Gulliver's Theme Parks
Author
Discussion

Radec

Original Poster:

5,379 posts

70 months

Wednesday 5th April 2023
quotequote all
I keep seeing adverts for this on TV.
My kids are still little yet and not bothered about white knuckle rides, the bigger parks etc, having never been to one of these, they seem to be a good fit to spend a day at.

However I've seen that there's 4 of them, 3 up north (Warrington/Matlock/Sheffield) and 1 in Milton Keynes.

Just wondering if anyone has been to any of the 3 northern ones and can recommend or point out any differences in which ones the best.

Also not looking for any alternative recommendations either please.

TIA

Prisoner 24601

631 posts

71 months

Wednesday 5th April 2023
quotequote all
I can recommend the one in Matlock. We had a good time. We got there the day before, had fish and chip dinner along the waterfront. We also stayed at the YHA which was an experience in itself!! :-)

Your Dad

2,142 posts

206 months

Thursday 6th April 2023
quotequote all
Matlock one has numerous other things to see & do close by, Sheffield one isn't in Sheffield and is nestled between an industrial estate and a lackluster country park.

rustyuk

4,706 posts

234 months

Thursday 6th April 2023
quotequote all
As parks go the Warrington one is the best out of the three. However, the clientele on our visit looked like they were all out of prison on remand.

The Matlock Bath Park is built into a step hillside, bit of a pain if you have push chairs etc, but at least you won't get stabbed.

Personally I wouldn't travel any great distance to visit any of them.

Not sure where you are located but Sundown Adenture Land near Newark is great for littleones






Edited by rustyuk on Thursday 6th April 07:49

phil-sti

2,950 posts

202 months

Thursday 6th April 2023
quotequote all
rustyuk said:
As parks go the Warrington one is the best out of the three. However, the clientele on our visit looked like they were all out of prison on remand.

The Matlock Bath Park is built into a step hillside, bit of a pain if you have push chairs etc, but at least you won't get stabbed.

Not sure where you are located but Sundown Adenture Land near Newark is great for littleones
Warrington is good but, like has been mentioned, it is a little bit council.

rustyuk

4,706 posts

234 months

Thursday 6th April 2023
quotequote all
phil-sti said:
rustyuk said:
As parks go the Warrington one is the best out of the three. However, the clientele on our visit looked like they were all out of prison on remand.

The Matlock Bath Park is built into a step hillside, bit of a pain if you have push chairs etc, but at least you won't get stabbed.

Not sure where you are located but Sundown Adenture Land near Newark is great for littleones
Warrington is good but, like has been mentioned, it is a little bit council.
Just a bit, I'm originally from Mansfield and I felt posh walking around!

Kids enjoyed the day out though.

Radec

Original Poster:

5,379 posts

70 months

Thursday 6th April 2023
quotequote all
Cheers people, looks like the Matlock one is edging it so far.

Plus I can go to Bakewell and pick up some tarts

Trustmeimadoctor

14,276 posts

178 months

Thursday 6th April 2023
quotequote all
Radec said:
Plus I can go to Bakewell and pick up some tarts
Couldn't you do that at Warrington too wink

Radec

Original Poster:

5,379 posts

70 months

Thursday 6th April 2023
quotequote all
Trustmeimadoctor said:
Radec said:
Plus I can go to Bakewell and pick up some tarts
Couldn't you do that at Warrington too wink
That reminds me, is Mr Smith's still open up there?

Scabutz

8,707 posts

103 months

Thursday 6th April 2023
quotequote all
I live in MK and used to go regularly when the kids were small. Not been for a few years. It was ok, but pretty tired and dated, most rides were fairly tame, they did install new roller coaster that span round which was a bit more interesting.

williamp

20,108 posts

296 months

Thursday 6th April 2023
quotequote all
Yeah we love the matlock bath one. Great for younger children and ewrly teens. But it can be very steep. We start at the top and work down. Theres also two entrances. The one half way up the car park also helpsmwith tired legs.

And if you're in the area more than 1 day..

https://greatbritishcarjourney.com

eliot

11,988 posts

277 months

Thursday 6th April 2023
quotequote all
williamp said:
And if you're in the area more than 1 day..

https://greatbritishcarjourney.com
Yes worth a visit

Wacky Racer

40,610 posts

270 months

Thursday 6th April 2023
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Taking the grand daughter to Warrington on Sunday,

We took her last year and she loved it.

Never been to the one at Matlock Bath but I know where it is, maybe next year.

blingybongy

4,072 posts

169 months

Friday 7th April 2023
quotequote all
Radec said:
Cheers people, looks like the Matlock one is edging it so far.

Plus I can go to Bakewell and pick up some puddings
Edited that for you.
I live a couple of miles from the Matlock Bath one and took my daughter many times when she was small.
It's a bit homespun but clean, not an utter rip off and a friendly place.


P.S. it isn't in Matlock, if you go to Matlock you will be in the wrong place. It's in Matlock Bath.

944 Man

1,852 posts

155 months

Friday 7th April 2023
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Radec said:
Cheers people, looks like the Matlock one is edging it so far.

Plus I can go to Bakewell and pick up some tarts
You need to go to Mr Kipling for Bakewell tarts. If you are in Bakewell then you will find Bakewell pudding. This is similar to the nondescript puddingy lower layer in the tart. Mr Kipling has not been to Bakewell.

I wouldn't go to any "Gulliver's". The original in Matlock Bath was a model village that he kept expanding. It is built on a very steep hillside and there is nowhere to park. The latest, on the outskirts of South West Sheffield, which I believe is called "Gulliver's Valley" is different and intended for small children, without much in the way of rides. I used to live next door to GK on Temple Walk so I am extremely familiar with this, but the overview of the 'Valley' was given to me by a fawning employee when I visited through work when it was being built. He loved the fellow who owns it, but I am less enthusiastic about him, knowing him as I do.

944 Man

1,852 posts

155 months

Friday 7th April 2023
quotequote all
blingybongy said:
Edited that for you.
I live a couple of miles from the Matlock Bath one and took my daughter many times when she was small.
It's a bit homespun but clean, not an utter rip off and a friendly place.


P.S. it isn't in Matlock, if you go to Matlock you will be in the wrong place. It's in Matlock Bath.
People who refer to the village of Matlock Bath as 'Matlock', a town two miles away, should all be killed (somewhere else).

Sarkmeister

1,690 posts

241 months

Friday 7th April 2023
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We took our 6 and 3 yr olds to the Matlock Bath one last year. It's a little run down in some areas but they loved it and it was relatively cheap compared to full size theme parks. Matlock Bath or Matlock are both worth a walk around after as well.

It is mentioned above that there is no parking, but there was lots when we went.

mcmigo

190 posts

176 months

Saturday 8th April 2023
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Kids love the gullivers parks but if you go expecting Alton towers you will be incredibly disappointed. I went to the MK one a lot with my kids when they were young and the rides are laughable.
One space mountain style coaster is effectively a small coaster in a shed, and the ride operator turns the lights on and off with a normal light switch. However , kids up to 10 don’t care and love it. No queues really and lots of rides on the small ish site. I would defo take a packed lunch as the food options are utterly inedible.

944 Man

1,852 posts

155 months

Saturday 8th April 2023
quotequote all
Sarkmeister said:
It is mentioned above that there is no parking, but there was lots when we went.
Yes, exaggerated to some degree, but it is frequently overly busy and parking in Matlock Bath has always been an issue. This is amplified when you live there.

Dan_1981

17,959 posts

222 months

Saturday 8th April 2023
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Been to both Matlock and Sheffield with our 6 and 3 year old.

I also went to the Matlock one when I was young!

If I had to choose it'd be Sheffield, the Matlock one is showing it's age a little.

On the other hand Matlock is in a better location.