Latest news with #ChessingtonWorldofAdventures
Daily Record
4 days ago
- Daily Record
Bus driver spared jail after he ran over pensioner had curfew lifted to take son to Legoland
Norman Hamilton avoided a prison sentence for seriously injuring Andrew Milton last March. A bus driver who was spared jail after he ran over a pensioner had his curfew lifted so he can take his son to Legoland. Norman Hamilton, 58, failed to stop for a red light and hit Andrew Milton, 77. The bus motored over his legs and left him bleeding heavily on the ground in Hamilton, Lanarkshire. Dad-of-two Hamilton appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court and admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving. Sheriff Colin Dunipace ordered him to carry out 250 hours of unpaid work, banned him from driving for five years and put him on a tag for a year. But he returned to court in a bid to have the order varied and go on holiday with his pharmacist wife and five-year-old son to Legoland and Chessington World of Adventures. Sheriff Dunipace agreed with 'some hesitation' and said he did not want to deny the youngster the trip that had been booked in February. Ronnie Simpson, defending, said: "There is a motion to vary this order for a family holiday. "This was booked in February when there was still a chance it would be a trial and negotiations were still ongoing with the Crown and this holiday was booked while discussions were ongoing, it was not done with any disrespect to the court. "The outlay for the holiday has been fairly significant for the family. It is within the UK and only for seven days and they are going to Legoland and Chessington World of Adventures. "I cannot see any prejudice in allowing the holiday to proceed." Sheriff Dunipace said: "I'm slightly surprised by this given I was considering a custodial sentence in this matter. "He was aware that these proceedings were in the offing and that the court would be looking at a custodial sentence so I just wonder why someone would book a holiday knowing that a custodial sentence may be imposed. "There is a punitive element which has to be considered but with some hesitation and on the basis that it is also his son's holiday then I will allow the variation, I don't want to stop his son going on holiday." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. The court previously heard Mr Milton was rushed to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow where medics told him he had suffered 'life-altering' injuries. He was kept in for two months for a number of surgeries on his legs including skin grafts. Hamilton lost his job after the incident of March last year and vowed never to drive a bus again.
Scottish Sun
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
New money-saving pass gives unlimited visits to your favourite UK theme park this summer – for less than £1 a day
Plus, The Sun's Veronica Lorraine recently tested all the rollercoasters at Thorpe Park PLAY ON New money-saving pass gives unlimited visits to your favourite UK theme park this summer – for less than £1 a day Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A NEW theme park pass will let you visit one of four of the UK's top attractions as much as you want this summer. For £59, Merlin Entertainments has launched a new limited time only, three-month pass that allows visitors to visit one of four theme parks as much as they want in that time period. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 For £59, Merlin Entertainments has launched a new limited time only, three-month pass Credit: Alamy 5 Visitors will be able to choose from Chessington World of Adventures, Legoland Windsor Resort, Alton Towers Resort or Thorpe Park Credit: Alamy Visitors will be able to choose from Chessington World of Adventures, Legoland Windsor Resort, Alton Towers Resort or Thorpe Park. So if you were to go every day for the three-month period, it means you would be paying less than £1 a day. There are some exclusion dates which apply to all of the theme parks in the offer. They include August 24 and 25 and October 18, 25, 26 and 31. Jordan Middleton, head of Merlin Annual Pass, commented: "A Merlin Annual Pass is the perfect way to access a summer of adventure for families and thrill-seekers alike for a great price. "With unlimited access to a whole host of exhilarating attractions, a Merlin Annual Pass offers unforgettable memories right on your doorstep. With the Thorpe Park Thrill Pass, for example, visitors can enjoy three months of access to the attraction - which is home to over 25 rides, including its 'Big 6' coasters. One of these rollercoasters boasts the title of the UK's tallest, fastest and most weightless rollercoaster - Hyperia. There are also water rides to enjoy on the hotter days. At Alton Towers Resort - the UK's largest theme park - there are over 40 rides and attractions for all ages. Kids can enter Diggerland for free with this trick There are 10 main rollercoasters, each of which have record-breaking elements too. For younger children, there are 20 attractions including the only place in the UK where visitors can meet some of CBeebies best-loved characters. Meanwhile, at Chessington World of Adventures there is a theme park, zoo and Sea Life centre. The destination boasts over 40 rides and attractions and over 1,000 animals. And finally, at Legoland Windsor Resort there are over 55 rides and attractions based on Lego and Duplo brands and designed for three to 12-year-olds. There are approximately 47million Lego bricks throughout the park, with around 20million in Miniland alone. 5 And the pass allows them to visit as many times as they want over three months this summer Credit: Alamy 5 Alternatively, they can still purchase an annual pass Credit: Alamy Alternatively, annual passes are still available, with multiple different options that also have free parking and discounts on food and hotel stays. In addition, Legoland is even getting a grand new look. Earlier in June, new images revealed that the entrance gates to the park will undergo an upgrade. The plans show that two new structures will be built on either side of the Legoland sign - which look like giant Lego bricks. They will also include Lego characters such as knights and ninjas. Lego characters such as knights and ninjas are also on the towers. Other upgrades at the park include a new Brick Street Cafe, improved bag search and ticket areas and crossing. Plus, The Sun's Veronica Lorraine recently tested all the rollercoasters at Thorpe Park.
The Irish Sun
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
New money-saving pass gives unlimited visits to your favourite UK theme park this summer – for less than £1 a day
A NEW theme park pass will let you visit one of four of the UK's top attractions as much as you want this summer. For £59, Merlin Entertainments has launched a new limited time only, three-month pass that allows visitors to visit one of four 5 For £59, Merlin Entertainments has launched a new limited time only, three-month pass Credit: Alamy 5 Visitors will be able to choose from Chessington World of Adventures, Legoland Windsor Resort, Alton Towers Resort or Thorpe Park Credit: Alamy Visitors will be able to choose from Chessington World of Adventures, Legoland Windsor Resort, Alton Towers Resort or Thorpe Park. So if you were to go every day for the three-month period, it means you would be paying less than £1 a day. There are some exclusion dates which apply to all of the theme parks in the offer. They include August 24 and 25 and October 18, 25, 26 and 31. Read more on theme parks Jordan Middleton, head of Merlin Annual Pass, commented: "A Merlin Annual Pass is the perfect way to access a summer of adventure for families and thrill-seekers alike for a great price. "With unlimited access to a whole host of exhilarating attractions, a Merlin Annual Pass offers unforgettable memories right on your doorstep. With the Thorpe Park Thrill Pass, for example, visitors can enjoy three months of access to the attraction - which is home to over 25 One of these rollercoasters boasts the title of the UK's tallest, fastest and most weightless rollercoaster - Most read in News Travel There are also water rides to enjoy on the hotter days. At Alton Towers Resort - the UK's largest theme park - there are over 40 rides and attractions for all ages. Kids can enter Diggerland for free with this trick There are 10 main rollercoasters, each of which have record-breaking elements too. For younger children, there are 20 attractions including the only place in the UK where visitors can meet some of CBeebies best-loved characters. Meanwhile, at Chessington World of Adventures there is a theme park, zoo and Sea Life centre. The destination boasts over 40 rides and attractions and over 1,000 animals. And finally, at Legoland Windsor Resort there are over 55 rides and attractions based on Lego and Duplo brands and designed for three to 12-year-olds. There are approximately 47million Lego bricks throughout the park, with around 20million in Miniland alone. 5 And the pass allows them to visit as many times as they want over three months this summer Credit: Alamy 5 Alternatively, they can still purchase an annual pass Credit: Alamy Alternatively, annual passes are still available, with multiple different options that also have free parking and discounts on food and hotel stays. In addition, Earlier in June, new images revealed that the entrance gates to the park will undergo an upgrade. The plans show that two new structures will be built on either side of the Legoland sign - which look like giant Lego bricks. They will also include Lego characters such as knights and ninjas. Lego characters such as knights and ninjas are also on the towers. Other upgrades at the park include a new Brick Street Cafe, improved bag search and ticket areas and crossing. Plus, The Sun's Veronica Lorraine recently 5 Annual passes also have additional perks and discounts Credit: Alamy
Daily Mirror
17-06-2025
- Daily Mirror
'I visited Chessington with my toddler and there's one thing no one tells you'
My family and I embarked on a little adventure to Chessington World of Adventures and it turned out to be the perfect short break for our young family. Although a lot of parents might think it's a waste to go with a young child as they probably can't go on most rides, for us it was the best two days. With my two-year-old in tow, we were invited to stay at the Chessington Safari Hotel in one of the delightfully themed Room on the Broom rooms. We arrived on a Saturday afternoon, greeted by the warm and welcoming staff at the Safari Hotel. The hotel itself is designed with families in mind, and the theming is exceptional. Our Room on the Broom room was straight out of a storybook, with wall art, soft furnishings, and a witch above our bed. It's inspired by Julia Donaldson's beloved tale that my toddler is obsessed with. My daughter was so excited from the moment we walked in to the hotel - then we entered the room and she was jumping up and down when she saw the witch's hat and broomstick on the wall. Not only that, we were greeted with a little gift in the room, including the popular book, Freddo chocolate bar and the dragon cuddly toy. To top it off, our room had the incredible view of Safari animals, we could see Zebras literally outside our room which was so exciting for all of us. We spent the first day settling in and exploring the hotel. There's a fun kids' play area in the reception and plenty of space for little ones to stretch their legs or even watch TV. In the early evening, we joined the toddler mini disco downstairs. Watching my two-year-old bop along to familiar tunes with other little ones was a highlight in itself. The disco was well-organised, not too loud, and full of energy, which was just perfect for her age. She did not want to leave! Even days later she spoke about it and said "I went to the disco with my friends at Chessington". Clearly a core memory made. After all that dancing, we were ready for some food. Rather than eating in the hotel restaurant, we opted for a local meal just outside the resort. There are a few nearby spots that offer a quieter dining experience if you want a little break from the hustle and bustle. It was nice to have a relaxed dinner before returning to the hotel to get a good night's sleep. Day two began bright and early. Staying at the Safari Hotel comes with the amazing perk of early entry into the park, which meant we could beat the crowds and get on some rides before the queues built up. But first, we of course headed down to breakfast. The hotel breakfast buffet was a dream, especially when catering to toddlers. From fluffy pancakes and fresh fruit to full English fry-ups and continental pastries, there was something for everyone. My little one happily munched her way through mini croissants, strawberries, and a small bowl of scrambled eggs. It really set us up for the day ahead. At 0.9 metres tall, my two-year-old was able to go on a surprising number of rides. So, at 9am our first stop was the Room on the Broom experience, which was just a few steps away from the hotel and a gentle start to our theme park day. It brought the book to life in a wonderfully immersive way, with animatronics, lights, and gentle movement. The great part was there was absolutely no queue. Next up was the Gruffalo River Ride Adventure, a water-based ride that's also suitable for toddlers. It's dark in places and can be a little bit scary, but the familiar story and music kept my two-year-old completely engaged. The ride ends with a gentle splash which she loved! From there, we made our way to the Elmo's Flying Jumbos ride. This was really cute, it's a cheerful, spinning ride where kids get to sit in colourful flying elephants - what more could a toddler ask for? She squealed with delight as we gently flew up and down and loved going high up! On to her absolute favourite - the truck ride, where she got to "drive" a safari-style truck that goes around a mini course. It gave her the feeling of being behind the wheel, and she beamed with pride. She pointed out every lion, giraffe, and zebra she spotted and kept asking to go back on it! The Banana Boat ride was another big hit; the movement was gentle enough for her to enjoy but fun enough to give her a little thrill. Of course, no trip to Chessington is complete without visiting the zoo and SEA LIFE centre. The zoo is home to lions, tigers, gorillas, and more, but the monkeys were a firm favourite for my toddler. At SEA LIFE, she was mesmerised by the glowing tanks filled with colourful fish, rays, and even small sharks. There's a tunnel that goes underneath one of the tanks, creating an immersive underwater experience, and her little face lit up in amazement and she was trying to spot 'Nemo'. By the end of the day, she was completely worn out - in the best possible way. All in all, our weekend at Chessington World of Adventures was everything I had hoped for: family-friendly, full of age-appropriate fun, and sprinkled with just enough magic to keep our two-year-old excited. The combination of a thoughtfully themed hotel, early access to the park, and a wide range of toddler-suitable attractions made it an ideal mini getaway for us. We're already planning our next visit! To find out more you can visit Chessington's website.
Daily Mail
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Inside the enchanted theme park that's 'cheaper' and 'quieter' than Disneyland
A trip to a theme park can come with buckets of fun, but also a side-portion of frazzle - thanks to long queues for rides and food, and huge crowds in high season. However, there's one European theme park that's so serene your heart rate might be slower when you leave then when you arrive - with one visitor describing it as 'like a stroll through a beautiful park that just happens to have a rollercoaster in the middle.' Even better, it's a bargain compared to some of Europe's biggest theme parks at just £32 a day, with children under four going free. Efteling in Kaatsheuvel, just north of the Dutch city of Tilburg, is a fairytale-themed park that boasts an emerald lake, miniature village, monorail and steam train - as well as a host of rides thrill seekers will love. Those who've visited have said the queues are significantly lower than at other theme parks such as Disneyland Paris and Thorpe Park - where frustrated riders can spend around 90 minutes queueing for the most popular attractions on busy days. Since opening in 1952, the has attracted well over 100 million visitors, with its attractions reflecting elements from ancient myths and fairy tales, legends, fables, and folklore. Ride highlights include wooden rollercoaster 'Joris en de Draak' meaning 'George and the Dragon' to a magical forest and a creepy 'cursed villa,' with every ride based on a story. The ride that gets the biggest screams? A 60mph dive coaster known as Baron 1898. In the oldest area, the Marerijk, the forest frames a trail of classic tales such as Rapunzel, Pinocchio and Rumpelstiltskin reconstructed from the nostalgic drawings of illustrator Anton Pieck. While it's the largest theme park in the Netherlands, it's still relatively unknown with theme park fans in the UK - but those who've visited have been hugely impressed. In 2023, TikToker The Travel Mum (@thetravelmum) shared a post heaping praise on Efteling, saying queue times were 10 minutes in many cases. She told viewers: 'We have been told this theme park is better and cheaper than Disneyland, let's go and check it out. 'Efteling is a theme park in the Netherlands and with no queue to get in, tickets starting at just £34, and these cool little trolleys that you can pull bigger kids around in, I'm already impressed. 'As you walk around, there's all the magic and attention to detail that you get from a Disney park.' She added: 'This park is huge, there's a great app you can download and as you can see, the majority of queue times are less than 10 minutes.' Meanwhile, in the UK, one of Britain's busiest parks announced a new attraction this week. Chessington World of Adventures revealed it will be home to the first and only Paw Patrol-themed land. The new multi-million pound land will be Chessington's largest attraction for pre-schoolers. Set across 1.4 acres, it will feature four thrilling rides - including an entry-level 'My first rollercoaster' - as well as play areas, and interactive character 'meet and greet' events. Chessington World of Adventures has announced it will be home to the first and only Paw Patrol-themed land. Set across 1.4 acres, it will feature four thrilling rides - including an entry-level 'My first rollercoaster' (Rendering of the Paw Patrol-themed land above) Guests will also enjoy a dedicated food and beverage outlet and picnic space, plus a customised retail store. The Paw Patrol land will open in spring 2026, but kids don't need to wait until then to meet their favourite pups. Chase, Skye and Rubble will be at Chessington from this May, helping to oversee the construction of the new land. Starting on the 24th May, the little ones can interact with their favourite characters at the Paw Patrol Meet and Greet experience. And, in the summer, Chessington's Safari Hotel will open five Paw Patrol-themed rooms – the first and only PAW Patrol accommodation in the UK.
