Your kids can go bonkers...If you take them to Conkers! (Conkers)

Name: MandyMinx

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Product:	Conkers
Date:	14/07/03 (567 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Fun, Cheap day out, All ages

Disadvantages: Shattering

What do you do when you are faced with three moaning kids, who are only two days into the school holidays and are already sitting po faced on the sofa complaining that they are bored? Well the answer to that is simple. Take them to Conkers.

If I say the word conker to you, some of you will think about those lethal weapons on pieces of string that regularly threaten to take someones eye out. The rest of you will probably think of trees.
Thinking of trees in this case would be a good start.
Deep in the heart of the National forest, is a great family day out, that costs little and will have the children burning energy until by the end of the day they go willingly to their little beds, shattered but satisfied.

Conkers has been open for two years now. It was originally built to commemorate the millennium and I have to say that at a time when pollution is at an all time high and traffic congestion is hitting boiling point, this does seem a much more fitting commemoration to the millennium than the London Eye or the Doomed Dome.
Conkers is 1000 acres of fun and adventure incorporating a massive assault-course,some great play-parks, a train ride and much more. Conkers is not all about climbing trees and big slides though, the idea is that through play and the hands on experiences, like water fun, pond dipping, mud monsters and den building, they can get children taking a closer look,and gaining a better understanding and appreciation of the world around them.


The great thing about this adventure is that it takes place both indoors and out. The indoor section is split into four areas, discovery zones. In these area's children of all ages can learn about the creatures and plants that inhabit the forest.
The most impressive exhibit in my opinion is a huge oak tree in the middle of the museum. Where the tree would meet the soil in the forest, in the exhibit the soil is not there and the floor is made of glass. The root struct

ure of the tree stretches out below your feet, highlighting the beauty and strength of the tree and it's roots. You can stand under the tree and look down at the roots.It's an amazing experience.
Now my children are getting a bit older now, but believe you me they are just as inquisitive.The number of times I have walked around an exhibit with my heart in my mouth, worried that they will touch something they shouldn't and something will break. At Conkers, learning is through experience, so you might be glad to know that around every corner is a sign saying...Please touch the exhibits...Phew!!
There is plenty to see and do in the discovery zones. My youngest was particularly taken by a display that gave you the chance to view something 'through the eyes of a spider.'
There was also a huge living leaf for the children to crawl gleefully through.
Another exhibit brings you face to face with a giant ant. For a minute there I thought I was Joan Collins in Valley of the Ants.
There are craft areas where you can watch clever people make pottery and paint. There is a gift shop and a lovely coffee shop that overlooks a picturesque pond. I found the coffee shop clean and reasonable. When we go somewhere like this we usually take a picnic but if you forget or want something fancy, there are two lovely looking restaurants in the grounds. To keep with the natural feel of the place, the restaurants are made with natural wood and so don't stick out, or becomes eye sores in this beautiful park.

If your little darlings still have too much energy to burn you might like to pop to the indoor soft play area. This is a new facility and looked loads of fun.

The toilets were immaculate. They were tastefully decorated, clean and airy. Most importantly, they had loads of toilet paper. The disabled toilets were great too, plenty wide and very clean.

As you walk around the woods and parkland's of Conkers, you cann
ot fa
il appreciate the way that all the man-made scenery blends so well with the natural elements in the park. There are sculptures dotted all around the paths. The use of different textures and accessories make each one different. I have to admit to being a touchy feely person. I love the cold, smooth feel of marble and the lumpy bumpy feel of some of the rocks that have fused together over the years. I like to encourage my children to touch too, especially Mark who has autism. Touching is something he finds difficult and it was lovely to be able to explore lots of different textures together.
The foot paths are well marked and along the way there are little plaques on the trees encouraging the visitor to look out for the homes of certain animals or the leaves of different trees. There are some sculptures that encourage water play, and areas where den building takes place. The paths are well kept and the park boasts full disabled access, which is quite rare for a park of this description. Apparently you can hire a scooter, but its best to ring ahead and book it, especially in the school holidays.

If you are thinking that your teenagers would be bored to tears here you couldn't be further from the truth. Conkers plays host to the most impressive obstacle course I have ever seen. Made from all natural products, the course is huge and quite taxing. My kids love to get their dad climbing the ropes and scaling the walls with them. Poor man, its quite sad to see him puffing and blowing over the obstacles.
There are height restrictions on the course, but they do allow parental discretion.
While the older kids are testing their strength and agility, there is a really fun play-park for the little ones. Swings, slides, roundabouts. Everything you need for an hours peace and quiet.

Conkers has its own rangers who run all sorts of activities during the day. My children made models of ants on one occasion and on another they were given big
lumps of
mud and they made mud monsters. I can tell you they were a right mess by the time they had finished, but they had so much fun. There was a small cost for the extra events, I think I paid a pound for each child, but seeing as we got our model ants after and big smiley children, it was definitely worth the money.

By the time we had done the course, played on the park, hid from dad, laughed as mum stepped in duck poo and eaten everything that wasn't tied down, we were shattered and caught the free train back to the park entrance.

I would recommend Conkers to everyone. There is something to see and do for the young or the old. Disabled facilities are excellent and the rangers were really friendly and definitely knew their stuff. There was enough to see and do to fill two days and I am sure there is a lot more I haven't told you about. You will have to wait until we have been back and discovered even more of Conkers.


I love a good roller-coaster like most people, but its nice sometimes to pull on some old clothes, get down and dirty and have a real family day out in a place where the children can experience the life and energy of the world about them, through play. What better way is there to learn!


Don't take my word for it .Check out the web site, where you can take a virtual walk around the park and have a look at those obstacles.


http://www.visitconkers.com/index.html

Conkers is located five miles from junction 11 on the M42.

Opening Times & Admission Costs

Daily opening 10am - 5pm. From Good Friday we will close at 6pm

£5.50 Adult
£3.50 Children (3-15 years)
Under 3's go free
£15.95 Family ticket (2 adults, 2 children)
£4.50 Concessions
Annual Membership Passes and Special Group and Educational Rates available
There is an additional charge for the new indoor adventure play.

In my humble opinion, Conkers
is a fabulou
s day out, with enough to do to keep you going till either you, or the kids fall over. Entrance is extremely reasonable for what the park has to offer and the staff are well trained, polite and look like they are there by choice and not obligation. We will definately be going to Conkers again during the summer holidays.

Thanks for reading...Have a great time

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