Springland – Partridge Lakes, Warrington

The organisers behind the spooky spectacular Halloweenville are back, but this time with another seasonal offering – Springland, very much aimed at families with primary school aged children.

Located at Partridge Lakes in Culcheth, Warrington, just a short drive from Liverpool, you can find a set up that is straight out of a child’s imagination. A place with giant colourful flowers, inflatables, sculptures of real and mythical creatures and a whole host of meet and greet opportunities with the Easter bunny, mermaid, fairies, princes and more. It’s worth noting that the trail is in a different spot to the one from spooky season, but if you head to the same car park, you will be directed to the right place by friendly attendants.

It’s safe to say that, like any outdoor experience, this is an event that is far superior when the sun is shining, so it may be worth checking the forecast before booking tickets (although not always possible with children’s schedules and to guarantee a slot!). That said, even if you do go on a rainy day, the staff can’t do enough to help you and make you feel welcome – even offering a date swap if you would like, to ensure you get the most out of your Springland experience.

At the very start of the 1km route around the lake, you are welcomed by Princess Araya and told that you are on a magical quest to restore the lost magic of Springland. You are given a map and asked to follow the trail and collect five stamps from the residents of the magical kingdom. Along the way, there are lots of great picture opportunities – including giant butterfly wings, hay stacks surrounded by unicorns and a stunning beach set up for where the mermaid resides. Along the way, you meet lots of fairytale characters and the actors do a really great job of engaging the children and getting them involved and immersed in the story – letting them have a go at sword fighting with the knight, making a wish in the beautiful wishing well, hooking some ducks and more.

Like with Halloweenville, there are some optional purchases you can make to enhance your time at the lake – including unicorn wands, a selection of food and drink at the end of the trail and a chance to ride some elaborate themed pedalos – in the shape of unicorns, flamingos and dragons (weather dependent). At £20 a child ticket and £17 for an adult ticket, it can add up quite quickly, so for many this would need to be a treat day in the holidays – but it’s important to note that this cost does include a prize for all children at the end, which is better than most tat you end up with from equivalent events! Children can choose from a range of goodies, including a sword and shield, a fluffy llama keyring, an Easter chick teddy, a dragon egg and more.

The trail can take anything from half an hour to over an hour, depending on your pace and how much you engage with the opportunities on offer, including some giant games at the end – kerplunk, ring toss, four in a row etc, which is why the weather is so important for this one – especially with the price tag. But it is a super cute day out, for kids and grown ups, that brings pages of fairytales to life in an incredibly creative and clever way. It’s definitely one that will put a spring in any child’s step and an experience that they will be telling all their friends and family about for days after.

Runs until 12 April.