Drayton Manor Park in Staffordshire has been awarded first place in the Large Company category of The Sun’s Best of British Awards 2016, and also placed incredibly well overall as a great place to work.
The awards were officially launched in 2015 and recognise all businesses, regardless of size, that are doing the right thing for their employees. It champions firms across Britain who treat staff well, create a fantastic product or experience, and help to drive the economy forward.
Although this is a new award, the family run and owned theme park has been applying these qualities for a long time, right from the day it officially opened its doors to the public in the spring of 1950. Starting off as just 80 acres of derelict land, founded by the late George and Vera Bryan, the hardworking family have now turned Drayton Manor Park in to one of the most loved destinations in the UK and it’s now home to a range of fantastically fun attractions, including Europe’s only Thomas Land™ and some of the country’s greatest white-knuckle thrill rides such as stand up coaster, Shockwave, and the 54m drop tower, Apocalypse.
The park is also home to an incredible 15 acre zoo, where visitors can see over 100 species from all over the world and a spectacular 4D Cinema. Not to mention the new high rope adventure challenge VertiGO, which not only helps visitors face their fear of heights, but tests even the most confident of thrill seekers, as it takes them on an aerial adventure within the grounds of the attraction.
William Bryan, Managing Director at Drayton Manor Park said: “It’s fantastic news that we’ve come first in the large company category. As a family owned and run business it means such a lot for us to be recognised in this way.
“Our employees work incredibly hard every year to ensure that all of our visitors have an enjoyable experience. We wouldn’t be where we are today without the team’s dedication and enthusiasm and it is great to have this award recognise our achievements.”
Jane Hamilton, The Sun, said: “It’s wonderful that a family-run attraction has done so very well in The Sun’s new Best of British Awards. Drayton Manor is much-loved by Sun readers and also by its staff, as the results shows. Employees scored the company very highly for job satisfaction and recommending it as a place to work. Congratulations to everyone at Drayton Manor!”
To book tickets, or for more information about the park, visit Drayton Manor Website or call 0844 472 1950. Reduced prices are available for tickets bought in advance. For regular updates and news about Drayton Manor Park join it on Twitter and Facebook
About Drayton Manor
Drayton Manor Park Ltd, opened to the public in 1950 by the Bryan family, is one of the UK’s most popular family attractions with over one million visitors a year. George and Vera Bryan OBE, converted 80 acres of derelict land, which once belonged to Sir Robert Peel; MP & PM to Queen Victoria and her family, into today’s wonderful multi award-winning family attraction, combining thrill rides with a conservation zoo plus catering and conference facilities.
Today, Drayton Manor Park, still family owned and run by second and third generation family members, covers 286 acres of beautiful woodland and countryside and features some of the wildest and scariest rides around. Rides include: Roller-Coasters – Shockwave, Ben 10: Ultimate Mission and G-force. Major rides: Maelstrom, Apocalypse and Storm Force 10, our wettest ride. It is home to the hugely popular Thomas Land™ featuring many named Thomas & Friends™ character rides for the children and adults alike. Thomas Land™ at Drayton Manor is the only one of its kind in Europe. The park’s 152 seat 4D Cinema, over 50 rides and attractions makes for a truly unforgettable day.
A four-star Hotel onsite featuring 150 rooms includes Thomas & Friends™ themed rooms all sleeping four to six guests, family rooms, executive rooms and presidential rooms. It also features two bars, two sublime restaurants and a relaxing lounge. Within Drayton Manor Park and hotel we have three large conference rooms for functions and exhibitions as well as an idyllic wedding facility for up to 400 guests.
The popular Grill Inn Steak Restaurant and bar is adjacent to the hotel, seats up to 150 guests and is open all year round.
About HIT Entertainment
HIT Entertainment is one of the world’s leading preschool entertainment companies, specializing in building powerful brands based on engaging stories. HIT Entertainment’s world-class portfolio includes Thomas & Friends®, Mike the Knight™, Fireman Sam®, Bob the Builder, Barney®, Angelina Ballerina®, Pingu® and Rainbow Magic®.
HIT Entertainment excels at creating and building globally successful brands which capture the hearts and imaginations of preschoolers and their families. This is achieved through exceptional storytelling in multiple formats, enhanced by creating high quality character-based products and experiences with best-in-class partners. HIT Entertainment’s lines of business span television and home entertainment production, content distribution, digital media, publishing, consumer products and live events and attractions. HIT Entertainment is a subsidiary of Mattel, Inc. and has operations in the UK, US, Canada, Hong Kong and Japan.
About Thomas & Friends™
Thomas the Tank Engine was created by a father for his son 70 years ago and today is enjoyed by families in more than 185 territories and in 30 languages. The #1 blue engine and his friends invite children to enter a world of imagination through the tracks of a train and the words of a story. Children embark on adventures with their engine friends while experiencing timeless life lessons of discovery, friendship and cooperation. Thomas & Friends makes tracks to great destinations on PBS KIDS®, Sprout® and on Five’s Milkshake! and Nick Jr in the UK and on CCTV in China. Downloadable episodes are available through iTunes. For more information about the world of Thomas the Tank Engine™ and his friends, please visit Thomas & Friends.
