Steam along for a solution to summer holidays headache

So when Drayton Manor was recommended to me, I decided it was time to get the family up early, hit the road and see what the attraction could offer – not that the children (aged three and five) needed much encouragement as the themepark houses Thomas Land.

So after getting up one Sunday morning at 7am and being out the door as if it was a school day (by 8.30am), we arrived hassle free via the M1 and M6 at our destination near Tamworth by 10am – half an hour before the rides open.

We decided to dive straight in to Thomas Land and once the excitable squeals had died down, my three-year-old son was thrilled to be able to hop into Percy’s carriages to take a ride to Tidmouth Hault.

At the end of the line was Farmer McColls Farm, complete with Dino Trail and Thomas model railway exhibition. Then, after trying out a few of the rides and the adventure playground, we spotted Thomas coming into view so rushed to the platform for a ride back to Thomas Land’s main ride area.

Diesel’s Locomotive Mayhem was great fun for the children (and dad!) as we hopped on board Rusty for a chaotic ride where engines whizzed around, but never quite crashed into each other.

Crazy Bertie Bus was next as it was mum’s turn to take the children up into the crowds on the flying ...err... bus! Bulstrode then gave us a rockin’ ride as we were sent spinning up, down and around to the kids’ delights.

With one or two of the other rides looking rather busy we then headed deeper into the park to see what else was on offer.

It wasn’t the warmest of days so we decided to give Stormforce 10 and Splash Canyon a miss – although you can pay a couple of quid to stand inside a human dryer for three minutes and probably emerge with a frizzed up comedy barnet!

There were quite a few other rides which would be ideal for older children – particularly the terrifying looking Apocalypse.

It’s a 200ft drop tower where you can choose to sit down, stand or stand ‘floorless’. I’ve never had the stomach for such rides and thankfully my youngsters were far too young for such excitement (gulp).

But there was plenty around to keep them happy. A ride on the carousel, the cable cars (which give you a magnificent view of the park if you can bear to look down!), the Jolly Buccaneer, Pirate Adventure and my children’s undoubted favourite, the Buffalo Coaster.

It may have been a 20-minute wait (our longest of the day), but it was well worth it. My grinning son squealed “look at us zoom” as we careered around the track, while my daughter begged desperately to go on it again.

My worst fear about a themepark outing is the queue time, especially with restless youngsters, but mercifully waits were mostly minimal and where we did have slightly more patient the ride was certainly worth it.

Towards the end of the outing, on our way back towards the car park, we decided to have one last look around Thomas Land as the queues were smaller and managed to cram in Jeremy’s Flying Academy, Harold’s Heli Tours and Sodor’s Classic Cars before the tired but happy Sims family headed for home.

An added bonus was that we sailed out of the car park – and then back down the motorways to be home in next to no time.

It was a great day out which I’m sure we’d love to repeat. The only worry now is when the kids finally get old enough and want to take daddy on Apocalypse, G Force and Maelstrom, rather than the tea cup ride!