When I was a child growing up in London, we would go on day trips to visit my Nan in Southend, and if we were lucky we would round the day off with a visit to "Peter Pan's Playground", which was a small amusement park, of which my main memories of are the big wheel and the crooked house.

Now we fast forward 20 odd years, and Peter Pans has not only grown, but the name has changed to "Adventure Island"

Situated on Southend seafront next to the world's longest leisure pier, Adventure Island now comprises 31 rides that are accessed by either wristbands or tickets, plus the dodgems and go-karts that are coin operated.

Some of these rides date back to before 1951, as can be seen by the commemorative mark on the Crooked house showing where the water level reached during the floods of 1953.

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Prices
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Super Saver Wristband - £18

This allows the wearer unlimited access on any of the 31 wristband rides

Tiny Tots Wristband - £12

Allows the wearer unlimited access on any of the 18 tiny tots rides.

A responsible person over the age of 14 also gets to accompany a Tiny tot under 1.2 metres free

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Restrictions
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Of the 31 rides 13 are restricted to children over either 1 or 1.2 metres tall for safety reasons, but these are the faster rides that younger children would'nt generally enjoy.

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The rides
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The rides range from the gentle Big Wheel, to the terrifying Claw, and there is something for all tastes. I have in fact taken my children on rides from a few months of age, and my teenage neices have also enjoyed their day.
New rides are introduced yearly.

A word of warning though, there are normally long queues for the new rides, especially in the summer.

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Value for money??
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This would depend on whether you are going to spend all day within the park, or just a few hours. To be honest my family generally spends from about 12pm until the park closes between 8 and 11pm, and therefore we definately get value for our money.

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The staff
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I have found although many of the staff are young (it's one of the big employers of older teenagers that are still at school) they are curteous and only to willing to help. My 6 year old son is disabled and has even been taken to the front of queues, although there is no official policy for this.

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Amenities
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There are plenty of toilets, although the council ones are a little smelly. There is also a nice big changing facility. I'm not sure if they're still available, but there used to be lockers available.

There are several food stalls that sell reasonable priced meals as well as restaurant, that I have'nt checked out yet.

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Special Offers
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Adventure Island often runs offers of 1/2 price wristbands after 6pm, and occasionally 1/2 price wristbands all day.

Another offer that runs occassionally is free rail travel when visiting the park.

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Website
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The website is
http://www.adventureisland.co.uk

This gives details of opening times and any special offers they are running, as well as new rides in the pipe line

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The kids views
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C, 13 - "I love the fast rides"
L, 9 - "I don't like fast rides, but I like the jungle ride and go on it lots"
M, 6 - "Go Peter pans today??" (he asks this at least once a week, if you've read my WDS review you'll now he has difficulties)

A, 5 - "Soon I'll be big enough to go on the rollercoaster"

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Conclusion
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Adventure Island is a great venue for a day out that all the family will truely enjoy.