Angela's Blog

Spring has sprung at Crealy

2010-02-24T10:32:00.006Z

Spring is here and the buds on the trees are beginning to flourish! It's an exciting time at Crealy as all the preparations are well underway for what is going to be our most magical year so far!

We had a great time at Crealy during Half Term - it was fantastic to see so many of you here enjoying Maximus the Rollercoaster which opened for the holiday! Have a look at Maximus online: http://tinyurl,com/ygn9169

Everyone loved the rollercoaster's transformation into Maximus! The new station, Roman walls, Roman guards and of course the exciting new tunnel section were incredibly popular! We even had Claudius Maximus here to open the ride with our Crealy Creators board of young directors - here they are on the rollercoaster!

Although there are a few weeks to wait until the next school holidays, Crealy is open from Thursday to Sunday every week til then, so you can still come along and check out Maximus for yourself, and see why Crealy is the top theme park in Devon this Spring! We have some great online discounts for day tickets and now is the perfect time to treat your family to Crealy Membership and you'll save £10 per family* on the 2010 season price -http://tinyurl.com/orjsxq

See you soon for Magical Family Fun.

Angela x

*for a family of four

See you soon,

Angela

MAXIMUS - just one week to go!

2010-02-05T10:14:00.003Z

MAXIMUS our soon to launch re-themed rollercoaster is looking fantastic!

The paint is almost dry, the tunnel is in place, the Roman soldiers are standing to attention - it's getting very, very exciting! You could be in with a chance to win tickets AND be one of the first to ride MAXIMUS if you look out for the competitions in your local newspapers this week.

Make sure you join us for half term when we're open every day for the most outstanding value ever! Sit down, prepare for the (pleasant) surprise! 7 DAYS OF HALF TERM FUN FOR ONLY £6.95pp!!

If you come along on Valentine's Day you can join in with our treasure trail to find the animal partners! Because Crealy loves you so much, if you match up the pairs correctly you can enter the draw to win an Annual Membership!

This week saw the last of our Tree Planting Parties and what a day for planting that was! Over 100 trees planted in 2 hours! We were joined by the International Tree Foundation, a tree warden from Exeter, local historian, Alan Pearce of Farringdon, staff at Crealy and members of the public to plant Rowans and Silver Birch trees on the meadow alongside the Tidal Wave log flume. At the last Planting Party, over 350 Willows were planted.

Although the Planting Parties are now over, our tree planting marathon continues with Crab Apple, Wild Cherry, Field Maple and Norway Spruce trees still to plant over the coming months.

We're planting thousands of trees during 2010, in conjunction with the International Tree Foundation, whilst continuing to work closely with Envision and The Carbon Trust to achieve our ambition of becoming carbon neutral by the end of this year.

Finally come and check out our stunning new signs - including a brand new Entrance Sign! Let us know what you think!

Angela x

Crealy's optimism for 2010 with increasing domestic tourism and excitement about our new attractions!

2010-01-28T12:06:00.002Z

So, 70% of people are likely to book a UK holiday this year, with 39% of those having their UK break as their main holiday! Well, we can confirm that it certainly looks this way at Cornwall's Crealy, where our 5 star holiday accommodation is already fully booked (except for 2 weeks!) between April and September! Remember - you can still take advantage of our 50% off breaks in February and March by calling 01841 540276!

This is very exciting news and to add to that, I was delighted this week at the reception news of our new attractions recieved at the British Association of Leisure Parks, Piers and Attractions. The numbers of new attractions being installed at theme parks across the country is generally less than last year, but as usual Crealy is bucking the trend and we are installing more, with a total £1.6million investment this year!

So, with work well and truly underway at Devon's Crealy on the re-themed Maximus the Roman coaster, the nature trails of The Wilderness with treehouses, deer, grufflegoat and legendary stories of ogres and monsters, plus preparations for our new triple watercoaster Vortex, 2010 is really set to be our most exciting year yet!

Enjoy the pics of the work so far...

Angela x

Founder and Managing Director of Crealy

A week of celebrations!

2010-01-21T13:03:00.002Z

Check out the pic of the cutest piglets ever, now living 'free-range' in Crealy's Animal Realm - hurry along to see them whilst they're still tiny!

What an exciting week so far! We've had birthdays and anniversaries along with major developments in our new attractions for 2010! Firstly it was Ali Ofield's birthday - Ali is one of our longest standing Rangers, having cared for our animals for almost 12 years - she is devoted to them - even hand rearing animals at home! It was also Chris Fullard's 10 year anniversary. Chris is a crucial member of our Maintenance Team with his painting and theming skills. Lastly it was my birthday yesterday - so much fun - and I was spoilt with a chocolate cake and chorus of Happy Birthday too! Thanks everyone!

We all got together again yesterday to review all the new attractions and agree how we're going to make 2010 even more magical. Investing £1.6m this year with awesome rides going in to both Devon's Crealy and Cornwall's Crealy will make 2010 our most exciting year yet!

Helen (Projects) and Kate (Animals) went to the Wild About Devon seminar with their wellies on, to learn more about wildlife. Devon's Crealy opens the new Wilderness experience at Easter. The renowned naturalist Derek Gow is working with us to introduce more deer including some we can get up close with! We can't wait for the Wilderness to be open!

More news on the great new attractions coming soon...

Angela

3 weeks to go til the coaster opens as MAXIMUS!

2010-01-19T11:57:00.004Z

It's a very exciting week here at Crealy! The new tunnel roof is on MAXIMUS! So, exciting! The builders are busy working on the new tunnel which covers the first curved drop of the coaster track while themers are busy on the new Roman design of the buildings and surroundings. We are launching competitions in the local press for a number of lucky winners to be the first to ride the re-vamped coaster in February half term!

Also, we had confirmation that over £800 from last summer's ticket sale commission fund is to be donated to the NSPCC's ChildLine. This is fantastic news as it will help support the huge amount of work be carried out in and around Exeter by the companies participating in the Express and Echo's Dragon's Challenge to raise money for the charity. Foot Anstey are holding a family fund raiser here in February which will be great fun and I'm sure, a real success!

Finally, we're back in a big way on Twitter and Facebook! Keep up to date for the latest goings-on, news, events and offers. http://www.facebook.com/ and http://www.twitter.com/

Best wishes

Angela

New baby animals for the New Year!

2010-01-07T11:59:00.009Z

Crealy is looking more magical than ever with a covering of sparkling snow, you really should come and have a look while you can as the snow won't last forever! We're open from Thursdays to Sundays with all the indoor attractions, and outdoor adventures .

With winter well and truly underway everyone needs an extra cuddle to warm up. We've got the best winter warm-up cuddles in the county at Crealy at the moment, with the cutest and fluffiest baby animals including African Pygmy goat kids, guinea pig babies, rabbit kittens and free-range piglets running here, there and everywhere! You can even enter competitions to name them, so get your thinking caps on.

January is New Babies Month and is the perfect time to introduce your younger children to animal handling as the baby animals are just the right size for little hands!

Remember - if you're on Facebook we'd love you to be our friend so you can tell us what you think after a visit, or make suggestions and of course, you'll get to hear all the latest news and about offers exclusive to Facebook.

See you soon,

Angela x

Happy Holidays

2009-12-27T10:00:00.004Z

Hi everyone - and happy Christmas holidays!

The Park's been so quiet over the three closed days, Christmas Eve to Boxing Day - thanks especially to the brilliant Animal Realm team of Wranglers who've been coming in every day over Christmas to look after the animals - especially Ali, Dean, Emily, the two Kates, Michelle plus Jane and Simon in Cornwall too.

It's lovely to be open again now - with visitors at the Park burning off the Christmas calories!

As we head towards the new year, it's a good time to look back at this year and think about all the lovely things we’ve done and achieved...

Two new play areas in Devon, four foals, hundreds of chicks, goat kids, guinea-piglets, rabbit kittens, pet rats, pink piglets, calves and all the other Animal Farm inhabitants
A new horse show at Cornwall's Crealy and a beautiful new Shire foal called Orla along with numerous other animal babies
New hot tubs and kitchen for the Silver Horse Glade holiday properties at Cornwall's Crealy
Achieved many training qualifications including NVQs, for permanent and seasonal staff
Introduced a staff canteen at each Park, to reward our hard-working Ranger teams
More than half our seasonal staff now return year on year - more than ever before
Camping at Devon's Crealy this summer - with campers having their own pony!
Fundraising to provide another Roundabout PlayPump for Africa
Contributing towards Cornwall Search and Rescue and Children's Hospice South West locally plus nationally since 1995 Crealy has supported Calcutta Marudyan, run by Andrea Beentjes originally from Chagford together with her wonderful husband John and amazing family
Green Tourism Business Scheme bronze award at Cornwall's Crealy - joining the silver award already held at Devon's Crealy
Even more trees planted, including in our winter Tree Planting Parties
Welcomed many celebrities to the Parks including David Cameron, Martin Clunes, Nicholas Cage, Dora and Diego, Scooby Doo and SpiderMan
Guests who say they "recommend Crealy to their friends" increasing even further from a great 8 out of 10 (over 2,500 surveys) to a stunning 10 out of 10 in November
– all of this as well as entertaining hundreds of thousands of lovely guests to maximum fun guaranteed again this year!

We’ll continue to look for new and exciting ways to work in 2010 so keep your eyes on our website or follow us on Facebook. In the meantime, of course we're busy building our 2010 attractions in each Park as we speak - thought you'd like to see some pix of the work being done at Devon's Crealy to take the coaster 2000 years back in time to when Romans ruled! The ride will become Maximus - opening Feb halfterm.

On behalf of everyone here at Crealy Great Adventure Parks, have a wonderful festive holiday and Happy New Year.

Angela x

Maximus is taking off!

2009-12-22T11:01:00.003Z

It's exciting to see the new works to Maximus the ride, which replaces the El Loco Coaster. The coaster is closed during these works and Maximus is scheduled to re-open in time for February halfterm.

The excellent construction firm Michael Thorne Construction are doing the building works with the theme park designers Space Leisure coming up with the whole new look to our much-loved coaster (see illustration).

Maximus the ride celebrates the Roman heritage at Crealy; 2000 years ago, with an original Roman road running right past the coaster and legends of a Grindle Monster documented in Roman times also being brought to life for the 2010 season.

Be sure to keep checking my blog for further updates on this exciting development at Devon's Crealy Great Adventure Park!

Finally, may I take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year and I look forward to welcoming you to Crealy in 2010!

Love Angela x

Santa has arrived in Exeter

2009-12-21T08:39:00.005Z

Its all so very festive. Santa has arrived at Crealy in Exeter and is already at home within his magical grotto.

Staying at Crealy until Wednesday 23 December, a visit to Santa includes includes a trip to the Grotto, time with santa and a gift of your choice from the Elves huge toy selection. Elsewhere, we've also numerous Christmas Trees, the friendliest nativity animals and plenty of delicious Christmas snacks.

At Crealy Great Adventure Park, we provide a family day out full of adventure and can be easily reached all across the South West including Exeter, Plymouth, Newton Abbot, Tiverton, Exmouth and Taunton. A visit to Santa at Crealy incurs a small additional fee.

For more information about Santas Grotto and Christmas at Crealy, click here.

Have a Great Christmas and New Year!

2009-12-16T19:39:00.005Z

Last minute availability - a whole Farmhouse for the last week of the Christmas holidays!

The beautiful 5 star Trelow Barton at Cornwall's Crealy is unexpectedly available from the 2nd January! Usually £950, the property is yours for a short break for just £400 midweek or £500 for a long weekend - or a week from just £750 - saving you hundreds of pounds. Only about a tenner a person per night - for five star luxury including hot tub. Hurry - at this rate these last minute holidays won't last long.

My family loves staying at Cornwall's Crealy. Just a few minutes' drive from the beach, with amazing onsite fishing for huge carp, walking and cycling. Even Cornwall's Crealy indoor play and famous heavy horses on site to. Christmas and the New Year in Cornwall are both extra special with a delicious meal at Jamie Oliver's Fifteen Cornwall, nearby. Loads of tempting choices - and if you're in Cornwall this week, enjoy £15 off dinner this Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th December when you mention the "Fifteen Christmas Present to You" advert when you book.

Cornwall's Crealy reopens on the 27th March 2010 but some on site amenties including the Dragon Kingdom play zone, the Children's Village and Playhouse are open exclusively for guests staying on site. Plus the whole estate to explore. And of course, staying at Crealy you also get your own real live pony to love during your holiday.

Want some theme-park fun during the Christmas hols? Devon's Crealy is open with reduced ticket prices from just £6.95 - opening dates are 17th-23rd Dec, 27th-31st Dec and 2nd-3rd Jan so hope to see you playing in the Park . We're closed 24th-26th Dec and 1st Jan, which is when all us Rangers spend time with our own families.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Angela x

Toys arrive for Santa Grotto in Exeter

2009-12-09T17:58:00.006Z

Toys, toys and even more toys! At Crealy Great Adventure Park in Exeter, we are becoming more festive by the day and have just had numerous different toys arrive for Santas Grotto, opening on 18 December.

We've noticed Santa has made the Elves work especially hard this year and they have selected a huge range of gifts for your children to choose. Plus with Santa staying for 6 magical days until 23 December, you have plenty of time to visit Santas Grotto and meet the man himself.

In addition to the Grotto, you can also see the 12 days of Christmas bought to life and combined with christmas trees, festive music and yule-tide treats, getting into the Christmas mood will be easy.

You can easily reach Santas Grotto at Crealy Great Adventure Park from all across the South West including Exeter, Plymouth, Newton Abbot, Tiverton, Exmouth and Taunton. For more information about Santas Grotto and Christmas at Crealy in Exeter, please click here.

Santas Grotto comes to Exeter

2009-12-07T18:43:00.003Z

It is all so exciting! Santa is coming to join us at Crealy Devon for 6 days from Friday 18 December and preparations are busily underway building his festive home, Santas Grotto.

Santa loves making Crealy his Exeter base whilst in the South West. Combined with all the super rides, farmyard animals, indoor play and of course Christmas Trees, colourful decorations and festive music, there is plenty of magical Christmas fun for him, his elves and for you to enjoy.

You and your children can see Santa at Crealy in Exeter from 18 to 23 December and a visit to him includes a trip to Santas Grotto, a private meeting with Santa and any one of numerous wonderful toys, that children can choose themselves.To book your Crealy Santa visit in advance and for full prices, click here.

At Crealy Great Adventure Park, we provide a family day out packed with adventure and can be easily reached all across the South West including Exeter, Plymouth, Newton Abbot, Tiverton, Exmouth and Taunton. For more information about Santas Grotto and Christmas at Crealy, click here.

Summer and Sportacus at Crealy!

2009-08-06T15:42:00.009+01:00

What a busy start to the summer it has been! Devon's Crealy is buzzing as our White Deer Camping, Crealy Kids Adventure Club and new attractions make sure that everyone is having maximum fun! It was great to see everyone who came to watch Sportacus, especially as we also had the Honiton Twirlstars performing as Stephanie in the morning!

Speaking of special guests, last week saw television star Martin clunes pay a visit to Cornwall's Crealy - and posing for a photo at the end of a great day!

Good news for everyone who buys online, we've reduced our online ticket prices and extended our Sunday Savers until October! When you buy through our online shop you can save up to £1.95 per ticket for any day of the week or gain entry to the Devon Park for just £9.95 on Sundays!

Crealy Creators Needed!!

2009-07-08T17:18:00.002+01:00

Crealy Great Adventure Parks are looking for 15 Adventurous children to...

- Be a Top Executive in the Crealy Kids Boardroom - Attend special V.I.P Days
- Sample the delights of Crealy's scrumptious food
- Try all our Rides and Attractions
- Annual Membership

Simply email 50 words explaning why you should become a Crealy Creator for the 2009/2010 season to nicola@crealy.co.uk

Open to children aged 7 - 12 years, meetings to take place on the first Saturday of every month starting from September '09 at both Devon and Cornwall's Crealy!

Good luck and I look forward to hearing from you!

Nicki x

2009-06-30T09:26:00.006+01:00

We're a family business so are always keen to help you make the most of your family time and save money. Top Tips: If you don't already know www.moneysavingexpert.com then you might be pleased to pay it a visit! The same goes for both www.ownonline.co.uk which is local and good value - we have been using it as a family for over a year - and if you still need supermarkets then visit www.mysupermarket.co.uk to save money for sure. So now you've saved all that time and money, you can have more fun! Here are some free ideas for days in Devon:www.lovemydevon.co.uk/lovemydevon-top-tips and also on www.dofreestuff.com/devon.html; the same for Cornwall www.dofreestuff.com/cornwall.html. And of course, your best family days of all are at Crealy! It's great to meet so many of you having so much fun in the Parks this week. Lots of Crealy Members making the most of coming to the the Park for less than the price of 4 visits (or in Cornwall, for less than the price of 2 tickets!) And for all our tourists who can't come back all year round, of course there are free returns for 7 days with each day pass (wristband required for security).

Right now, the most popular places on the Park are the water rides and attractions, In Cornwall that includes Raging Rivers, Thunder Falls, Water Walkerz, Roundabout PlayPumps, Swampbusters, Silver Mine Lake and in Devon including Soak Zone, Dinoblasters, Tidal Wave, Water Walkerz, Roundabout PlayPumps, River Challenge and the Stealthdrive Canoes on the Dragonfly Lake.

Hope to see you soon,

A x

Camping at Crealy this summer!

2009-06-15T08:34:00.006+01:00

Well, it's that time of year again! The brilliant weather and longer days mean more of us are planning our holiday this summer, and it makes more sense to stay in Britain than ever before. Camping is better than ever this year at Crealy's White Deer Camping, with entry to Devon's Crealy Great Adventure Park included in the price (8.95 for members, 14.95 if not).

As if camping at a theme park wasn't enough fun, stays of 3 nights of more mean you get to look after your very own pony during your holiday! With generous pitches, great prices and and a brilliant location within reach of the beach and Dartmoor, demand has already been high and we expect more people from across England and Britain to visit us this summer!

White Deer Camping will be open on 25th - 26th July and 1st - 26th August 2009, for more details visit www.crealycamping.co.uk

Hope to see you all there!

Angela x

Devon County Show & Pirate's Revenge

2009-05-28T14:24:00.007+01:00

Wow, it`s been a busy week here at Crealy!

At the end of last week we ran our annual feature at the Devon County Show - a marquee packed full of the cutest and friendliest animals with our very own rangers on hand to show everyone just how much fun we have here at Crealy! Crealy Bear and Dina the Dinosaur came along as well and made a lot of new friends over the three days.

As if that wasn`t enough excitement we had a very special guest on Monday to open our newest outdoor attraction, Pirates Revenge! Captain Jack Sparrow himself was on hand with our lucky competition winners to officially open the amazing play area, already a big hit with all our young buccaneers and adventurers! After opening Pirate's Revenge he then explored the Park, panning for gold and jewels at El Dorado, riding the Queen Bess Swinging Ship and telling everyone all about Roundabout Playpumps!

The Crealy Kids Adventure Club has been really popular again this half term, so we are now taking bookings for the summer school holidays! Visit our site for more details about the safe adventures, healthy food and outdoor and indoor activities that make the Kids Club the best place to spend the summer holidays.

2009-05-08T11:08:00.003+01:00

Avast there, me hearties! Captain Jack Sparrow is sailing in to Devon's Crealy Adventure Park on Monday 25th May to celebrate the opening of Pirate's Revenge!

As if that wasn't exciting enough we are also letting one family (max 5) officially open the new attraction and get free entry to the Park! If you want the chance of winning this great prize just send in your names and ages to fun@crealy.co.uk with PIRATES as the email subject, or click here for more details!

We will also be running the increasingly popular Crealy Kids Adventure Club again for the half term school holidays - learning, adventure and healthy meals from Monday to Friday. Please call us on 01395 233200 or visit our Kids Club site for more information and booking.

Crealy has always been committed to providing quality, local food and in recognition of this we are now certificated as all of our beef is British Exmoor and Somerset)!

Members can now pay by Direct Debit, making it easier to enjoy the maximum fun of Crealy! Just call 01395 233200 for more information. With a membership to Crealy you can visit both parks, with Devon's Crealy open all year and Cornwall's Crealy all summer, meaning you can make the most of your membership, whatever the weather. Crealy boasts the best indoor activities with 75,000sqft of indoor play areas, and with new attractions for 2009 you can be sure that the outdoor activities will have you coming back time after time!

For more information on any event or attraction at Crealy please call 01395 233200 or click here to purchase tickets online

Happy St George's Day from Crealy!

2009-04-24T13:44:00.004+01:00

We had such fun celebrating our national day. Here's a pic of our famous Head of Grounds, John Murphy - our very own dragon slayer!

Did you know that St George is actually also, among others, the Patron Saint of China, Ethiopia, Greece, Portugal, Russia - and Scouting? It is also widely believed that he never set foot in England during his lifetime (ca. 275-281 - April 23, 303). St George is often depicted slaying a dragon and riding a white horse and there is usually the inclusion of the St George's Cross on his armour or shield.

The Greek tradition says that the Saint was born to Christian parents, in Turkey. His father died fighting for his faith and whilst still a child, George fled with his mother to Palestine. Growing up in Palestine exposed George to the Roman culture and he eventually joined the Roman army. At the outbreak of the Roman Emperor Diocletian's persecution of Christians, George declared himself a Christian. For his faith he was sentenced to death. In true Roman fashion George was subjected to grisly tortures, all of which he miraculously survived. By making the sign of the cross George apparently caused all the statues of the gods to fall at his feet. This miracle persuaded the Empress Alexandra to convert to Christianity. This conversion proved too much for Diocletian, Alexandra was sentenced to death. George was decapitated. The date was 23 April AD 303.

In the Latin version of the story, the Emperor Diocletian has become Dacian, the Emperor of the Persians. George is similarly tortured, but his miraculous survival results in the conversion to Christianity of more than 40,000 people. George is put to death by Dacian, but Dacian himself dies, when a whirlwind of fire carries him off.

Whatever actually happened, in AD 494, Pope Gelasius declared him a Saint.

The alternative English version which appeared by the seventeenth century has St George's birthplace as Coventry! George's father is Lord Albert, an English peer and George's birth takes place at Caludan Castle in Wyken, Coventry. As a young man George travels to Egypt and slaughters a dragon whilst rescuing a princess. In some versions he marries the princess and they return to Coventry. They have three sons, one of whom becomes Guy of Warwick.

George's dragon slaying days continue after his wife dies. He journeys to Jerusalem and on his return slays another dragon. This particular slaying takes place on Dunsmore Heath in Warwickshire. The adventure proved fatal with the story going that the vast amount of poison thrown upon him by the beast "so infected his vital spitals that............he died".

A second story has George coming back from his travels to save the people of Coventry from a great Dragon; in this battle George sustained severe injuries from which he died and was buried in state in Coventry.

Processions to celebrate his life and legendary adventures were conducted every year around the city of Coventry. They were later taken over by the Lady Godiva procession, but a figure representing Saint George invariably appears before the Lady.

Wouldn't it be great to celebrate St George's Day every year, with a day off school and work added on to the end of the Easter holidays? We have fewer national holidays than many countries, after all.

Angela x

2009-04-13T13:28:00.003+01:00

What a wonderful Easter we're enjoying. Devon and Cornwall are in bud with the cherry and hawthorn trees flowering, primroses, daffodils and new lambs.

The giant Easter Chickens have been busy, hiding their Easter eggs all over the Parks for our four day EasterFest. Dora the Explorer and Diego visited both Parks and found lots of chocolate eggs to take home. They say they'll be back again next year!

The unpredictable sunshine and showers of April are a good example of how precious is our family time. Life is so full at Crealy - there's always so much going on, from the new Go WILD! playzone at Devon's Crealy to the arrival of delicious, fairtrade Pura coffee, hosting a Ball for HospiceCare in May to opening the new Reception and Giftshop at Cornwall's Crealy at the beginning of this month.

And while I blinked, two of my own children are grown up - Sam married his sweetheart Charlotte this spring and James left for a year's travelling around Australia. When Crealy opened, they were my chief testers at three and one years old. Now Ed, Tim and Amy take up the mantle - alongside the Crealy Creators, Crealy's Children's Board - with welcome contributions from everyone who plays at Crealy!

Happy Easter everybunny.

Angela x

Spring is here, and we have had loads of new arrivals!

2009-03-27T13:44:00.005Z

As well as the cutest baby guinea pigs and rabbits this month has seen the appearance of baby pygmy goats and orphan lambs! There are so many that we need your help in bottle-feeding them everyday!
This week also saw the arrival of our newest Guernsey calf named Orchid, and today we welcomed a flock of the fluffiest chicks, just in time for Easter!

With so many new friends to meet, Dora the Explorer and Diego, the M'Egga Easter Egg Hunt, Silly Mini Sunday and the Crealy Kids Adventure Club this Easter promises to be the best ever!

See you there!

Angela x

So much happening at Crealy!

2009-03-18T13:52:00.005Z

From the 1st April Devon's Crealy will be open every day, and we will be celebrating the opening of our new Go Wild attraction! Set fifteen feet above Dina's Lost World, Go Wild is an aerial play area of walkways, nets and tunnels!We are also all looking forward to Mothers Day on the 22nd of March, and here at Crealy every mother and grandmother will get a free gift to let them know just how special they are!

This week we were also pleased to welcome to Devon's Crealy TV and radio presenter Toby Anstis. He popped in for a day of fun with children from Broadclyst Primary school to celebrate the launch of Heart FM!

Angela x

Make the most of family time every day with just one step

2009-03-02T20:08:00.006Z

Riding around the Park in Devon the other morning on Woody the big chestnut hunter, it was lovely to see our resident wildlife coming out to enjoy the spring. The pheasants are much in evidence and the moorhens are back and are building their nests at the Dragonfly Lake. Countless baby rabbits with the rest of their families are energetically eating the spring grass - much to the frustration of John, our Head of Grounds when they venture into the flower beds and towards the young trees. I hope they don't start on the hundreds of willow trees John has planted :)

My personal favourites, though, are the beautiful deer, who are expecting their young so remain especially secretive although they are visible in the early mornings and into the evenings. You may be wondering why we have called Crealy Camping "White Deer Camping"? Historically the land was a deer park belonging to the chief Bowman of King Harold, a thousand years ago - more recently owned by King Henry the Sixth, just five hundred years ago - and deer still roam wild through the campsite. As well as 350 acres to enjoy, we are also installing special feeders for the deer in their favourite spots, to make it even easier to see them when camping. There are beautiful walks for grownups and acres of naturally safe adventures for children when you stay at White Deer Camping - the site is open in August and we also have a separate site for Camping and Caravan Club members, from May to September.

So to make the most of your own family time there's just one simple step: just remembering to be present for even a little part of every day. Doesn't matter when - perhaps switching off the radio while driving with the children in the car and asking what was the most fun part of the day; or talking over dinner about plans for tomorrow; or enjoying a daily hug "in the moment"?

Have a great day together.

Angela x

School Holiday Kids Club

2009-02-03T08:53:00.004Z

New for 2009! The Crealy Adventure Kids Club is a brand new holiday club for children aged 8+ throughout the school holidays. Starting this February half term and running from 8am until 6pm every weekday, your kids will have two meals and snacks and develop important team skills with our timetable of exciting activities, from theatre workshops to parachute games, animal handling to camp crafts.

As children of all ages love Crealy, where better to spend the school holidays?

Angela x

Its official, Devon is the best place to live in England!

2009-01-29T10:42:00.002Z

For the second time in six years Devon has been voted the country's favourite by Country Life magazine, having been judged across 19 categories including environment, heritage, schools, food and health. Last time the survey was carried out in 2003 Devon also topped the table thanks to its unique quality of life.

Amongst other criteria, Devon was voted top for environmental sustainability and quality of local food, two things that Crealy believes very strongly in. By recreating an idyllic rural childhood Crealy offers visitors the best that Devon has to offer, which is why millions of people have kept coming back over the last 20 years!

Angela x