I found out why this Farnsfield tourist attraction is the perfect place to bring families together - no matter what the weather

Whether it’s eye-catching castles, big hitting National Trust estates or the more down-to-earth farm experience around the corner, there’s something for everyone.

It means attractions have to stay on top of their game if they are to stay relevant and offer the quality and value that will keep people coming back for more.

That’s a challenge the folk at the ever-popular Robin Hoods Wheelgate Park have been happily taking on for just shy of two decades now.

Wheelgate, for those who don’t know, is a 30-acre family theme park and water park located just outside Farnsfield.

It’s also an attraction that has gone from strength to strength to become one of the region’s best since the Bendalls Leisure group took over what was Wonderland Adventure Park in 2007.

Since that time the renamed Wheelgate has undergone a huge revamp with the most recognisable upgrade - an impressive and spacious splash park - helping us cool off since 2013.

Matt Bendall, who is a member of the family behind the thriving park, is understandably delighted with the progress made in that time.

“It is a long term project and over the years the park has changed and improved vastly and we enjoy seeing people come, then come back multiple times and seeing them enjoy what we have put together,” he said.

“All year, all weather and indoor or outdoor, we pride ourselves on being a 365 days a year attraction.

“We are a family run and family-focused attraction and we employ a huge number of people from the local area. We are very proud to be part of the community and buy into what the community has to offer.”

Aside from the showcase splash park, Wheelgate boasts two big indoor play areas, theme park rides for the little ones, extensive outdoor play areas and picnic sites and a beautiful farm area.

Matt, who has been at Wheelgate for 15 years and is also the park manager, is now working hard on an ambitious project to develop the farm area further to bring in new animals and experiences.

“We are getting lots of new animals in and are improving and expanding the farm area,” he added.

“We want to educate and also improve the visitor experience. We have lots of young children who come to the park and the animal side of things are really important, so we are looking to offer an enhanced animal experience.

“We have just finished the main lambing season and have been doing things like lamb feeding.

“We have had a great season so far and we are really excited for the summer season ahead. This season we are having a real focus on improving our animal experience and there’s going to be lots of exciting things going on.”

Marketing manager Sandy Gyorvari is tasked with promoting all that Wheelgate has to offer and she believes variety is the key to their ongoing success.

“We strive to provide everything that the local area needs, something for babies, something for toddlers and something for older children,” she said.

“It is a family experience here, so we invite families to come and have a good time with the animals, both indoors and outdoors.

“I think the variation that we have is the appeal that keeps people coming back. The rides, the splash park, the indoor areas, the animals.

“It means you can have so many different days out depending on the age of the children, the weather or what you are feeling.

“We make it very seasonal with events, so hopefully we are ticking all the boxes and giving good value. We pride ourselves on having a huge amount of indoor things to do. You can come here and spend all day indoors, and I think you wouldn’t be disappointed at all.”

For more information on passes and events, visit https://www.wheelgatepark.com