Park Guide & Photos By: Phil Steadman.

Twin Lakes is slightly off the beaten track just outside of Melton Mowbray. The first impression is of a playground built in a large farm enclosure. Dusty paths and bare fields surround the park, and the "Twin Lakes" are more like large, barren puddles. Still, the welcome site of toilets outside the gates is a treat after a couple of hour's journey for anyone with kids.

It's very quickly clear that this is a place designed exclusively for younger children. It has everything your kids have ever wanted (or you ever wanted), but in a bigger or better way than you've ever seen. Everything is designed to be as much fun as possible for the under 10's, but it doesn't really put its foot into the family Theme Park pool, as parks such as Gullivers' do. This is a big playground, and it does it very well.

Outside, there is a knight's castle themed adventure play area; alongside slides, swings and toddler play areas. Nearby there's an animal area, with birds of prey and farm animals.

Heading into the large corrugated barns, there are a mix of rides and indoor play areas. The Labyrinth, for instance, features a spectacular play area, with two fantastic death slides.

Towards the back of the park are the majority of the rides. All children's versions, but a good mix for the kids.

The lakes have boats on them, and there are playgrounds and zip-wires literally sprouting up every where you go.

Food and drink is reasonable, both in price and quality, but don't expect to see any big names.

A day at Twin Lakes for a young family will be well worth it. The adults can sit around drinking tea, while the kids get lost on the masses of play equipment. There's a little something for everyone, but the young ones will absolutely adore it. There's none of the hecticness of a Theme Park, trying to get as many rides in as possible, just a nice, relaxed wander around, while the kids burn off all their energy.