Chessington World of Adventures

The great thing about this place though is that because it is so family orientated adults can sit along their off-spring in the baby' roller coasters looking all protective when really they are just wishing the ride to end.

So far my son has proved to inherit my cowardly stance on roller coasters so when he announced he wanted to join his friends on the log flume I was filled with trepidation especially that due to the number in our party I had to go as well. I was quite calm silently waiting in the fast moving queue until my friend, who incidentally would ride the log flume all day if she could, happily turned round and told me this ride had the highest drop, a mere 100ft to be precise. Suddenly I wanted to be somewhere else, anywhere else but in that queue, but we did it and while my son was happy to re-join the queue I took the youngest of the group and enjoyed a strong coffee.

If like me your idea of fun is not being flung upside down at 1,000mph (no I am not exaggerating) don't be put off visiting Chessington, there are the gentler rides, like the Bubbleworks and with the new Land of the Dragons there is more for the younger guests to enjoy.

Dragon's Playhouse is a large indoor play area with a bouncy castle and the kids get 10 minutes to go wild, strategically and welcomingly situated next to a coffee house those 10 minutes will be the shortest of the day.

A new introduction in Beanoland since our last visit is Dennis's Madhouse, a large indoor area clearly visible from the outside so you can watch your children firing soft balls from large canons, great fun for all ages and the five boys in our party thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

After a drive on Roger the Dodger's Dodgems we went in search of something to eat, we chose Pizza Hut and found that if you stick to one of the franchise's like McDonald's or KFC these work out cheaper than Chessington's own outlets.

An adult's pizza, chips and drink was £4.99 and the same for a child with a fruit shoot was £3.69, at KFC a children's meal of popcorn chicken, drink, chips and a toy was £2.49.

Queuing is a necessary evil at adventure parks everywhere, here are a few tips which may help - express bands can be bought at a cost of £4, these give you a set time to ride the six top rides; take the waiting time boards only as a guide we did not find one queue that matched the information board; if you are visiting with a disabled child bring an official letter with you and take it to customer services where a priority wrist band should be issued allowing your child to go to the front of the queue; if you suspect that a toilet visit will be needed while queuing before you join the queue get a ticket from customer services and if the comfort break is needed then the ticket will enable you to re-join the queue where you left it; there isn't anything to keep the young amused while queuing so bringing a favourite toy or book may help the time pass quicker; finally some of the landscaped areas next to the queue line have big boulders, these may look nice but children automatically want to climb over them, they looked fairly dangerous and especially after rain would be slippery so take care.

Don't forget that there are still animals at Chessington and make time for a visit, show times for the sea lions and penguins are displayed; children can meet some new friend's at the children's zoo and the gorillas and big cats are always a favourite.

Tickets cost £29 for visitor's 12-years and over or £27 if purchased online, under 12's cost £19.50 or £17.50 on line, prices without express pass. One child per full paying adult receives free admission everyday.