Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Attraction Overview
- Playground Experience
- Facilities
- Indoor Attractions
- Ticket Information
- FAQ
A new attraction in the UK allows you to enjoy all the fun of a fairground—just without the noisy rides.
Thousands of visitors flock to Thursford in Norfolk every year to experience its award-winning £5 million show.
I took my family to the new funfair-themed attraction with no electricity or loud ridesCredit: Catherine Lofthouse
The splash pad is the only one of its kind in the UKCredit: Catherine Lofthouse
There are no loud rides, but rather wooden replicasCredit: Catherine Lofthouse
Performed by 130 cast members, the show has been running strong for nearly 40 years, attracting millions of visitors since its inception.
Now, there’s a reason for families to visit the site throughout the year, as they recently launched a new adventure play fair earlier this year.
My family loves a themed playground and had high expectations that this would match the woodland whimsy of places like Go Ape in the North East or Bewilderwood, which is about 45 minutes away.
Nestled down winding country lanes, it was the perfect stop to break our journey to the coast for some relaxation.
The playground is inspired by a vintage fairground.
Slides, climbing frames, and teacup spinners based on retro rides like a carousel and a Ferris wheel were a huge hit with my boys aged six, 11, and 13.
There’s a dedicated toddler area themed around funfair side stalls and a kart track for kids to zoom around beneath aerial walkways.
The site isn’t large, but it is exceptionally well designed to maximize the use of space, with something new around every corner.
My boys’ favorite was the musical play fountains, where they got completely soaked.
Be sure to bring a change of clothes, as your little ones will get wet!
The splash pad is the first of its kind in a UK park, featuring 100 programmable jets that shoot out of the floor in sync with music, with the control box cleverly disguised as an old Victorian organ.
There’s a convenient bank of spacious and clean toilet cubicles just behind the fountains, perfect for wrestling soggy children out of waterlogged clothes.
Additionally, there are plenty of picnic benches available, as well as an on-site food kiosk serving pizza, burgers, sandwiches, and soup.
It was delightful to sit in the autumn sunshine with a cup of coffee, watching the trees whose leaves were turning golden while listening to happy children splashing and laughing.
The park opened back in AugustCredit: Thursford
Once you’ve enjoyed all the outdoor fun, you can head indoors to explore the world’s largest collection of steam engines and organs, with half-price entry to the museum if you have tickets for the adventure play fair.
You can also pay extra to experience the museum’s collection of vintage rides, including gallopers, a children’s carousel, and a gondola.
The museum is now closed until its 2026 season, along with the playground, but visitors can still enjoy the adventure playground if they have booked to see Santa or the light trail on site.
Adventure play fair tickets are only available on the day during the winter season, costing £2.50 for adults and £5 for children aged three and above for a one-hour session.
Tickets to visit Santa’s grotto and the light trail start from £24 per child and £17 per adult.
The Enchanted Journey of Light alone costs £18 per person off-peak and £24 during peak times.
Here’s what it's like to visit the Thursford Adventure Play Fair .
Alternatively, there is a new attraction just for adults that opened in the UK this year.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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