AN often-overlooked theme park in the UK has been dubbed the best staycation destination for families – and is like going back in time.
Sundown Adventureland, in Nottinghamshire, has been raved about by a number of TikTok mums.
Jade, who runs the @our.rural.life on TikTok called the resort the “most family friendly UK staycation” for young children thanks to his fancy cabins and retro theme park.
The Crash Landings soft play area itself is huge, jungle-themed, is over four storeys high with the way down being on one of the three slides.
Inside there’s also a newly extended cafe with hot food, snacks, drinks, and wine, according to Jade.
In the on-site theme park, there are over 30 rides and attractions.
From the Giddy Piggies to the Jolly Pirate Boat Ride to Robin Hood’s Merry Adventure – the whole park is designed for children under ten.
The Lillipoppet Castle is a huge, sweet-inspired castle, and it even smells of liquorice when you go inside – there’s also an ice cream centrepiece.
Storybook Village is based on popular fairytales, think Humpty Dumpty and the Three Little Pigs, where children’s imaginations can run wild.
In addition to the variety of rides, there are also eight themed play areas including Shotgun City, a wild west town.
Fans of Westerns will enjoy the traditional saloon, complete with an animatronic sing-song show.
Other attractions include The Rocky Mountain Train Ride and a Shooting Gallery.
There is an Angry Birds themed land with a spinning egg ride[/caption]
Mum Jade raved about the the “spacious lodges” and “optional hot tub” that guests can stay in on-site at the Wild Acre Village.
She was also impressed with the extended opening hours of the soft play area, which has an opening time of 8am and a 9pm closing time in the summer months.
The park was also been recognised by TripAdvisor in their Travelers’ Choice Awards for 2024.
The ratings for Sundown Adventureland on TripAdvisor are an overall score of 4.5/5 with over 1,700 reviews.
One visitor said it was a very nostalgic experience, saying it was like “stepping right back into the 90’s/00’s – it was exactly like I remembered!”
Another agreed adding it was “largely unchanged” since they were a child in the early noughties.
Some of the lodges come with a hot tub and a BBQ[/caption]
Daily tickets for Sundown Adventureland are free for any child under 90cm.
For anyone over that height, the price varies from £16.50-£20 depending on the date and time of visiting.
Sundown Adventureland also offers special discounts for anyone with a services or blue light card, with a discounted ticket price of £10 (on certain dates).
They have discounted tickets on both Mother’s Day weekend and Father’s Day weekend.
For anyone wanting to spend more than a day at the park, you can book a stay at the Wild Acre Village which has cabins sleeping up to 10 people.
Prices start at £299 for a three night break and park tickets included in the price.
For other play inspiration, here is the world’s tallest play structure in the UK.
And another that has the ‘best kids’ place ever with a huge indoor play centre.
Shotgun City is WIld West inspired where you’ll find a saloon and shooting game[/caption]
Five incredible outdoor playgrounds for families
With warm weather approaching these are the perfect playgrounds to visit…
Fort Douglas Adventure Playground
Fort Douglas Adventure Playground is found in Scotland‘s Dalkeith Country Park. They’ve got a huge fort as well as zip lines, a jumping pillow, tube slides, a sky maze which is made from treehouses and rope bridges. For the little ones, they have a mini maze in a designated toddler area and a mini jumping pillow too.
Lilidorei at The Alnwick Garden, Northumberland
For the ultimate day out head to Lilidorei at The Alnwick Garden, which was created by the Duchess of Northumberland, Jane Percy. The magical kingdom has the largest play structure in the world standing at 26 metres high – taller than the Angel of the North. It’s based around a magical story with the play tower being Elfwin Drin castle, home to King of Lilidorei.
The Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Playground
This playground is centred around a wooden pirate ship, inspired by Peter Pan, and can be found in Kensington Gardens, London. The Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Playground also has a sensory trail, teepees, a beach around the pirate ship.
The Lost Castle Adventure Playground, Lake District
In the Lake District, you’ll find The Lost Castle Adventure Playground – and it’s literally set in the grounds of a ruined castle. Set within the ruins of Lowther Castle this is one of the largest playgrounds in the country with towers, slides, tunnels, bridges, zip wires, firepoles, sand pits, swings, rope bridges and climbing nets. You can take wheelchairs and pushchairs up onto the main castle play area too.
Great Play Park, Windsor
Hidden in the woodland next to The Savill Garden in Windsor, you’ll discover the Great Play Park, a world of walkways, slides, sculptures and treehouses. There are different areas for the park for smaller children like mini climbing calls, tree stump trails and swings. For the older children there’s lots to explore on the huge wooden climbing frame that also has slides and rope bridges.
The soft play centre also opens late in the summer months[/caption]
