Drayton Manor
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Drayton Manor Resort is near Tamworth in Staffordshire, in the heart of England and not far from Birmingham. It's a family theme park with more than 50 attractions, a zoo and Thomas Land, the world of Thomas the Tank Engine. On these pages you'll find everything about the attractions, food, the hotel and how to get there.
Discover Drayton Manor
What kind of park is it?
Drayton Manor calls itself one of the UK's favourite family theme parks. In 2025 the park celebrated its 75th birthday. It's set around a large lake and, according to its own website, has more than 50 rides and attractions, a 15-acre zoo and its own hotel. The park has been winning prizes at the UK Theme Park Awards for years, including for best value for money and best park for toddlers.
Most of the park is made for families. Thomas Land has more than 25 attractions for the little ones. For older children and adults there are thrilling rides such as The Wave, Maelstrom, Air Race and the water ride Stormforce 10.
How is the park laid out?
- Thomas Land: the Island of Sodor from Thomas & Friends, with trains, kiddie coasters and the country's biggest Thomas Land shop.
- Adventure Cove: a colourful harbour area with The Wave, Stormforce 10, River Rapids, Air Race and Maelstrom.
- Frontier Falls: the Wild West, with the family coaster Gold Rush, Accelerator and The Haunting.
- Vikings: gods and legends, with Thor, Loki, Jormungandr and Sleipnir.
- Drayton Manor Zoo: animals from all over the world and the Dino Trail.
In between you'll find classics such as The Bounty Pirate Ship, the 1958 Carousel and Dodgems Ahoy.
Opening times:
The main season runs from late March to late October, usually from 10.30 am to 4 or 5 pm, and later in summer. In winter the park opens on selected days with Thomas Land, the zoo and a Christmas programme.
Tickets:
A dated ticket costs from £25 online for ages 4 and up and from £15 for children aged 2 and 3 (as of November 2026). The price varies by day. Children under 2 go free.
Location:
Drayton Manor is near Tamworth in Staffordshire (postcode B78 3TW). Tamworth station is about 3 miles away; bus 110 runs from Birmingham.
With young children: Thomas Land
Drayton Manor calls itself "the Home of Thomas Land". Here you ride with Thomas, Rosie and Percy from the park to the zoo, fly with Jeremy Jet and Harold and take your first rollercoaster ride: the Troublesome Trucks Runaway Coaster. Sir Topham Hatt and the station sweepers Rusty and Dusty host sing-along shows from the balcony of Knapford Station.
For parents with a toddler, there's an Adult & Toddler ticket on weekdays outside the school holidays for one adult with one child aged up to and including 4. Read all about it on the Thomas Land page.
Events throughout the year
Drayton Manor has regular events every year. From late November until Christmas there's Magical Christmas, with a Santa's grotto, a pantomime and a light show on the lake. Between Christmas and New Year comes Twixmas, with fireworks on New Year's Eve. In January and February there are weekends with an indoor play area, trains and the zoo, plus a Thomas & Friends programme during the February half-term. Other events include Easter, fireworks in May, Halloween and a fireworks display at the end of the season. More on the Shows page.
Only via the official website
According to Drayton Manor, tickets are only valid if you buy them on draytonmanor.co.uk. Booking online is cheaper than at the gate.
Rain guarantee
For £2 per person you can add the Rainy Day Guarantee. If more than 4 mm of rain falls during opening hours, you can come back for free within 30 days.
You can bring your own food
You're allowed to bring your own food and eat it at the picnic areas. Alcohol brought in from outside is not permitted.