HEADING to a theme park heaving with school trips in a heatwave is not anyone’s idea of fun.
But I’ve found the perfect shady spot with unique rides and attractions that will keep you cool all summer long.
GreenWood Family Park in between Bangor and Caernarfon in North Wales has just been snapped up by buyer Wood Family Group after going on the market for £1.25m earlier this year.
It doesn’t surprise me – having recently visited, we had a fantastic family day out in the forest.
We were pedalling, paddling and playing in the dappled light beneath the trees in this woodland of wonder, with paths winding here, there and everywhere and something new to discover in every nook and cranny.
It’s green by name and green by nature here, with a rollercoaster powered by people and the UKs first solar-powered water ride among the eco attractions.
As you arrive, you’re getting a cawr-some glimpse of what’s to come, with a quirky metal giant (cawr in Welsh) greeting you on the path to the ticket office.
It was lovely to hear youngsters chatting away in Welsh and switching between their two native languages with ease.
Despite the gaggles of youngsters, we never had to queue for long for any of the attractions and, because of the clever layout, it felt bustling but not overcrowded.
GreenWood is firmly rooted in its surroundings, with bilingual signage, nods to local legends and a fantastic use of the forest landscape, from a river course low down where water pools to playframes and rides capitalising on slopes and gravity.
That’s how the Green Dragon rollercoaster works – you climb up a gentle hill to enter a funincular carriage next to the start point of the rollercoaster.
As the funicular then descends full of passengers, its weight hoists the empty rollercoaster back up to the top of its track.
Then the funicular passengers exit at the bottom of the slope, use a second path to get back up to the top, climb into the rollercoaster and whizz through the trees at speed. It’s an incredibly clever design – fun and physics combined!
There’s loads of attractions here that are entirely people-powered.
My boys loved the moon karts, with double and single seaters to pedal around a track.
The Enchanted River Ride is great for all the family as you hop into a flat-bottomed boat to paddle around a course, with dangling ropes to grab along the way for extra propulsion if needed.
The Forest Glider is a 75m snow tubing slope where riders carry their own ring up to the top to set off.
Meanwhile the Solar Splash uses the sun’s energy to power its water chutes, with riders setting off from a 12m tower with views over Snowdonia.
There’s also plenty of play areas for little ones to let off steam – my favourite was the Giant’s Quest, set in one corner of the woodland.
The boys also loved the jumping pillow and the chance to have a go at archery, under the watchful eye of an expert instructor.
We grabbed a bite to eat in the oak-framed WoodBarn cafe, which has a large soft play extending up into its eaves and lots of natural light streaming in through its skylights.
Kids’ meals even have £1 off over the summer, so staples like sausage and chips plus a juice carton are less than £7.
Day tickets start from £21.50 for adults (or anyone over 1m) while anyone under £1m pays from £8.65.
If you’re heading from further afield and want a couple of days at the park, there’s a glamping site with tipis that can accommodate up to six people, with unlimited park access and a communal kitchen to make meals.
Overnight stays for a family of four during the summer holidays cost from £220 midweek and £260 at weekends.
Park entry this summer is £84.85 for a family of four.
You’ll certainly want to take your clan to GreenWood – I can’t wait to return and check out what the new owners do with this woodland wonder, with the promise of new rides, attractions, play experiences and guest facilities on the cards.