THIS PARK WILL MAKE YOU FEEL GREEN - BUT NOT HOW YOU'D EXPECT (Greenwood Forest Park (Gwynedd))

Member Name: cmh4135

Product:	Greenwood Forest Park (Gwynedd)
Date:	03/07/09 (84 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Eco credentials and great fun!

Disadvantages: Limited activities for those of secondary school age

GreenWood Forest Park is a rather unlikely find in the North Wales countryside not far from Bangor or Caernarfon. It's an eco-theme park which tries to show that you can have fun without using much power (other than that which you provide yourself). It's NOT a park that pushes the green message at you at every opportunity and this I like. It's that fact that it's understated that makes you think about it.

Greenwood Forest Park is probably most famous for being home to Europe's largest "Green" roller coaster. The coaster itself works along similar principles to the mines and power is generated by people being carried down on a funicular railway which in turn causes the coaster to be lifted back up to the start. The coaster then runs down and the next group of people can be taken. The ride itself requires a lot of climbing - you climb stairs to get to the top of the railway and then, when at the bottom must climb again to reach the coaster carriages. As a result the ride is not suitable for the infirm or those with difficulty walking. It does, however, turn a ride which would otherwise last about a minute into a ride which lasts about 5-10 (assuming no queues) and gives you the opportunity to talk about energy (in particular potential energy) to the kids! The actual coaster would give some traditional coasters a run for their money - it's exhilarating in a "boneshaker style" but with the smoothness of a modern coaster. It packs the "Gs" and was equally enjoyed by me (a bit of a coaster junkie), my husband (a coaster wimp) and my new almost 3 year old coaster junkie!

The park is not all about the coaster though. Other self-powered rides include a boat ride (where you paddle/pull yourself along with ropes), a couple of great toboggan runs (one for the little ones (under 3 and one for the rest (which my not quite 3 year old was very happy to be on)), and some great bike-type activities (which really tested the strength of our legs). There is also a variety of mazes, climbing activities, slides and bouncers to be enjoyed with much to discover in the surrounding wooded landscape.

The other major attraction is the bare-foot walk where you can get back to nature via a barefoot walk through various types of ground including sand, cobbles, mud, water and straw. Immense fun and strangely refreshing. Wash facilities are provided (cold!).

There is a small outdoor theatre with various shows and activities on throughout the day and wandering entertainers keep folk amused as they walk through the park.

Toilets are clean and sited throughout the site and there is a cafe offering good value basic meals. Unlike other tourist attractions prices were not reflective of the fact that there was a captive audience which was very welcomed. Wait times were not too bad for table service. There were plenty of tables dotted around the park for picnicking and many were in shaded parts providing a welcome break on sunny days.

I liked the fact that this was a simple park and suited to children from toddlers to about 13 years old. I suspect the optimum age range is about 3-8 years. It's a reasonably compact site meaning that there's not far to go between attractions. Although the site states that it is suitable for buggies and wheelchairs it should be noted that this IS Wales and the ground con be uneven and hilly in parts. You'd manage but it could be hard work.

Unlike the traditional theme parks queues are minimal (no more than a 2 minute wait for anything) despite our visit being on a May bank Holiday weekend in bright sunshine! I suspect that it could get busy in the summer but it's fairly remote and small and, as such, is unlikely to attract the crowds that one might expect at a larger theme park. The other great thing is that, being wooded, most of the queues will always be in the shade - something that cannot be claimed by Legoland, Alton Towers or Chessington!

Priced at between £22 and £33 for a family of 2 adults and 2 children (depending on season) I think the park offers excellent value for money with the entrance price covering all the activities bar two (some coin operated diggers and cars and craft activities). Under 3s and over 80s are free with a 50% discount given to the disabled and their carers. Height restrictions are minimal and our son at just under 3 was able to go on everything (I think the coaster minimum height was about 95cm). Tall children will be excluded from a couple of the smaller climbing set ups.

Please note - do as the website suggests and if you are using a sat nav start to ignore it when you see the brown tourist signs - if you don't then you end up going through some very steep and narrow roads that are not suited to tourist traffic. It will take about 5 minutes more if you follow the tourist signs but you'll get there in one piece!

Recommended.

Summary: A superb theme park in the North of Wales