Its time to sharpen your teeth and get stuck in as Roarr Returns! With restrictions eased we couldn’t wait to Return to Roarr Dinosaur Adventure park in Lenwade Norfolk. The popular Norfolk Family attraction has been sold out on its first week of opening in 2021. We visited Friday to see how the family run business have prepared for the influx of guests keen to enjoy all the park has to offer.
Safety First
During the last lockdown Roarr invested heavily in order to keep the park and its guests safe. There are hand sanitiser stations all over the park. Social distancing in place and a heavily reduced capacity. Even on a sold out day like Friday the park feels quiet and expansive. I only really noticed the other guests when queuing for the snack shack. Don’t forget your mask as you’ll need it for the shop and undercover areas.
Playtime
When we arrived the kids made a B-Line for the massive adventure playpark. Punctuated with picnic tables this is a great place to let the kids run wild while you have a cuppa. Next up was Dippys Raceway new for 2020 the outside track replaces the old inside version. Weekdays its pedal powered with electric vehicles on the weekends and in school holidays. Bo was with us on Friday so we made good use of the Tiny Terro-saurs playground although I have been know to have a bounce on the trampoline too. Just don’t tell anyone.
Making a Splash
As you would imagine there are still some restrictions in place but the majority of the outside activities are open including the kids favourite, ‘Dippys Splash Park’. Thirty minute bookable slots are more than ample enough time ( especially in April) to enjoy the water park. I put Wilba and Bo in wetsuits which was the right move even though it was a lovely sunny day. The Encounter barn, Dinomite indoor play and Predator high ropes remained closed but will be re-opening following government announcements.
Educational
Roarr is an extensive family attraction. I remember in the early 90’s when Roarr wasn’t much more than the dinosaur trail and park we visited with school. It’s always stayed true to its humble roots and makes learning opportunities fun for children. The improved dinosaur trail is awesome but also really educational. All the dinosaurs have fact files situated next to them and the archaeological dig sandpit allows you to discover all about bones and fossils in a very hands on way. This summer Roarr will be collaborating with Norwich Science Museum and the Norwich Cathedral on some exciting educational projects. Your Little explorers will love the range of prehistoric related gifts and toys you can buy from the shop to continue their adventures at home.
Bite to Eat
I’m a big fan of the new Explorers restaurant at the bottom of the park. Their fish and chips is only rivalled by Mary Janes in Cromer. Understandably the food venues aren’t all open all of the time at the moment. Make sure you check the website to see what’s available the day you’re visiting. When we visited only the Jurassic snack shack and kiosk at the top of the park were open, come 12pm the queue was huge. The kiosk near the splash park however was much quieter and sells bacon rolls and hot dogs. Roarr is a fabulous place to Picnic, there’s tables everywhere and some great spots. My favourite is next to the fish pond right behind the animal enclosure. It’s always quiet and a great sun trap.
Animal Magic
After Lunch we headed down the trail and caught a glimpse of the Parks resident deer and went to see some of the animals at the farm. The goats and wallabies were on form in the sunshine. Our favourites are still the football playing pigs. The encounter barn is shut and the moment but due to re-open soon. Predator high ropes (the aerial high wire course) is also closed because of government guidance but it’s a must do activity for all when re-opened. It’s also included in the price. I would imagine it will return to a booking system so worth popping down early in the day to reserve your space.
Time to Go
Before we left we had just enough time to tear down the tunnels and get nine holes of crazy golf in. Then Grab our ice creams and browse the gift shop (mask unless exempt). It’s a great gift shop as has a wide range of gifts and toys at lots of different price points. Having said that we personally don’t purchase gifts that often as season ticket holders. Our kids are more than happy with the complimentary medal on the way out as a souvenir of our Roarr-some day.
What’s coming up?
Roarr have some fantastic collaborations coming up with the Norwich science festival, Zoo-ology and Nature trail and the last tour of the National History Museums Dippy. His Bones can be viewed in Norwich Cathedral from the 14th of July. This years Break Go Go discovery is T- Rex themed. There’s also another exciting development at the park that I can tell you about from Thursday next week so WATCH THIS SPACE!
Discovery Pass
If your local and likely to use Roarr regularly like us, the discovery pass is a great investment. It’s £55 per person £27.50 per person for Registered Disabled/Adult/Child/Carer passes. The pass treats you to Unlimited park entry and reductions on food outlets and the shop until the 31st of October 2021. Click here for more details.
Follow for more
I hope you found this review helpful please follow me on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook for daily updates and more family shenanigans. This year i’m also please to be working with wikiplacesforkids_official who have a fabulous parent driven app you can download for free to see what’s going on near-by where you live.
*Disclaimer – Im a proud ambassador for Roaar but as always my words are my own.