Tiny English theme park set in a castle you won’t have heard of – with ‘gnome village’ and water rides
A lesser-known theme park in the UK has been described as both “unique” and “magical” by guests, who claim it has something for everyone.
The Watermouth Theme Park and Castle can be found near Ilfracombe in Devon and promises “an enchanting mix of children’s activities and nostalgic blasts from the past”.
The park is set in a castle, overlooking Watermouth Cove, and offers a mix of outdoor rides, Victorian curiosities and landscaped gardens.
Among its most popular attractions are the toboggan run, an 820ft downhill toboggan, and the big river ride, a journey through stretches of jungle and woodland in a small boat.
Other rides include a steam carousel, the snail ride, spinning cooking pots and the aviator ride, in which kids feel like they’re flying their own little planes.
Elsewhere the park has its own gnome village in which guests are invited to “explore the world in miniature” by peeking into the gnomes’ homes and “finding out what mischief they’re up to.”
As well as rides and gnomes, visitors can get lost in the park’s maze, play games like crazy golf or crazy snooker and take in the Water Show Extravaganza in which 1,000 jets of water are synchronised to lights and music.
A retro arcade allows people to play on games from the past, with pier machines, vintage penny pushers and claw machines among the collection.
Meanwhile, a fully operational robot organ band called Moony Bean and the Shooting Stars will perform songs on their robotic instruments for guests.
Those who wish to spend more than a day at the park can even book a night in the castle, with seven self-catering apartments available.
The apartments can accommodate up to six people and guests staying in them will have entry to the park included in the price of their stay.
Devon’s Top Attractions said of the theme park: “Watermouth Castle appeals to kids from 1 to 100 years of age.
“Inside the castle itself, you’ll discover an eclectic mix of Victorian treasures, curios, and vintage displays.
“And in the outdoor theme park you’ll find a whole world of rides, attractions and play structures.”
Elsewhere, Visit Devon described it as “a unique and magical experience that has something to entertain all ages.”
Watermouth Castle has an overall score of 4.5/5 from hundreds of reviews on TripAdvisor, the vast majority of which are five star ratings.
One wrote: “Such a wonderful quirky enjoyable day out. Husband, myself and our 11 year old loved every part of it.”
Another said: “We had a brilliant day. The whole place is utterly bonkers but we did enjoy it. The children had a wonderful time on all the rides.”
A third added: “Stunning, enchanting, superb. Views were magical, attractions amazing. The person who designed this place was an absolute genius.”
The park is currently closed for the winter season, but is set to reopen in March, 2024.
General admission at peak times, including weekends and bank holidays is £18, while children under 92cm get in for £4.
Off-peak tickets are £16, with children under 92cm getting in free.
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