Nottinghamshire (Retford), United Kingdom
Sundown Adventureland in Rampton, Nottinghamshire is one of the UK's most beloved theme parks for young children, specifically designed for the under-10s. Owned by the Rhodes family since 1968, this magical 50-acre park features 22 rides and attractions spanning 6 themed adventure zones — from Wild West cowboys to Sherwood Forest, pirate smugglers to fairytale storybooks. Ideal for children aged 2-10, the park is thoughtfully designed so that even the youngest visitors can experience almost every attraction.
Park Highlights
WILD Ostrich Safari - Ride across the African savannah on a giant ostrich! The park's most iconic ride. Children 85-110cm with adult / 110cm+ alone. Under 85cm cannot ride.
Robin Hood's Merry Adventure - Slow-moving tracked dark ride through Sherwood Forest, gold mines and animatronic scenes! No height restriction. Beloved by generations of families.
Jolly Pirate Barrel Ride - Water barrel boat through Smugglers Cove with pirates and surprise splashes! Expect to get wet. No height restriction. All children must be accompanied by adult.
Rides & Attractions
Thrill Rides (with height requirements)
WILD Ostrich Safari - Safari riding experience! 85cm with adult / 110cm alone. Under 85cm cannot ride. Unique animatronic safari adventure!
Monkey Mayhem Driving School - Kids' 4x4 monster truck driving! 100cm to 140cm only. Must be able to follow instructions. Garmendale Engineering custom ride!
The Night Before Christmas Ride - Seasonal Christmas trackless dark ride! 120cm to ride alone, younger children with an adult (Christmas Spectacular event only). Glide through winter wonderland to meet Santa!
Family Rides (no strict height)
Rocky Mountain Railroad - Gentle Wild West train journey! No height restriction. Mountain scenery, rivers, and animatronic bandits. Young children with adult.
The Tractor Ride - Farm-themed family tractor ride! No height restriction. Kids steer from front. Seats 2 adults + 2 children. Must have adult 16+.
Jolly Pirate Barrel Ride - Water barrel boat! No height restriction. All children must be accompanied. Pirates, surprise splashes, Smugglers Cove adventure!
The Giddy Piggies Ride - Spinning flying-pig ride! 90cm alone / adult accompaniment under 90cm. Soar above the rooftops!
The Okie Yolkie Ride - Spinning Angry Birds egg ride! 90cm alone / adult accompaniment under 90cm. Teacup-style adventure!
Santa's Sleigh Ride - Christmas dark ride! No height restriction. Year-round festive scenes, lights, and scents!
Dark Rides
Robin Hood's Merry Adventure - Tracked dark ride through Sherwood Forest! No height restriction. Animatronic scenes, gold mines, and Robin Hood's world!
Santa's Sleigh Ride - Festive dark ride! No height restriction. Christmas characters and winter wonderland all year!
The Night Before Christmas Ride - Trackless sleigh Christmas dark ride! 120cm to ride alone, younger children with an adult. Premium seasonal experience with Santa meet (Christmas Spectacular only).
Adventure Play Zones
Smugglers Cove - Pirate outdoor adventure! No restriction. 10-metre Galleon ship with 3-metre plank, new slide, climbing frames!
Fort Apache - Wild West cavalry outdoor play! No restriction. Multi-level climbing, assault course, interconnected Wild West buildings!
Angry Birds Activity Park - Licensed Angry Birds outdoor zone! No restriction. Climbing frames, swings, roundabouts. Houses Okie Yolkie and Giddy Piggies rides!
Indoor Soft Play
Crash Landings - 4-storey jungle indoor soft play! No restriction. Three extra-long bumpy slides, climbing frames, and cafe. Under 5s with parent.
Rodeo Corral - Wild West indoor soft play! No restriction. Located alongside dining area. Climbing structures and slides!
Interactive Attractions
Lollipoppet Castle - Sweet-themed fairytale castle! No restriction. Explore rooms with unique scents — peppermint, liquorice, ice cream! Royal Mint and sundae centrepiece!
Storybook Village - Fairytale miniature village! No restriction. Three Little Pigs, Jack and the Beanstalk, animatronic characters. Perfect for toddlers!
Monkey Mischief - Musical jungle animal walk-through! No restriction. Press buttons to bring jungle animals to life with singing and dancing!
Sundown Market Square - Animated talking fruits and vegetables! No restriction. Yodelling goats, talking potatoes, Santa's Workshop!
Singing Pet Shop - Animatronic choir of pet characters! No restriction. Musical singing animals. Favourite for young children!
Toy Town - Kid-sized interactive miniature town! No restriction. Butchers, fire station, doctor's office, post office, giant clock centrepiece!
Four Seasons Arena - Seasonal show venue! No restriction. Santa meet-and-greet home during Christmas Spectacular event!
Dining & Facilities
Honey's Pumpkin Patch Café - Main cafe with hot meals and snacks!
Crash Landings Café - Cafe within 4-storey soft play area!
Rodeo Corral Dining - Wild West themed dining alongside indoor play!
Picnic Areas - Bring your own food! Picnic tables throughout park!
FREE Stroller Parking - Designated areas throughout park
Practical Information
- Season
- February half-term through Halloween and Christmas Spectacular
- Open daily during school holidays and half-terms
- Open weekends during term time (some exceptions)
- Check official calendar for specific dates
- Reopened for 2026 on 14 February
- Hours
- 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM (approximately; check official calendar)
Admission (2026):
- Adults and children 90cm+: from £20 online / ~£24 gate
- Under 90cm: FREE
- Season passes (Fun Pass) available for unlimited visits including Halloween and Christmas events
- Parking
- FREE
- Location
- Treswell Road, Rampton, Near Retford, Nottinghamshire, DN22 0HX
- 1 mile from Rampton village
- 3 miles from Retford
- 2 hours from London (A1 motorway)
- 1.5 hours from Manchester
- Perfect for
- Families with children aged 2-10, toddler families (excellent accessibility for very young), school holiday day trips from the Midlands and Yorkshire, families combining with nearby Sherwood Forest
- What Makes Sundown Unique
- Designed exclusively for under-10s — so children feel like the stars! Six themed adventure worlds. Operated by the same Rhodes family since 1968. Most rides accessible to children under 1m with adult. Dark rides rivalling larger parks. Magical Christmas Spectacular with Night Before Christmas trackless ride!
- 2026 News
- The Galleon at Smugglers Cove has been restored with a three-metre plank and new slide for 2026!
- Contact
- 01777 248274
Visit sundownadventureland.co.uk for tickets, opening calendar, season passes, and Christmas Spectacular bookings.
- Sources