Looking for something a bit different on your next holiday? Why not stay near a theme park? The cabins and lodges at Wild Acre Village provide plenty of space for everyone to stay, but younger children (0-10 years) will appreciate them even more for their closeness to Sundown Adventureland, a family theme park with plenty of rides and experiences perfect for memory making. And this Retford accommodation is only twenty minutes from Lincoln and forty minutes from Sherwood Forest, where there’s even more for everyone to explore.
But when you don’t feel like travelling out, there’s still plenty to do on-site! Sundown Adventureland is an obvious day-out (more on that later), but on Wild Acre itself you’ll find a range of facilities to use on your holiday. Don’t feel like cooking? Head over to the Bistro. Serving breakfast, lunch, and evening meals, it’s there whenever you might need it. And with a huge four storey soft play area adjacent to the bistro, there’s more than enough to keep the kids entertained while the adults enjoy the fully licensed bar.
With a variety of cabins and lodges on offer for guests, you’re sure to find something to suit you and your loved ones. Smaller groups should look at the single cabins, which sleep five people over a king-size bedroom for the adults and triple bunk beds for children. Double cabins are more suitable for larger groups of around ten people, working as two single cabins separated by interconnecting doors. But if everyone prefers a bit more privacy, lodges with three separate bedrooms are also available, so simply choose what fits you best, there’s no need to settle!
Make the most of Wild Acre’s ideal location by spending a day or two out at Sundown Adventureland! Whilst you’ll need to book that separately, it’s sure to keep children entertained for hours on end. There are rides to suit everyone, no matter their age or how brave their feeling – and there’s no reason for the adults not to hop on too! Take a trip down the river on the Jolly Pirate Boat Ride or brave the broken bridge along the Rocky Mountain Railroad, there’s tonnes to do and explore – and ride again of course! For families who’d prefer something a little quieter, there’s more attractions and shows on-site too.
Explore the Angry Birds play area or get those singing muscles into gear at Buck & Duke’s Sing-A-Long show, whilst under 5’s have their own area to explore within Noah’s Ark play area. Remember to check the events page before your visit to see what’s on! Don’t forget to grab food before heading back to Wild Acre Village too – thankfully Sundown has plenty of places to eat! Whether it’s grabbing doughnuts from various pop-up shops throughout the park or sitting down for a meal at Crash landings (which includes a giant indoor play area!), rodeo corral or pumpkin café – there’s plenty to choose from.
For a more relaxing afternoon away from the theme park action, head over to Lincoln for the day-out at the Little Pottery Studio, and create your own masterpiece. Paint a piece of pottery to take home and remind you of your trip to Sundown Adventureland or book a class to learn new skills and techniques!
If the kids still need to blow off some steam, a trip to afterwards Harstholme Country Park won’t go amiss. Composed of Victorian landscaped gardens, a reservoir, woodlands and grasslands, there’s loads of space to adventure round during the day, as well as finding that perfect picnic spot for lunch. There’s even a play area on-site too, great fun for children when they get a bit restless!
A brilliantly bespoke lodge created for multiple generations of the same family to enjoy their holiday time together. Each lodge contains two self-contained units with interlocking doors. In each unit you will find two bedrooms: a master bedroom with king-size bed and space for a travel cot (provide your own or book online); and a second bedroom with child-sized triple bunk beds.
A quirky yet cosy cabin perfect for a family break. Master bedroom with king-size bed and space for a travel cot (provide your own or book on line). Second bedroom with child-sized triple bunk beds.
20 reviews from guests who stayed at Wild Acre Village at Sundown Adventureland
"The cabin was perfect for our stay, had all we needed-just bring your own food. The small shop onsite was handy. The hot tub was definitely a highlight, we really loved it!"
"Honestly, we had a really great stay here! The pods were surprisingly roomy and had everything we needed, which made relaxing after a busy day at the park much easier. The location is spot-on - super close to the attractions, so we could easily pop back whenever the kids needed a breather. The staff were lovely, always friendly and happy to help with any little requests. We also enjoyed having access to the on-site restaurant and soft play area, especially in the evenings when the place was quiet. It struck a nice balance between downtime and fun, really adding to our trip. All in all, it was a memorable holiday and wed happily come back again!"
"We really enjoyed our time here. The lodge was spotless, well-equipped and comfy. Perfect spot for our getaway, couldnt fault a thing at all!"
"Cleanliness and facilities are top-notch!"
"Our Wild Acre Village at Sundown Adventureland review: We had such a lovely weekend celebrating our little one's birthday. The lodge was pristine when we arrived, which is always a plus. The reception team were genuinely friendly and went out of their way to help us. This was our second stay, so we knew what to expect and it didnt disappoint. The hot tub was at just the right temp and got plenty of use. Everything we needed was there-such a great place, though I think our kids might be growing out of it soon!"
"The sofa's a bit firm, but since we weren't there much during the day, it wasn't an issue."
"We really enjoyed our stay with you last week. I didn’t get any names of the staff and wish I had as they were excellent. So friendly and helpful.
The ladies in the shop on site, the hot tub men, the staff on the rides and the security were all fantastic ."
"Very good after sorting water"
"Lovely cabin, Play area very clean. Fantastic indoor play area."
"Lovely lodge, perfect for our needs. Staff always helpful and cheerful. Advantage of staying over meant my autistic granddaughter could have quiet breaks back at the lodge as well as being in the park early when quiet."
"Had a fantastic time the accommodation was lovely, the park was great for the kids even the adults enjoyed it, we will be coming back."
"I visited with my two daughters aged 6 and 8. The Squirrel VIP lodge was amazing. Decorated to please the children but superbly equipped to please the adults. Having said that my eldest daughter spent the most time in the hot tub.Peaceful location, although as it is fairly new for this season a number of lodge plots were vacant and some site details were still to be completed. However, overall it was fantastic and my daughters loved it so much we have already booked to return next year. Although the initial cost of the lodge seemed expensive, when you consider it allowed us access to Sundown for 5 days it then seemed a bargain."
"Perfect weekend for our boys 3rd birthday celebrations. He loved it ! Absolutely would recommend. The only thing that wasn’t amazing was the heat inside the cabins. Hottest time ever on record, and no air conditioning at all … however, who was to know that we would have record breaking temperatures !"
"Visited with our four children ages between 8-3years old. They all loved the theme park and all the play parks on offer. The lodge is very very clean and staff were very helpful. Only down side was the lodge got extremely hot however it was a heatwave and they provided fans straight away to try and help with this. The soft play however had AC which was amazing! We would definitely return."
"Wonderful getaway. The lodges were well equipped and little details were thought of. Plenty of room for our family of 5 :) would reccomend and will definitely revisit!"
"The lodges were wonderful well equipped even had a dishwasher. They had thought off everything even a tea towel dishwasher tablets. Netflicks. Perfect for family holidays. We had 4 pods for our giant family. Definitely book again. Theme park was great. There wasn’t one member of staff any where that wasn’t genuinely happy and it’s was very hot 35 degrees. Indoor play area and restaurant had aircon so great escape for us all. Just perfect well done wild acre sundown ??"
"Absolutely amazing time here and bonus fair tickets for free. Cabins lovely and have everything for your stay little touches such as cleaning packs. Only bad point I would say is no air con as we was there during the heatwave will definitely be returning. The restaurant was amazing for food and the staff so friendly the girl with the black hair didn’t get her name went above and beyond for us"
"Quaint lodges, plenty to do for our 5 year old and very helpful staff. Would definitely visit again."
"Lovely lodges, excellent for the kids, and being able to access crash landings outside of park opening hours was a massive bonus"
"It's a lovely theme park and the lodges at wild acre are lovely but what really makes this place special is the staff, from security who high fives my children and spoke to them each morning, the ride operators who were so friendly and my children loved chatting to, to the staff at crash landings special shout out to Stacey and Molly who couldn't do enough for you ( we miss you Stacey!)
What makes this place so special is the staff."
The best-known attractions within an easy drive of Wild Acre Village at Sundown Adventureland, with real driving times.
Sat nav: LN2 1PX
A grade I listed Gothic cathedral with medieval stained glass, themed tours and a hands-on Discovery Centre for families.
Lincoln Cathedral is a Church of England cathedral and a working place of worship, consecrated in the 11th century. The building is grade I listed and has Gothic architecture from several periods, including two large rose windows, the Dean's Eye and the Bishop's Eye. The Victorian writer John Ruskin rated it highly among British buildings.
Tip: The cathedral is a living church, so some areas can close for services or events. Check the visit page for current restrictions before you travel.
Sat nav: DN9 3QY
A walk-through wildlife park near Doncaster with polar bears, big cats, giraffes and African penguins.
Yorkshire Wildlife Park is a zoo and conservation centre on the outskirts of Doncaster, South Yorkshire. You explore on foot, with three walk-through animal reserves and themed lands that recreate habitats from around the world.
Tip: Booking tickets in advance is cheaper than buying on the day, and Planet Putt next to the entrance is a good wet-weather add-on.
Sat nav: LN1 3AA
A Norman castle in Lincoln's Cathedral Quarter with a Victorian prison, wall views and a Magna Carta.
Lincoln Castle was built by William the Conqueror in the late 11th century on the site of a Roman fortress. It is unusual for having two mottes, and it stayed in use as a prison and court for centuries. It sits in the heart of Lincoln's historic Cathedral Quarter.
Tip: Call the Customer Service Centre on 01522 782019 before you go to check which parts are open and which Magna Carta documents are on display.
Sat nav: LN6 4RU
An Elizabethan hall with gardens, estate walks, an award-winning restaurant and farm shop west of Lincoln.
Doddington Hall is an Elizabethan mansion built between 1595 and 1600 by Robert Smythson, with walled courtyards and a gabled gatehouse. It has been a family home for over 400 years, and its contents reflect that. The Holly Room is covered in early 17th-century Flemish tapestries. Around the hall are gardens of walled and wild areas, with an outdoor sculpture exhibition at times.
Tip: Check the opening times before you go, as the hall and gardens open on different dates and the gardens' last entry is earlier than closing.
Sat nav: DN21 2NB
One of England's best-preserved medieval manor houses, with a remarkable original kitchen and a tower to climb.
Gainsborough Old Hall is a five-hundred-year-old manor house, built by Sir Thomas Burgh in 1460 and now run by English Heritage. It is one of the best-preserved medieval manor houses in England, and a timber-framed building with a striking black-and-white look.
Tip: Head for the medieval kitchen and great hall first, then finish with the tower climb (59 steps) for the view.
Sat nav: NG24 2NY
A big collection of historic aircraft on a former Second World War airfield near Newark-on-Trent.
Newark Air Museum sits on the former RAF Winthorpe airfield, just outside Newark-on-Trent in Nottinghamshire. During the Second World War the airfield trained Avro Lancaster crews, and today it is home to a collection of over 80 aircraft, running through the history of flight.
Tip: There is free car parking next to the site, and you don't need to pre-book. In bad weather, check with the museum before you travel.
Sat nav: S80 4AG
A limestone gorge with caves where Neanderthals lived and Europe's most northerly Ice Age cave art survives.
Creswell Crags is an enclosed limestone gorge on the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire border. Its caves were occupied by Neanderthals and modern humans during the Ice Age, and they hold the northernmost cave art in Europe.
Tip: Book your cave tour ahead, and check the website before you go as the museum may be closed for upgrade work.
Sat nav: NG24 1BN
A Grade I listed Norman-era castle in Newark-on-Trent with a dramatic Civil War and royal history.
Newark Castle stands in Newark-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire. It was founded in the mid 12th century by Alexander, Bishop of Lincoln, first as a timber castle and then rebuilt in stone. It is a scheduled monument and a Grade I listed building, recognised as an internationally important structure.
Full guide to days out near Wild Acre Village at Sundown Adventureland »
Drive times are typical times by car with no traffic. Check opening times and book tickets on each attraction's own website before you go.
