Hidden within the Essex countryside sits an enchanted misplaced kingdom inhabited by fairies, wizards, dragons and wizards.
Wyvernwood, close to Colchester, guarantees the chance to take pleasure in a enjoyable household time out distanced from the digital world whereas reconnecting with nature.
It sounded nice, so we ventured over the border from Suffolk to seek out out extra.
Reporter Camille Berriman visited Wyvernwood, close to Colchester, for a family-friendly time out. Image: Camille Berriman
The straightforward drive from Bury St Edmunds took lower than an hour and we have been quickly parked up and queuing to get inside.
With tickets checked, we walked down an avenue of timber in direction of a mist-filled entrance portal within the distance.
The 4 of us – I used to be joined by my husband Dave, our six-year-old daughter Clara and her pal Ruby for the journey – gasped a collective ‘wow’ on rising into the intense sunshine to an open vista providing an array of attractive actions.
Reporter Camille Berriman visited Wyvernwood, close to Colchester, for a family-friendly time out. Image: Camille Berriman
Suppose teepees, castles, dragons and wishing wells – with a deal with pure supplies and nature – and also you may need some concept of the view we encountered on coming into the Citadel Grounds.
With wildflowers bursting from little hillocks interspersed with quite a lot of journey play areas geared toward all ages, Wyvernwood actually appears spectacular when you enter the clearing.
A costumed play information greeted us and directed us in direction of the map and suggested us to scan a QR code for a web based information to the day’s actions.
Alas, the Wellbeing Wooden was closed for the day on account of forecast winds however there nonetheless appeared to be a lot to do, though it took a while for us to determine the timetable as each our telephones struggled to load the web information.
Reporter Camille Berriman visited Wyvernwood, close to Colchester, for a family-friendly time out. Image: Camille Berriman
I did really feel a blackboard close to the doorway detailing the day’s occasion timings would have been a useful addition, given 3G protection was hit or miss on web site (and the attraction is billed as a digital detox).
Saying that, the women have been much less within the timetabled actions and simply wished to discover the various play areas within the Caste Grounds clearing.
By no means underestimate the common enchantment of a playground – and with Wyvernwood’s themed areas together with the Captain’s Galleon; Hidden Treasure Sand Play, Magic Wishing Effectively and Little Kingdom, there was a lot to maintain the women occupied and burn off some power.
Reporter Camille Berriman visited Wyvernwood, close to Colchester, for a family-friendly time out. Image: Camille Berriman
In the meantime, the location is dotted with picnic tables for weary dad and mom to relaxation or take pleasure in a picnic.
After a superb session exploring, the more and more ‘hangry’ schoolgirls have been persuaded off the bouncy pillow and to our picnic desk for lunch, though each twitched with desperation to strive the following new factor with each mouthful.
Quickly they’d run over to the Dragon Karts – single and two-seater karts pushed by pedal energy alongside a observe heading out of the Citadel Grounds clearing, previous a grassy knoll and again to the beginning by means of a gap within the timber.
Reporter Camille Berriman visited Wyvernwood, close to Colchester, for a family-friendly time out. Image: Camille Berriman
After a brief queue, as they waited for a double car to come back free, they have been quickly pedalling away. They beloved it.
With David referred to as on a couple of occasions to assist release log jams alongside the way in which, subsequent factor I knew he had commandeered his personal car and I noticed a glimpse of his beaming face as he flashed previous, reliving his personal childhood.
When their legs seemed to be getting drained we recommended visiting the Dragon Path, away from the principle citadel clearing, however Clara and Ruby had different concepts and as a substitute stopped for some play on the Goblin’s Tunnels.
Then, with fairies stationed by the Magic Wishing Effectively for picture alternatives, the women stopped (briefly) to flash toothy grins earlier than heading again for an additional activate the Enchanted Citadel playground.
Reporter Camille Berriman visited Wyvernwood, close to Colchester, for a family-friendly time out. Image: Camille Berriman
Our pleas to strive the Dragon Path went unheeded as soon as extra, so David headed to get the grown-ups some espresso as the women burned off but extra power.
Finally they have been persuaded away from the play frames and we made our option to the Dragon Path, passing the Maize Maze alongside the way in which (not but open, because the maize must develop a bit taller).
The Dragon Path is inside an expanse of gently swaying corn. The calm of the sector was quickly shattered by the 2 whirlwinds eschewing the paths to stomp by means of corn to the points of interest inside.
Reporter Camille Berriman visited Wyvernwood, close to Colchester, for a family-friendly time out. Image: Camille Berriman
A treasure hut, surrounded with big wood puzzles, was our first port of name. We then made our option to the unicorn paddock, the place we met Fairy Bluebell and her unicorns Serena and Shadow.
The women adored speaking to Fairy Bluebell and asking questions on her magical powers (together with teleportation). Nevertheless, they have been so engrossed of their dialog all three failed to note a naughty goblin stealing Bluebell’s desserts.
Quickly, Clara and Ruby have been on a mission to seek out the naughty goblin, restore the desserts to their rightful residence and drive the goblin to apologise.
Reporter Camille Berriman visited Wyvernwood, close to Colchester, for a family-friendly time out. Image: Camille Berriman
Of all of the day’s points of interest, interacting with the magical characters on web site was most likely their favorite expertise.
With the Dragon Path accomplished (I can’t touch upon the delights of the close by Wellbeing Wooden – residence to the Wizard’s Area, Captain’s Campsite and Land of the Fairies – as winds pressured its closure the day we visited) we headed again into the principle clearing for a last run across the journey playgrounds earlier than heading residence.
Our solely unfulfilled want? For some swings appropriate for older youngsters. With 4 toddler swings on web site, our older two longed to really feel the wind of their hair on some regular swings, which Wyvernwood lacks.
Nevertheless, that’s a small disadvantage for what’s a completely healthful attraction with nature and outside play at its coronary heart.
Reporter Camille Berriman visited Wyvernwood, close to Colchester, for a family-friendly time out. Image: Camille Berriman
Having opened solely a yr in the past the location nonetheless appears very new – not essentially a nasty factor – and I’ve a sense it’ll provide much more thrilling development and improvement within the months and years to come back.
However for now, two drained little ladies napped behind the automotive all the way in which residence, having given the resounding thumbs as much as Wyvernwood.
For extra data, go to www.wyvernwood.co.uk
Reporter Camille Berriman visited Wyvernwood, close to Colchester, for a family-friendly time out. Image: Camille Berriman
Hints and ideas:
– Sweets, ice cream, espresso, waffles, sizzling canine and pizza shops can be found on web site.
– A teepee picnic space is in place for visits throughout poor climate, nevertheless the location additionally boasts loads of outside picnic tables and a plethora of bins, which imply it is vitally tidy.
– Unisex bathrooms have been clear throughout our go to, though quick queues did kind at occasions. Child change and accessible amenities are additionally accessible. Bathrooms earlier than the doorway gate can be a welcome future addition, as I used to be determined to make use of the amenities after we arrived and had not factored in a wait to get on web site.
– Wyvernwood is open 10am-5pm every day throughout college holidays – see web site for data at different occasions. On ‘Diddy Dragons’ days the park closes at 2pm.
– Parking is free.
– Wyvernwood’s final opening date of 2023 is October 29.
