Popular East Midlands seaside attraction Fantasy Island is firmly open for business

It was not just beer gardens which were given the green light to reopen this week, but also “outdoor attractions and settings, including theme parks”.

Fantasy Island at Ingoldmells, near Skegness, is one of those which is back welcoming visitors.

Those heading for the Lincolnshire Coast can expect Covid-safe policies in place – social distancing reminders, staff wearing masks, hand sanitiser at all rides and a number of hand-washing stations – as well as a range of attractions for all ages.

With Covid rules meaning indoor attractions must remain closed, the park’s outdoor market stalls are open, its cafés are offering outdoor seating and a takeaway service and it has even moved some indoor rides outdoors, to “ensure value for money for our guests”.

Claire Draper, park director of finance, says: “Everything we can do, we are putting in place, to make people safe.”

Rides for all ages

And, of course, there are lots of existing outdoor rides, from Fantasia and the Bouncing Bugs, suitable for very young children, the family-friendly Log Flume and Dodgems, through to rides suitable for only the most brave thrill-seekers, such as the Starflyer, offering stunning views from 70 metres up in the sky, the Odyssey rollercoaster – up there with Britain’s best – and, new for this year, the Spinning Racer.

And the park even has two more new rides lined up for when it is allowed to fully open – although full details of Harrington Flint’s Island Adventures and The Guardian are under wraps at present.

Yes, how much you enjoy your outdoor-only day may be weather dependent, but there is lots to occupy a family for the whole day and braving a little bit of spring uncertainty can have its own benefits – fewer visitors mean smaller queues and more rides!

Ride tickets can be purchased individually, but the best value for money are the wristbands allowing unlimited rides that day and priced depending on height, reflecting the fact some of the ‘bigger’ rides are unsuitable for smaller guests.

Claire Draper, park director of finance, said: “It’s exciting. Everyone is pleased to be open and seeing our customers back.

“We have used the downtime to make some alterations, to make the park bigger and better.”

A message from Phil Bramley, Derbyshire Times Editor...

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper.