Bradnop Discovery Centre (RCT3)

[Mr P]

I'm back with a new park! Been working on a few parks for a while, but I feel this has the most potential, so I'm going to stick with it! As I normally do, there's no real timescale so I don't limit myself to the future of the park. Anyway, on to business!

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Bradnop Farm was once a busy place, livestock and crops could be seen for miles. But in the late 70's, the land had been overworked. With the farmer being a huge fan of steam engines, he decided to scrap the farming and build himself a railway on his land.

 

Over the years, the site developed, once again livestock were kept on site, although not the cows and sheep of yesteryear, but horses and ostriches for visitors to view. Then came the Quad Bikes in a small patch of woodland just behind the railway station. As the site got more and more popular, it became a thriving business for the man who was once just a farmer. He saw the amount of people who came to ride the rides, and decided that a Roller Coaster was the next thing for him. "Barnstormer" was born, an arrow looper using inspiration from the areas history as it's theme, this was followed closely by "Apple Bobber", a small Frog Hopper located in the same area.

 

In the last couple of years, vast amounts of money have been spent focusing the aims of the park as primarily a museum and animal park. This has included the rebranding from "Bradnop Farm" to the "Bradnop Discovery Centre", installation of a large Transport Museum and Workshops for the operational railway locomotives, construction of a large cinema and industrial history museum, an aviary, a special grotto used during December to house Santa and most recently a large entertainments venue. The latter was built in conjunction with the Merlin group.

 

Anyway, enough story time, lets move on to a visit to the park.

 

The Entrance, The Merlin Entertainment's Arena certainly has made it's mark here.

 

As soon as you enter, you are greeted by the Steam Railway's station.

 

Also at the entrance, on the fence of the station, is an electronic board showing what attractions are available (Today, it's all of them, although some days only the animal or heritage attractions are open)

 

A look at the park map gives us a vague idea as to the layout of everything, although it's not very accurate really.

 

Seeing as it's right by the entrance, I headed to the Transport museum for a look around first.

 

You can get a good idea of the exhibits before you enter.

 

It's packed full of Trams, Trains & Cars.

 

At the back of the Museum, there's the workshop for the operational Trains. There are two sets used, one of which is here in the workshop. If you look closely, out the back you can an old Severn-Lambe diesel train that was used as a spare before the second steam set was purchased. It's been out of use for many years and is unlikely to return.

 

Built on to the right of the Transport Museum is a Burger Bar. The only restaurant in the centre, the meals can be a bit pricey but they are very tasty.

 

Now, into the main courtyard and located just behind the Station we have "Forest Quads"

 

This was the first non-educational attraction at the park.

 

Bradnope Farm Bird Barn (The name giving a nod to the site's former use) houses an array of exotic birds.

 

Inside, there is a Snack Shack offering soft drinks. The two wooden structures inside become the entrance and exit to Santa's Grotto during December, as the whole Bird Barn is given a makeover and become part of the festive offering.

 

Back out of the Bird Barn, we head across the tracks to The Orchard, where we find the centre's star attraction...

 

"Barnstormer", the Arrow Looper.

 

The station shows this ride's age well, being simplistic yet practical.

 

Opposite the coaster's entrance is the cute, yet well themed, froghopper "Apple Bobber".

 

Within Barnstormer's ride area we have a small, but genuine, orchard, where apple trees grow.

 

With the coaster looming over, you can pick up a drink or an ice cream here at the Snack Shack.

 

Now, located between the orchard and the transport museum, we have The Arena.

 

Although within the Centre, it is operated by the Merlin Group, and plays host to many shows.

 

I'm not quite sure what show was on today, it didn't appear to correlate with any of the posters outside...

 

I moved swiftly on after that, and headed back across the central courtyard to the Animal Paddocks and Industrial Museum, in the newly created "Discovery Zone"

 

You may have noticed that right next to the entrance to this area, there is a bit of construction taking place. This is the to be the Education Centre, the final phase of the huge redevelopment of the site.

 

Crossing the line, we see the large "Industrial History" centre, featuring a cinema playing a film about how the industrial revolution affected local life.

 

Within the centre, there is a large space which is normally full of exhibits telling the story of the area's industrial past. On the day of my visit, it was undergoing a refurbishment and changing the exhibits, so looked a bit bare.

 

The cinema playing the film. It really is quite fascinating.

 

Across the way from the Industrial centre, we find the two animal paddocks. This is the horses...

 

...and this is the ostriches.

 

Opposite the Ostrich paddock we find another Snack Shack.

 

I'm assuming this is the Woodland Walk that's on the map, it's right next to the Industrial History building, although it doesn't look very open to me. Infact, it doesn't look like it's ever opened.

 

And finally, I leave you with a shot of the Steam Train about to depart on it's loop around the park and beyond.

 

The site is huge, and offers a lot of potential. Only riding the Railway do you get a full idea of the unused space that surrounds what we see as the centre. There are many rumours about the future of this place, but that's all they are at the moment, rumours. Although, if only one or two of them come to light, this may become a real tourist destination.

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Out of story now, this is an overview of the site. Bear in mind that only the actually site of the park is landscaped at the moment, I just wanted to show the site in a bit more clarity than the dodgy photoshop map!

 

 

[the ghost]

I LOVE THIS! I love everything! This is my favorite style of park for RCT3, the story is simple and theming is CHARMING in a very skilled yet simple way! I love the feeling of this, reminds me of something like Knoebels or a park of that nature and the park is BEAUTIFUL! I am REALLY hoping for something like a mid sized wooden coaster such as Wooden Warrior or something of that nature.

[B.A.B]

I really love the theme and the idea of your park. Although I do wanna say that you should maybe add more foliage around some of buildings, in some parts of the park it seems to be a issue. Also the Arrow looks to short, maybe add two corkscrews before it ends or something? I do like the area around your Arrow though, anyway keep up the work!

[Mr P]

Ok, so it's been a while since the last update (in park terms, it's been 3 seasons!) and the park is looking very different. It has been purchased by an entertainment company (Pointon Amusements) who currently run 3 attractions across the country, although Bradnop is by far the biggest! They specialise in taking attractions with great potential and making the most out of the site. So far, they have invested a lot of money in the park, with further investments to follow it's set to be an interesting time for the park. The biggest change is the re-brand of the park from Bradnop Discovery Centre to Discovery Kingdom - Bradnop, which I think shows that they are taking it to more of a tourist spot than an educational attraction.

 

Anyway, on to the Nut Room! Update!

 

 

Ah, the Entrance! A re paint and new logos fitted to the sign. You can see that all ties with Merlin have gone with the arena being re-branded as "The Grand"

 

 

The Digital signs and park map have not been replaced. This, combined with the rather cheap change at the front have lead people to believe that a new entrance are may be on the cards at some point.

 

 

The Transport museum remains unchanged, which I for one am glad about.

 

 

Forest Quads is also unchanged.

 

 

The old Logo has been replaced right across the park to establish the new name and brand.

 

 

With the rather quick and cheap replacement of logos, one wonders whether these attractions will last in their current form much longer.

 

 

The relatively new Education Suite, was under construction still during my last visit.

 

 

Now, changes seem to be afoot on the farm, with this rather large area behind Apple Bobber fenced off, rumours suggest the ride is moving next to the Snack Shack in the Orchard

 

 

Slight deviation on route to the farm, but here's The Grand, looking rather smart in it's new colour scheme.

 

 

Barnstormer's entrance is on the move, you might be able to see it hidden in the trees behind the current one.

 

 

And here's the new entrance, under construction. It's opposite the Snack Shack in the Orchard. It seems this area, while retaining all of it's attractions, is having a down-size.

 

 

Next to the Snack Shack, this is the rumoured site for Apple Bobber's move.

 

 

And then we continue down a new path...

 

 

...further and further, to the new area...

 

 

Water Island! This massive investment see's a Dolphin Show, Bar, Trampoline and a fantastic interactive coaster all brought to the park. Also here is a new station on the Steam Railway route, finally making this a transport system.

 

 

The Entrance to Aqua Flight.

 

 

The queueline and simple station. This is located on top of a hill looking over the area.

 

 

View from the station to the first lift.

 

 

And to the higher second lift, painted black to help it blend in with the surrounding area due to it's visibility from the village of Bradnop.

 

 

The ride takes you through water...

 

 

And swooping over pathways. Each rider has control of a water tank, and can drop it on guests under them as they fly though the air.

 

 

The Beach Hut Bar takes the area beneath the second lift hill and is a lovely area to sit and chill out, and the rather novel water feature in the lake is an interesting focal point.

 

 

Next, Bamboo Bounce, a simple pay-per-play attraction giving guests the opportunity (after parting with money) the chance to bounce around. I feel such a beautiful area deserves a better supporting ride, but I suppose this will do, and it does seem popular.

 

 

Something I think brings this area to back to the park's original plan, Dolphin Showtime is a great attraction, with live animals and water effects.

 

 

It also has a very attractive waiting structure.

 

 

Quick overview of the area, showing what a site this actually covers. It really is a great start to the growth of this park, I just hope that the original mantra of an Educational day out isn't forgotten.

 

I hope you all enjoyed the update!

[Koasterking48]

Woah, did not expect that huge addition! Really looking great so far!

[Mr P]

Found in the planning office

 

 

Judging from the description, this is the reason Apple Bobber is moving. And from the name "Red Lion" I'm guessing this is a link to the iconice British Railways "Lion & Wheel" emblem. With the park taking less of a heritage route in recent times, it's nice to see this being built so close to the Transport Museum.

[historyfreak92]

Barnstormer makes think of Drachen Fire which is I wish it was never removed or demolished, but ohh well!

 

I like everything about this park the way Aqua Flight looks!!!!

[Jet88889]

Where did you get those steam trains? A link to the download would be very helpful.