Drayton Manor is one of the largest family run theme parks in the UK, and since 2008 has been home to Thomas Land, a large children's area dedicated to Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends.
Drayton Manor is one of the largest family run theme parks in the UK, and since 2008 has been home to Thomas Land, a large children's area dedicated to Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends.
| Opened | October 1949 |
|---|---|
| Season | March to early November |
| Owner | Looping Group |
| Website | www.draytonmanor.co.uk |
| Nearby | Abbey Park Fun Fair (25 miles) Alton Towers (27 miles) West Midland Safari Park (29 miles) Gulliver's Kingdom (36 miles) Xtreme Scream Park (38 miles) |
Maelstrom and G-Force
Built in the grounds of the former manor which gives the park its name, Drayton Manor is a large theme park near Birmingham.
George and Vera Bryan bought the site after the Second World War and opened a small children's amusement park. This was soon joined by a zoo, which is still a major feature at the park today.
George and Vera's son Colin became Managing Director of Drayton Manor in 1973, and under his leadership the park grew into a major theme park as he oversaw ride installations such as Shockwave, one of only two European stand up rollercoasters; Stormforce 10, a very wet flume ride themed around an RNLI rescue; and Apocalypse, a 177ft tall drop tower.
One of Drayton Manor's most successful recent additions is Thomas Land, a large area dedicated to Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends. It has proved a major hit with children and young families, and has seen several expansions since it first opened in 2008.
Sadly, having been a family owned park for seventy years, Drayton Manor entered administration in 2020 due to losses resulting from the Coronavirus pandemic. Thankfully the park was rescued after being sold to the Looping Group, a European leisure park company.
Investigate reports of paranormal activity inside the vicarage at Drayton Green
Take a voyage in a flying boat
Chair-o-planes
Showing 4D movies throughout the day
Traditional fairground carousel
Sail across the seven seas
Ride a mythical Viking horse
Train ride beside the lake
Slides and climbing
Large zoo featuring primates, reptiles and birds
Family friendly runaway truck themed rollercoaster
Monorail over Thomas Land
Launch up and drop back down Cranky's crane tower
Fly high into the sky with Harold the Helicopter
Train ride with Thomas, Percy and Rosie to the zoo and back
Take a ride aboard the Blue Mountain Engines
Take a flight in a hot air balloon
Take a flight from Sodor Airport
Spinning and tilting tram
Rockin' Tug at Sodor Docks
Water cannon fun on the ocean
Drive a car around the Sodor countryside
Bertie reaches into the sky
Climb the ladder and help put out the fire with the big hose
Engine themed carousel for small children
Take a driving lession with Terence
Outdoor playground
Indoor soft play
Exhibition of old fashioned penny arcade machines
Live entertainment on the station balcony throughout the day in the heart of Thomas Land
Huge range of Thomas the Tank Engine toys and gifts
Gift shop in Adventure Cove
Toys and gifts
Chocolate, sweets and confectionery
Small sweet shop
Exclusive Thomas Land souvenirs
Indoor amusement arcade
Arcade between Stormforce 10 and Shockwave
Cafe serving coffee and sandwiches
Traditional fish and chips by the lake
Outdoor bar serving alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
Small cafe with indoor seating
Hot dogs, donuts, waffles and ice creams
Standing Room Only 4: ECC Trip 2013