Sundown Adventureland
Sightseeing attraction | Retford | England | United Kingdom
Family-friendly theme park for kids
Sundown Adventureland in Retford, England, is a unique theme park that specializes in families with children under ten years old. Located in the rural surroundings of Nottinghamshire, this park offers a magical world full of adventures that has been run by a family for over 50 years. Originally founded as a small animal enclosure by Audrey Rhodes and her husband John in the 1960s, Sundown Adventureland has evolved from a modest garden with animals like donkeys, goats, and a monkey named Coco into a sprawling amusement park that now covers over 50 acres. The park is designed to cater to the youngest adventurers and has a strict rule: only families with children are allowed to enter, ensuring a safe and child-friendly environment.
Adventure park in Nottinghamshire for families
Sundown Adventureland stands out for its variety of attractions, both indoors and outdoors. With over 30 rides and play areas, there is something for everyone's taste. Among the most popular rides is the "Robin Hood Ride," where visitors travel through Sherwood Forest with bow and arrow, encountering Robin Hood and his companions. Equally fascinating is the "Rocky Mountain Railroad," a train ride through the Wild West where bandits lurk and bring excitement. For water lovers, there is the "Jolly Pirate Barrel Ride," a splashy boat ride that is especially fun on warm days. The park places great emphasis on ensuring even the little ones can ride – most attractions have no height restrictions as long as an adult accompanies them.
Indoor play paradise for toddlers
A special highlight is "Crash Landings," a four-story indoor play paradise with a jungle theme, considered one of the largest of its kind in the country. Here, children can climb, slide, and explore the surroundings while parents relax or eat in an adjacent bistro. Other thematic areas like "Lollipoppet Castle," which smells like candy, or "Toy Town" inspire imagination, while "Captain Sandy's Play Cove" invites digging in a huge sandbox. The "Angry Birds Activity Park" offers climbing structures and slides inspired by the popular game series. For the very youngest, there is the "Storybook Village," where they can play in fairy tale houses and reenact stories like Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs or The Three Little Pigs.
Attractions for children under ten years
An exceptional feature of the park is its year-round Christmas atmosphere. The "Santa's Sleigh Ride" takes visitors through a winter wonderland with dancing snowmen and festive vibes – an experience available at any time of the year. Especially during the Christmas season, the offering is expanded with the "Night Before Christmas" event, where additional attractions and festive activities immerse visitors in a magical atmosphere. This attention to detail and creative design of themed areas, such as the Wild West or the Fairy Tale Village, make the park a place where children's imagination knows no bounds.
Family activities at Sundown Adventureland
In addition to rides and play areas, the park also offers practical amenities. There are numerous picnic areas inviting families to bring their own meals, as well as a bistro serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. A souvenir shop sells mementos like toys and themed items to remember the visit. For those looking to stay longer, there is the "Wild Acre Village" – a holiday village with approximately 45 themed cottages, some even equipped with a hot tub. These accommodations are specially tailored to families and provide access to the park outside of regular visiting hours, for example, for breakfast in "Crash Landings."
