Gulliver's Kingdom
Gulliver's Kingdom (also known as Gulliver's Matlock Bath) is an amusement park aimed at children aged 3 to 13 in the Derbyshire town of Matlock Bath, England. Founded in 1978 by Ray Phillips, it is still owned by the Phillips family and now has sister theme parks; Gulliver's World in Warrington and Gulliver's Land in Milton Keynes, which opened in 1989 and 1999 respectively. The park was originally created by Ray Phillips as a model village for his young children to enjoy, and it is close to the site of the Victorian Switchback rollercoaster ride (after which the theme park's main rollercoaster was named).
The park is noted for its location - being built on a steep hillside. While this means that a day out can become a "work-out", it provides a unique experience, with many rides being nestled in amongst the trees. The view across to Starkholmes and the Heights of Abraham is also spectacular.
As of 2006, the Theme Park has the following major attractions: Log Flume, Elephant Ride, Flight of Fantasy, Dodgems, Chairlift, Jumping Star, Gulliver's Magical Journeys, The Crazy Barrels, The Rio Grande Railroad, The Veteran Cars, Gulliver's Travels Ride, Billy-Bob's Bi-Planes, Log Coaster, Switchback Rollercoaster, Monorail, Ladybirds, Jubilee Carousel, Ferris Wheel, Double-Decker Carousel, Lazy River Ride, Pirate Ship and Fire Brigade.
Gulliver's Kingdom features two entrances due to the car-parking being so spread out. There are three onsite shops, one at each entrance and a special soft-toy shop on Fantasy Terrace. Places to eat in Gulliver's Kingdom include Gulliver's Travels Restaurant, The Happy Haddock, Bourbon Restaurant, Percy Pig's Pizza Parlour and Canyon Grill.
The main park opens seasonally, from Easter and throughout summer, then on weekends in September and October - up to Halloween. The park is also open for Christmas, from late November and on selected dates throughout December. Several different Christmas packages are available, incorporating meals, shows and entertainment.
The park is home to the Gully Gang. The Gully Gang consists of Gully Mouse, Gilly Mouse, Percy Pig, Leonard Lion and Ellie Elephant. These characters can be seen everyday and are available to meet children and pose for pictures to add a touch of magic to their day out.
Other attractions on site are the Hard Luck Bears Jamboree, The Magical Dancing Water Show and Gulliver's Big Puppet show.
From 2009, the Lost Kingdom dinosaur area returned to Gulliver's. Full of puzzles and attractions, as well as huge dinosaur models for children to identify, it is a popular attraction and a firm favourite with children.
In 2009, Gulliver's announced a partnership with Nick Jr. This has seen popular characters Dora the Explorer and Diego from Go, Diego, Go appearing at all Gulliver's theme parks. The characters set challenges for children and appear daily on-site for photo opportunities.
In early 2010, it was announced that the partnership would continue throughout 2010.
Rides and attractions
Roller coasters
| Name | Opened | Type | Status | Height
Min. |
Manufacturer | Park
section |
Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Log Coaster | 1986 | Steel | Operational | 0.9m | Cavazza Diego | Lilliput Woods | ||
| Switchback | 2004 | Steel | Operational | 1.1m | I.E. Park | Toyland | I.E. Park's first JR model. |
Rides
| Name | Opened | Type | Status | Height
Min. |
Manufacturer | Park Location | Notes | Images |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chair Lift | 1992 | Chair Lift | Operational | 1.4m | Montaz Industries | Bourbon Street/
Adventure Land |
Under 1.4m can go on but need to be accompanied by an adult. |  |
| Pirate Ship | 1992 | Pirate Ship | Operational | 0.9m | Zamperla | Smugglers Wharf | Small pirate ship located by Bourbon Street |  |
| Gully's Pirate Adventure | 1994 | Water ride | Operational | 1.2.m | Gulliver's
(In house built) |
Smugglers Wharf | Under 1.2m can go on but need to be accompanied by an adult. It's also known as the 'Lazy River'. |  |
| Double Decker Carousel | 1993 | Carousel | Operational | 0.9m | Gulliver's
(In house built) |
Smugglers Wharf | Two floors for adults and children to go on. Under 09's can go on the horses but only on the second floor. Built by Gulliver's Kingdom, the horse are supplied by I.E. Park. |  |
| Log Coaster | 1986 | Steel
Roller coaster |
Operational | 0.9m | Cavazza Diego | Lilliput Woods | Small roller coaster suitable for first time riders between 0.9m (90cm) and 1.2m. Smaller children need to be sat on the right-hand side. |  |
| Balloon Ferris Wheel | 1998 | Ferris Wheel | Operational | 1.2m | SBF Visa | Lilliput Woods | Being removed from the park during the 2016 season. Under 1.2m need to be accompanied by an adult. |  |
| Cycle Monorail | 1993 | Self-driven | Operational | 0.9m | Gulliver's
(In house built) |
Toyland | You need to be 1.4m and over to go on this attraction otherwise you can't reach the pedals. |  |
| Gully's Magic Bikes | 2013 | Spinning ride | Operational | 0.9m | Zamperla | Toyland | The faster you pedal then the higher the ride will rise. It's a self controlled ride. Riders between 90cm and 119cm must be accompanied by an adult. |  |
| Switchback | 2004 | Steel
Rollercoaster |
Operational | 1.1m | I.E. Park | Toyland | Largest roller coaster in the park. Riders between 110cm and 139cm must be accompanied by an adult. Opens at 11:30am |  |
| Dino Explorer Cars | 1997 | Slow ride | Operational | 1.2m | SBF Visa | Lost Kingdom | Under 1.2m can go on including babies/toddlers but must be accompanied by an adult. |  |
| Diplodocus Falls | 2013 | Dingy slide | Operational | 1.2m | Whitewater Leisure Ltd. | Lost Kingdom | New for the 2013 season from Camelot Theme park, this ride has two tracks that you can choose from. |  |
| Snail Attack | 2014 | Water shooter | Operational | 1.2m | Shenyang Chuangqi Amusment Equipment | Lilliput Land | Water ride where you can shoot targets using a water gun. |  |
| Albert's Rocket Ride | 2014 | Laser shooter | Operational | 1.2m | Zhengzhou Black Lion Amusement Equipment Co | Lilliput Land | Spinning ride where you can shoot targets by using a laser gun. |  |
| Crazy Barrel Ride | 1996 | Spinning ride | Operational | 1.2m | Gulliver's
(In house built) |
Lilliput Land |  | |
| Jumping Star | 2003 | Tower ride | Operational | 0.9m | Zamperla | Party House | Suitable for children under 1.5m but over 0.9m. |  |
| Ladybird ride | Unknown | Flat ride | Operational | 0.9m | Modern Products | Party House | Moved from underneath the Cycle monorail station (where the puppet show is). |  |
| Fish ride | Unknown | Flat ride | Operational | 0.9m | Unknown | Party House |  | |
| Flight of Fantasy | 1998 | Magic carpet
(Ali Baba) |
Operational | 0.9m | Zamperla | Adventure Land |  | |
| Drop Tower | 2007 | Tower ride | Operational | 1.1m | Moser Rides | Adventure Land |  | |
| Laser Dodgems | 2014 | Dodgems | Operational | 0.9m | C&Q Amusement | Adventure Land |  | |
| Log Flume | 1988 | Log Flume | Operational | 0.9m | Gulliver's
(In house built) |
Western World |  | |
| Silver Mine Ride | 2010 | Dark ride | Operational | 1.2m | Gulliver's
(In house built) I.E. Park - Cars |
Western World | Under 1.2m must be accompanied by an adult. |  |