Drayton Manor Park - day-out review

When it comes to keeping my little boy entertained for a whole day, it can be somewhat of a challenge, but a trip to Drayton Manor Park had it covered.

We were at the theme park for the launch of its new ride James and the Red Balloon in Thomas Land – the area dedicated to younger children and their families.

The ride is based on the beloved Thomas & Friends character James and his cheeky antics with a red hot air balloon – a story told by Drayton Manor Park's chief executive Colin Bryan, with the help of Sir Topham Hatt, aka The Fat Controller, ahead of its grand opening at the weekend.

As the ride was declared open, my excited two-year-old could not wait to climb aboard his very own hot air balloon, so as soon as we got ourselves strapped in there were cries of "up, up and away". And that's exactly where we headed on a thrilling ride.

It is a fantastic ride the whole family can enjoy together and judging by the queues of excited youngsters and their mums and dads waiting for their turn on the ride, I'm sure it will really take off with visitors of all ages. It also gave us a great view of the rest of the Thomas Land attraction so we could chose where to head for our next round of fun.

"Mum, this way to the aeroplanes," I was told as I was pulled towards Jeremy Jet's Flying Academy – the new ride had obviously given my boy a head for heights.

From there we got round all his favourite Thomas characters – Toby's Tram Express, Winston's Whistlestop Tours and Bertie Bus to name a few of them – before hopping aboard the little blue engine himself, which took us down to explore the many animals in the Staffordshire park's zoo.

The 15-acre zoo is home to more than 100 species of animals from meerkats and tigers to tamarins and tapirs, but my son was overjoyed to see all the slimy creatures in the reptile house – I was less keen however so I took his hand and led him to the Dino Trail.

"Wow mum, look it's a tyrannosaurus," he squealed with joy as he stomped around the trail demonstrating his best dinosaur roar. It was a totally roar-some experience.

The whole day, in fact, was a big hit for all of us and we made our way back to the car beaming from ear to ear. My boy could not wait to tell all his friends at nursery about his brilliant day out.

With lots of eggs-citing Easter activities lined up at the park over the Easter holidays, I will certainly be heading back there very soon. Maybe even throwing in a stay in one of the hotel's character-themed rooms as there is so much to see and do.

By Emma Bradnick