An empire built on pennies

LOOK after the pennies and the pounds will look after themselves according to the old saying – and the adage really has proved true for a family who have built a theme park empire from a crumbling country estate. Almost a century ago, William Bryan started a business making some of the world’s first penny arcade slot machines which were shipped to amusement parks across the globe from his factory in Kegworth, near Derby.

A few decades later, William’s equally entrepreneurial son George spotted a new opportunity when an estate came onto the market which had once been the home of Prime Minister Sir Robert Peel.

Drayton Manor, on the edge of Tamworth, was built by Peel’s father who had relocated from Yorkshire. But by 1950, the grand house had been demolished, and its park, complete with lakes, was unused and unloved.

After securing the estate, Bryan brought in some simple amusements and rides, and since then he and his son Colin, who now runs Drayton Manor Park, have steadily expanded their entertainment empire.

The latest developments are built around Rev W Awdry’s Thomas the Tank Engine, with part of the park turned into Thomas Land. A new hotel has just opened too, also themed around the children’s favourite.

The hotel is within walking distance 
of the entrance to the park, and 
Thomas Land offers a good day for 
very young children, with even an 18-month old able to enjoy all the rides with an adult. Older children, teenagers and adults can find everything from a traditional “galloper” carousel to G-Force, a huge rollercoaster with gravity-defying loops. For families, the hotel, complete with its “Thomas-themed rooms” offers a unique base from which to explore not just the park, but the surrounding county.

These include one of Britain’s best known theme parks, Alton Towers, which is totally different from Drayton Manor in that it is huge, and a bit of a drag if you’re contending with a pushchair. But attractions for older thrill-seekers are as good as ever – with new ride Sub Terra, based on the older crowd-puller Nemesis, particularly memorable.

Another destination on the Staffordshire tourist trail, Stoke-on- Trent’s Waterworld, is also remarkable, but unfortunately sticks in the mind for all the wrong reasons. It may have been at the top of its game 20 years ago, but in 2012 it’s looking pretty tatty. A much better standard appears to 
be maintained at Tamworth’s Snowdome, which offers a huge 
indoor, real snow ski slope, a 
children’s “snow play” area and snowboarding and tobogganing runs. Ski lessons are on offer, and even an absolute beginner can make real progress in about an hour.

What Sir Robert Peel would have made of a Snowdome in his home town is anyone’s guess.

Staffordshire’s tourist board Enjoy Staffordshire currently offers a one-price ticket called Thrill Hopper which allows entry to Drayton Manor, Alton Towers, Waterworld and the Tamworth Snowdome. Skiing lessons are not included.The tickets cost £47.50 for a single ticket and £142.50 for a family ticket (two adults and two under 12s). Full details can be found at www.enjoystaffordshire.com/thrill-hopper