Paulton's Park

Infobox Amusement park
name = Paultons Park


caption =
location = Hampshire
location2 =
location3 = England
opening_date = 17 May 1983
previous_names =
season = Daily February to October and weekends in November & December.
area = convert|140|acre|km2
rides = attractions in
coasters = 3
water_rides = 3
owner = Richard Mancey
slogan = Way too much fun for one day!
homepage = [http://www.paultonspark.co.uk/ Paultons Park]

Paultons Park is an family amusement park situated in the village of Ower near Romsey in Hampshire, England. The name is derived from Paultons House, which used to be on the grounds before it was burnt down by an accidental fire. There has been a large investment over the last few years, which has seen the park transform from a small local park, to a major attraction aimed at younger audiences. Originally the park was a country park and bird garden. Paultons now has over 50 family rides and attractions and still keeps a number of animals, including Meerkats, Penguins, South African Crowned Cranes, Touracos, and a variety of other exotic animals. The park has three roller coasters and three water rides.

Attractions

The park is home to a wide variety of attractions, from the "Cobra" (the biggest and fastest) to the Flying Frog (a rollercoaster for all ages).

Roller Coasters

The "Cobra" a Gerstlauer Bobsled coaster first opened in 2006, with snake themed cars and several steep drops and turns this it currently the biggest ride at the park.

The "Flying Frog" opened in 2003, this unique roller coaster has very little height restriction and is a big hit with younger guests.

The "Stinger" opened in 2000, replacing the aging "Runaway Train" roller coaster. Its caterpillar cars and smooth layout makes it a popular family ride.

Water Rides

The "Wave Runner" is a shoot the shoot slide using dinghies which can hold up to two people and also features a on-ride photo.

The "Raging River Ride" is a log flume which features two steep drops and a on-ride photo.

"Seal Falls" is a younger version of the "Raging River Ride" and features several small drops and tunnels through mini igloos.

Thrill Rides

The "Jumping Bean" is a small vertical drop ride, which rises and falls a number of times.

The "Pirate Ship", a classic swinging ship, is one of Paulton's oldest rides.

The "Dragon Ride" is a spinning ride, rotating in both directions.

"Kontiki Ride" is a swinging ship that rotates 360 degrees, replicating a seastorm.

The "Sky Swinger" is a tilting chairswing which features parent and child seats for younger riders. (Arrived in 2008)

"Astroglide" is a basic mat slide with six lanes.

"2 Seater Go-Karts" is an extra charge attraction for older guests.

Kids Rides

"Magic Carpet" is a small Fabbri Magic Carpet ride.

"Flying Saucer" is a slow tilting and spinning ride.

"Viking Boats" is a small rotating boat ride themed on the vikings

"Jumping Jack" is a smaller version of the Jumping Bean vertical drop ride.

"Digger Ride" is a track ride themed around a building site.

"Rabbit Ride", one of the oldest rides at the park, is a kids garden track ride with rabbit themed cars

"Kids Kingdom" is a Large kids playground featuring the new "Percy's Playhouse".

"Trekking Tractors" is a small track ride which takes younger visitors round a small farmyard and features an on-ride photo.

"Percy's Bouncers" is a trampoline area housed inside and outside.

"Tiny Tots Town" is a small kids play area.

"Tea Cup Ride" is a tea cup ride decorated with fruit.

"Grand Rio Train" is a miniature railway ride which takes guests round the animal paddocks for a short journey.

hows and Other Attractions

"Magic Forest" is a interactive nursery-rhyme forest with animatronic models depicting scenes from many nursery rhymes such asHumpty Dumpty and Sing a Song of Sixpence.

"Wind In The Willows" is a walkthrough house featuring animatronic models themed along the story of the Wind in the willows.

"Land of the Dinosaurs" is a walkway through the woods featuring full-scale models of dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures including Tyrannosaurus and Stegosaurus.

"Gold Rush Falls" features both a 12-hole crazy golf course and an area where children 'pan for gold' and win a medal.

The "Romany Experience" and "Village Life Museum" feature scenes and information on Gypsy and Village life in the 19th and early 20th centuries. They are located in two converted barns that survived the fire that destroyed the original manor house.

The "Scotty the Clown Show" features Scotty, who has worked at Paultons for over 15 years and was once a contestant on the show Gladiators (British TV show).

Animals and Gardens

"African Aviary" - A large aviary home to various african birds.

"Meerkat Manor" - a recently opened enclosure including indoor and outdoor areas.

"Penguin Pool" - housed in the old bumper boat pool, there is also a feeding time every day.

"John's Garden" - Opened in 2008 as part of the new entrancee plaza

"Floating Globe" - also part of the new entrance plaza, it is the largest of its type in the u.k

"Water Wheel" - one of the oldest parts of the park

Past Rides

* "Aqua Bugs" was a small round pool that was knee-deep, with a model lighthouse in the centre. It was removed in 2002 to make way for the Viking Boats ride.
* "Bumper Boats" was a popular ride up until its closure in 2003 and then removal in 2004. It featured petrol-powered bumper boats
* "Crazy Karts" were pedal karts in a large pen which were where the Dragon Ride is today.
* "Crazy Ladders" were two rope ladders leading up to a bell. The ladders would twist and turn as people climbed making it difficult to reach the bell, which the rider presses to sound a klaxon.
* "Crazy Snooker" was removed in the 2007 season to make way for an expansion/retheming of the Crazy Golf.
* "Honda Cars" featured a miniature racetrack which was situated where the Pirate Ship is today.
* In the past, a smaller version of the Pirate Ship existed, and was on the site of the Magic Carpet ride.
* The "Runaway Train" was the park's first major ride, opening in 1992 and closing in 1999, being relocated to Dunes Leisure Park, Lincolnshire. The track spiralled up in a 540° helix before spiralling down in another 540° helix. The train took the circuit twice, or on quiet days, three times.
* The "Skydiver" was a ride with rising and falling carriages, and was on the site where the Ladybird Ride currently is.
* "Whirly Copters" was a kid's themed ferris wheel with helicopter-shaped cars with smiley faces. The ride unloaded two cars at a time and had a total of six cars. It took the place of the (original) Pirate Ship and was succeeded by the Magic Carpet.
* Clock Maze which closed in 2007 to make way for Sky Swinger.

External links

* [http://www.paultonspark.co.uk/home.html Official site]
* [http://www.rcdb.com/pd291.htm Paulton's Park on RCDB]