Drayton Manor reopens – Saturday 15th March
The award-winning Drayton Manor Theme Park, near Tamworth, Staffordshire, will open for its 2008 season on Saturday 15th March – and  what a year it promises to be!
The park’s 59th consecutive year of entertaining visitors of all ages will be the biggest yet with the grand unveiling of its newest attraction – Europe’s first Thomas Land, based on the ever-popular Thomas & Friends™ series.
Approximately 6,000sq m of the existing park has been transformed into Sodor, the magical home of Thomas the Tank and Engine.
This £4.5m attraction boasts 12 themed rides based on characters, including Thomas, Harold the Helicopter and the Troublesome Trucks, as well as a large indoor play area, café and a shop where fans can chose from a massive range of Thomas goodies.
This major new addition to Drayton Manor’s already fantastic array of attractions will delight the young and young at heart.
But, for the more adventurous, Drayton Manor also offers a host of white-knuckle rides, including The Bounty. This beautifully themed boat swings back and forth above the lake reaching an angle of up to 75 degrees and riders experience sensations of relative weightlessness.
 G-Force takes thrill-seeking roller coaster fans through a series of high-banked twists and turns at speeds of up to 70km/h at 4.3 Gs, whilst hanging by the hip. Meanwhile, Apocalypse is the world’s first stand-up tower drop, Shockwave is Europe’s only stand-up rollercoaster and Stormforce 10 is one of the best water rides in the country.
For lovers of the animal kingdom, Drayton Manor Zoo is home to more than 100 species from all over the world, including big cats, reptiles, birds of prey and primates.
Colin Bryan, Managing Director of Drayton Manor Theme Park, commented: “Everyone at the park is very excited about the 2008 season. The opening of Thomas Land will be a wonderful new chapter in the park’s long and illustrious history. But Drayton Manor is not just about Thomas Land. Our park has something for everyone.”
The 2008 season will close of Sunday 2nd November following a weekend of spectacular firework displays. Keep an eye on the park’s website - www.draytonmanor.co.uk - for full details of events in 2008.
Drayton Manor Theme Park was first opened to the public by the Bryan family in 1950, after co-founders, husband and wife, George and Vera Bryan, converted 80 acres of land into a wonderful family pleasure resort.
Almost 60 years later, Drayton Manor has been transformed into an award-winning attraction located in approximately 280 acres of beautiful parkland and packed with amazing rides for all ages.
Drayton Manor remains a family owned and run theme park and is one of the Midlands’ most popular attractions with over a million people visiting annually.
The park also features a first class 15-acre zoo that is home to more than 100 different animal species from around the world.
Supporting good causes
Drayton Manor Theme Park has a long and proud history of supporting a variety of charities and good causes. Throughout 2008, Drayton Manor will be the National Family Zone Sponsor of Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation UK (JDRF UK) and will support a number of Walk to Cure Diabetes events around the country.
These walks raise vital funds as JDRF UK continues to support research into finding a cure for type 1 diabetes and its complications. Type 1 diabetes affects an estimated 350,000 people across the country, including 20,000 children.
Drayton Manor also supports:
- Birmingham Children’s Hospital
- Whittington St Giles Hospice
- Tamworth Boxing Club
- Drayton Manor Boys Football club
- Drayton Manor MG Metro Racing Championship
- Tamworth Cricket Club
Awards
Drayton Manor Theme Park won the Best UK Value Destination Award in the Group Leisure Awards 2007, as well as a Silver Award for Large Visitor Attraction of the Year at The Excellence in Tourism Awards 2007.
Opening and closing times
The 2008 season begins on 15th March and runs until 2nd November. Rides operate from 10.30am to 5.30pm or 6pm depending on the time of year. The zoo is open throughout the year, except during certain dates each Christmas and New Year. For more information, see www.draytonmanor.co.uk or call the 24-hour information line on 0844 472 1950. Tickets can also be bought by calling the Ticket Hotline on 0844 472 1960.
The park’s full address is Drayton Manor Theme Park, near Tamworth, Staffordshire, B78 3TW.
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