Dianne Bourne went to Gulliver’s World with her kids and realised it’s one of the best value-for-money family days out in the region
For a brilliant family day out, there’s one destination that offers exceptional value whilst keeping youngsters thoroughly entertained. Manchester Evening News lifestyle editor Dianne Bourne ventured to Gulliver’s World with her children and discovered this theme park is seriously underrated.
According to Dianne, the Warrington attraction is “arguably one of the best value-for-money family days out in the region”. Daily passes start from just £14 per person, available through “secret sales” on Gulliver’s official website.
During Dianne’s visit on a glorious Sunday at the beginning of school holidays – likely the busiest and most “peak” period possible – day passes were priced at £25 per person, or £16 for afternoon entry, reports the Express.
She wrote: “Even at £25 per person, I found it to be excellent value, considering the enjoyable full day I spent here with my two children, aged nine and five.”
Gulliver’s frequently gets overshadowed in the theme park hierarchy, especially given its proximity to the enormous Alton Towers.
Whilst it might not rival adult thrill-seekers’ expectations, Gulliver’s targets the family demographic specifically, featuring attractions tailored for ages two to 13.
Dianne observed: “I was quite impressed that even during peak times, queue lengths never exceeded thirty minutes for any attraction.”
Those who haven’t been to this Cheshire theme park in a while will be amazed by the fantastic new additions. The standout feature is The Land of Oz, which was Dianne’s family’s starting point for their day out.
This magical new area takes its cues from the much-loved Wizard of Oz story and its unforgettable characters.
Dianne said: “Visitors can stroll, or dash as my children did, along a yellow brick road… inevitably humming ‘follow the yellow brick road’ repeatedly – if you’re anything like me.”
The first sight that greets guests is the Upside Down House, where you can wander around and marvel at the rather puzzling spectacle of it all, before exiting via a huge slide (adults included) at the end.
Dianne added: “My younger son was particularly fascinated by the twitching limbs of the Wicked Witch pinned beneath the house.”
Next to the house is a child-friendly driving experience where little ones think they’re in charge – and they’ll probably enjoy spotting a munchkin (and other colourful characters) along the forest path.
However, the most striking new attraction in this part of the theme park has to be the Winged Monkeys. These creatures from the classic Wizard of Oz have haunted many a dream over the years.
Yet here at Gulliver’s World, visitors can climb aboard one of these spooky creatures as they glide through the air. The brilliant thing about this attraction is that older kids (and grown-ups) can choose to hit a button to flip upside down for an even more thrilling experience, whilst younger ones can simply enjoy the journey as the monkeys bounce up and down.
Dianne revealed: “My nine-year-old dared to try one spin in the monkey before deciding to remain upright for the remainder of the ride, much to my relief.”
Following all the thrills of the new Land of Oz, Dianne chose to explore Western World and was delighted to discover just a brief queue for one of the most beloved attractions, Apache Falls.
She explained: “This ride is a bit of a hybrid between a Rapids ride and a log flume, and one thing’s for sure – you’re going to get wet. Not that my children minded, they absolutely loved it.”
Meanwhile, Gully’s Cartoon Studios serves as an excellent spot for lunch and features an extra soft play zone inside the restaurant. Dianne noted: “It’s these little extras that make a day out like this more manageable for parents, I believe. The soft play provided a distraction for the kids while I queued for our hot food at the takeaway.”
There’s so much on offer that Dianne and her family couldn’t experience all the attractions. She commented: “One of the things I adore about Gulliver’s World is its compact layout, making it easy to navigate and ensuring everything feels within reach.
“The park is also visually appealing, boasting plenty of greenery and a large pool at its centre, home to numerous ducks and moorhens that kept the children entertained during our brief ice cream break.”
Compared to other family attractions like the Trafford Centre Summer Funfair where Dianne once spent £64 on rides for two children over just two hours, plus an entrance fee of £10.50 for three of them, Gulliver’s World (which cost £75 for three) offers incredible value for a full day out.
Dianne stated: “I would highly recommend it for anyone looking to entertain children under 12 during the school summer holidays. If you can be flexible with your dates, keep an eye out for those £14 tickets too.”