Special featureSpecial featureUnfortunately, I did not bump into Peppa and her brotherGeorge on my visit, but they will make regular appearancesonce the park is fully open. There will be plenty of photoopportunities and you can pick up a great photo souvenir ofyour visit at Pedro Pony’s photo kiosk.Way too much fun for one dayPaulton’s Park is not just a theme park, it has some beautifulgardens which are home to a large variety of birds and otheranimals and features a large water park, as well as a river walk,a short forest trek back in time through Land of the Dinosaursand plenty of picnic areas. There are designated areas foryounger children, such as the Tiny Tots Town play area, WaterKingdom (a splash park featuring more than 20 different waysto get wet!) and many animated attractions, such as the MagicForest where young visitors can make nursery rhymes comealive by the press of a button. There are a whole selection ofrides that they can also enjoy, including my son’s favourite“Digger Ride”, the Jumping Jack and Trekking Trackers.COSTChildren under 1 metre high are FREE! Tickets cost £21 on thedoor for anyone over this height, tickets are cheaper if youbuy online and print your tickets from home. There are specialrates for groups of 15 people or more. The cost includes entryto the whole of Paultons Park and to the majority of rides andattractions. There are additional charges for some amusements,such as the Go-Karts and other coin-operated attractions.Entry into Peppa Pig World is INCLUDED in the entry price!OPENING TIMESThe park opens daily from 1 April until 11 September and is openmainly weekends and school holidays outside of this time.To check opening times, call the 24 hour information line on023 8081 4455 or visit www.paultonspark.co.ukSEE PAGE 2 FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN AFAMILY TICKET TO PAULTONS PARKSneak Peek at Peppa’s WorldIn just over a month, Peppa Pig World will open at Paultons Park. This is a worldfirst and exclusive to Paultons in the UK! It features 11,000 square metres completelydedicated to the TV character, which if you have a young child, you will probablyknow about. I was lucky enough to get a sneak preview before it opens on 9 April.As I walk into the world of Peppa Pig, I imagine my three yearold’s face and am instantly excited– it is like being transportedonto the set of the popular animation. There are models ofPeppa’s camper van, buildings to see and explore, includingMadame Gazelle’s School House, the library and Peppa Pig’shouse where you can catch Peppa and her family havingbreakfast. There is even a duck-pond complete with animatronicpaddling ducks. Seven new rides include Grandpa Pig’s LittleTrain, Daddy Pig’s Car ride and two exhilarating aerial ridesfrom which you are able to see over the whole of Peppa Pigworld. I think my daughter will particularly enjoy riding in a‘cloud’ around Windy Castle!The attention to detail is fantastic, the buildings have beenrecreated as they are in the TV show – watch out for the bendypillars and wonky walls – and a custom made exclusive PeppaPig soundtrack is played through speakers hidden all aroundPeppa Pig world. There is an amazing grass roofed buildingwith the world’s largest Peppa Pig shop, Daddy Pig’s Big TummyCafé and the spectacular George Pig’s Spaceship Play Zone. Thisis one of the best indoor soft play areas I have visited – I alsohave a 21 month old son, so I’ve been to a few! I won’t spoilall the surprises for you, but there are some really lovely andexciting touches to the four play areas that cater for all agesand abilities. I am particularly looking forward to playing in thesensory “musical instruments” area and in the recycling centre…The building itself has been designed to be as environmentallyfriendly as possible, the grass insulates the building in colderweather and the chimney vents are wind catchers that keep thebuilding cool in a sustainable way during the summer.If you have not had enough of Peppa, George and her friendsand family by this time, then you can chill out in the largecourtyard and enjoy an ice cream from Miss Rabbit’s Ice CreamParlour, before exploring Mr Potato’s playground. Thereare plenty of other rides and attractions, George’s DinosaurAdventure will take you past two “active” volcanoes, youcan take a peek at Granny and Grandpa Pig’s house, and ofcourse, jump in muddy puddles at Peppa Pig World’s own miniwaterpark!Something for allthe familyFor those seeking moreadventure, you canride one of the park’srollercoasters or makea splash on the mightyRaving River Ride logflume – you will get wet!If you are feeling really brave, you can try the EDGE, which spinsyou through the air on a giant disk. I can assure you this isdefinitely not one for the faint-hearted!Daily penguin feeding sessions also take place throughout theyear, featuring an entertaining keeper talk which gives visitors achance to learn more about these unusual and often humorousbirds. Paultons Park is a family owned park with an amazingvariety of things to see and do, with more than 60 rides andattractions set within 140 acres of beautiful parkland.Learning through playPaultons Park also offer educational visits for children from theFoundation Stage up to Key Stage 4 and have a Learning Outsidethe Classroom Quality Badge. Visits can be self-guided or partof the park-led education programme and include FREE teacherplaces. Programmes can be tailored to provide learning forteachers and other professionals.VISITORS WITH DISABILITIESPaultons Park is accessiblefor wheelchair users (allthe attractions in Peppa PigWorld are ramped or havewheelchair platform lifts)and wheelchair users areFREE! There are restrictionson some rides for healthand safety reasons, however,the park operates a “queueassist” scheme for others withdisabilities who may requirethis support.EDUCATIONAL VISITSContact Caroline Smith,Education Officer at education@paultons.co.uk or 023 8081 4442or visit the website at www.paultonspark.co.uk/educationDIRECTIONSPaultons Park is just off exit 2 of the M27, follow the browntourist signs. You can also catch the X7 Salisbury – <strong>Southampton</strong>bus service (Mon – Sat except public holidays) which stops at theVine Inn, which is a short walk to the park entrance. The closeststations are Romsey or Totton, which are a short taxi ride away.Sat Nav postcode = SO51 6AL6 <strong>VIP</strong> magazine <strong>Spring</strong> <strong>2011</strong> 7<strong>VIP</strong> magazine <strong>Spring</strong> <strong>2011</strong>