Pack your bags and buckle up—this family holiday in Staffordshire is bursting with unforgettable animal encounters, theme park thrills, and sky-high adventures! With the Drayton Manor Hotel as your base camp, each day brings a new adventure that will have everyone from toddlers to teens roaring with excitement.

Let The Wild Times Begin!

Day 1: Drayton Manor Theme Park – Ride, Laugh, Repeat!

Kick things off with the ultimate family fun day at Drayton Manor Theme Park! From adrenaline-pumping rollercoasters like Shockwave to splash-tastic rides like Stormforce 10, there’s excitement around every corner. Thomas Land™ is a dream come true for younger visitors, where they can meet familiar faces like Percy, James, and of course, Thomas himself.

Don’t forget the 4D cinema and the dinosaur-themed park zone for explorers of all ages. This day is all about laughs, squeals, and plenty of ride photos! After a whirlwind day, wind down with dinner at the Drayton Manor Hotel, just a short stroll from the action.

Overnight Stay

After a full day of heart-racing excitement and animal encounters, relax in style at the Drayton Manor Hotel. Located right on site, it’s ideal for resting tired feet, and the family-friendly rooms (especially the Thomas & Friends-themed ones!) make bedtime part of the adventure.

Day 2: Drayton Manor Zoo – Meet the Mini Beasts and Mighty Cats

Today, take things a little slower and dive into the world of wildlife at Drayton Manor Zoo—a hidden gem packed with over 500 animals from across the globe. Stroll through leafy walkways and meet playful meerkats, powerful Sumatran tigers, rare monkeys, reptiles, and more. The zoo offers a fantastic mix of exotic creatures and educational fun.

Interactive enclosures, feeding times, and informative talks keep kids curious and engaged, making it a calmer but still wildly exciting day. Afterwards, enjoy family time at the hotel with a board game night or a peaceful walk in the hotel grounds.

Overnight Stay

After another action-packed day meeting tigers, monkeys, and meerkats at Drayton Manor Zoo, spend the second night at the Drayton Manor Hotel? Located right on site, it’s perfect for unwinding without the rush. The family-friendly rooms – especially the Thomas & Friends-themed suites – keep the fun going and make bedtime just as exciting as the day out!

Day 3

Morning: Trentham Monkey Forest

The only place in the country where you can stroll alongside over 140 free-roaming Barbary Macaque

Get ready to monkey around at the Trentham Monkey Forest.

Walk among wild monkeys right here in the UK at Trentham Monkey Forest, located on the beautiful Trentham Estate in Staffordshire. This unique attraction is the only place in the country where you can stroll through a 60-acre woodland alongside over 140 free-roaming Barbary macaques. With no cages or barriers, visitors get an unforgettable, close-up experience of these fascinating primates living as they would in the wild. Educational feeding talks run throughout the day, offering insight into the macaques’ behaviours and the important conservation work the forest supports. A perfect day out for families, wildlife lovers and curious explorers, Trentham Monkey Forest is a truly one-of-a-kind experience in the heart of Staffordshire.

Lunch

Trentham Shopping Village

Afternoon: Trentham Treetops Adventures

Next door, test your courage at Trentham Treetop Adventures, where rope bridges, ziplines, and nets provide high-flying fun for brave adventurers of all sizes. It’s a thrilling mix of nature and challenge! Refuel with lunch at the Trentham Shopping Village, with cafés and restaurants offering everything from pizza to pastries—and even a little boutique browsing for the grown-ups.

Overnight Stay

Day 4: Peak Wildlife Park – Walk With Wallabies & Penguin Playtime

Peak Wildlife Park is one of only four places in the UK where you can meet real-life polar bears

Wrap up your safari adventure at the stunning Peak Wildlife Park, where animals roam and families walk right among them! Say hello to wallabies, lemurs, penguins, and even giant tortoises in this hands-on wildlife haven. There’s no rush here—just space to explore, learn, and enjoy quiet moments with amazing creatures.

Nestled on the edge of the Peak District near Leek, Peak Wildlife Park is one of only four places in the UK where you can meet real-life polar bears—Hope, the protective mum, and her playful cubs, Nanook and Noori—who arrived from Sweden in June 2023 as part of a conservation effort overseen by the EAZA European Ex-situ Programme. Their sprawling 5‑acre “53° North Polar Bear Reserve” features deep pools, rugged terrain, and plenty of space for natural behaviours, providing visitors with a rare glimpse of these majestic Arctic giants up close.  Interactive keeper experiences let you go behind the scenes, feeding and enriching the bears while learning about vital polar bear conservation and climate protection.  It’s a thrilling, family-friendly day out — a powerful blend of wonder, education, and inspiration all year round.

Kids will love feeding the animals and checking out the indoor soft play zone, while adults soak in the scenic Moorland views. With friendly staff, conservation-themed activities, and wide open spaces, it’s the perfect final stop for some memorable, up-close animal magic.

Extend Your Stay

Did you know there’s a touch of the Australian outback right here in Staffordshire?

For decades, the Staffordshire Moorlands have been home to a small population of wild wallabies, believed to have escaped from a private zoo or collection in the mid-20th century. Over the years, these elusive marsupials have made themselves at home among the rolling hills and moorland, sparking fascination and the occasional lucky sighting. While spotting one is rare, the mystery and charm of the wallabies add a fun and unexpected twist to any countryside walk – just one more reason to explore the wilder side of Staffordshire!