Conkers

Looking For More Than Just A Day Out? Then Come To CONKERS! Enter a world of adventure and discovery at the Heart of the National Forest with a NEW Splash Park ‘CONKERS COVE!’. On land where mining activity once took place strictly beneath the surface, an attraction now blossoms where fun-seekers can run, walk and climb – on, above and head under the ground. Rawdon Colliery’s landscape of mineshafts and spoil heaps made way for the beauty of the National Forest. This family-friendly forest-themed adventure allows visitors to run wild inside and out. With feet firmly on the ground, experience the great outdoors on a muddy Barefoot Walk, an acres-long Activity Trail, or by following a secret Fairy Labyrinth. Find a connection with the earth in the Meta Garden, a Chelsea Flower Show Gold Award Winner demonstration of natural unions. Inside, interactive activities bring the woodland to life and let you chase butterflies and leaves. A mining display digs deep into the site’s past, and a fantasy journey is about to start in the 4D Cinema. The railway that once transported coal from the pit is no more, so all aboard the Conkerchoo train for a different journey altogether! Rise above the forest floor by climbing the High and Low Ropes, then go underground for a glimpse of the site’s former life in The Warrens, where a 70-metre maze of tunnels delves further beneath the earth. During the area’s mining days, rumbling conveyor belts heaved coal to the surface, a sound replaced today by the gentle tinkling of wind chimes. Indoors, a simulated tree-top walk comes complete with caves, mines and bats, and the hidden Troll in the Enchanted Forest! A selection of eateries is on-site for hungry visitors, from the casual Canalside Coffee Shop to menu refined Explorers Rest-aurant. Less gentle but music to the ears are the live concerts held at Conkers’ Arena at Waterside. There are special events too, when fireworks light up the sky and a Christmas lights valley leads down to Santa’s grotto. A great day out for all the family.