# Woodlands Family Theme Park

Woodlands Family Theme Park is an all-weather family amusement park and falconry display on the A3122 road, 5 miles from Dartmouth, in South Devon, England. It is part of Bendalls Leisure Ltd which also owns Twinlakes Theme Park and Wheelgate Park.
Set in Devon’s beautiful countryside, Woodlands has over 90 acres (36 ha) of family attractions including 16 rides, as well as around 500 animals. The falconry display has over 50 birds of prey. During the October half term the park hosts a Halloscream Week.
Designed by the Bendall family there are extensive play zones throughout the Park, each having a selection of rides and attractions enabling all the family to play together or enjoy play equipment designed to the guest’s abilities. The massive indoor playcentres at Woodlands are essential for guests to enjoy the highest standard of venture equipment, soft play and rides whatever the weather conditions.

## History

The site was purchased by the Bendall family in 1971 as a 200-acre dairy farm and diversified in 1989 to a 90-acre leisure park and caravan park. It remains a family owned company, Bendalls Leisure Ltd. The layout, café, shop, buildings, play equipment and landscaping all designed by family Bendall members.
The first year that the park opened saw 60,000 visitors. The average annual Leisure Park visitor numbers are now around 350,000. The redevelopment of Woodlands over the years:
1996/7
* 2nd Caravan Park (Falcons View) built and opened
* Installation of first indoor play complex, 1 million pounds
1999
* Installation of Tango Trolls Mystic Maze
* Arctic Gliders
* New roads and parking
2000
* Two million pounds spent on critical indoor attractions to build visitor numbers in wet weather, five levels of play equipment and rides: The Empire of the Sea Dragon.
2001
* New toilets and facilities
* New admission kiosks
* 3rd Caravan Park (Wellpark) created
* Master Blaster Indoor Centre – replacing out dated equipment
2002
* Completed Wellpark Caravan Park
* New landscaping
* Water zapping Bumper Boats
* – for under sevens
* Renewing parts of the Commando Course
2003-2006
* Rock ‘n’ Roll Tugboat installed
* Circus Train Ride –train for young children
* Avalanche Ride – huge drop water ride
* Big Top Playcentre – under fives
* Dune Buggy Ride – younger children
* Polar Pilot Ride – younger children
* Abbey Ruins ‘Archaeological Dig’
* Sand Diggers
2007
* Re-building of Zoo-Farm Complex
2008
* Installation of Swing Ship ride – white knuckle ride and Dolphin Toddler Play, relocation of Bumper Boats
2009
* Seascape Mirror Maze
* Play zone
2010
* Safari Adventure Golf and Mini Ninja Playtime
2012
* Dinosaur Farm Ride
2013
* Fantasy Forest - a mystical adventure attraction in the woods
2014
* Chicken & Pizza Parlour
2015
* Super Hero Theming and Mascot - ‘Unleash the Hero in You!’
2016
* DinoTrek, Jumping Pillow and Farmyard Ride
2017
* Vertigo
* Father Christmas Grotto
2021
* Revamped Christmas Grotto Experience

## Attractions

The park comprises numerous playzones including: 3 Watercoasters, Toboggan run, Arctic Gliders, Avalanche, Pedal Boats, Bumper Boats, Tango Trolls Mystic Maze, Sand Diggers & Big Dig, Swing Ship Ride, Dolphin Toddlers Play, Ninja Towers, Seascape Mirror Maze, Whistle Stop Junction, Pedal Karts, Commando Course, Safari Adventure Golf and the indoor attractions Teddy Mountain, Masterblaster, Circusdrome & Empire of the Sea Dragon. Also, large Zoo Farm Complex and Indoor Falconry Centre. More recent attractions are the Dinotrek, Jumping Pillow, Farmyard Ride and Vertigo.
In the recent years the Park has focused on the expansion of seasonal experiences for example the widely popular Christmas Grotto.

## Location

On the A3122, 5 miles from Dartmouth, South Devon. Set in 100 acres of great natural beauty, mostly in an ancient wooded valley. Containing three woodland lakes, Laura’s Wood Wildlife Sanctuary, outstanding landscaping and gardens.

## Employees

Approximately 60 permanent staff and 130 seasonal staff.

## Awards

* Membership to Best of British Quality Touring and Holiday Parks
* 'AA Quality Standard’ Rating of 5 Pennants, with a score of 92%
* AA Five Gold Pennant Award
* Practical Caravan Top 100 Parks Awards
* Motor Caravan and Caravan Your Top 101 Sites
* Five Stars in the ‘Loo of the Year Awards’
* Camping & Walking Magazine: Campsite of the Year.
* South Hams Tourism: South Hams for all Seasons
* England for Excellence: Environmental last six.
* Nominated for Best Small Business by Countryside Commission.
* England for Excellence: Best Holiday Centre, last six.
* Good Guide to Britain: Traditional Family Outing of the Year.
* Good Guide to Britain: Top Attraction.