It started as a family owned, family orientated theme park in April 1950, and 60 years on Drayton Manor is still owned by the same family and is still a great day out, whatever size kid you are.

With thrill rides for big kids, Thomas Land for little kids, a 4D cinema and even a zoo, there is plenty to entertain and excite you.

I went with a family of five, with children aged six, 13 and 16 (I’ll leave out the big kids’ ages), and we had a great time.

While the brave amongst us rode rides such as G-Force, Apocolypse, Shockwave and Pandemonium, Heather and her parents explored the Pirate Adventure and Thomas Land. The only gripe there was that only one parent could ride with the child.

Some of the rides in Thomas Land were like miniatures of the thrill rides so it meant that we could all share in our experiences.

My six year old niece was old enough to go on Cranky the Crane Drop Tower and loved it. Although she wasn’t big enough for the 54 metre thrill of Apocolypse, (the world’s first stand-up tower drop), she said Cranky was just like it.

After going on Apocalypse myself, I think I’d much prefer Cranky next time, if only my older nieces gave me the option!

I was also coerced by the older girls into going on Shockwave. Billed as Europe’s only stand up roller coaster, this ride was definitely not for the faint hearted. It had us screaming and holding on for life as we were hurled upside down time after time.

And then there’s the white knuckle, high rolling, fast forwarding, loop the looping G-Force, and the water soaking Stormforce 10. It’s a water chute that drops the boats backwards and you do get absolutely soaked. (You can buy macs for £2 each and there are also walk-in dryers for £2).

There were also lots of rides we all enjoyed together such as the Buffalo Coaster. This is a choppy rollercoaster that goes out over the lake. Or Splash Canyon, where we all sat in a rubber ring-like vessel and were sent spinning through rapids and fast flowing water over a half mile journey.

The attractions are set in 280 acres of lakes and parkland and everything is pretty close together, so you don’t spend your time getting from one ride to the next. The queues weren’t bad either, considering it was the Easter holidays.

There are plenty of food outlets at prices you would expect, such as £3.20 for a hot dog. Or, if you take your own lunch there are plenty of places where you can picnic.

After our lunch, we had a walk around the zoo, where, among other animals, we saw tigers, monkeys, owls and penguins. It is also host to Meerkat Mansion – where the TV celebrities of meerkat.com are said to live.

We ended the day in the 4D cinema, watching an eventful 15 minute version of Happy Feet.

And so, after being thrilled and amused for the whole day, we took our own happy feet back off home.