Gulliver's Kingdom

Gulliver's Kingdom (also known as Gulliver's Matlock Bath) is a theme park aimed at children aged 3 to 13 in the Derbyshire town of Matlock Bath, England. Founded in 1978 by Ray Phillips, it is still owned by the Phillips family and now has sister theme parks; Gulliver's World in Warrington and Gulliver's Land in Milton Keynes, which opened in 1989 and 1999 respectively. The park was originally created by Ray Phillips as a model village for his young children to enjoy, and it is close to the site of the Victorian Switchback rollercoaster ride (after which the theme park's main rollercoaster was named).

The park is noted for its location - being built on a steep hillside. While this means that a day out can become a "work-out", it provides a unique experience, with many rides being nestled in amongst the trees. The view across to Starkholmes and the Heights of Abraham is notable.

History

As of 2006, the Theme Park has the following major attractions: Log Flume, Elephant Ride, Flight of Fantasy, Dodgems, Chairlift, Jumping Star, Gulliver's Magical Journeys, The Crazy Barrels, The Rio Grande Railroad, The Veteran Cars, Gulliver's Travels Ride, Billy-Bob's Bi-Planes, Log Coaster, Switchback Rollercoaster, Monorail, Ladybirds, Jubilee Carousel, Ferris Wheel, Double-Decker Carousel, Lazy River Ride, Pirate Ship and Fire Brigade.

From 2009, the Lost Kingdom dinosaur area returned to Gulliver's. Full of puzzles and attractions, as well as huge dinosaur models for children to identify, it is a popular attraction and a firm favourite with children.

In 2009, Gulliver's announced a partnership with Nick Jr. This has seen popular characters Dora the Explorer and Diego from Go, Diego, Go appearing at all Gulliver's theme parks. The characters set challenges for children and appear daily on-site for photo opportunities.

In early 2010, it was announced that the partnership would continue throughout 2010.

Amenities

Gulliver's Kingdom features two entrances due to the car-parking being so spread out. There are three onsite shops, one at each entrance and a special soft-toy shop on Fantasy Terrace. Places to eat in Gulliver's Kingdom include Gulliver's Travels Restaurant, The Happy Haddock, Bourbon Restaurant, Percy Pig's Pizza Parlour and Canyon Grill.

The main park opens seasonally, from Easter and throughout summer, then on weekends in September and October - up to Halloween. The park is also open for Christmas, from late November and on selected dates throughout December. Several different Christmas packages are available, incorporating meals, shows and entertainment.

The park is home to the Gully Gang. The Gully Gang consists of Gully Mouse, Gilly Mouse, Percy Pig, Leonard Lion and Ellie Elephant. These characters can be seen everyday and are available to meet children and pose for pictures to add a touch of magic to their day out.

Other attractions on site are the Hard Luck Bears Jamboree, The Magical Dancing Water Show and Gulliver's Big Puppet show.

Rides and attractions

Roller coasters

Rides

Name	Opened	Type	Status	Manufacturer	Height restriction	Park Location	Notes	Images
Chair Lift	1992	Chair Lift	Operational	Montaz Industries	Ride Alone: Over 140cm Ride with Adult: Under 140cm	Bourbon Street/ Adventure Land	Under 1.4m can go on but need to be accompanied by an adult.
Pirate Ship	1992	Pirate Ship	Operational	Zamperla	Ride Alone: Over 120cm Ride with Adult: 90-120cm Can't ride: Under 90cm	Smugglers Wharf	Small pirate ship located by Bourbon Street 90cm is the minimum height to go on.
Gully's Pirate Adventure	1994	Water ride	Operational	Gulliver's (In house built)	Ride Alone: Over 120cm Ride with Adult: Under 120cm	Smugglers Wharf	Under 1.2m can go on but need to be accompanied by an adult. It's also known as the 'Lazy River'.
Double Decker Carousel	1993	Carousel	Operational	Gulliver's (In house built)	Ride Alone: Over 120cm Ride with Adult: Under 120cm	Smugglers Wharf	Two floors for adults and children to go on. Under 09's can go on the horses but only on the second floor. Built by Gulliver's Kingdom, the horse are supplied by I.E. Park.
Log Coaster	1986	Steel Roller coaster	Operational	Cavazza Diego	Ride Alone: Over 120cm Ride with Adult: 90-120cm Can't ride: Under 90cm	Lilliput Woods	Small roller coaster suitable for first time riders between 0.9m (90cm) and 1.2m. Smaller children need to be sat on the right-hand side.
Crows Nest Quest	2017	Rope course	Operational	Rope Course, Inc	Ride Alone: Over 130cm Ride with Adult: 130cm Can't ride: Under 130cm (Awaiting rules to be finalized)	Lilliput Woods	New attraction for the 2017 season. Replacing the Climbing Wall and the Balloon Ferris Wheel. The model is a Sky Trail® Explorer.
Cycle Monorail	1993	Self-driven	Operational	Gulliver's (In house built)	Ride Alone: Over 140cm Ride with Adult: 90-140cm Can't ride: Under 90cm	Toyland	You need to be 1.4m and over to go on this attraction otherwise you can't reach the pedals.
Gully's Magic Bikes	2013	Spinning ride	Operational	Zamperla	Ride Alone: Over 120cm Ride with Adult: 90-120cm Can't ride: Under 90cm	Toyland	The faster you pedal then the higher the ride will rise. It's a self controlled ride. Riders between 90cm and 119cm must be accompanied by an adult.
Switchback	2004	Steel Rollercoaster	Operational	I.E. Park	Ride Alone: Over 140cm Ride with Adult: 110-140cm Can't ride: Under 110cm	Toyland	Largest roller coaster in the park. Riders between 110cm and 139cm must be accompanied by an adult. Opens at 11:30am
Dino Explorer Cars	1997	Slow ride	Operational	SBF Visa	Ride Alone: Over 120cm Ride with Adult: Under 120cm	Lost Kingdom	Under 1.2m can go on including babies/toddlers but must be accompanied by an adult.
Diplodocus Falls	2013	Dingy slide	Operational	Whitewater Leisure Ltd.	Slide 1 (Tunnel): Ride Alone: Over 140cm Ride with Adult: 90-140cm Can't ride: Under 90cm Slide 2 (Open): Ride Alone: Over 120cm Ride with Adult: 90-120cm Can't ride: Under 90cm	Lost Kingdom	New for the 2013 season from Camelot Theme park, this ride has two tracks that you can choose from. Only one person over 1.4m per boat.
Snail Attack	2014	Water shooter	Operational	Shenyang Chuangqi Amusment Equipment	Ride Alone: Over 120cm Ride with Adult: Under 120cm	Lilliput Land	Water ride where you can shoot targets using a water gun. Under 1.2m must be accompanied by an adult.
Albert's Rocket Ride	2014	Laser shooter	Operational	Zhengzhou Black Lion Amusement Equipment Co	Ride Alone: Over 120cm Ride with Adult: Under 120cm	Lilliput Land	Spinning ride where you can shoot targets by using a laser gun. Under 1.2m must be accompanied by an adult.
Crazy Barrel Ride	1996	Spinning ride	Operational	Gulliver's (In house built)	Ride Alone: Over 120cm Ride with Adult: Under 120cm	Lilliput Land	Spinning ride themed as barrels. Under 1.2m must be accompanied by an adult.
Jumping Star	2003	Tower ride	Operational	Zamperla	Ride Alone: Under 150cm Can't ride: Under 90cm	Party House	Small drop tower, suitable for children under 1.5m but over 0.9m.
Ladybird ride	Unknown	Flat ride	Operational	Modern Products	Ride Alone: Over 90cm Can't ride: Under 90cm	Party House	Moved from underneath the Cycle monorail station (where the puppet show is).
Fish ride	2011	Flat ride	Operational	Unknown	Ride Alone: Under 150cm Can't ride: Under 90cm	Party House	Only for children between 1.5m and 0.9cm.
The Flying Carpet	1998	Magic carpet (Ali Baba)	Operational	Zamperla	Ride Alone: Over 120cm Ride with Adult: 90-120cm Can't ride: Under 90cm	Adventure Land	Renamed from the 'Flight Of Fantasy' to the 'The Flying Carpet' in the 2016 season. Under 1.2m must be accompanied by an adult. 90cm is the minimum height.
Drop Tower	2007	Tower ride	Operational	Moser Rides	Ride Alone: Over 140cm Ride with Adult: 110-140cm Can't ride: Under 110cm	Adventure Land	12mt drop tower for guests above 1.1m while accompanied by an adult, and 1.4m to ride with an adult.
Laser Dodgems	2014	Dodgems	Operational	C&Q Amusement	Ride Alone: Over 140cm Ride with Adult: 110-140cm Can't ride: Under 110cm	Adventure Land	Under 1.4m must be accompanied by an adult and seated in a passenger side. 0.9cm is the minimum height.
Log Flume	1988	Log Flume	Operational	Big Country Motioneering/In-House built (Gulliver's)	Ride Alone: Over 120cm Ride with Adult: 90-120cm Can't ride: Under 90cm	Western World	Under 1.2m must be accompanied by an adult. Under 0.9m are not allowed on this ride.
Silver Mine Ride	2010	Dark ride	Operational	Gulliver's (In house built) I.E. Park - Cars	Ride Alone: Over 120cm Ride with Adult: Under 120cm	Western World	Under 1.2m must be accompanied by an adult.

See also

• Gulliver's Land
• Gulliver's World

External links

• Official Gulliver's Kingdom Website
• Interview with the Gulliver's Managing Director

Coordinates: 53°07′06″N 1°33′52″W / 53.118197°N 1.564395°W / 53.118197; -1.564395