GreenWood Forest Park Review
GreenWood Forest Park
Gwynedd
Reviewed by Linzi Davies
Evie aged 8 and the twins, Samuel and Thomas had been looking forward to their Bank Holiday Monday family day out for weeks, we set off with our packed lunches, coats and waterproofs in the car just in case. The park is 80 miles away from home and the satnav indicated 1 hour and a half travelling time. The journey was a very foggy one but on arrival in North Wales the sun was shining and the free car park was very busy. We arrived just after 11am and walked the few minutes from the car park across the main road and into the park. The boys were excited straight away as they could see an Easter Bunny lurking behind the entrance desks. We introduced ourselves and a member of staff, Emma came out to say she had been looking forward to meeting us and to enjoy our day which was a lovely touch. She showed us the board with the various activities and shows which were taking place during the day. For the five of us to get into the park the cost would be £46.80 and the park don’t seem to offer a family ticket discount so off we went to see if it was worth it!
Our first stop was the Green Dragon roller coaster, the only people powered roller coaster around. The queue for this was quite long and took around 40 minutes to take out place at the front of the line. The cage then takes you back down the hill which moves the coaster up to the top, hence the people power. This leaves you at the bottom to climb the steps again which for some who find walking hard or have young children could be a bit difficult. The ride itself was great fun, 250 metres of track with twists and turns leaving the boys with very tickled tummies, the bonus of checking out your scared faces on the screens as you leave. The photos are available to be emailed to you at a cost of £2 which is a nice touch.
Next on the list was the big inflatable slide, only for the under 6’s so leaving Evie on bag duty, I encouraged the boys slow ascent to the top of the steps before they bounced their way back down. The young lad supervising did a good job of keeping the little ones in a line and helped them if required. Two turns later and various positions for the descent it was time for lunch. There were a number of tables and benches dotted around but most were full so we decided to sit in the outdoor theatre area as Harley the magic show was due to start a short time later.
Harley was a colourful chap in his stripy outfit and did a grand job of keeping the kids entertained with his amazing juggling and magic show, including the balloon zapper which one of the youngsters in the audience helped him demonstrate. The show lasted around 20 minutes and ended with him juggling knives over a row of five children lying on the floor, definitely braver than me they were!
The 70 metre Great Green Sledge Run was my favourite part by far, suitable for all of us, a short climb to the top carrying sledges was rewarded with a superfast ride to the bottom. The kids loved it and went on again and again. There is also a smaller green run for toddlers just so they don’t miss out. Awesome.
We then went to watch the 2pm show which was Ricardo the Pirate, I have to say I wasn’t as keen on this. The show opened with him fire eating and then letting the flames go over his arms and face. There was no warning such as “don’t try this at home kids” and unfortunately some children are quite impressionable and may try to copy. He also got three dads up and had them doing lip synching to Rhiannon, Cheryl Cole and Lady Gaga dressed up with wigs and other accessories including cups for breasts which weren’t really necessary. I just thought parts of his act were a little bit sexualised for the young audience and it didn’t sit entirely comfortably with me.
Onwards and upwards, the sun was now blazing and the children were excited about the next activity they could try so after a quick toilet stop in the lovely and clean, well-stocked facilities it was off to the Tunnel Warren Play area for a game of Power Rangers chase for the children and a nice sit down for dad and I. They loved hiding from each other in the tunnels and trying lots of different ways to climb around the apparatus. This was the smaller of the two play areas which were parallel to each other and whilst Evie was big enough for the other, the boys were just a bit on the small side but it did look lots of fun.
We then quickly mastered the crocodile maze, capturing a gorgeous picture of the kids in the middle before finding the moon karts. Although the kids wanted to have a turn the queue was really long and their gaze was quickly brought to a huge bouncy pillow. Shoes were thrown off in the middle of the path and whoops of delight could be heard as they joined the much smaller queue, after only a few minutes 15 children were allowed and the smallest ones were shown the easier way to top. The group was again well managed by the young member of staff and wrestling moves which were being practised by a couple of older boys was quickly stopped. The sand around the outside of the pillow was used a lot by children bouncing off in many different unintentionally poses.
The barefoot trail was next a sensory experience which was as suggested to be undertaken without shoes or socks. Admittedly I wasn’t brave enough but the children jumped into the first water pit before realising it was freezing, the looks on their faces was priceless. Sam and Evie walked over every part including bark, sand, tiny stones, wood whereas Thom was not quite as brave and had to be lifted over the parts that hurt his toes!
The jungle boat adventure was next to enjoy, seating 5 which was ideal for us, you are handed a single oar and the challenge is to get around the course. Luckily there are some overhead ropes which you can pull yourself along as it was a slow process with Evie on the rowing. The only pointer I would give here is make sure youngsters keep their hands inside the boat, as it really hurts when the metal boat collides with the wooden fence around the outside as Sam found out. His tears were quickly dried with another go in the huge bouncy pillow, his favourite by far.
By now it was getting to 4pm and time to head off for the journey home, there was just time for another go on the Green Dragon which was Evie and Thomas’s favourite.
I would recommend taking a packed lunch as with a couple of children it could get expensive with food and drinks. It cost us £9.80 for 5 lolly ice’s and £4.40 for two coffee’s. There was quite a few stalls and activities which required an extra payment and again these did not come cheap and parents who find it difficult to say no could leave with a much lighter wallet, examples of these were tattoos at £3, £5 or £6 , face painting £3.50, make a gypsy flower £2.50 and donkey rides at £2 each. In my opinion that is the only thing that detracts slightly from the amazing overall experience. There is more than enough to do for a full packed day without the burden of extras for parents to pay.
All in all it was a fabulous day and well worth the entrance price. We didn’t get chance to play in the indoor play area or try the archery but we will definitely be back so they are on the list of things to do.
Rating: 4.5/5
Tickets cost from £7.65 (child) to £11.90 (adult), or why not take advantage on an annual pass from £35 to £38 with discounts for additional children (see website for full pricing details).
For more information or to book tickets visit www.greenwoodforestpark.co.uk.
GreenWood Forest Park, Y Felinheli, Gwynedd, LL56 4QN | 01248 670076
