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Crealy Theme Park & Resort facts for kids
Previously known as Crealy the Great Farm Adventure (1989-1992)
Crealy Country Crealy Adventure Park & Resort |
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Location | Exeter, Devon, United Kingdom |
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Status | Open |
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 | 18 |
Crealy Theme Park & Resort, formerly Crealy Adventure Park & Resort, is Southwest England's largest family Theme Park attraction and is home to over 60 rides, attractions, live shows and a zoo. Located just outside Exeter and set in over 100 acres of countryside the business also consists of a large lodge, glamping and camping park that includes themed accommodation with a variety of entertainment, sports and leisure facilities.
History
The 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.
In 1992, the name of the park changed to Crealy Country and more attractions were introduced, including quad bikes and the bumper boat lake.
In 1994, the cows were sold so that their barns could be used for undercover attractions. The next year, the Adventure Zone was opened.
In 1997, the Magical Kingdom (now Buddy Bear's Kingdom) was opened.
In 2000 the park's first rollercoaster was added – a Vekoma Junior Coaster called Maximus. Further rollercoasters were added in 2014 and 2015. Its 2015 addition, Twister Rollercoaster, a spinning wild mouse, is the largest ride in the park.
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.
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.
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.
Presently Crealy has over 60 rides, attractions and live shows. These include thrill rides, rollercoasters, water rides, and indoor and outdoor play areas. There is also the Animal Barn, which houses zoo and farm animals.
Rides
# | Name | Manufacturer | Opened | Description |
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1 | The Jolly Roger | Zamperla | 2017 | Get in a spin as you take a ride on this rocking and spinning pirate ship. |
2 | The Junior Driving School | World of Rides | 2017 | The Junior Driving School will have young guests twisting and turning around the tricky course. |
3 | Twister Rollercoaster | SBF/VISA | 2015 | 310m of twisting track standing at 12m high. |
4 | Dino Jeeps | Zamperla | 2014 | Explore the Jurassic Jungle with the whole family. |
5 | Seacups | SBF/VISA | 2014 | Be prepared to be under King Neptune's command as he takes you for a breath-taking spin around the ocean. |
6 | Shark Bay Coaster | SBF/VISA | 2014 | Shark Bay is the junior indoor coaster and is located inside The Lost World of Atlantis. |
7 | Supersubs | SBF/VISA | 2014 | Enjoy the underwater world right before your eyes of The Lost World of Atlantis. |
8 | The Flying Machine | Zamperla | 2014 | A ride that the whole family can enjoy, taking to the sky and flying high. |
9 | Safari Express | SBF/VISA | 2013 | See how many different animals you can spot as you enjoy this family ride |
10 | Crealy Grand Prix | Formula K - Go Karts | 2011 | Bringing thrills to four wheels, challenge your friends to the Crealy Grand Prix and get ready to go. |
11 | Vortex Water Coaster | Van Egdom | 2010 | The world's first triple tube water coaster. |
12 | Dolphin Drop | Zamperla | 2008 | Take a ride with the dolphins and propel yourself towards the surface of the sea. |
13 | Tidal Wave Log Flume | L&T Systems | 2008 | From high above the trees the double drop water slide plunges at high speed into the darkness of the water below. |
14 | Victorian Carousel | Walker | 2003 | Ride the Victorian Carousel, the most beautiful ride at Crealy Theme Park & Resort. Built around 1884. |
15 | Flying Dutchman | Metalbau | 2000 | Jump on board The Flying Dutchman to swoop low and swing high through the sky. |
16 | Maximus Rollercoaster | Vekoma | 2000 | Departing from the ancient Roman buildings, jump aboard Maximus the Roman Roller Coaster and hold on tight. |
17 | Honey Swing | SBF/VISA | 1999 | Take to the air and soar like a honey bee. |
18 | Aqua Blasters | JJ Amusements | 1992 | Zoom around a lagoon in a bumper boat firing a fast pumping water cannon. |
Camel Creek Adventure Park
Terry 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. 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.
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. Swampy and Dina are resident characters.