps with his mat as though he was climbing the slide at the local park. Fearless of the height, he threw himself down and giggled the whole way. From there he agreed to try the baby ‘flying frog’ rollercoaster... and the dam of fear burst. He was ready for anything (oh good, yet another thrill seeker in the family).

Toby was willing to try, and he enjoyed the magic carpet ride - but the log flume… not so much. We came whooshing down the first drop, and he muttered at the bottom ‘I’m not doing that again’. I cheerfully pointed out that we were now headed to the bigger climb for the main drop. He went silent again. Whooshing down the second drop was hugely exciting (and very wet), and when we got to the bottom I hugged him tight and told him I was very proud of him. He harrumphed and said ‘Is that it, are we done? Can I get off now?’ Singularly unimpressed!

The Cobra is the biggest rollercoaster in the park, and Cameron spent most of the day debating whether he should do it or not. Finally, he said yes, and he and Daddy joined the queue quick, before he changed his mind. I have never seen my boy more scared – or more determined. His face was so white I was worried he would pass out before they even started the ride, and I watched in consternation as he gave me a timid thumbs up from the carriage as the ride started. It dipped out of sight, and next time I saw him he was hurtling downhill at high speed, screaming with laughter. He finished the ride with the hugest beam I think I have ever seen.

We just had so much to do, the whole day was packed solid. Cam was kept busy with all the big rides, but also enjoyed a lot of the quieter ones. Joe had plenty of the quiet smaller rides to go on when he was too frightened to go on anything big, and Toby found plenty to ride too. There were quite a few rides Ella was able to enjoy, which I was impressed with as she’s only 18mths. There are also lots of the little ride-on machines you see outside supermarkets scattered about the place. At first I thought this was a bit of a cheeky money-maker until I realised they were all free – and often handily placed near a popular ride and so kept her busy while she waited for older brothers.

The entire park was clean and well kept, and spaced out well around the really lovely gardens and grounds. The layout is thoughtful enough to make sure you’re never far from the main area with toilets – all of which have small toddler seats attached – and the designated baby changing/feeding room which means you don’t have to lurk in the public toilets to feed your baby. Staff were fun and observant, and we were happy to allow the smaller children on the rides without us if they were within age range as the staff were always vigilant. The log flume broke down at one point, and literally within two minutes we counted 8 members of maintenance staff arrive, and they had the ride drained, helped the people out of the ride and back to the ground, and the ride was going again when we looked ten minutes later.

Everything was included in the entrance fee – there were very few extra charges once you are inside (the only extra thing we paid for was the pictures – have a look at the blog to see them!)

Paultons Park really is a truly great FAMILY day out. Not a pre-schoolers park with a few token gestures to the older siblings – nor an adult theme park with a few kiddie bits thrown in. There are excellent playgrounds scattered about for all ages, and we didn’t really even touch on the static displays, entertainments or birds and animals. They’re not lying on their ads, there really is too much to do in one day.

The entrance fee isn’t massive at £16 per person (family tickets start at £45.50 for a family of three), and really is excellent value for such a full, fun day. For holiday makers it might be nice to have a cheap-return option if they come back within two weeks, as I think a double visit would be fab. The season ticket is a brilliant idea for locals, and excellent value, but no use to those just visiting the area.

So - take your children and go. Honest. I guarantee you'll all have a great day, no matter how old (or young) you are.

The last 20 minutes of our day was simply spent on the Stinger rollercoaster, the boys going round and round and round and round… Mr Laura and I took turns, and also had another visit to the Wind in the Willows with a very tired Ella.

What a simply fabulous, wonderful, marvellous day we had. Each and every one of us. Just Brilliant.

Website: www.paultonspark.co.uk