Crealy Theme Park & Resort, formerly Crealy Adventure Park & Resort, is a family theme park in Southwest England with over 60 rides, attractions, live shows, animal attractions and Sooty Land. Just outside Exeter in over 100 acres of countryside, it also has a large lodge, campsites and variety of entertainment and sport facilities. The park opened in 1989.
| Previously known as Crealy the Great Farm Adventure (1989-1992)
Crealy Country Crealy Adventure Park & Resort | |
 | |
| Location | Exeter, Devon, United Kingdom |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 50°42′20″N 3°24′58″W / 50.705669°N 3.416076°W |
| Status | Operating |
| Opened | 1989 |
| Operated by | Maximum Fun Devon Limited |
| Slogan | The biggest family Theme Park in Devon! |
| Operating season | Every day through summer season, reduced hours during winter. |
| Area | More than 100 acres (40 ha) |
| Attractions | |
| Total | 21 |
| Website | Official website |
History
editThe land for Crealy Theme Park & Resort was bought from King's College, Cambridge in 1982. Its first visitors arrived in 1988 when it was operating as a farm, coming to see the cows being milked using its state-of-the-art dairy unit. It officially opened in 1989 as a working farm, Crealy the Great Farm Adventure, the same year its restaurant and Treetops playground were opened.[1]
In 1992, the name of the park changed to Crealy Country and more attractions were introduced, including quad bikes and the bumper boat lake.[1]
In 1994, the cows were sold so that their barns could be used for undercover attractions. The next year, the Adventure Zone was opened.[1]
In 1997, the Magical Kingdom (formerly Buddy Bear's Kingdom and now The Pier) was opened.[1]
In 2000 the park's first rollercoaster was added – a Vekoma Junior Coaster called Maximus.[2] Further rollercoasters were added in 2014 and 2015.[3] Its 2015 addition, Twister Rollercoaster, a spinning wild mouse, is the largest ride in the park.[4][5]
In 2011, following some refurbishments, Devon County Council granted owners Maximum Fun a licence to keep various exotic animals and operate Crealy as a zoo. The first animals to be exhibited were Meerkats. [6]
In 2012, the park opened accommodation nearby at Crealy Meadows Caravan and Camping Park. Now known as Crealy Meadows, the site offers camping and caravan pitches, themed tents, and luxury lodges and glamping.[1]
In February 2019, Crealy abandoned zero-hour contracts for its staff in favour of permanent roles. The park speculated that it was one of the first theme parks in the country to do this.[7]
In February 2022, the park announced the opening of a Sooty-themed area for the May Half Term. It features four rides, a themed store, other themed attractions and a live show. It opened on May 28, 2022.[8]
Rides
editPresently Crealy has over 60 rides, attractions and live shows. These include thrill rides, rollercoasters, water rides, and indoor and outdoor play areas. The Animal Barn houses zoo and farm animals.[1]
| # | Name | Manufacturer | Opened | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sooty's Magic Bus | Zamperla | 2022 | Colourful bus with views across the land |
| 2 | Soo's Sweet Balloon Ride | Zamperla | 2022 | Colourful balloons and views of Sooty Land |
| 3 | Sweeps' Flying Circus | SBF/VISA | 2022 | Circus themed planes, peaceful flight, view below |
| 4 | Izzy Wizzy Let's Get Dizzy | Moser's rides | 2022 | Colourful cars and famous spell, "Izzy Wizzy, Let's Get Dizzy!" |
| 5 | The Jolly Roger | Zamperla | 2017 | Rocking and spinning pirate ship |
| 6 | The Junior Driving School | World of Rides | 2017 | Tricky course for young guests, with twists and turns |
| 7 | Twister Rollercoaster | SBF/VISA | 2015 | Twisting track, three hundred metres long, twelve metres high |
| 8 | Dino Jeeps | Zamperla | 2014 | Family exploration area |
| 9 | Seacups | SBF/VISA | 2014 | Aquatic ride hosted by King Neptune |
| 10 | Shark Bay Coaster | SBF/VISA | 2014 | Junior indoor coaster, located in Lost World of Atlantis |
| 11 | Supersubs | SBF/VISA | 2014 | Enjoyable underwater world |
| 12 | The Flying Machine | Zamperla | 2014 | Family-friendly machine, goes high |
| 13 | Safari Express | SBF/VISA | 2013 | Family ride, potentially visible animals |
| 14 | Crealy Grand Prix | Formula K - Go Karts | 2011 | Four-wheeled multiplayer game |
| 15 | Vortex Water Coaster | Van Egdom | 2010 | World's first triple tube water coaster |
| 16 | Dolphin Drop | Zamperla | 2008 | Ride with dolphins and propulsion to ocean surface |
| 17 | Tidal Wave Log Flume | L&T Systems | 2008 | Double drop high speed water slide into dark water |
| 18 | Victorian Carousel | Walker | 2003 | Most beautiful ride, built around 1884, slow |
| 19 | Flying Dutchman | Metalbau | 2000 | Swing, swoops low |
| 20 | Maximus Rollercoaster | Vekoma | 2000 | Departs from "ancient Roman buildings" |
| 21 | Aqua Blasters | JJ Amusements | 1992 | Bumper boat in lagoon with fast-pumping water cannon |
Camel Creek Adventure Park
editTerry Sandling bought Trelow Farm in Tredinnick and opened the property to the public in 1989 as The Shire Horse Centre. The property was then sold to Crealy Great Adventure Parks in 2004, and was branded as Cornwall's Crealy. Following an acquisition in 2015, John Broome CBE purchased Cornwall's Crealy and rebranded it as Camel Creek Adventure Park. The park attracts approximately 200,000 people a year.[9]
Major rides include the new 5D Simulator, Morgawr, The Beast, Raging River and Thunder Falls. Camel Creek targets younger children up to the age of six.[citation needed] Swampy and Dina are resident characters.
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f "About Us". www.crealy.co.uk. Retrieved 15 April 2019.
- ^ "Maximus - Crealy Adventure Park (Exeter, Devon, England, United Kingdom)". rcdb.com. Retrieved 15 April 2019.
- ^ "Crealy Adventure Park (Exeter, Devon, England, United Kingdom)". rcdb.com. Retrieved 15 April 2019.
- ^ "Twister Rollercoaster - Crealy Adventure Park (Exeter, Devon, England, United Kingdom)". rcdb.com. Retrieved 15 April 2019.
- ^ Hoyles, Francesca (3 October 2017). "Crealy theme park, Devon: everything you need to know about visiting this summer". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 15 April 2019.
- ^ "Crealy adds animals". Park World Online. 13 June 2011. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
- ^ Wilkins, Daniel (8 February 2019). "Crealy abandons zero-hour contracts - 100 jobs being offered". Exmouth Journal. Retrieved 15 April 2019.
- ^ "Crealy Theme Park & Resort announces the opening of Sooty Land this May Half Term".
- ^ "Alton Towers founder buys Cornwall Crealy theme park". BBC News. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
External links
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