First
impressions were absolutely perfect; Peppa Pig World is colourful and vivid,
with key buildings from the TV show dotted about a carefully landscaped park with
a mix of hard-wearing fake grass (perfect for all year round mud free playgrounds
and seating areas) and real grass (for the bits you weren't allowed to climb
on). Pippa immediately wanted to go into Peppa's house, sitting prettily
atop its own grassy hill, but instead we all went through Madame Gazelle's
school room and had our photograph taken with the Pig family. 
The
rides are well spaced out and pitched perfectly at Peppa's mostly pre-school
audience. We went on every one, starting off with Grandpa Pig's Boat Trip,
which bobbed up and down, before moving on to Grandpa Pig's Little Train and
Daddy Pig's Car Ride. Toby, six, was delighted that he was old enough to go on
everything by himself and acted cool and casual as he set off alone around
George's Dinosaur Adventure. This was a fantastic ride, sitting atop a large
plastic dinosaur (George Pig's favourite toy), winding through a landscape that
mixed smoking volcanoes with Grandpa Pig's allotment, complete with
juicy-looking plastic carrots poking through the soil. George's ride won the "best attraction" award from our three generation party, just thinking about it
now makes me smile still!Every animal from the show has their own spot, and since Peppa Pig is full of loveable characters it made walking through the park great fun. Pedro Pony ran the Ride Photo Booth, Daddy Pig was in charge of the Car Ride and the Big Tummy Café, Mr Potato owned the playground while George's Muddly Puddles splash park looked like such fun (do pack an extra set of clothes or swimming costume if you are going along!) and the ubiquitous Miss Rabbit oversaw the high-flying Helicopter Ride and the Ice Cream Parlour. The "big rides" are Peppa's Big Balloon Ride and Windy Castle, both of which give you great views over the whole of Paulton Park. Peppa and George made four personal appearances through the day and were practically mobbed by young fans trying to get close to them.
Both children loved George's Spaceship Play Zone, a very well designed indoor play
area adjoining the café that kept them happy for 45 minutes as they
pottered around between the slides, climbing areas and ball pits while we
re-fuelled with a drink. There was also a massive merchandise shop – with a
dizzying amount of Peppa toys, books, gifts, clothes and even furniture for
sale. We left with charity Peppa Pig and friends pin badges costing £1 which
benefit Tommy's charity. This was a very special and much anticipated day out which exceeded Toby and Pippa's (already high) expectations. They could be heard outdoing each other in their praise for the park: "this was the best, best day of my whole life ever" was Toby's summary and Pippa replied "I just love Peppa Pig World and think I will stay here all the time." For Toby the joy of being able to ride the Paultons Park thrill rides and rollercoasters alongside the "gentler" pleasures of the Peppa rides was key to his enjoyment whilst Pippa could happily have stayed in Peppa Pig World all day without venturing into Paultons Park. As it was, we stayed on site for six hours and left only because the park was closing! The staff manning every ride, were smiling and charming and really added to our enjoyment of the day.
Peppa Pig World gets a unanimous five out of five from our family - thank you for a fabulous day out!
PWT rating: ♥♥♥♥♥
Peppa Pig World opens on 9 April 2011. Family tickets from £56 (family of three) to £92.50 (family of five) – children under one metre admitted free of charge.
Paultons Park, Ower, Romsey, New Forest, Hampshire SO51 6AL Tel:02380814442
