| Paultons Park | |
| Location: | New Forest, Hampshire |
| Location2: | SO51 6AL |
| Location3: | England |
| Opening Date: | 17 May 1983 |
| Previous Names: | Paulton's Park, Paulton's Park and Bird Garden |
| Season: | February half term, Mid-March to October and selected dates in November and December |
| Area: | 140acres |
| Rides: | Over 70 rides and attractions |
| Coasters: | 7 |
| Water Rides: | 6 |
| Owner: | Richard Mancey |
| Homepage: | Paultons Park |
| Coordinates: | 50.9489°N -1.5524°W |
Paultons Park is an amusement park located in the New Forest National Park, near the village of Ower, in Hampshire, England, with over 70 rides and attractions. The park is situated on the former Paultons Estate, and covers 140 acres of land and features a collection of around 80 species of birds and animals, in addition to the rides. The park garnered international recognition in 2011, when it opened the Peppa Pig World themed area based on the children's animated television series Peppa Pig. The park has since opened the creature-themed area Critter Creek, the dinosaur-themed area Lost Kingdom and the Western-themed area Tornado Springs.
Most of the theme park rides are designed for children and families, which is why the park considers itself a family theme park. The nearest railway station is Totton which is 5.64 km away from the attraction.[1]
The park is located on land on the Paulton's Estate. In 1269 the land was in the possession of the Abbot of Glastonbury, who sold it to John de Palton. The estate has since been named after him. The land then passed down to John Touchet, who in 1497 led a rebellion against King Henry VII; Touchet was defeated, beheaded and his lands confiscated by the crown. The lands left royal ownership in 1547, when the newly crowned King Edward VI gave the estate to John Paulet. This continued until 1780 when Hans Sloane inherited the estate from Hans Stanley, who changed his name to Hans Sloane Stanley as a sign of gratitude. The estate, now covering 3000acres, was modelled and designed by Capability Brown in the 18th century.
Around 1945 the house was converted to a hotel. This use came to an end in 1954. The house was destroyed by fire in 1963.[2]
In 1979, John and Anne Mancey (parents of the current director, Richard Mancey) bought the derelict 500-acres Paultons Estate, restored the gardens and lake to their former glory and opened a fun park. Four years later, in 1983, Paultons Park opened as a country park and bird garden.
The theme park opened as Paultons Park and Bird Gardens on 17 May 1983. The park covered 140acres, with four staff members and attractions featuring only an adventure playground, the Village Life Museum located in a converted barn, and the numerous birds and animals.
Three years after the launch, the attractions were expanded with the Railway Station, Station Tea Rooms and Rio Grande Railway being constructed, alongside the Magic Forest, Kids Kingdom and Captain Blood's Cavern. 1988 saw the Land of the Dinosaurs, the Rabbit Ride and the Trampolines being completed, with the Astroglide and Crazy Snooker added the following year. The Bumper Boats attraction was added in 1990 alongside a Pets Corner area, with a maze with large clock at the centre added for 1991 and the Flying Saucer ride installed in 1992.
In 1993, the Runaway Train roller coaster was installed, becoming the park's first major ride. It was accompanied by a mirror maze and the Sky Diver the following year and allowed visitors to break the 400,000 mark in 1995. In 1996, the Tiny Tots playground was constructed along with a walkthrough tableaux entitled The Wonderful World of Wind in the Willows, following the story of the same name. The year also saw the introduction of Santa's Wonderland, an event in every festive season to this day.
In 1997, the Tea Cup Ride became another popular addition to the park, and the following year the Percy's Play Park play area and the Go-Karts were constructed, with the latter providing older children with an attraction.
In 1999, the park began expanding, with a new ride built most years since. In 1999, this was the Raging River Ride, the largest ride at the time and costing £500,000. For the new millennium, the Runaway Train ride was dismantled and replaced with the Stinger roller coaster. The Runaway Train was relocated to Dunes Leisure Park in Lincolnshire.
2001 saw three new rides added to the park: The Pirate Ship, Viking Boats and the Dragon Ride, which replaced the Crazy Karts ride located on the same area. In recent years, the rides had become more focused on attracting older audiences, and so to compensate two rides were built for 2002 solely for children under seven: The Digger Ride and Seal Falls. Two rides were constructed in 2003 – the Wave Runner entertained thrill seekers, while The Flying Frog catered for children by being the younger version of the Stinger.
2004 saw two drop rides installed; Jumping Jack for younger audiences and the taller Jumping Bean for older visitors, both Moser Rides drop towers. The Bumper Boats ride was removed and replaced with a penguin enclosure on the same site, as well as an upgrade in the animal areas. The Kontiki ride was built in 2005, with the Magic Carpet built on the site of the Wirly Copters ride the same year.
In 2006, the park was expanded when Paultons in the previous season of 2005, construction started at a cost of £2 million on Cobra, a Gerstlauer Bobsled coaster. This later became a difficulty for the park due to the lands status and legal rights, however, action only began in 2009. Paultons had shifted its ride investment towards the older visitor market, and to compensate opened the Trekking Tractors ride in 2007, in which children could see growing in progress with farming machinery around. The Crazy Snooker, Crazy Golf and Panning for Gold attractions, were removed, and replaced by Gold Rush Falls, consisting of new and re-themed Crazy Golf and Panning for Gold attractions.
2008 saw the 25th anniversary of the park. As a result, a traditional style ride was installed: The Sky Swinger, and the entrance plaza was remodelled. As the new ride would be built on the site of the clock maze, the clock was transported to the entrance plaza to become the centrepiece of a new side garden. However, the most striking part of the new plaza is a Kugel ball added to celebrate the anniversary. It is the largest in the UK, at 1.5 metres diameter and weighing 6.5 tonnes.
Soon after the anniversary, the park undertook a major rebranding project in which the logo was changed, the previous slogan "It's a Hoot! Hoot!" was dropped and the owl mascot was seen less.
The park's expansion continued in 2009 with the addition of The Edge, a Zamperla Disk’o Coaster, built next to the Cobra, and the addition of the Water Kingdom, replacing the Kids Kingdom play area. However, the park was told they may have to move the Cobra and Edge after an application to grant them retrospective planning permission was narrowly turned down by the national park planning committee by seven votes to five. The area where these rides were situated is designated 'Country Park' and not 'Amusement Park' in planning terms, whereas all other areas of the park are now recognised as an amusement park and therefore have permitted development rights. After a separate application for the Cobra was made it was announced on 22 December 2009 that the ride had now been granted retrospective permission and could remain in its current location.
Another planning application was lodged with the New Forest National Park Planning Authority to retain the Edge ride. This application received public support and Paultons were granted permission by the New Forest NPA to retain the Edge ride in its current location on 16 March 2010.
No new rides were opened in 2010, instead, all efforts were put into 2011's new opening: Peppa Pig World. This features three large rides and several more smaller rides and attractions all contained within a themed area. This is the world's first Peppa Pig theme park. The area also includes the largest Peppa Pig toy shop in the world selling Peppa Pig themed merchandise. This new development was heavily promoted through the Internet, television and radio adverts, even somewhat changing the park’s name to Paulton’s Park Home Of Peppa Pig World. The area opened on 6 April 2011 and visitor numbers to the park increased from 500,000 per year to 1 million after the year of opening.
In 2012 the park opened a new drop and twist 25m tower ride called Magma. A volcano theming structure surrounds the ride and there is an animatronic dinosaur inside the volcano in a “cage”, beside the queue line . Smoke and rumbling sound effects occurred when the ride moved up out of the volcano, although these effects sometimes don’t work.
In 2013 the park opened a 4D cinema showing "Curse of Skull Rock" which replaced the Village Life Museum and as part of a 1950 New Orleans-themed area called Show Street.
In 2014, the park began demolishing its old entrance to make way for a new gateway building consisting of the Big Toy Shop and Wildwoods restaurant. New Admissions and Guest Information kiosks were also built as part of the development. The park also added a new ride, a Victorian Double Decker Carousel, as well as that a new footpath was constructed along the main entrance.
In 2015, the park began a rebranding of various areas of the park. The area surrounding the Stinger and Wind in the Willows attractions was named Critter Creek and themed around the discovery of a number of whimsical animals and plants by Professor Stanley Blast. The Stinger was renamed Cat-O-Pillar to reflect its new half-cat-half-caterpillar theme, and Wind in the Willows was replaced by Beastie Burrow, a live insect and amphibian exhibit. A new miniature train ride called Professor Blast's Expedition express was also installed. A four-acre area encompassing the Rabbit Ride, Astroglide, Land of the Dinosaurs and Kiddies Play Village was also cleared in order to begin development of the Lost Kingdom, a dinosaur-themed land due for completion in spring 2016.
On 17 May 2016 the park opened Lost Kingdom – a dinosaur-themed park land suitable for younger and older children aged 6–12. The land cost £9 million to build and is home to 8 rides and attractions: Flight of Pterosaur, a Vekoma family suspended coaster, Velociraptor, a Vekoma family boomerang coaster, Temple Heights, a re-themed Zamperla magic carpet, Dino Chase, a Zierer Tivoli junior coaster, Boulder Dash, a Zamperla demolition derby ride, Dinosaur Tour Co., a Meteallbau Emmeln track ride, Alive – a dinosaur meet and greet character experience and the Little Explorers play ground.
A new discovery trail also opened on 17 May 2016 to encourage native species from the New Forest to reside. This includes interactive boards along the route and over 40 bird and bat boxes.
In 2017, Jumping Jack and Jumping Bean were removed and relocated, and currently no ride has replaced them, although the operator building still remains.
In January 2017 Paultons announced on the Peppa Pig World website that a new project had started to make Peppa Pig World "Bigger and Better". The statement on the website simply stated "New Attractions Under Construction". This was later revealed to be a new water ride, new monorail-style ride and an expansion to the pedestrian areas. Park signage states that the attractions are to open in spring 2018.
At the start of the 2018 winter season, a new animal area named "Little Africa" opened next to Peppa Pig world. This features a walk-through aviary, nocturnal house and several new animal enclosures.
It was announced that Tornado Springs, a western-themed area, would be installed for 2020. There are 8 rides in this area including a Mack Rides spinning coaster, which is located next to the Buffalo Falls water ride, which has received an overhaul. In April 2020, the park announced that the opening of the new area and its attractions would be delayed until 2021, in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic that had halted all work with contractors and placing the park's operating season in jeopardy.[3] The area eventually opened in April 2021, and Farmyard Flyer, a junior coaster opened in April 2022 as part of Tornado Springs.
In November 2021, Peppa Pig World was mentioned by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson in a speech given to the Confederation of British Industry. Johnson revealed that he had previously visited the theme park with his wife and their children, and referred to it as "very much my kind of place".[4] [5] The following month opposition leader Keir Starmer confirmed that he too had visited Peppa Pig World - “it’s dreadful," he said.[6]
Paultons Park is split into various themed areas, composing of rides and attractions for the whole family to enjoy.
| Family Rides | Other |
|---|
| Name | Opened | Manufacturer | Description | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Storm Chaser | 2021 | Mack Rides | A Mack Rides Spinning Coaster, Sierra Sidewinder model. Themed around tornado catching, the ride has a compact and intense layout, appealing to families and thrill seekers alike. The ride is 19.5 m tall and reaches speeds of up to 59.4 km/h. Two trains with four cars per train. Riders are arranged two across in two rows for a total of sixteen riders per train. The minimum height to ride is 1.0 m. | |
| 2 | Cyclonator | 2021 | Zamperla | A Zamperla Discovery 30 ride. Themed around harvesting crops for the residents of Tornado Springs, the ride features a circular gondola that rotates 360 degrees as it swings back and forth. The ride swings up to 25 m and features 30 outward-facing seats. The minimum height to ride is 1.2 m. The ride marks the most thrilling investment to date at the park. | |
| 3 | Al's Auto Academy | 2021 | Formula K | A Formula K driving school ride. Themed around testing out the character of Al's 1950s style open-top mini streetcars. The minimum height to ride is 0.8 m and those over 13 years old cannot ride. An optional driving license can be purchased for an additional charge, after the experience. | |
| 4 | Windmill Towers | 2021 | Zierer | Two Zierer Family Freefall Tower rides. Themed around providing power out in the crooked countryside, the rides bounce guests up and down. The attraction houses 10 riders per cycle, per tower. The minimum height to ride is 0.9 m. | |
| 5 | Farmyard Flyer | 2022 | Zierer | A Zierer Custom Force roller coaster. Themed around a crazy aeroplane adventure, taking riders swooping up, down and around a 1950s farmland. The minimum height to ride is 0.9 m. The ride is an ideal first roller coaster, featuring some of the park's most intricate theming. | |
| 6 | Buffalo Falls | 2003 (2021) | Metallbau Emmeln | A Metallbau Emmeln Dinging Water Slide ride. Themed around the breath-taking white waters of the town's waterfall, the ride features three drops. The minimum height to ride is 0.9 m. The attraction was previously known as Wave Runner, before being incorporated into Tornado Springs in 2021. | |
| 7 | Trekking Tractors | 2007 (2021) | Metallbau Emmeln | A Metallbau Emmeln Tractor ride. Themed around the character of Farmer Flo's farm, where mischievous groundhogs who have taken up residence. There is no minimum height to ride. The attraction was remodelled for the 2021 season as part of Tornado Springs. | |
| 8 | Rio Grande Train | 1987 (2021) | Severn Lamb | A Severn Lamb Train ride. The classic Rio Grande loco take passengers on a delightful journey around the park. There is no minimum height to ride. One of the park's original attractions, the ride was remodelled and rerouted for the 2021 season, with the train being fully refurbished with onboard audio. | |
| 9 | Junkyard Junction | 2021 | Paultons Park | A western-themed outdoor adventure play park for children, featuring climbing frames and slides. | |
| 10 | Parking Lot Tots | 2021 | Paultons Park | A garage-themed outdoor adventure play park for young children, featuring climbing frames and slides. |
| Name | Opened | Manufacturer | Description | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Flight of the Pterosaur | 2016 | Vekoma | Family Suspended Coaster
| |
| 12 | Velociraptor | 2016 | Vekoma | A custom version of Vekoma's Family Boomerang model, built as part of the new for 2016 Lost Kingdom; height limit 1m / age limit 4 years old. | |
| 13 | Dino Chase | 2003 (2016) | Zierer | Junior coaster; height limit none / age limit 1 years old, small Tivoli model, train 2x9. Formerly known as The Flying Frog. | |
| 14 | The Dinosaur Tour Co. | 2016 | Metallbau Emmeln | Drive through the Lost Kingdom on a Jurassic 4x4 expedition. | |
| 15 | Boulder Dash | 2016 | Zamperla | Swirl and dodge between giant dinosaur eggs and boulders. | |
| 16 | Splash Lagoon | 2024 | ABC Rides | A small log flume built on the site of the relocated Temple Heights. | |
| 17 | Little Explorers | 2016 | UK Outdoor Play | A dinosaur-themed outdoor adventure play park area for young children, featuring climbing frames, slides and dinosaur footprints also, uncover rare fossils in the sand pit! | |
| 18 | ALIVE! Dinosaur Encounter | 2016 | Paultons Park | Get up close and personal with Lost Kingdom's Jurassic inhabitants! | |
| 19 | Discovery Trail | 2016 | Paultons Park | Take a stroll through our wooded trail as it weaves through trees and marshes. With interactive boards along the route and over 40 bird and bat boxes; what will you discover along the tranquil path? |
| Name | Opened | Manufacturer | Description | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 | Cat-O-Pillar Coaster | 2000 (2015) | Zierer | Junior coaster, 20 mph (32 km); height limit 90 cm, medium Tivoli model, train 2x13. Formerly known as Stinger. | |
| 20 | Prof. Blast's Expedition Express | 2015 | Zamperla | Hop aboard the Expedition Express - a mini train trek ride through Professor Blast's world of critters and strange experiments. | |
| 21 | Beastie Burrow | 2015 | Paultons Park | A real life bug emporium with insects, fish and lizards. Meet Eric the friendly Chameleon and see if you can spot the bright orange and white clown fish. |
| Name | Opened | Manufacturer | Description | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 | Daddy Pig's Car Ride | 2011 | Metallbau Emmeln | A convoy/car ride that manoeuvres around a road track. | |
| 23 | George's Dinosaur Adventure | 2011 | Metallbau Emmeln | A themed monorail-type ride with rocking 'dinosaur' cars. Height limit 85 cm. | |
| 24 | Grampy Rabbit's Sailing Club | 2018 | Mack Rides | A water tour ride in small boats. | |
| 25 | Grandpa Pig's Boat Trip | 2011 | Metallbau Emmeln | A circular-carousel-type ride. | |
| 26 | Grandpa Pig's Little Train | 2011 | Metallbau Emmeln | A small train ride. | |
| 27 | Miss Rabbit's Helicopter Flight | 2011 | Zierer | A Helicopter-themed Big Wheel ride. | |
| 28 | Peppa's Big Balloon Ride | 2011 | Zierer | A balloon themed tower ride. | |
| 29 | The Queen's Flying Coach Ride | 2018 | Metallbau Emmeln | An elevated Monorail type ride that takes you around Peppa Pig World. | |
| 30 | Windy Castle Ride | 2011 | Metallbau Emmeln | A Big Wheel-type ride. | |
| 31 | George's Spaceship Playzone | 2011 | Paultons Park | An indoor play area. | |
| 32 | Meet Peppa Pig and Friends | 2011 | Paultons Park | A Meet-and-Greet attraction where attendees can meet Peppa Pig and George Pig, sometimes with other characters as well. | |
| 33 | Mr Potato's Playzone | 2011 | Paultons Park | An outdoor play area. | |
| 34 | Muddy Puddles | 2011 | Paultons Park | A water play area. |
| Name | Opened | Manufacturer | Description | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35 | Cobra | 2006 | Bobsled Coaster (car 2+2), reaches 29 mph (46 km) on a 1476 ft long track (450m) and a height of 54 ft (17m); To ride you must be 1.1m & 4 years old accompanied and 1.2m 8 years old to ride alone. Bobsled model 450/4. Max G force is 3. The ride was installed by Ride Entertainment Group, who handles all of Gerstlauer's operations in the Western Hemisphere.[7] [8] | ||
| 36 | Edge | 2009 | Zamperla | A Mega Disk'O Coaster. | |
| 37 | Magma | 2012 | SBF Visa Group | 25m Twisting Drop Tower, volcanic theme, height limit 1.1m. | |
| 38 | Dragon Roundabout | 2001 | Zierer | Roundabout ride; height limit 90 cm. | |
| 39 | The Pirate Ship | 2001 | Metallbau Emmeln | Swinging pirate ship ride reaching up to 45 degrees each way. 90 cm minimum height to ride. | |
| 40 | Kontiki | 2005 | Zierer | Similar to the Pirate Ship, however it runs on a track & rotates. 90 cm minimum height to ride. | |
| 41 | The Sky Swinger | 2008 | Zierer | Zierer 'Wave Swinger' ride consisting of 8 pairs of double seats and 24 single seats on chains swinging out whilst the ride spins and lifts you high into the air. You must be 1m tall & 7–10 years old to ride, children under 1.2m or under 7 years old must sit in a double seat with an adult. | |
| 42 | The Victorian Carousel | 2014 | Bertazzon | A double-decker set of Gallopers built by Italian manufacturer Bertazzon. | |
| 43 | Viking Boats | 2001 | Zierer | Small rotating boat ride themed on the Viking longboats. | |
| 44 | Tea Cup Ride | 1997 | Modern Products | Spinning tea cup ride decorated with fruit. | |
| 46 | Seal Falls | 2002 | Zamperla | Younger version of the Raging River Ride, small drop and a mini igloo tunnel. | |
| 47 | Digger Ride | 2002 | Sartori | Track ride themed around a building site. | |
| 48 | Go Karts | 1998 | Formula K | Petrol karts in a circuit. Located next to Magma. Upcharge ride. | |
| 49 | Water Kingdom | 2009 | Paultons Park | Water splash play park with water jets, large tipping buckets, fountains and super soakers. |
| Name | Opened | Closed | Manufacturer | Description | 45 | Raging River Ride | 1999 | Reverchon | 225 m log flume, two steep drops, the higher of which is 11m tall; height limit 95 cm. | 45 | Raging River Ride | 1999 | Reverchon | 225 m log flume, two steep drops, the higher of which is 11m tall; height limit 95 cm. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4D Cinema | 2013 | 2022 | An indoor cinema with 4D effects. | |||||||||||
| Astroglide | 1989 | 2014 | Harry Steer Engineering | A Giant Slide that was removed to make way for the Lost Kingdom area. The ride was relocated to Dreamland Margate for its reopening and renamed to "Born Slippy", trading until 2019. | ||||||||||
| Flying Saucer | 1992 | 2015 | Modern Products | A Major Orbit ride. Was relocated to Funland Hayling Island for two years, and later Willows Activity Farm, but its current location is unknown. | ||||||||||
| Jumping Bean | 2004 | 2017 | Moser Rides | A Mini Drop Tower. Was relocated to Animal Farm Family Theme Park. | ||||||||||
| Ladybird Ride | 1999 | 2012 | Modern Products | A Roundabout ride. It currently operates as a traveling ride owned by an independent operator. | ||||||||||
| Rabbit Ride | 1988 | 2014 | Modern Products | A tracked ride with Rabbit-themed cars. It was scrapped following its removal from the park. | ||||||||||
| Runaway Train | 1992 | 1999 | Big Country Motioneering | A Family Roller Coaster, and was the park's first Roller Coaster in general. Was relocated to Dunes Leisure Family Fun Fair and was scrapped in 2011. | ||||||||||
| Temple Heights | 2005 | 2022 | Zamperla | A magic carpet ride. It was remodeled in 2016. It was sold to Funland Hayling Island and reopened as "Aztec Falls" the following year. | ||||||||||
| Whirlycopter | 1998 | 2004 | Modern Products | A Junior Ferris Wheel. Was relocated to New Palace and Adventureland until 2017 under the slightly altered name of "Whirlycopters", although its current whereabouts are unknown following its removal. | ||||||||||
| Land of the Dinosaurs | 1988 | 2015 | A walkthrough featuring statues of dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals. It was removed prior to the opening of Lost Kingdom, and the Discovery trail is now in its place. |
It was confirmed that Paultons Park are planning to open a new dark ride in May 2025, in the building that previous housed the 4D Cinema attraction. Guests will explore Dr. Kinley's manor, 'which houses a unique exhibition of apparitions and haunted artefacts'.[9] The ride will be the world's first 'Gameplay Theatre' attraction made by German manufacturer Mack Rides.[10] A website, www.ghostlymanor.co.uk was launched to promote the new ride, in which guests are encouraged to sign up to hear the latest news on the attraction's development.
Paultons Park have submitted an application to confirm the lawful use of land to the west of existing attractions Cobra and The Edge as 'amusement park', indicating a future attraction is planned for this area.[11] A new Viking themed area was hinted at for the park's 2026 season, at an enthusiast event on the 18th May 2024.[12]
In 2009, Paultons Park were told they may have to move two of their biggest rides (The Cobra and Edge) after an application to grant them retrospective planning permission was turned down by the national park planning committee by seven votes to five. The area where these rides were situated is designated 'Country Park' and not 'Amusement Park' in planning terms, whereas all other areas of the park are now recognised as an amusement park and therefore have permitted development rights.
After a separate application (for the Cobra only) was made it was announced on 22 December 2009 that The Cobra (The park's biggest ride) had now been granted retrospective permission and could remain in its current location.
Another planning application was lodged with the New Forest National Park Planning Authority to retain the Edge ride. The application received public support and Paultons were granted permission by the New Forest NPA to retain the Edge ride in its current location on 16 March 2010.