The Sooty Show has found a new home at Crealy theme park, near Exeter, Devon. You can see live performances of the show as well as enjoy new Sooty-themed rides and take a trip down memory lane at the Hall of Fame at Sooty Land, which officially opened in June 2022.
Richard Cadell, who became Sooty’s right-hand man in 1998 after Matthew Corbett’s retirement, boasts that Sooty Land offers children a unique experience that they will not get at Peppa Pig Land or Thomas Land. The famous bear performs live shows and despite his old age is still cheeky, spraying audience members with his water pistol, like he did to Prince Philip when the bear turned 70 in 2018.
The magician and children’s television presenter who holds Sooty close to his heart said that the opening of Sooty Land last month was a very special day for him after the show nearly disappeared in 2008. Richard and his brother bought the rights of what is now the longest-running children’s TV programme.
READ MORE: England's best B&B is just a two-hour drive away from Bristol
Some of the most memorable moments can be re-lived in the mini-museum located next to the gift shop. The indoor space includes Sooty's Diner and a soft play, making it a relaxing place to recharge after several rides. The menu itself is basically burgers and chips at a price higher than your average takeaway.
At the shop itself you can get Sooty, Sweep and Soo puppets among other Sooty items. The theme park itself has enough to keep the family entertained without needing to pay for any of the added extras but there's plenty to chose from.
You can enjoy the Sooty show live in Sooty's Big Top Show Time Arena. Blow up wands, sweets and popcorn can be purchased at the entrance of the big tent. The children can get involved and get the chance to be invited on stage, as well as have a dance.
You need to be careful if you sit at the front because Sooty has been known to squirt audience members with his water pistol. The tent itself is dark with a sand-layered floor which gives it a circus-like feel.
They provide several shows daily but you need to book tickets. You also have the option of getting your own personal photo with Richard and Sooty,
All the four new rides at Sooty Land are suitable for pre-school children and the area generally has a calmer feel to it than the main theme park that can be intimidating for younger children or those that don't enjoy hair-raising rollercoasters.
Even my eight-year-old enjoyed the Izzy Wizzy Let's Get Dizzy despite her being a daredevil who would usually turn her nose up at 'baby-rides'. Being a fan of the waltzers myself, I enjoyed it too.
Having been voted as the best day out in Devon for 10 years running, Crealy Theme Park's new Sooty Land offers even more fun for the family. With substantial investment having been made in this new area of the park, on offer at Sooty Land is the following:
- Live daily theatre performances of ‘The Sooty Show’ in Sooty’s Big Top Showtime Arena.
- 4 new rides at the ‘Seaside Themed’ Sooty Land: ‘Sooty’s Magic Bus’, ‘Sweep’s Flying Circus’, ‘Soo’s Sweet Balloon Ride’ & ‘Izzy Wizzy Let’s Get Dizzy’.
- New indoor attractions inside the new ‘Pier’ building: The southwest’s first Interactive Strike Arena, Sooty’s Carnival Games, Sooty’s Magic Mirror Maze, electronic interactive climbing wall, spider climb duo slides, Jigsaw Tetris, Magi Bricks, Giant Twister, Dance Studio.
- Hall of Fame: Memorabilia and props from the past 70 years of The Sooty Show.
- Sooty’s Store
- Sooty’s Diner, Sweep’s Hot Dogs, Soo’s Café & Seaside Spuds
- Accessibility Attractions
More information on Soory Land at Crealy Theme Park can be found here.
READ NEXT:
Stinking Rich: The Cost of Wealth exhibition will make you think twice
Fisherman's Friends musical is coming to Bristol - how to get tickets
Taco truck on UK tour for launch of new authentic Mexican range
Tesco launches new picnic range in time for hot weather
Bristol Harbour Festival 2022 guide: Transport, location, times and more
The mentoring group helping young men who are vulnerable to the criminal justice system
