Gulliver's Kingdom

For the Japanese amusement park of the same name, see Gulliver's Kingdom (Japanese amusement park).

Not to be confused with Gulliver's World, Gulliver's Land, Gulliver's Valley, or Gulliver's Travels.

Gulliver's Kingdom

Gulliver's Kingdom
Location	Matlock Bath, Derbyshire, England
Status	Operating
Opened	27 May 1978;47 years ago (1978-05-27)
Owner	Phillips family
Slogan	Giant Adventures for Families
Operating season	March-November [1] [2]
Website	https://www.gulliverskingdomresort.co.uk

Gulliver's Kingdom (also known as Gulliver's Matlock Bath) is a theme park aimed at children aged 3-13 in the Derbyshire town of Matlock Bath, England. The park was founded in 1978 by Ray and Hilary Phillips as a model village, before later expanding to include a small train and some second hand rides. ^[3] The Philips Family still own Gulliver's Kingdom in the present day. ^{[4] [5]}

History

The park was opened on 27th May 1978 ^[6] by Ray and Hilary Phillips as a model village, before later expanding to include a small train and some second hand rides. ^[3]

An statue of Gully Mouse, Gulliver's mascot.

Gulliver's Kingdom is close to the site of the Victorian Switchback rollercoaster ride, after which the theme park's main rollercoaster was eventually named.

In the early 1980s, a hotel and a number of chalets were constructed within the park. These facilities were shut in the late 1990s. In 2017, the concept was revisited with the development of a themed accommodation titled 'Explorers Retreat'.

Gulliver’s Kingdom celebrated its 45th anniversary in 2023. ^[7]

Rides and attractions

Water rides

Name [8]	Area	Description
Log Flume	Western World	A log flume ride
Buddy’s Pirate Adventure	Smugglers Wharf	Small boat ride through an interactive pirate experience
Dino Falls	Lost World	Dinghy-based, double water slide

Roller Coasters

Name	Area	Description
Log Roller Coaster	Lilliput Land	A log themed roller coaster

Tracked rides

Name	Area	Description
Cycle Monorail	Fairy Kingdom	Self pedalled monorail
Silver Mine Ride	Western World	Interactive track ride
Dino Explorer Cars	Lost World	Dinosaur themed track cars

Flat/other rides

Name	Area	Description
Jumping Stars	Explorer’s Play House	A small tower drop ride
Fish Ride	Explorer’s Play House	Child-friendly, fish themed ride
Chairlift	Safari Kingdom	Chairlift to lower and higher levels of the park
Ladybird Ride	Explorer’s Play House	Child-friendly, ladybird themed ride
Drop Tower	Safari Kingdom	Tower drop ride
Flying Bikes	Safari Kingdom	Aerial bicycle themed ride
Crazy Barrel Ride	Lilliput Land	Waltzer-style ride
Crows Nest Quest	Smugglers Wharf	A high ropes climbable frame
Double Decker Carousel	Smugglers Wharf	Carousel ride
Pirate Ship	Smugglers Wharf	Swinging pirate ship
Riggers Revenge	Smugglers Wharf	Zip line aerial course
Safari Dodgems	Safari Kingdom	Dodgems
JCB Zone	Lilliput Land	Child operated, small JCB diggers

The Rock-afire Explosion (under The Hard Luck Bears) performing at Gulliver's Kingdom in Matlock Bath, Derbyshire

Entertainment

Name [9]	Area	Description
The Hard Luck Bear Show	Western World	An indoor animatronic show starring Billy Bob and friends
The Western Bears	Western World	An outdoor animatronic show with the singing, western bears

See also

• Gulliver's Land
• Gulliver's World
• Gulliver's Valley

References

1. "Gulliver's Kingdom Theme Park is now... - Gulliver's Kingdom | Facebook". Facebook .
2. "Christmas at Gulliver's | Gulliver's Kingdom Theme Park, Matlock Bath". Archived from the original on 3 December 2011.
3. dt-admin (7 November 2013). "Gulliver's Story". Park World Online - Theme Park, Amusement Park and Attractions Industry News. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
4. Wakefield, Andrew (29 July 2022). "Moving tribute paid to founder of Derbyshire theme park". Derbyshire Times. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
5. Burn, Chris (27 July 2020). "Gulliver's Valley: Meet the family behind Yorkshire's newest theme park". The Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
6. "Gulliver's Kingdom Anniversary". Facebook .
7. "Gulliver's Theme Park Resorts celebrates 45th anniversary". Warrington. Retrieved 15 January 2025.
8. "Rides - Gulliver's Kingdom, Matlock Bath". Matlock Bath. Retrieved 16 January 2025.
9. "Attractions and Experiences - Gulliver's Kingdom, Matlock Bath".

External links

• Official Website
• Interview with the Gulliver's Managing Director ^{[ usurped ]}

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