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Every supplier is vetted for quality, reliability, and value so you only get top rated experiences. No surprises, no disappointments.
Each experience is thoughtfully organised to give you maximum availability, great value and an easy way to choose.
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Begin at either the Main Entrance by Thomas Land or Entrance 2, where your ticket is scanned before you enter the park. Arriving close to opening time gives you the best chance to experience the most popular rides before queues build, especially during weekends and school holidays.
The resort is divided into 4 themed areas. Adventure Cove features major thrill rides, Frontier Falls combines family attractions with a Wild West setting, Vikings brings Norse-inspired rides and coasters, and Thomas Land offers 25+ attractions for younger visitors.
From adrenaline-filled coasters to gentler family attractions, the ride lineup offers plenty of variety. Take on The Wave, brave the backwards splash of Stormforce 10, or slow the pace on River Rapids. Visit the zoo, home to capybaras, meerkats and red pandas, with behind-the-scenes animal encounters available separately
Enjoy a mix of restaurants, cafés, and picnic areas throughout the resort, making it easy to take a break without leaving the park. Family facilities, including baby-changing and rest areas, are available, while the central pathways make it straightforward to move between themed lands and the zoo.
Depending on when you visit, your day may include seasonal extras. Halloween brings themed attractions and entertainment, while the Christmas event adds festive decorations and family experiences. For something different, The Wave Track Walk offers a behind-the-scenes look at the coaster on selected evenings after closing.
Theme: A Thomas & Friends-themed land created for young children and families.
Highlights:
Tip: Visit early in the day, as Thomas Land is one of the park's most popular areas for families with younger children.
Theme: A coastal-themed land combining family attractions with headline thrill rides.
Highlights:
Tip: Head here soon after opening if The Wave is your priority, as it often attracts the longest queues.
Theme: A Wild West-inspired area featuring adventure rides and family attractions.
Highlights:
Tip: Ride Stormforce 10 earlier in the day or later in the afternoon if you want to avoid its busiest periods.
Theme: A Norse-inspired land with high-thrill and family rides.
Highlights:
Tip: This area appeals most to older children and thrill-seekers, making it a good stop once you've finished exploring Thomas Land.
Theme: A 15-acre zoo home to animals from around the world.
Highlights:
Tip: Allow at least an hour to explore the zoo, especially if you've booked an animal encounter.
| Ride name | Zone | Description | Height restrictions | Thrill level | Avg. wait time | Ride type | Best time to ride |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
The Wave | Adventure Cove | Looping steel coaster and park headliner. Look out for the tall vertical loop. | 1.2 m (3 ft 11 in) | High | 30–60 min | Steel roller coaster | Early morning |
Maelstrom | Adventure Cove | Outward-facing swing that spins high above the lake. | 1.3 m (4 ft 3 in) | High | 30–60 min | Gyro swing pendulum | Late afternoon |
River Rapids | Adventure Cove | Spinning rafts drift through a fishing-port course. | 1.0 m (3 ft 3 in) | Medium | 20–40 min | River rapids water ride | Warm afternoons |
Stormforce 10 | Adventure Cove | Multi-drop boat ride with strong splashes. | 1.2 m (3 ft 11 in) | High | 30–60 min | Splash boat water ride | Early afternoon |
Troublesome Trucks | Thomas Land | Family coaster with gentle hills and tight curves. | 0.9 m (2 ft 11 in) | Medium | 20–40 min | Family roller coaster | Morning |
Thomas & Percy’s Railway | Thomas Land | Gentle train ride around Thomas Land. | None | Low | 15–30 min | Scenic train ride | Late morning |
The Haunting | Frontier Falls | Story-led haunted-house attraction. | 1.2 m (3 ft 11 in) | Medium | 20–40 min | Haunted dark ride | Early afternoon |
Accelerator | Frontier Falls | Compact launch coaster with tight turns. | 1.0 m (3 ft 3 in) | Medium | 20–40 min | Family launched coaster | Early morning |
Thor | Vikings | Spinning disk ride on raised track. | 1.2 m (3 ft 11 in) | High | 20–40 min | Spinning disk coaster | Late morning |
Jormungandr | Vikings | Serpent-themed family coaster with dragon detailing. | 0.9 m (2 ft 11 in) | Medium | 15–30 min | Family roller coaster | Late afternoon |
Explore the 15-acre zoo, home to animals including red pandas, capybaras, meerkats, and primates. Daily keeper talks and feeding sessions offer a closer look at the animals and the zoo's conservation work.
Pro tip: Check the daily schedule when you arrive so you don't miss the keeper talks and feeding sessions.
Get closer to the animals with pre-booked experiences such as the Capybara Encounter, Meerkat Encounter, or Andean Bear Encounter. These small-group sessions are led by experienced keepers and offer behind-the-scenes access.
Pro tip: Animal experiences have limited capacity and should be booked well in advance.
Discover over 25 Thomas & Friends™ rides and attractions, meet favourite characters, and enjoy family rides including Thomas, Rosie & Percy Engine Tours.
Pro tip: Head to Thomas Land soon after opening to enjoy shorter queues on its most popular attractions.
Experience The Wave from a different perspective with a guided behind-the-scenes walk along sections of the coaster's maintenance track. Learn about the ride's engineering and daily operation from trained staff.
Pro tip: The Wave Track Walk operates on selected dates only and requires advance booking.
Visit during Halloween at Drayton Manor or Magical Christmas to enjoy themed entertainment, festive decorations, seasonal attractions, and special character appearances available for a limited time.
Pro tip: Seasonal events are popular and often sell out, so book early if you're visiting during school holidays.
Enjoy live shows, character appearances, and seasonal entertainment available on selected operating days throughout the year. Performance schedules vary depending on the season.
Pro tip: Pick up the entertainment schedule or check the official app after entering the park to plan your day around showtimes.
Wondering whether Drayton Manor Resort is suitable for younger children? It absolutely is. While the park offers thrill rides for older guests, much of the resort is designed with families in mind, making it easy to fill an entire day without worrying about finding age-appropriate attractions.
With dedicated children's attractions, practical family facilities, and plenty of opportunities to slow the pace when needed, Drayton Manor Resort is well equipped for an enjoyable day out with young visitors.
When: 4, 5, 11 & 12 July 2026
Enjoy a lively country-themed celebration with live music, themed entertainment, roaming performers, and family-friendly activities that bring a fresh atmosphere to the park on selected summer weekends.
When: October 2026
See the resort transformed with spooky decorations, themed entertainment, seasonal attractions, and character appearances, offering Halloween fun for families throughout October.
When: 31 October & 1 November 2026
Round off your day with one of Drayton Manor's biggest annual events, featuring extended opening hours, Halloween entertainment, and a spectacular fireworks display after dark.
When: November & December 2026
Experience the resort dressed in festive lights and Christmas decorations, with seasonal entertainment, family activities, and magical festive moments throughout the park.
When: Between Christmas & New Year (selected dates, December 2026)
Keep the festive celebrations going with selected rides, seasonal entertainment, and a relaxed holiday atmosphere, making the most of the days before the New Year.
Pro tip: Thomas Land gets busy from late morning, so ride its top attractions right at opening.
Pro tip: A Fast Pass can cut waits on headline attractions during busy weekends and school holidays..
Pro tip: Premium experiences like The Wave Track Walk and animal encounters have limited daily spots, so book ahead.
Address: Drayton Manor Resort, Drayton Manor Drive, Near Tamworth, Staffordshire, B78 3TW.
The resort sits just outside Tamworth in Staffordshire, easily reached from Birmingham and the M42.
A mix of sit-down restaurants and grab-and-go kiosks spread across the park's different themed zones.
Turn your day trip into a getaway at the on-site, 4-star Drayton Manor Hotel, just steps from the park gates.
Standard 1-day tickets give entry to the whole resort including all open rides, Thomas Land, and the zoo, but do not include extras such as parking or fast-track passes.
Yes. Booking an entry at least 2 weeks in advance is strongly recommended to secure your visit date, especially during peak periods.
Dated tickets fix your visit day at a lower price. Flexible tickets cost more but let you choose any valid day, ideal if your plans might shift.
Yes, standard tickets include access to Thomas Land as part of the overall park admission.
Yes — ask for a hand stamp at the exit before you leave, and it lets you walk straight back into the park later the same day.
The park doesn't refund tickets for bad weather, but adding the Rainy Day Guarantee for £2pp secures a free return visit if over 4mm of rain falls.
Booking dated tickets online is cheaper than paying on the gate, and offers like Kids Go Free or Tesco Clubcard vouchers can cut costs further for larger families.
Very much so — the resort offers an Adult & Toddler ticket, and Thomas Land is built around gentle, toddler-friendly rides and characters.
Yes — baby changing is available in every toilet block, with a dedicated nursing point near Safari Pizza and Pasta, and staff can flag dietary needs at any food outlet.
