We were invited to Drayton Manor for a night at the hotel followed by a day at the theme park, and we experienced quality accommodation, good food and a superb day out.

The four star Drayton Manor Hotel is located amongst 280 acres of lakes and parkland just outside the theme park with free parking for guests. The staff on reception were very welcoming, greeting us with a friendly smile and a seamless check in, then they helpfully made our dinner reservation ensuring our arrival was completely hassle free. The light and airy lobby features a working model of a traditional carousel, a Thomas & Friend shop, and lifts to the 3 floors with 150 rooms including Standard, Family, Executive, Thomas & Friends and Presidential rooms.

The £2.5 million expansion of Europe’s only Thomas Land at Drayton Manor is now open.

It was hats off as the Fat Controller officially unveiled the extension to the attraction and the crowds in Sodor were delighted when a host of familiar faces, including Percy, James, Rosie and of course the star of the show, Thomas himself, chugged into Knapford Station to join in the opening celebrations.

Thomas Land has increased in size by 40% and is now home to a host of exciting new rides as well as Sodor Airport, which is set to be a soaring success. The airport complex includes balconies that offer ‘jet-setters’ unrivalled views over Thomas Land and beyond, with Thomas & Friends themed event rooms, which will be opening in Summer 2015 and it’s very own Sodor Coffee Shop.

Excited visitors couldn’t wait to climb aboard, fasten their seatbelts and prepare for take-off as they became the first to experience the three brand new rides – Captain’s Sea Adventure, Flynn’s Fire & Rescue and Toby’s Tram Express.

Drayton Manor is set to be bigger and better than ever in 2015 with a £2.5 million expansion that will see Europe’s only Thomas Land increase in size by 40%.

As we originally reported in August last year, Thomas Land at Drayton Manor is being expanded.

With 3 brand new rides plus a stunning new Sodor Airport terminal, Thomas Land will have even more to create a magical day out for Thomas fans in 2015.

Opening over Easter, the new rides will be Flynn’s Fire Rescue, Captain’s Sea Adventure and Toby’s Tram Express.

Enjoy the February Half Term at Drayton Manor theme park, near Tamworth in Staffordshire, which is set to welcome families for a week of fun and adventure.

From Saturday 14th to Sunday 22nd February 2015, 10.30am until 4pm a number of Drayton Manor’s most popular attractions will be open, including Thomas Land, the Zoo, Jolly Buccaneer, Ben 10: Ultimate Mission roller coaster and the 4D Cinema.

Thomas Land at Drayton Manor is home to many rides and attractions based on loveable Thomas & Friends characters, including Cranky the Crane and Harold the Helicopter. There is a Thomas the Tank Engine train ride, indoor and outdoor play areas, a café and shop.

With the final preparations completed, Drayton Manor’s highly anticipated new thrill ride, Air Race, is officially airborne. The new attraction was officially launched on Saturday 5th July with the help of one of the UK’s hottest pop bands, The Vamps.

The teen heart-throbs, Bradley Simpson, James McVey, Connor Ball and Tristan Evans, opened the theme park’s £1.2million attraction, accompanied by a dazzling confetti cannon display, before fastening their seatbelts for the first flight, alongside lucky competition winners.

Visitors to the park were also treated to a sensational acoustic performance from The Vamps, where excited fans watched them perform their hit songs Somebody To You, Can We Dance and Cecilia, ahead of their debut ‘Meet The Vamps’ headline tour later this year.