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Drayton Manor

Seven out of ten, loads of good rides, but bring patience for the queues

7/10
📍LocationTamworth, Staffordshire
🎢RidesFamily coasters, water rides and Thomas Land
👶Best ageAll ages, something genuine for everyone
💷Tickets fromCheck official site for current prices
📅OpenSeasonal, check dates before you travel
🚗Getting thereJunction 9 off the M42, parking on site

Toby's Review

Drayton Manor is a 7 out of 10 for me. There are so many good rides here: Gold Rush, Accelerator, The Wave, Storm Force 10, and the park covers families really well. I would not call it a massive big-ride park, because it is more fast family rides than huge scary coasters, but there is still plenty to do.

Gold Rush has a massive wait and fast track can get very expensive. The option I remember looking at was about a hundred pounds per person, which for a family of three is three hundred quid. That is a lot. Go prepared for that and you will have a great day.

So many good rides: Gold Rush, Accelerator, The Wave. Just be prepared for long wait times, especially on Gold Rush.

★★★★☆ 7/10

Rides & Areas

Gold Rush

Family coaster My favourite

My absolute favourite ride at Drayton Manor. It is a family coaster but do not let that put you off. When you go backwards through those lifts into that building, taking the wrong turn, going through all those elements and then hitting that big drop at the beginning, it is just amazing. My first ride on Gold Rush is the moment I will never forget from this park. I did not expect that first drop at all. Massive, massive drop. We went fast.

Accelerator

Fast family coaster My second favourite

Accelerator is one of the faster rides at Drayton Manor and my second favourite here. I feel like it goes higher and faster than some other family coasters, with loads of elements and a high vertical spike before coming straight down. Really good ride.

The Wave

Faster ride

Formerly Shockwave, this is one of the stronger rides for older kids who want something faster. I would not say Drayton is full of proper massive coasters, but The Wave helps give that side of the park a bit more energy.

Storm Force 10

Water ride

I got absolutely soaked on this one. Fair warning.

Thomas Land

For younger children

Drayton Manor has a proper Thomas the Tank Engine land which is genuinely good for little kids. It is well themed and gives younger visitors a full area of their own.

Loki

Would not bother again

Quite fun the first time, and I went on it a couple of times, but it is one of those flat rides you do once or twice and then move past. Next visit I will skip it.

Who the park works for

I think Drayton Manor works best for families. Little kids have Thomas Land, families have Gold Rush and the water rides, and older kids get a couple of faster rides like Accelerator and The Wave. It is not a huge big-ride park, but everyone in the group can still find something real to do.

Honest Take

Who it works for

Little kids and families first, with enough faster rides for older kids to have a good day too. Thomas Land is the big thing for younger children, Gold Rush is the standout family coaster, and Accelerator and The Wave add a bit more speed.

Small downside

Queue times. Gold Rush in particular. And fast track pricing can be steep for families, so three people can turn into serious money very quickly.

Moment he remembers

My first ride on Gold Rush. I had no idea what was coming with that first drop. Massive drop, went fast, completely caught me off guard. That is the one.

TobesVerse Tips

Prepare for waits

Be prepared for long wait times, especially on Gold Rush. That is the main thing.

Get there early

Arrive early and hit Gold Rush first before the queue gets even bigger.

Budget carefully

Fast track can add up quickly for families, so check the live price before promising it.

Do Storm Force 10 carefully

Storm Force 10 can get you absolutely soaked, so do not jump on it right before you need to sit in the car.

Use Thomas Land for younger kids

If you have little kids with you, Thomas Land is a proper area of its own rather than just one or two small rides.

Know what it is

Go expecting a strong family park with a couple of faster rides, not a park packed with huge coasters.

Plan Your Visit

Tickets & Prices

  • Book in advance on the official site. Fast track passes are available but can be expensive, so factor that in when you are budgeting.
  • If you are going on a busy day, Gold Rush in particular will have a long queue without it.
Book Official Tickets →

Food

  • I cannot remember exactly where I ate, but I think there was a place in the Gold Rush area that smelled really nice when I went past. I think you should eat there.
  • Beyond that I cannot give you a confident food review, so I would look it up before you go.

FAQs

What rating do I give Drayton Manor?

7 out of 10. Loads of good rides across all age groups, but the queue times are a real issue, especially on Gold Rush.

What is my favourite ride at Drayton Manor?

Gold Rush. The backwards section through the lifts and the drop at the beginning blew me away because I did not expect it on my first ride.

What is my second favourite ride?

Accelerator. I think it goes higher and faster than similar rides at other parks, and the vertical spike element is really good.

Who is Drayton Manor best for?

Families first. Thomas Land is great for little kids, Gold Rush is the standout family coaster, and Accelerator and The Wave give older kids a couple of faster rides.

What is the worst thing about Drayton Manor?

Queue times, especially on Gold Rush. Fast track passes are available but can add up fast for families, so check current prices before you go.

What is Thomas Land?

A dedicated Thomas the Tank Engine themed area for younger children. It is well done and a proper highlight for little kids.

What does Toby think about the food?

I cannot give a full food review yet, but I remember the Gold Rush area smelling really nice. I would still check the options before you go.

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