CGM
TS Member
I thought it would be good to dedicate a thread to smaller UK parks that are never or rarely discussed on this forum. Some of these may escape enthusiast attention because they're aimed at a younger audience or perhaps because some of them exist in a grey area between theme parks and other types of attractions.
Despite their lack of major rides, I find that these small, local parks can be far more charming and atmospheric than the larger parks that we tend to focus on. As such, I'm sure that many of us will have fond memories of these attractions.
Just off the top of my head, here's a list of parks that I think fit into this category:
Blackgang Chine
Sundown Adventureland
Flambards
The Gullivers parks (although they don't help themselves by banning all adults without children)
First off, I'm going to make the case for Watermouth Castle. It's a park that I don't think many people are aware of located on the North Devon coast near Ilfracombe.
The attraction is essentially split into two halves. The fist half takes place in the Victorian country house from which the attraction takes its name. This section comprises of a series of small museums, collections and curiosities. These include the castle's great hall which houses suits of armour and a collection of hand carts. There's a collection of vintage pier-end slot machines, a model railway, vintage punch card organs and a dancing fountains show that was originally installed at the 1951 Festival of Britain. You can also visit the dungeons where you will find a sinister maze, a hall of mirrors, various craft workshops and a collection of classic arcade machines.
This section of Watermouth has an old-world charm about it that is now rare in larger parks. Although I can't speak from experience, I reckon it's the closest thing you can find today to Alton during the Broome era when the park was full of small museums, funhouses and other diversions alongside the rides.
Once you leave the castle, you enter the theme park which is located on the hillside behind the house. The park is set amongst lush gardens overlooking the coast. Here, you can find a selection of small family and kiddie rides. However, the non-ride attractions are perhaps most interesting as they are all so quaint and full of character.
The park is split into themed areas:
In Gnome Land you can find a series of animated figures in miniature buildings going about their daily life.
It's also the location of the panning for gold attraction, the Camera Obscura and the Tilting House.
Adventure Land contains most of the 'headline' rides which includes the Big River Ride, the Cooking Pot Ride and the Snail Trail Ride. There's also a crazy golf course and one of the park's two musical shows featuring a band of animatronic dogs.
Finally, Merry-Go-Land contains a carousel, swing boats and a Zamperla Mini Jet. Here you can also find an extensive water playground, the Haunted Mill, a hedge maze, a Trommel tunnel and a shadow wall. There's also the Snake Tube slide which is notable for being the longest in the world.
For a park of Watermouth's size, the theming efforts are extremely good. There are several animatronics dotted about the park. Whilst they may not be the most advanced in the world, they fulfill their purpose and do a great job of adding to the atmosphere.
Overall, Watermouth Castle is a very high quality attraction with tons of character. There's a huge number of things to see and do both inside and outside. Despite its small size, I would still say it's still a park that can take up a full day.
Website: http://www.watermouthcastle.com/
Despite their lack of major rides, I find that these small, local parks can be far more charming and atmospheric than the larger parks that we tend to focus on. As such, I'm sure that many of us will have fond memories of these attractions.
Just off the top of my head, here's a list of parks that I think fit into this category:
Blackgang Chine
Sundown Adventureland
Flambards
The Gullivers parks (although they don't help themselves by banning all adults without children)
First off, I'm going to make the case for Watermouth Castle. It's a park that I don't think many people are aware of located on the North Devon coast near Ilfracombe.
The attraction is essentially split into two halves. The fist half takes place in the Victorian country house from which the attraction takes its name. This section comprises of a series of small museums, collections and curiosities. These include the castle's great hall which houses suits of armour and a collection of hand carts. There's a collection of vintage pier-end slot machines, a model railway, vintage punch card organs and a dancing fountains show that was originally installed at the 1951 Festival of Britain. You can also visit the dungeons where you will find a sinister maze, a hall of mirrors, various craft workshops and a collection of classic arcade machines.
This section of Watermouth has an old-world charm about it that is now rare in larger parks. Although I can't speak from experience, I reckon it's the closest thing you can find today to Alton during the Broome era when the park was full of small museums, funhouses and other diversions alongside the rides.
Once you leave the castle, you enter the theme park which is located on the hillside behind the house. The park is set amongst lush gardens overlooking the coast. Here, you can find a selection of small family and kiddie rides. However, the non-ride attractions are perhaps most interesting as they are all so quaint and full of character.
The park is split into themed areas:
In Gnome Land you can find a series of animated figures in miniature buildings going about their daily life.
It's also the location of the panning for gold attraction, the Camera Obscura and the Tilting House.
Adventure Land contains most of the 'headline' rides which includes the Big River Ride, the Cooking Pot Ride and the Snail Trail Ride. There's also a crazy golf course and one of the park's two musical shows featuring a band of animatronic dogs.
Finally, Merry-Go-Land contains a carousel, swing boats and a Zamperla Mini Jet. Here you can also find an extensive water playground, the Haunted Mill, a hedge maze, a Trommel tunnel and a shadow wall. There's also the Snake Tube slide which is notable for being the longest in the world.
For a park of Watermouth's size, the theming efforts are extremely good. There are several animatronics dotted about the park. Whilst they may not be the most advanced in the world, they fulfill their purpose and do a great job of adding to the atmosphere.
Overall, Watermouth Castle is a very high quality attraction with tons of character. There's a huge number of things to see and do both inside and outside. Despite its small size, I would still say it's still a park that can take up a full day.
Website: http://www.watermouthcastle.com/
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