An idyllic location, unique rides and no queues? Our writer thinks she’s found the perfect family attraction worth the drive to
Dianne has written for the Manchester Evening News for almost 20 years across a variety of subjects. Formerly Diary Editor covering showbiz and events in Manchester, Dianne is now Lifestyle Editor, covering travel reviews, food and drink news and reviews and attending many of the biggest gigs across Manchester. Dianne loves a farm shop, and writing about all the great places for families to take children across the North West and beyond.
GreenWood woodland theme park in North Wales features big slides, rides and lots of play areas(Image: MEN)
Finding a theme park with plenty of attractions to keep younger and older children in the family entertained is the dream ticket for many parents this summer.
Particularly if it’s also set in a rather lovely location that can provide a bit of escapism for us adults too.
And there’s no doubting it’s an idyllic spot at the GreenWood theme park in North Wales – proudly eco-friendly and set against the stunning backdrop of the Snowdonia mountains.
If you’re heading to North Wales for your family holiday this year, or just fancy a fairly easy day out from Manchester, then I’d have to say this is one of the best attractions around.
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GreenWood woodland theme park seen from above in North Wales – with Snowdonia in the background(Image: GreenWood)
It takes around 90 minutes by road from Manchester, but it’s one of the most straightforward routes you can get (along the A55 past Llandudno and A5 through Bangor) and we found it a really easy journey, not to mention one with splendid views along the North Wales coast.
As I discovered, heading along with my two children aged 9 and 5, it’s a really full day out with so much to do – and a real variety of rides that make it that little bit different for a theme park.
Take, for example, its Green Dragon rollercoaster – billed as the “world’s first people-powered rollercoaster”. It’s the only theme park ride of its kind in the world apparently – but don’t worry, it doesn’t mean you all run Flinstones-style to motor the coaster.
It uses the funicular technology first used in Welsh slate mines 200 years ago, by getting all its passengers to pile into a carriage which moves down a hill to power the rollercoaster up the hill.
The Green Dragon rollercoaster is totally unique(Image: GreenWood)
We then all walk back up the hill to get into the ride which moves at a real pace around the hilltop for a truly breath-taking ride that left my kids screaming.
There were other unique things that I’ve never experienced at a family attraction before. Take for example the Barefoot Trail – where you slip off your shoes and then walk through the woodland allowing your feet to experience an exhilirating array of surfaces from water to straw and rocks.
There was have-a-go stilt walking, and archery, and what was brilliant on the day we visited, on the first week of the school summer holidays, there were virtually no queues for any of the 20+ rides across the site.
Maybe it was because it was a bit of a grey day when we went, but we didn’t let that put us off.
Solar Splash at GreenWood(Image: MEN)
The only short wait was for one of the more spectacular centrepieces at the park – the giant Solar Splash water ride.
Another world first, this one is powered by solar energy, and allows kids and adults to go speeding down two huge central shoots, or a spiral shoot alongside it, before a splash landing at the end.
My five-year-old had to ride with me on this one, and I have to admit he sounded terrified, as did I, when we made our descent. But my nine-year-old absolutely loved it and dashed straight back up the stairs to do it again once he’d got off.
We also loved all the wild woodland play features across the site, which is set against a hillside so be warned there are gentle inclines to tackle as you navigate the theme park.
The Wild Web was a hit(Image: MEN)
That included the Wild Web, a tonic to the world wide web that’s for sure, which occupied my kids for ages as they ambled across it shouting: “I’m a spider”.
We had lunch at the on-site Woodbarn restaurant which also had the bonus of a large soft play barn inside, so your little ones are kept entertained while you order food and wait for it to arrive at your table.
The attraction has also just launched alpaca walks that you can book as an add on (for £20), where children aged over 4 with their parents can meet and feed the three resident alpacas on the site.
You can then head on a guided walk with the furry creatures around their enclosure. We were invited to be among the first to give this a try, and my five-year-old didn’t feel brave enough to give it a go, but my older boy loved it.
Alpaca walks are a new feature at the woodland park(Image: MEN)
After making friends with the alpacas, it was time to continue on across the park, and the next thing to grab the kids’ eyes was the Forest Glider.
This is where you lug giant inflatable rings up a hill, and then slide down either individually or with a parent.
Naturally, I decided to swerve this one, and let the kids get on with the lugging of rings and sliding back down.
They honestly would have spent the whole day on this bit if I’d have let them.
Forest Glider fun(Image: MEN)
There was plenty more fun to be had though, so off we went, via a fun maze, to the Giant Quest woodland playpark.
Across the park was also Treetop Towers with lots of slides and climbing adventures, while you could walk up to the top of the site to admire the spectacular setting of it all with the Snowdonia View Point. It really was the most magical day.
Admission is £25 per person for anyone over 1m, while under 1m pay £10. There’s also a family ticket saver option which costs £95 for a family of four (saving you a few quid at £23.75 each).
It seemed like a good value ticket price for an attraction of this size that would definitely keep the family entertained for a full day out.
Indeed, my two were moaning and wailing at the end when I said we had to leave – staff were literally locking up the cafe and shop but still they wanted to stay longer.
Oh, and for those with four-legged family members, they also let you take in dogs for free, as long as they’re well-behaved and kept on leads.
How much are tickets?
Treetop Towers(Image: MEN)
Tickets can be purchased online or on the gate. Anyone over 1 metre pays £25 to get in, while under 1m are £10, while babies go free.
A group ticket (for four people) costs £95.
For the summer holidays GreenWood is also running a ‘Pay Once, Visit Twice’ offer so anyone who has their first trip between 19th July and 24th August can come back within seven days for free.
Alpaca walks are an additional fee of £20 and must be booked in advance.
How to get there
GreenWood is on Bush Rd, Y Felinheli, North Wales, and the full postcode for Sat Nav is LL55 3AD.
For those heading from Manchester, it’s not far off the main A55 coastal road. You’ll need to leave the A55 at Junction 11, then follow Llanberis signs onto A4244. After 3 miles there are brown signs pointing the way to GreenWood. There’s loads of free parking at the site.
For those using public transport, the nearest train station is Bangor/Gwynedd. From here, take any Caernarfon-bound bus and ask for the Post Office or The Victoria in Y Felinheli, it’s then a 20 minunte walk to GreenWood.
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