As the Spring Bank Holiday approaches on May 25, families across Britain are searching for affordable yet thrilling activities to enjoy with their children. Planning a bank holiday weekend can quickly become expensive, and parents are always looking for ways to keep costs down while ensuring everyone has a great time. A trip to a theme park is a fantastic way to celebrate, but such outings do not come cheap. Entry tickets typically start at over £30 per person, meaning a family of four could face a minimum cost of around £120 just to get through the gates, before even considering food and drinks.
Discover Playland Fun Park
Tucked away in Stourport-on-Sevrn, Worcestershire, just an hour's drive away, lies a little-known adventure park that could be the perfect day out for families with children. The best part? Admission is completely free for everyone, with rides starting from as little as £1. Playland Fun Park is a hidden gem of a family-run theme park in the West Midlands, regularly featuring on lists of the most affordable adventure parks in the UK. According to its official website, it boasts 20 fantastic attractions for visitors to enjoy.
Opening Times and Attractions
Open from March through to October, on weekends and during school holidays, this charming theme park is ideal for those looking to keep spending in check while ensuring children and adults alike have a wonderful time. Perched on the banks of the River Severn, this riverside funfair offers a fantastic array of attractions, including the Junior Pirate Ship, Go Karts, Moto GP Bikes, F1 Cars, Pony Ride, Safari Train, Bumper Boats, Trampolines, Quad Bikes, and Crazy Caves, as well as Bouncy Castles and the new safari-themed Crazy Golf. Visitors can also enjoy a river steamer ride, drifting gently past the hidden treasures of Stourport-on-Sevrn.
Pay-As-You-Play Model
The budget-friendly theme park operates without a standard entry fee, embracing a pay-as-you-play approach. Instead of charging a blanket admission price, guests can buy tokens on the day and spend them only on the rides they choose. The theme park's official Facebook page states: "The tokens are £1 each and rides vary from 1-4 tokens with the majority being 1 token. We also have petrol go karts which have a special £4 token."
New Attractions and Family Fun
This often-underrated attraction has recently refreshed its fairgrounds, introducing new rides such as the thrilling Dino Tours, where visitors can drive their own explorer jeep through a dinosaur-themed track. A dedicated Farmyard area, complete with ride-on animals, tractors, Pony Adventure, and a Farmyard Bounce and Slide, adds even more fun. Families can also hire one of the park's self-drive boats, cruising at a relaxed pace along the River Severn entirely at their own leisure. Playland Fun Park sits alongside breathtaking riverside meadows, where families can stop for a picnic or simply enjoy the stunning scenery.
Visitor Reviews
One glowing TripAdvisor review reads: "Went with our son and our 3 year old granddaughter. She loved it. Loads of electric cars and bikes for her to drive. She was very happy there and on way home. Queues very small even on a sunny Saturday, every ride 1 or 2 pounds. Only negative is you need cash. The pictures don't do it justice. There's more than crazy golf. Driving, bouncing on castles, plenty. 2 hours of great fun for a toddler."
Another delighted visitor added: "We went to a birthday party here today. Not too crowded, excellent value for money as the rides are just one token each, and there's plenty to do for all ages (adults included!) Definitely coming back soon!"
Opening hours may differ over bank holidays, so it is worth ringing ahead to double-check before you set off.
