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How to Get to Drayton Manor: Car, Train and Bus Routes

How to Get to Drayton Manor: Car, Train and Bus Routes

The quick version

Plan your journey to Drayton Manor with the sat-nav postcode, bus routes, the nearest station, taxi links and where to head once you are inside the gates.

9 min readBy Theme Parks Europe Editorial
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Drayton Manor packs a full family day into one Staffordshire site: more than 50 rides and attractions across Thomas Land, Vikings, Frontier Falls and Adventure Cove, plus Drayton Manor Zoo and its 100-plus animals. That range makes it an easy choice for mixed-age groups, and the journey is straightforward whether you drive, take the train or hop on a bus.

The key to a smooth arrival is knowing which road or stop serves which entrance, because the park sits between Fazeley and Mile Oak rather than in Tamworth town centre. Sort that out in advance and you spend less of the morning circling.

Where Drayton Manor is and which postcode to use

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The park's address is Drayton Manor Drive, Fazeley, Mile Oak, Tamworth, Staffordshire, B78 3TW. Drivers using a sat-nav should enter B78 3SA instead, which routes you to the car park rather than a postcode that lands you elsewhere on the estate.

Both postcodes sit in the same corner of south-east Staffordshire, close to the Warwickshire border and the A5 corridor. If you are coming from Birmingham, the West Midlands or the M42, the final approach is short; the longer leg is usually the motorway run rather than the last few miles.

Getting there by car: routes from Birmingham and the motorways

Drayton Manor is set up for drivers, with paid parking on site and the car park serving the main entrance. Coming from Birmingham and Sutton Coldfield, head north-east towards Tamworth and follow signs for the park once you leave the main road.

From the M42, the park is reached via the Tamworth exits and the A5, so build in time for the last few miles on local roads; motorway speed does not hold all the way to the gates. From Manchester, the drive is the quickest of the long-distance options, taking around 1 hour 39 minutes in typical conditions.

Tamworth railway station is the nearest station, about three miles from the park. It sits on the West Coast main line with services from London, Birmingham and the north-west, which makes rail a realistic option for a day trip rather than a car-only outing.

Taxis wait outside Tamworth station, with one to eight seats available and wheelchair-accessible vehicles among them. That matters if you are travelling with a pushchair, a wheelchair or a group splitting the fare, and it turns the last three miles into a simple transfer.

Getting there by bus: Arriva 110 and 115 routes

The Arriva 110 Sapphire service runs from Birmingham, Sutton Coldfield and Tamworth. Get off at The Square in Fazeley, which is a short walk from the park entrance.

The Arriva 115 covers Tamworth, Hurley, Dosthill and Kingsbury, and it also stops at The Square in Fazeley. For families arriving by bus, this removes the need for a taxi entirely if the walk with children and bags is manageable.

Geoffroy's Cat (Leopardus geoffroyi), Drayton Manor
Geoffroy's Cat (Leopardus geoffroyi), Drayton Manor Photo: Matthew Wells, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons · Photo source · License

Getting there by taxi from Tamworth station

For rail arrivals, a taxi from Tamworth station is the simplest way to reach the gate. The transfer is about three miles and takes minutes rather than an hour, which is worth the fare if you have young children or are meeting others at the park.

The trade-off versus the bus is cost against convenience. The bus drops you at The Square with a short walk, while a taxi takes you closer to the entrance and can carry folded pushchairs and bags more easily.

Journey times from nearby cities

Driving from Manchester takes around 1 hour 39 minutes in typical conditions, which makes Drayton Manor a comfortable day trip for north-west families. Route that alongside the train option: rail from Manchester to Tamworth plus a short taxi is the no-car alternative.

From Birmingham, Sutton Coldfield and Tamworth, the Arriva 110 and 115 make a car-free visit practical without a transfer. If you are weighing another Midlands or southern park instead, the transport patterns differ, so compare the route before deciding; our guide to how to get to Alton Towers covers the equivalent car, train and bus options for that resort.

Arriving at opening: when to leave and where to head first

Opening times change across the season, so build your departure around the day you have booked rather than a fixed time. The park's official site publishes live opening times and the calendar for your date; check the official Drayton Manor directions page before you set off if your plan depends on a precise arrival.

Once through the gate, the most efficient first move is usually to head straight for the busiest family areas. Thomas Land alone has more than 25 rides and attractions, so families with small children often start there while older groups work through Vikings and Frontier Falls first and come back later.

Drayton Bassett, Staffordshire
Drayton Bassett, Staffordshire Photo: Roger D Kidd, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons · Photo source · License

Accessible travel and wheelchair hire

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The park is accessible by wheelchair, which makes rail-plus-taxi a viable route for visitors who need step-free help on the way. Wheelchairs can be hired from the main entrance near Thomas Land for 10 pounds a day, with a 10 pound cash deposit required.

If you hire on arrival, plan your first stop at the entrance before heading to the rides, because that is where the hire desk sits. The site is spread out across several themed areas, so a wheelchair or buggy makes the walk between Thomas Land, the zoo and Adventure Cove easier.

Bringing food, picnic areas and facilities

Picnic areas are marked on site, so you can bring your own food and eat between rides rather than committing to a restaurant slot. Food and drink outlets, gift shops, toilets and baby-changing facilities are all available, which helps on a long family day.

Buggies and wheelchairs are pushchair accessible across the site, including the Thomas train, so you can keep your seating plan intact. If you are planning which area to eat in or where to base yourselves, the park layout helps you pick a meeting point.

Plan Your Journey

Drivers should use B78 3SA for the car park and expect paid parking on arrival. Arriva 110 and 115 both stop at The Square in Fazeley for a short walk to the entrance, while Tamworth station is about three miles away with taxis waiting outside.

Booking tickets in advance secures your date before you travel and keeps the day focused on the park rather than the queue. From there, choose Thomas Land first for little ones or Vikings and Frontier Falls first for thrill-seekers, and let the journey be the easy part.

Explore more Drayton Manor guides

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the nearest train station to Drayton Manor?

Tamworth railway station is the nearest, about three miles from the park. Taxis wait outside the station and include wheelchair-accessible vehicles, so the transfer is short and simple for families arriving by rail.

Which bus goes to Drayton Manor?

The Arriva 110 Sapphire serves Birmingham, Sutton Coldfield and Tamworth, and the Arriva 115 serves Tamworth, Hurley, Dosthill and Kingsbury. Both stop at The Square in Fazeley, a short walk from the park entrance.

What postcode should I use for Drayton Manor?

The park's address is Drayton Manor Drive, Fazeley, Mile Oak, Tamworth, Staffordshire, B78 3TW. Drivers using a sat-nav should enter B78 3SA, which routes to the car park rather than elsewhere on the estate.

How far is Tamworth station from Drayton Manor?

It is about three miles. A taxi from the station takes minutes, and the Arriva 110 and 115 buses connect Tamworth with The Square in Fazeley for a short walk to the gate.

Can I get to Drayton Manor without a car?

Yes. Take the train to Tamworth and a taxi for the last three miles, or use the Arriva 110 or 115 to The Square in Fazeley. Both routes work for families and groups travelling without a car.

How long does it take to drive from Manchester to Drayton Manor?

The drive takes around 1 hour 39 minutes in typical conditions, which makes it a workable day trip. Add buffer time for the final miles on local roads, and use the sat-nav postcode B78 3SA.

Where should I head first after arriving at Drayton Manor?

Families with small children usually head to Thomas Land first, while teens and thrill-seekers often start with Vikings or Frontier Falls. Try to arrive for opening so you reach your chosen area before the middle of the day.

Is Drayton Manor wheelchair accessible?

Yes, and wheelchairs can be hired from the main entrance near Thomas Land for 10 pounds a day with a 10 pound cash deposit. The site is pushchair accessible, including the Thomas train.

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