Drayton Manor
Drayton Manor near Tamworth in Staffordshire is one of the most visited theme parks in the English Midlands, a large family attraction combining a substantial selection of rides and a well-regarded zoo in an estate whose history as the home of Prime Minister Sir Robert Peel in the early nineteenth century provides an unexpected heritage dimension to a modern entertainment venue. The park has been owned and operated by the Bryan family since 1949 and grew from a pleasure gardens concept into the full theme park complex it represents today.
The Thomas Land section of the park, themed around the Thomas the Tank Engine brand, is the most celebrated and most visited section of Drayton Manor and one of the principal Thomas-themed parks in Europe. The rides, attractions and character meet-and-greet experiences themed around the television series make this section particularly popular with families with young children, and the combination of the Thomas experience with the wider park's rides creates a destination of broad age appeal.
The zoo at Drayton Manor houses a range of animals including primates, reptiles, big cats and birds in habitat exhibits that provide both entertainment and educational value for families visiting the theme park. The combination of the rides, the zoo and the Thomas Land creates one of the most comprehensive family theme park experiences in the Midlands.