What a sensational Sunday we enjoyed at Gulliver’s Valley Theme Park!! This fantastic day out is aimed at children from age 2-12 but Jon and I, a little older than this, had a fantastic time too!
The park is made up of a range of themed zones each with enticing rides for you to try. Of course with my two boys (3 and 6) being Dino nuts we headed straight for for the Lost World and it really didn’t disappoint. The models and moving statues are just brilliant and the range of rides and activities on offer is just superb. The favourite there was definitely the water rides and the boys, including Jon, had multiple goes on T-Rex Tower which is three different water chutes that you go down on a little dinghy in. Raffy also loved the the River Tours and he said hello to all of the baby dinosaurs as we passed through. The great thing we found was the queuing times were very short and the staff kept things moving quickly. Throughout the park there are numerous themed outdoor play parks too which Trilli (age 1) really enjoyed. With slides a plenty she was in her absolute element.
Following our time in the Lost World we headed off to find a picnic spot. The great thing at Gulliver’s Valley is that there are lots of benches and picnic benches all around and even some undercover ones too to escape the sun or the rain. The other thing you’ll find is that it’s just so clean. The ground staff work tirelessly keeping bins emptied and so there was no issues of wasps that we have found elsewhere this summer. There are also options at the park for buying lunch if you’ve have had enough of packed lunches. There is a restaurant and a range of cafes in the main building, that you walk through on arrival, as well as refreshment stands dotted around the park.
There are also toilets and baby-changing facilities throughout the park and they are also scrupulously clean and well maintained. Always helps with younger children and numerous toilet trips.Our next stop was Western World and my favourite part of the park. Bran, Cici and I braved Apache Falls a water rapid slide ride which was absolutely fantastic! Fortunately it was a hot day as I chose the wrong seat and was soaked but it was so much fun. I then persuaded Cici onto Grand Prix racers – the biggest rollercoaster in the park, in the Gear Zone. She was so funny in her deep man voice “WHY DID YOU MAKE ME GO ON THIS?” Before declaring at the end “that was good fun!”
As a family I think we spent the most time in Toyland. The kids loved the Rockin’ Tug and went on most of the rides in this zone about four times. Big shout out to staff Max and Emmy who were super friendly too and operating the rides. This area is also where you’ll find Build Zone, an interactive soft-play area. But this isn’t the only indoor play zone. You’ll be spoilt for choice at Gulliver’s Valley as there are bouncy castles in Dragons Lair, an amazing climbing wall plus a whole host of activities from mini golf to the Yoo Hoo Play Zone.Throughout the day a number of shows take place too from Percy’s Pirate Adventure to the Punch and Judy show. There was also a special meet and greet with the Hungry Caterpillar. We watched the ‘See You Soon’ show at the end of the day which was really interactive and energetic! Gulliver’s Valley is in Rotherham, f\rom Harrogate to the park and back again the journey was really easy taking around 90mins. The parking is great too and you don’t find yourself miles away from there to the park itself. So the overall verdict, we had a wonderful day and literally left as the park was closing. We’ll definitely be back and the kids have already been asking to go back for Halloween in October half-term!
Reviewed August 2022 by Mumbler Champion Nic,
Disclosure: We were gifted our entry to Gulliver’s Valley thowever we pinky promised to only write a truthful account. Phew, we really enjoyed it! (otherwise that could have been awks!)
