Paultons Park

Paultons Park sits in the New Forest National Park near the village of Ower in Hampshire. It began in 1979 when John and Anne Mancey bought the derelict 500-acre Paultons Estate and restored the gardens and lake. The park opened in 1983 as a country park and bird garden on 140 acres. Today it has over 70 rides and attractions alongside a collection of around 80 species of birds and animals. The park gained international recognition in 2011 with the opening of Peppa Pig World, the world’s first theme park based on the children’s series. Other themed areas include Critter Creek, Lost Kingdom, Tornado Springs and Valgard: Realm of the Vikings. The park is designed mainly for children and families, offering rides and attractions suitable for all ages. Over the years it has expanded with major rides such as the Runaway Train roller coaster in 1992 and the Stinger roller coaster in 2000. The park celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2008 with the installation of The Sky Swinger and a remodelled entrance plaza featuring a 1.5-metre Kugel ball, the largest in the UK. Planning challenges arose when the Cobra and Edge rides were built in areas designated as country park rather than amusement park. Visitors find a mix of rides, animal enclosures and themed areas spread across 140 acres. Peppa Pig World includes three large rides and several smaller attractions with the largest Peppa Pig toy shop in the world. The park also features the Western-themed Tornado Springs, the Viking-themed Valgard and the dinosaur-themed Lost Kingdom. Animal areas include penguin enclosures and petting corners, while gardens and lakes add to the setting. The park’s entrance plaza now centres on a restored clock maze and a large Kugel ball.