Adventure Wonderland

A family park now in transition

Adventure Wonderland is a former Alice in Wonderland-inspired family theme park in Hurn, near Christchurch and Bournemouth Airport. For many years, it was known for compact outdoor rides, character moments, indoor play, a theatre, animal encounters and a hedge maze aimed mainly at families with younger children. The official website now presents the attraction as closed for a restructure, so visitors should not plan a normal ride day without checking the latest updates first.

What visitors should know today

The site opened in 1992 and built its identity around an easy, child-friendly day out rather than major thrill rides. Former highlights included Wild Bill's Runaway Train, Jungle Falls, Turbo Teacups, Ghostly Galleon, Wild Thing indoor play, Pony World and the Alice in Wonderland Maze. Recent local planning updates describe a possible smaller leisure, tourism and education use for the former theme park site, with the maze, café, shop, gardens, outdoor play and mini golf among the ideas discussed.

Best suited to younger families

In its classic theme-park years, Adventure Wonderland was especially relevant for families with children taking their first steps into rides and themed play. The former offer mixed gentle attractions, outdoor space and practical breaks, which made the park easier to approach than a large thrill-focused destination. If the site reopens under a new concept, the experience may be very different from the historic ride park.