Action-packed day at British theme park with The Gruffalo ride, animals and ice cream is perfect family day out

AS The Gruffalo emerges from the deep dark wood, I’m not sure who squeals with delight more, my son George, five, or my 65-year-old dad Kevin.

Julia Donaldson’s adored character is the inspiration behind the star attraction at Chessington World of Adventures Resort, which last year bagged the coveted Britain’s best theme park gong.

The Gruffalo River Ride Adventure offers the right level of thrill for a primary school-age child, his anxious 30-something mum and (nearly) geriatric grandpa.

Watch the story play out as you bob gently along the lazy river in a wooden barrel, before whizzing down a waterfall and floating under two giant fountains.

Chessington welcomes 1.5 million guests every year and the £17million themed World Of Jumanji, based on the hit movie franchise, is a huge draw.

My dad, and husband Patrick, 39, head there to get their hearts pumping on Ostrich Stampede, Mamba Strike and Mandrill Mayhem, Chessington’s first inversion coaster, in which you get turned totally upside down, gulp.

Meanwhile, my mum Kim, 64, the boys and I enjoy the Room On The Broom — A Magical Journey ride. We enter and enchanted library and walk through the pages of the much-loved book.

While the kids grab an ice cream with granny, Patrick and I hit the dizzying Dragon’s Fury and the hiss-terical Rattlesnake coaster.

As if that’s not enough, my hubby and I then try out Tomb Blaster, where you ride through an Ancient Egyptian labyrinth armed with a laser gun, bringing out our competitive sides.

As energy levels sag, we visit the Zoo and meet an adorable pygmy goat called Mildred and ogle penguins catching fish, before visiting the SEA LIFE Aquarium, where jellyfish, stingrays and sharks swim over our heads in the viewing tunnel.

Our action-packed day comes to an end with a go on Elmer’s Flying Jumbos, the first ever ride inspired by the famous patchwork elephant.

Rides, animals, ice cream and The Gruffalo all in one place? It’s the perfect family day out.

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