Arriving at Dennlys Park deep in the countryside of Pas de Calais, you’re struck by the sound of children’s laughter and carousel music.
I went with my kids who loved it. There are rides suitable for really little ones, 18-month-old Rachel loved the tractor ride, 4-year-old Leo loved being the tractor driver. Considerably older Harry and Trudy loved the more exciting rides including an old school wooden rollercoaster.
The carousel is the perfect starter ride and there’s even benches on it for mums and dads to sit on if they want to accompany little ones. A nice little touch which illustrates how much thought has gone into this rather sweet theme park. It’s been a firm favourite with the locals of this area for 30 years and aims to provide family themed fun and rides that the whole family can enjoy together as much as possible.
Once you’ve paid your entrance fee you can go on all the rides. There are no tickets or passes and very little queuing is involved which makes it so much more fun.
It’s definitely not Alton Towers, the rides are a bit retro and a bit quirky. There’s a mad horse riding race with plastic life-sized horses on a race track. Watching the riders lurch back and forth and as they “gallop” round is one of the funniest rides I’ve ever seen.
Water rides, whirly rides, slow, fast, high and low, things that whizz round and things that go at a rather more sedate pace, you go through water and through the air. There are loads of rides to enjoy here, more than 30, and plenty to keep kids occupied for hours. Leo was mesmerised by the water park which was quite tame with jets from holes in the floor. However, every few minutes a huge truckload of water tips out from on high and soaks the unaware. Little boys especially seemed to love the chance to get caught out accidentally on purpose! Tip: take spare clothes if your kids are the type who like to run about in water jets!
There are several on site restaurants with friendly staff and speedy service – think burgers and chips. There are also tables and chairs where you can sit and enjoy a picnic.
Safety and security are paramount at this park. Fun is what you can expect and lots to do without a queue which is always a total bonus in my books! There are no pop your money in amusement arcade style machines, apart from a water pistol range, all the rides are included in the price. That to me means no whining children who want money to waste.
Highly recommended for kids of all ages, even little ones which really makes a change.
There’s plenty of parking spaces (free), you can buy tickets online, from a booth or a machine in the wall on the square in front of the park.
Get there: Dennlys Park is in Denebroeucq, not far from Boulogne-sur-Mer or Saint Omer or Agincourt.
11 Rue du Moulin de la Tour, 62560 Dennebroeucq, France
Website: www.dennlys-parc.com (English language website)
More family fun in the area:
Bagatelle – a theme park for patient parents and waterproof children!
Opal Aventure – like “Go Ape” but better!
10 action packed family things to do in nothern France from steam train rides to boat rides and more…
