How to get to Drayton Manor Theme Park by train
Drayton Manor is a fun, adrenaline-filled day out for the whole family, whether you’re local or you’re heading in from further afield. Thankfully, getting there is easy, with several different options available to those from all over England and the rest of the United Kingdom. Of course, you can drive and pay to park if you wish, but we think travelling by rail is the most convenient choice.
Travelling by train to Drayton Manor means you’ll need to head to Tamworth Train Station as it’s the nearest train station to the theme park (around three miles away). From the station to Drayton Manor, you can hop in a taxi or use public transport. The Arriva 110 bus passes the station – you’ll simply need to get off at ‘The Square’ island in Fazeley and walk a short distance to the entrance. The bus service starts in Birmingham, and passes other close-by locations such as Sutton Coldfield, which might be more convenient if you live in the Staffordshire area or prefer a different station. For more bus information, have a look at Tamworth on Staffordshire Council's dedicated bus page.
Where is Drayton Manor?
Drayton Manor Park is situated in Drayton Bassett near Tamworth and Fazeley in Staffordshire, occupying a central location in the West Midlands just 17 miles from Birmingham. Trains from Birmingham New Street Station take 15–20 minutes, and Tamworth is about 2 hours from London Euston Station.
What to do at Drayton Manor Theme Park
Drayton Manor Park does what it says on the tin – it’s a theme park with plenty of attractions suitable for all ages and adrenaline levels. Attracting over 1 million visitors every year, it’s a very popular UK attraction, both among UK residents and travellers from around the world.
With over 100 rides, there’s truly something for everyone, from hair-raising roller coasters and terrifying drops to white-knuckle water rides, thrashing rapids and high flyers that will take you to dizzying new heights. Maelstrom, Shockwave, Stormforce 10 and Apocalypse are just some of the rides that adrenaline seekers will love.
There’s also a hotel on the grounds for those wishing to stay longer, as well as an abundance of cafes and restaurants, ensuring there are plenty of different food options for when those hunger pangs strike.
Drayton Manor is not just an amusement park though, it also hosts a 15-acre conservation zoo which is home to over 500 animals from all over the world. So when you’re done ride-hopping, take a stroll through the zoo and get up close with some of the world’s most loved and endangered species.
If you’re travelling with little ones, you’ll be pleased to know that Drayton Manor Park is also home to Thomas Land. This Thomas the Tank Engine-themed area has over 25 rides suitable for even the smallest of Thomas fans. Plus, you can get involved with a variety of entertainment options and even stay in a Thomas-themed room in the on-site hotel if you plan to extend your visit.
While the park can be enjoyed year-round, it also hosts seasonal events for the whole family to enjoy throughout the year. So, whether you’re visiting in autumn for the Halloween spooktacular events, in winter for Christmas magic and festivities or you’re looking forward to Easter egg hunts and springtime activities, you’ll be spoilt for choice.
About Drayton Manor Theme Park
What's a day out without researching some fun facts about your destination before you get there? Here are our favourite facts and statistics about Drayton Manor Theme Park:
- Drayton Manor Park occupies 180 acres of land.
- Over 1.5 million people visit the Tamworth attraction every year.
- Drayton Manor Theme Park is home to Europe's only Thomas Land.
- It was first opened in 1949 as a small amusement park with a handful of children's rides.
- Stormforce 10 is the most popular coaster and for every photograph sold, a donation is made to the RNLI to fund a lifeboat named 'Drayton Manor'.
- It is the fourth largest amusement park in the UK behind Alton Towers, Thorpe Park and Flamingo Land.
- The zoo is home to over 100 different species of animals.
- Apocalypse opened in 2000 and was the first stand-out drop tower ride in the world. It earned itself the title of 'Britain's Scariest Ride'.
Ways to save on your train ticket to Drayton Manor Theme Park
No matter where you’re travelling from in the UK, theme parks can be expensive days out. Luckily, there are ways you can save on your rail travel when visiting here by train, leaving more money for fun, snacks and souvenirs.
The best way to save on rail travel is to book as soon as you can, ensuring you make the most of early-bird savings. If you know exactly when you’re going to visit, why not set up advance ticket alerts to ensure you get the best price? Better still, if you can travel during off-peak hours then further savings can be made - although we know this isn’t always possible with children. If you’re travelling as a group, you can always take advantage of group and family train tickets offering savings on larger bookings.
If you’re a frequent rail user, be sure to use your Railcard for additional discounts. If you don’t already have one, it might be worth considering the Avanti West Coast ‘Family and Friends Railcard’, offering savings of 60% on kids’ fares and a third on adult fares, plus no restrictions on usage.
Get the app
To ensure your journey to Drayton Manor Park is as smooth as possible, download the Avanti West Coast app. You can book, manage and store your train tickets here, with no booking fee and no need to worry about keeping paper tickets safe. It’s also a handy travel companion when you’re en route, with the ability to view live journey times, route information and other essential travel updates.
