Gulliver's Kingdom facts for kids
Gulliver's Kingdom
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| Location | Matlock Bath, Derbyshire, England |
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| Status | Open |
| Opened | 1978 |
| Slogan | Giant Adventures for Families |
| Operating season | Selected dates throughout the year |
| Website | https://www.gulliverskingdomresort.co.uk |
Gulliver's Kingdom is a special theme park in Matlock Bath, England. It's made for children aged 3 to 13, offering lots of fun and adventure. Ray Phillips started the park in 1978, and his family still owns and runs it today.
Gulliver's Kingdom is part of a bigger family of parks. These include Gulliver's World in Warrington, Gulliver's Land in Milton Keynes, and Gulliver's Valley in Rotherham. Ray Phillips first created the park as a small model village for his own children to enjoy. It's also near where an old rollercoaster, called the Victorian Switchback, used to be. The park's main rollercoaster is named after it!
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The Story of Gulliver's Kingdom
Gulliver's Kingdom opened its doors in 1978. A few years later, in the early 1980s, the Gulliver’s Woodland Lodge Hotel and Chalets also opened. This meant families could stay right at the park. In 2017, the hotel area got a fresh new look and was renamed the Explorers Retreat.
Exciting Areas and Rides
Gulliver's Kingdom has many different themed areas, each with its own rides and attractions. Here are some of the fun zones you can explore:
Western World
Step into the Wild West! Here you'll find the Log Flume, a water ride where you splash down a log chute. There's also the Silver Mine, a Western Play Town, and an Indian Play Area for exploring.
Safari Kingdom
Get ready for an adventure in Safari Kingdom. You can ride the Flying Raft or experience the Tree Top Drop. There are also Safari Dodgems for bumping fun. This area is also where you'll find the top entrance for the park's chairlift.
The Lost World
Journey back in time to the land of dinosaurs! The Lost World features the Dino Falls Water Slide and Dino Cars. You can also explore a Dinosaur Play area and try a Fossil Dig.
The Party House
This area is home to some classic rides like the Ladybirds, the Fish Ride, and the Jumping Star. It's a great spot for younger visitors to enjoy gentle thrills.
JCB Zone
In the JCB Zone, kids can become construction workers for a day! This interactive area has real JCB Diggers that children can operate and play with.
Lilliput Land
Discover the Crazy Barrels, a spinning ride that will make you giggle. Lilliput Land also features a charming Model Village, perfect for a relaxing stroll.
Toyland
Toyland is where you'll find the thrilling Switchback Coaster. You can also pedal your way on the Magic Bikes or enjoy a calm ride on the Monorail. There are Moon Buggies and a Play Area too.
Lilliput Woods
Explore the woods and ride the Log Coaster. For those who love a challenge, there's the Crows Nest Quest and a Climbing Wall.
Smugglers Wharf
This area is all about pirates! Ride the Double Decker Carousel or join Percy Pigs Pirate Adventure. You can also brave the Pirate Ship ride.
Bourbon Street
Bourbon Street is where you'll find the bottom entrance for the park's chairlift. It's a lively area with places to eat and relax.
Explorers Retreat: Stay at the Park
In 2017, Gulliver's made their on-site accommodation even better, calling it the Explorers Retreat. Here, families can stay in cool themed rooms like Pirate Cabins, Princess Suites, or Wizard Suites. The hotel lounge and outdoor areas were also updated, and a new outdoor play area was added. The Explorers Retreat is perfect for families, large groups, or anyone wanting to explore the beautiful Peak District nearby.
The Lost World: Land of the Living Dinosaurs
In 2018, the dinosaur area was updated and renamed "The Lost World: Land of the Living Dinosaurs." This exciting attraction features amazing animatronic dinosaurs that move and make sounds, making them seem alive! You can even take a photo with "Terence," a friendly dinosaur trained by the park team. It's a very popular spot for kids.
Pirate Training Camp
Gulliver's Kingdom launched the Pirate Training Camp in 2017. A highlight is the Crows Nest Quest, a challenging high ropes course that stands 17 meters (about 56 feet) tall! It's a great way to test your courage and balance.
Park Facilities
Gulliver's Kingdom has two entrances because the car parks are spread out on a hillside. You'll find shops at both entrances where you can buy souvenirs. When you get hungry, there are several places to eat, like The Happy Haddock, Tamu Feast, and the Canyon Grill. In 2018, a Costa Coffee was also added near the bottom entrance.
The main park is open during certain times of the year. It's usually open from Easter through the summer, and then on weekends in September and October, leading up to Halloween.
Meet the Gully Gang!
The park is home to its own friendly characters, known as the Gully Gang. This group includes Gully Mouse, Gilly Mouse, Percy Pig, and Leonard Lion. These characters often meet visitors and pose for pictures. In 2017, the Smurfs visited the park, and in 2018, Johnny and Mavis from Hotel Transylvania 3 came for a "Monster Vacation."
In 2018, Gulliver's Kingdom celebrated its 40th Anniversary! To mark this special occasion, they held a daily "Ruby Jubilee Street Party" in Bourbon Street. Here, you could enjoy High Tea, delicious cakes, and a visit from Gully Mouse.
Popular Rides at Gulliver's Kingdom
Here are some of the exciting rides you can find at Gulliver's Kingdom:
- Chair Lift: This ride takes you up and down the hillside, offering great views of the park.
- Pirate Ship: A classic pirate ship ride that swings back and forth, giving you a thrilling feeling.
- Percy's Pirate Adventure: Also known as the 'Lazy River', this water ride is a gentle journey for all ages.
- Double Decker Carousel: A beautiful carousel with two floors, offering plenty of horses to ride.
- Log Coaster: A small steel rollercoaster, perfect for first-time riders.
- Crows Nest Quest: A high ropes course where you can test your balance and courage.
- Cycle Monorail: Pedal your way along a track high above the park, enjoying the views.
- Gully's Magic Bikes: Pedal faster to make your bike fly higher on this fun spinning ride.
- Dino Explorer Cars: Take a slow, gentle ride through the Lost Kingdom in these themed cars.
- Dino Falls: A dinghy slide with two different tracks to choose from for a splashy descent.
- Crazy Barrel Ride: A spinning ride themed like giant barrels, sure to make you dizzy with fun.
- Jumping Star: A small drop tower that gives you a fun, gentle bounce.
- Ladybird ride: A flat ride where you can spin around in ladybird-themed vehicles.
- Fish ride: Another flat ride where you can enjoy a gentle spin in fish-shaped cars.
- The Flying Raft: This ride swings you back and forth like a magic carpet in the air.
- Tree Top Drop: A tower ride that lifts you up and then drops you down for a thrilling experience.
- Safari Dodgems: Bump and bash your way around in these fun safari-themed bumper cars.
- Log Flume: A classic water ride where you float in a log and then splash down a big drop.
- Silver Mine Ride: An indoor dark ride that takes you on an adventure through a silver mine.
