The Flambards Experience

...as "the best day of the week. .... now 3 times better." on their map and information leaflet, it offers a variety of exhibitions, shows, rides (weight/height or age limits may apply - check before going on any rides) and activities.

Price £12.95 per adults (aged 11-59), Child (36months-10yrs) £8.25 or Seniors (aged 60-79) £6.95. If under 36 months or 80 and over, you get in free. It doesn't specify what you have to do to ...
...get your hand stamped in the shop near the exit. You can also get Annual VIP passes for £20 Seniors/Children or £26 Adults, which are valid for 1 year, and also give discounts on certain paying rides, restaurants, shops, etc.

TOP TIP: You can also use Tesco Clubcard deals to pay for tickets, which I would recommend as you'd get in far cheaper than prices indicated above. We used a 2 for 1 offer from Tesco (which I got when I purchased ... more

Flambards Experience, Clodgey Lane, Helston, Cornwall, TR13 0QA.

Described as "the best day of the week. .... now 3 times better." on their map and information leaflet, it offers a variety of exhibitions, shows, rides (weight/height or age limits may apply - check before going on any rides) and activities.

Price £12.95 per adults (aged 11-59), Child (36months-10yrs) £8.25 or Seniors (aged 60-79) £6.95. If under 36 months or 80 and over, you get in free. It doesn't specify what you have to do to prove this. Family 4 Saver (2 adults minimum) was £41 and also available are top up tickets, when purchased with family4 saver, for up to 6 additional members of party. Afternoon tickets available (Spring Summer from 2.15pm/Autumn from 1.45pm or Fireworks Wednesdays from 6pm) are Adult £9, Child £6, Senior £5.

You can also revalidate your ticket on initial visit to allow re-entry for £3 per person, which is valid for 14 days after ticket issue. Only required if you want to visit on another day - it is free entry to re-enter on same day, if you get your hand stamped in the shop near the exit. You can also get Annual VIP passes for £20 Seniors/Children or £26 Adults, which are valid for 1 year, and also give discounts on certain paying rides, restaurants, shops, etc.

TOP TIP: You can also use Tesco Clubcard deals to pay for tickets, which I would recommend as you'd get in far cheaper than prices indicated above. We used a 2 for 1 offer from Tesco (which I got when I purchased £10 or more in store on a particular week in 2007), which were valid for this, and a variety of other theme parks.

Most items are included in the price, except for those items which are not available to all participants. Examples given of things not included in the price are Karts, Orbiters, Trikes, Radio-controlled items, Robot Wars, Prize Games, Goal Striker, Aero Golf, Audio Tour of village, and infant coin operated rides.

For other prices - groups/birthday parties, etc call 01326 573404.

Information line 0845 6018684 or www.flambards.co.uk or info@flambards.co.uk

TOP TIP: Check opening times before you set off. The leaflet I picked up in Cornwall, stated open 3 Sep to 27 Oct 10.30am to 4.30pm, which was OK as we wanted to go on Friday 12 October 2007. However, on route to Flambards, I got the leaflet out again and in small print beneath this it said closed Mon 24 Sep, Fridays 7, 14, 21 and 28 Sep, Mondays 1 and 8 and Fridays 5 and 12 Oct!

I had to then plan a different excursion (Sealife Sanctuary, Gweek and Goonhilly Satellitte Station - see review). So on Saturday 13 October, we tried again.

OPENING HOURS: March to October - times vary between 10am and 5.30pm. These times are available in high summer, but usually open from 10.30am and closed earlier than 5.30pm outside July/August. Check website/telephone for more details, as shown from above example, it can be open that month but shut on certain days.

VICTORIAN VILLAGE: Audio Tour available for £1 per person - NB Not tried so unable to comment.

This recreation of Victorian times is all under cover and accessible via The Antiques Shop, which sells collectible items and the Exhibition Hall.

Michelle struggled to get Mark's buggy round the shop, but the shop assistant did not mention that the village was not buggy friendly, and there were no signs to state that there was an alternative route, so off we went. The 2 fellas had gone to The Blitz experience (see below), so I was alone with Michelle.

We soon found it a tight squeeze with the buggy and we went up 8 steps along a short bit, then down 8 more, seemingly everywhere we went. We couldn't leave the baby downstairs in his buggy as we didn't seem to come out nearby. We couldn't miss these bits out because we did not know if the exits or route came out on the same stretch. There were no signs for disabled/pushchair access or alternative routes, so I struggled and nearly had a full blown asthma attack, lifting the buggy up and down steps.

The map in very small print stated that disabled toilets and wheelchair loans (from the Admission gate) were available on site and that a SPECIAL free route guide is available ON REQUEST to assist progress around the Exhibition Hall to disabled visitors/pushchair users.

I would like to see them distributing these guides with the maps to EVERY visitor - not everyone who is disabled is in a wheelchair - some can walk OK on the flat but struggle up stairs, etc, like my mother who has angina. In any case, the route is not signposted either, and this is a serious issue for disabled or pushchair visitors, as it means that without the guide, you can not get round adequately.

THE BLITZ: This area was very dark and noisy, as you'd expect, with doodlebugs, but with its cobbled uneven street and more steps to the Anderson Shelter, this again was a struggle to view for buggies/disabled, although here you could just about manage (or miss out the only stepped area). However, if it was busy, you would bump into people if you had to turn around because of the steps.

It was very interesting and informative for kids, but nowhere near big enough - I was expecting this to be as big as the Victorian Village, which has about 50 shops/buildings to look at, but this only had about 6 buildings, although you have to try to find the spy in the pub!!

MEMORY LANE: To get to this from The Blitzed area was 12 very steep steps, so Michelle and baby Mark gave it a miss. It had a Concorde nose cone, Wedding dresses through the ages and other exhibits, but was not accessible from the other areas in the building for disabled. I did see a sign outside which suggested you could get to it from the outside, but then you'd have to come out and go to the other door to get to the Village and The Blitz area. I was not very impressed by the disabled access on this area at all.

REALLY WILD EXPERIENCE: All seated and undercover, this was a show where a man gave a short 1/2 hour maximum talk about animals. On our show, it was snakes, spiders and owls, but each show is said to be different. Whilst the man was talking, an assistant demonstrated each animal, including a flight by the owl. At the end you could touch/hold some of them if you wanted.

HANDS ON EXPERIENCE: All undercover, this has distorting mirrors, optical illusions, a disorientation tunnel (unsuitable for certain people with medical conditions e.g. sinusitis, so I did not go through this bit) and music made by breaking a beam of light.

This area was very entertaining and made science fun for kids and adults alike. My main bugbear was you had to leave the pushchair outside the front entrance, carry baby Mark, and then you came out a different door, so you had to walk all round it to get the buggy back. This meant that someone had to hold Mark, whilst we tried the "Hands On" activities, then pass him around till everyone had tried it - rather silly, as there was room to push buggies round most of this area.

SPECIAL GUESTS: Available some weeks but not all year (mainly July/August) This includes Meet & Greet e. g. Bart Simpson, Bob the Builder, Postman Pat and summer/half term activities available, too e.g. Lace making, Circus Workshop, Car Rallies, etc. All included in Admin Price. Fireworks every Wednesday in August too.

GARDEN EXPERIENCE: If you enjoy walking in gardens, there are some 26 acres of green space, plenty to see and plenty of seating/picnic areas to enjoy the scenery.

UNDERCOVER SOFT PLAY: Not used as Mark not old enough - there were apparently 3 different areas Sea Legs, Cool Zone and Tots Zone.

THRILLS EXPERIENCE: The rides come in this heading:

The Hornet roller coaster - blink and you'll miss it! Our 2 fellas went on this twice, whilst Michelle and I tried to find a dry seat! On a busy day, the queues for this could be quite bad, but we went in October so they were quite fortunate.

Wobbly Bridges - the name says it all really. This would be good on a really hot day, as if you do not cross quick enough you get squirted with water! Plenty of choice of bridge types - great fun for young and old.

Cyclopter Monorail - cycle round the log flume and near the Hornet roller coaster along the monorail. This was great fun, but children under certain height not allowed on. May be hard for younger children to push the cycle pedals round - only allowed 2 to a car so adults may be roped in!

Canyon river flume - Robert and Richard enjoyed this ride and Robert bought the picture for £5. I would have like to have gone on this, but Robert/Richard nearly head butted each other coming down, so I changed my mind.

Balloon Race - This looked quite good but I didn't go on this one, so can't really comment.
Extreme Force - This looked scary and as if it went upside down so I didn't go on this one, so can't really comment. Made me dizzy just watching it!
Chariot Race - I didn't go on this one, so can't really comment.
Carousel - usually my favourite ride, but I didn't go on this one, so can't really comment.
Rocking Tugboat - I didn't go on this one, so can't really comment.
Thunderbolt - I didn't go on this one, so can't really comment.

Please note that at the time we visited rides had a limited time of opening on them i.e. we went on a ride then went to the next one only to find it had closed down for a time.

Formula Circuit Karts - £3.60 per kart. I videoed the 2 boys on this activity. Robert couldn't keep up with Richard, but the track seemed interesting enough as it went over a bridge then back under it, but didn't seem to last long for the price, per person. Richard seemed to be peeved that it was such a short time, as he'd paid for them both. I must admit I was surprised that they were not on for very long, but it was probably about 10 minutes.

Orbiters - bumper type cars which go round in a circle, which are coin operated and can even shoot aliens. This had a moon/planet painted on the walls and 2 aliens to shoot at. The 2 fellas really enjoyed bumping into each other, reversing, twisting, etc. £1 per ride when we went. Next door to amusement arcades.

Robot Wars - Robert was very disappointed as this was not available on the day. Richard then tried dragging him on Dragon Drop Slide, but failed miserably.

Aero Crazy Golf - Cost £1 per person, plus £1 per person deposit (i.e. 4 players cost £8 but £4 was refunded if you returned all the balls and clubs). We all had a go at this - all the holes were aeroplane or astronaut related, but didn't have what I'd call proper holes. You got a score if you ball rested in a dip with a number on it in hole 1, or which hole you got the ball through on some of the others. Richard thought it quite weird that you didn't have a main hole to aim for as is usual in this game. We didn't get a score card - which amazed me as you were trying to see who beat who on each hole.

Ferdi's Funland - children's rides. Mark was not really old/tall enough to go on most of these rides, as he was only 5 months old. However they included Animal Express (a small train like ride), Kiddies Carousel, Tea Cup Ride (closed once we'd been in the Really Wild Experience show, disappointing as Richard was going to try Mark on it), Pirate Ship and Children's Eye (big wheel).

Mark, Michelle and I went on Animal Express, then I took Mark on the Children's Eye. Each ride specified if you needed to be with your child (accompany) or supervise your child.

All rides have times closing/opening on them and all are shut 30 minutes before the park closes.

In the children's area was Gus Honeybun's Burrow. Some very young children may not like this as it is dark as you go underground to see puppets of rabbits in their homes and shops dressed in little clothes - like Peter Rabbit.

As you come out of this area, you are in a small pets corner with the bird of prey aviaries (for the Really Wild Experience which is nearby) and hutches with rabbits, guinea pigs, etc. I also saw that in this area was a Romany gypsy caravan to look at. I am not sure if you could touch the animals, as Mark was too young so we whizzed past this area quite quickly.

PARKING: There are 3 car parks - 1 for disabled and shaded car parking for dog owners, 1 for plant shop visitors only and 1 main one for everyone else, which is on a steep incline. We did not see any special parking for parents/children areas.

CAFE: The Cafe we went in near the Exhibition Hall was reasonably priced and arranged to warm the baby's bottle free of charge. This had a conservatory where you could sit down as well as in the main Cafe. It was near the toilets in the Exhibition Hall so I don't believe it had any toilets of its own.

In my opinion, the ice cream counter, where you got the Aero Golf clubs from, at the back of the Exhibition Hall did not have enough seating nearby.

TOILETS: These were clean and Michelle was well impressed by the baby changing area - as up to 6 could be changed side by side, near the Orbiters area. This was well stocked with all the items she needed to clean Mark up with and were very clean.

LOST CHILDREN: You can have a free ID label - remember to ask on arrival. The place has CCTV and announcements for lost children retrieval only. If you are likely to split up during the day, there are 3 designated meeting points on the site, which are on the map. As we only had 1 copy of the map between 4 of us, I had to ask for another map - copies are available in most of the shops/cafes, unless they have given their last one away!

OVERALL OPINION - If you expect it to be like Alton Towers or Chessington World of Adventure then your hopes will be dashed. This is a smaller attraction, which has a mixture of rides and activities for young and old alike. If you are active, you may find you are paying out too, as these are mainly the items you had to pay for.

If your kids like amusements then there are several areas including Prize Games, which you might want to avoid, as they'll be pestering you to have "just one go, Mum/Dad, pleeease!!!"

I won a Husky on one game, but I think it looks like a Wolf, (Werewolf maybe).

Summary: Get clued up before you go - or problems may occur 

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