Major UK theme park will open for FREE later this week

People had thought it was an April Fool's Joke - but it's not

Dianne Bourne Lifestyle Editor

10:00, 21 Apr 2025Updated 19:44, 21 Apr 2025

Drayton Manor Resort has announced it will open for free on April 24 - 25 - pictured is the Vikings zone(Image: Drayton Manor Resort)

Major UK theme park Drayton Manor Resort has confirmed it will open for FREE later this week on April 24 and 25 to celebrate its 75th anniversary.

Resort bosses had initially teased the news on April 1 - leading many to assume it was an April Fool's Joke.

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But now, the theme park has confirmed it was NOT a joke - and that entry will indeed be free at Drayton Manor on Thursday, April 24, and Friday, April 25.

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There's just one catch though. While entry to the park itself will be free, once inside you will need to buy "tokens" to go on the rides just like visitors would have done when it first opened in the Staffordshire countryside back in 1950.

Drayton Manor is known for its host of rides(Image: MEN)

The theme park, in Tamworth, is particularly popular with families thanks to its Thomas the Tank Engine themed Land for younger visitors with an array of cute rides.

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It also boasts the Wild West-themed Frontier Falls, and the newest Viking zone where there are big rollercoasters for thrillseekers like Accelerator, as well as the popular Disk'O Coaster Thor in Vikings.

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It's also known for its large lake where the Bounty Pirateship swing and visitors get soaked on Stormforce 10.

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Announcing the news on its instagram page, Drayton Manor said: "Play Like Back In The Day is here!"

Thomas Land at Drayton Manor

It added: "We’re celebrating 75 years of epic fun – and you’re invited!"

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It confirmed that it will indeed be FREE entry on April 24 and 25 – adding that visitors will just pay for the rides they fancy on the day.

Five tokens will cost £10, or you can buy an unlimited wristband for £30 online or £35 on the day at the park.

Rides will be priced from one token up to five tokens around the theme park on the relevant dates.

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Drayton Manor will open for free - you just pay for the rides you go on(Image: Drayton Manor Resort)

The post added: "Whether you haven’t been in a while and fancy a free wander, or want to make new epic memories – this is one celebration you won’t want to miss."

It encouraged people who want to get involved to book a place for their free entry now at their website.

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While rides will need to paid for on the day, the free entry will mean visitors can explore the full park area without charge across Thursday and Friday this week.

There's a dino trail at Drayton Manor(Image: MEN)

That includes the Drayton Manor Zoo, which is home to over 500 animals including lemurs, lizards and red pandas.

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The park also includes a Dino Trail popular with children, and there are free play areas too.