Knowsely Safari Park is owned and run by the Earl of Derby of all people. The park is mostly Safari park, with a range of animals to drive around. The amusement area has recently been downgraded to a "kiddy" park, with all the thrill rides leaving in the 2006 season. The focus here is on little nipper fun, rather than that pesky teen thrill market.

Rides are available by ticket, or by an all day wristband. In the 2007 season, tickets were £1.50 per ride, and wristbands £9. Adults accompanying young children ride for free, which is excellent.

The amusement area is clean, and the rides are a mix of the old and tatty, to the new and shiny. This should improve with further investment in kiddy rides. Ride operators were all friendly, and appeared happy and pleasant, even during a torrential downpour.

Food is better than to be expected at this kind of place. There isn't the largest on offer, but the quality is good.

All in all, this is a good way to round off your visit to the animals. Just a few pounds for an hour or so of fun for the youngsters. For the bored teens, there's a new aerial climbing area opened in 2007 for the older kids wanting to put their climbing skills to the test.