The Annex
As I mentioned in the previous blog, out first stop was at a homestay called The Annex in Totton, just outside Southampton.
Very briefly, the property was excellently finished and there was everything we needed and then some! We had a bed and the usual things, but also access to an ironing board and iron, mini fridge and a booklet with as much information about the local area as they could cram into it. Very impressed with our stay here!
There was a lot of care by the host to make your stay as comfortable and convenient as possible, there was a parking space right by the front door and access was by a key safe so you can arrive at any time you like, which was great for us.
I’d definitely recommend the Annex to anyone who has to travel long distances to visit Paulton’s Park, or even Southampton and the surrounding areas.
Paultons Park
We’ve been to Paulton’s Park a few times now, and this is the second visit this year. Every time we come, the park just seems to look tidier and even more well presented than the previous visit. I’ll probably say that again after our next visit too, it’s just so well looked after.
Anyway, for the season, the park was covered in literally thousands of pumpkins and given a Halloween makeover. As with other things the park has done, it was done very well. There were an abundance of photo opportunities all around the park too, which is always fun!
There was a lack of attention given to the area where Cobra sits though as there wasn’t a single pumpkin or any Halloween themed scenery at all over that way. Lost Kingdom had a few pumpkins here and there but not quite as much as the other parts of the park. That’s about the only real negative for the day, and its a stretch to even call it a negative!
The changes didn’t just include scenery though, a lot of the soundtracks to the ride have been altered to give them a spookier atmosphere too. These are the little details that put Paulton’s on my radar and make it incredibly easy to recommend the park too.
Our first stop was Storm Chaser. This is by far my favourite ride at the park, and it even hits my top 10. I just enjoy the forces it gives, the spinning means all rides are different and it’s smooth as glass to ride too. If this ride were longer, then it would definitely rank it higher than Icon, I enjoy it that much!
Next was our first ride on Farmyard Flyer. We just missed out on the opening of this ride when we went in March this year so I’ve been looking forward to trying this attraction for a good while!
The queue line, station and ride area are well themed and I remember there being a lovely smell in the station too though I can’t remember what it reminded me of!
As for the ride, it was very tame. Even for a junior coaster, there wasn’t much force to it, but it was nice and smooth and a good time. Probably better than Cat-o-pillar coaster, but not quite as good as Storm Chaser, Flight of the Pterosaur or Cobra, but it’s really not fair to compare junior coasters to family offerings!
After Farmyard Flyer we visited all the other attractions at least once, though we did Cobra and Flight of the Pterosaur twice as they’re such great rides. We even had a go on the upcharge Go karts, these were fun but not the best Go Karts we ended up paying for on the holiday!
We stayed in the park all the way until closing, and I wish they had stayed open longer so we could have had even more rides, as well as rides in the dark! They do have late night openings, but only 3 nights and none of which were nights we could attend unfortunately!
The conclude our visit, we had a great time! The park was beautifully decorated, for the most part, and operations were great. We managed a new ride with Farmyard Flyer and got back on our favourite rides for the last time this year! Hope to be back sometime next year Paulton’s!
Next stop, Howl’o’ween!
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