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Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Another Thomasland thread!

28 replies

bigspender30 · 01/03/2009 15:06

Thinking of taking my DS to Thomasland for his 3rd birthday. We are in Scotland so it looks like the easiest way to get there would be to fly to Birmingham. Can anyone tell me how easy it would be to go from Birmingham airport to Tamworth? Probably stay at the Travlodge near Tamworth too. Any info greatly appreciated!!

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dontdillydally · 01/03/2009 16:44

Its 15 miles from the airport - so roughly 30mins drive. But really is worth the trouble.

Weve been to TL twice now we live in Nottingham about an hours drive - its fantastic!

We went last summer and at christmas - my ds 3 yrs and a huge Thomas fan loved it.

Watch out for the Troublesome Trucks ride - its really fast!!! Also food outlets are dire - try and take some sandwiches, fruit and drinks etc...

Original poster
bigspender30 · 01/03/2009 16:53

thanks for that! Much appreciated!

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TheButterflyEffect · 01/03/2009 17:08

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PfftTheMagicDragon · 01/03/2009 19:11

It is an easy drive. We live inbetween the two and it's no problem getting there.

Original poster
bigspender30 · 01/03/2009 21:06

You have all sold it to me ! How much do you reckon a taxi would be from airport to Tamworth Travelodge?

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PfftTheMagicDragon · 01/03/2009 21:13

Quite a bit. A taxi from my house to the airport is a tenner. It's further from my house to Thomas land so more than double that. Maybe if you call in advance you can get a set price and do a deal?

If you don't have loads of stuff you could train to Birmingham New Street and then to Tamworth and get a taxi from there but then that's a bit of a hassle.

Ds loves Thomas land, really good, don't miss the adventure playground near the zoo!

blithedance · 01/03/2009 21:14

Taxi about £20 I reckon. Was about that for our holiday taxi from not too far away (couple of years ago).

(Slight hijack) Anyone know of any discount vouchers for Drayton Manor like the Kellogs Zoo ones last year?

ChasingSquirrels · 01/03/2009 21:19

not discount vouchers - but you can use Tesco deals - £7 a ticket.

Original poster
bigspender30 · 01/03/2009 22:22

Hijack away! that was my next question! Where to find discount vouchers......
Thanks for the taxi info. Will look at the trains too. Thought it would be easier just to jump in a cab though if it wasn't too expensive

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TheButterflyEffect · 01/03/2009 22:55

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PfftTheMagicDragon · 02/03/2009 07:24

Drayton Manor do vouchers on the back of tickets, £4 off next ticket. Non person specific.

If you go in term time you can get a adult toddler ticket for £14.

Original poster
bigspender30 · 02/03/2009 13:16

does term time include weekends?

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JumpingDizzy · 02/03/2009 13:19

Isn't there a coach company near you that does trips? We went with national and it worked out a good deal including cadbury world too.

JumpingDizzy · 02/03/2009 13:20

we stayed here it was lovely.

Fimbo · 02/03/2009 13:23

We enjoyed Thomasland better than Disneyland Paris.

Thomasland is lovely because everything is new, the rest of Drayton Manor thought is a bit dumpy (needs a good facelift)

PfftTheMagicDragon · 02/03/2009 13:44

not weekends, no bigspender.

Dizzy is right, a lot of places do coach trips.

Original poster
bigspender30 · 02/03/2009 13:55

hmmm.........wonder if they do it from Scotland though. Its a long way to go with a toddler. Will do a price comparison and see.
Glad you enjoyed Thomasland better than Disneyland Paris fimbo!

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popcorn123 · 02/03/2009 16:17

Has anyone travelled from Scotland to Thomasland -and if so how did they do it.

Was thinking if flying to birmingham and staying in Tamworth - how far is it from there to thomasland?

Or train to Birmingham centre and staying there and travelling by bus/train to Thomasland.

Either way it seems very expensive but would love to go with 2 ds's

Could find any coach trips.

Sorry for the hijak!

Original poster
bigspender30 · 02/03/2009 17:58

hey popcorn123, I am planning trip from Scotland too!
I think Flybe is the cheapest. They are coming in at around £50 to Birmingham and the travelodge is about £29 for a family room! Plan to go in May so I can let you know how I get on if you like?

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blithedance · 02/03/2009 21:25

I live near Tamworth and have been to Thomasland.

Drayton Manor Park/Thomasland is on the western outskirts of Tamworth. It's about six miles from M42 Junction 10, maybe three from Tamworth town centre. It's not on a bus route, maybe 0.75 miles from the nearest stop (Fazeley).

A direct coach is probably the easiest way, although the car queues can be awful (say 45 minutes to get the last mile) and you see people walking down who might have parked further away/got the local bus. If you don't have a car, that Travelodge is miles away and you might spend another £10 in a taxi to get to the park, then it's another £20 back to the airport.

DMP is shut for the winter at the moment, the coach trips may start appearing later in the year when it opens. You might get a direct coach from Birmingham Digbeth or even the airport.

Staffordshire is a lovely area to stay generally with masses of attractions - you could do worse than drive down for a week and make a holiday of it!

Original poster
bigspender30 · 02/03/2009 22:24

thanks blithedance! When do you reckon the park gets busy? We were thinking of coming early MAy but not if there are huge queues!

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popcorn123 · 02/03/2009 22:47

Thanks bigspender - will have another look at flybe - I was finding it a bit more expensive.

Blithedance - never driven that far (pathetic I know!) hence trying to find transport will have to think again.

blithedance · 03/03/2009 08:46

Last year Thomasland has just opened so it was really busy. You will have to queue average 15 minutes for every ride if you go at holiday or weekend - but that's usual for theme parks and there is lots to look at and enjoy while waiting. Maybe better to go midweek and get the toddler deal if you possibly can.

Popcorn, where's your sense of adventure! We drove to Skye last year !

BexieID · 05/03/2009 23:57

I'm in Scotland too. I am planning to stop there overnight on our way down to my parents in Wokingham one of these days. I don't think Tom will be really into it though. I know my mum wants to take him to Legoland, but might be best waiting another year (he'll be 3 next month).

Friends of mine have been. One of them stayed at the Innkeepers lodge I think, and said it was better than Travelodge, but is a bit furthur away.

Original poster
bigspender30 · 10/03/2009 14:35

does anyone know which coaches go to Thomas Land from the airport. Have booked the flights but still undecided re hotel. If there is a bus from the airport, then we would just stay there.

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