Wild Woods
📍 Chessington, Greater London
Bavarian-Gothic themed area within Chessington World of Adventures, home to the Vampire suspended coaster and The Gruffalo River Ride Adventure. Atmospheric architecture includes St Mary's Church as a decorative landmark.
St Mary’s Church – Adventure Point Located between the Seastorm ride and the Chessington Shop, St Mary’s Church serves as an elegant yet purely decorative landmark, bringing a sense of old-world charm to Adventure Point. Though not a functioning church, it enhances the park’s atmosphere with its grand clock and bell tower, which chimes on the hour. Architectural Features: - Exterior: Designed in a Gothic-inspired style with intricate stonework, arched windows, and a tall spire. - Clock and Bell Tower: The tower houses five bells, which play the Westminster Chimes every hour. - Four bells for the Westminster Chimes: Notes from highest to lowest—G, F, D#, B - One bell for the hour strike: D# - Interior (for decoration only): - Stained glass windows featuring mythical creatures like griffins, dragons, and knights. - Wooden pews and candlelit chandeliers to create a nostalgic ambiance. - An inscription celebrating the spirit of adventure. Wild Woods Chiming Clock Positioned above the Burger Kitchen, the Wild Woods Chiming Clock serves as a charming timekeeper for visitors in the lower area of the park, adding a rhythmic structure to their adventure. Chiming System: - Three bells, ringing every 15 minutes: - Two bells for the quarters: Notes from highest to lowest—D, B - One bell for the hour: G Sound Dynamics: A fascinating aspect of this setup is the one-way sound effect: - Visitors near the Wild Woods clock can hear the St Mary’s bells in the distance. - However, those at St Mary’s Church cannot hear the Wild Woods clock. This creates an immersive experience where Adventure Point remains self-contained in its ambiance, while Wild Woods carries a subtle connection to the upper area through sound. The result? A park-wide melody that subtly changes depending on where you are!
🏆 Family Action Verdict
Best for families who appreciate detailed theme park design alongside solid rides. The Vampire coaster suits older children and adults seeking a classic suspended ride, as The Gruffalo River Ride skews younger. The Gothic atmosphere adds genuine immersion that makes this area stand out within the wider Chessington park.
ℹ️ What to Know Before You Go
💬 What Families Are Saying
View all reviews →22 Google reviews
Claudia Isaby
10 months ago
“St Mary’s Church – Adventure Point Located between the Seastorm ride and the Chessington Shop, St Mary’s Church serves as an elegant yet purely decorative landmark, bringing a sense of old-world charm to Adventure Point. Though not a functioning church, it enhances the park’s atmosphere with its grand clock and bell tower, which chimes on the hour. Architectural Features: - Exterior: Designed in a Gothic-inspired style with intricate stonework, arched windows, and a tall spire. - Clock and Bell Tower: The tower houses five bells, which play the Westminster Chimes every hour. - Four bells for the Westminster Chimes: Notes from highest to lowest—G, F, D#, B - One bell for the hour strike: D# - Interior (for decoration only): - Stained glass windows featuring mythical creatures like griffins, dragons, and knights. - Wooden pews and candlelit chandeliers to create a nostalgic ambiance. - An inscription celebrating the spirit of adventure. Wild Woods Chiming Clock Positioned above the Burger Kitchen, the Wild Woods Chiming Clock serves as a charming timekeeper for visitors in the lower area of the park, adding a rhythmic structure to their adventure. Chiming System: - Three bells, ringing every 15 minutes: - Two bells for the quarters: Notes from highest to lowest—D, B - One bell for the hour: G Sound Dynamics: A fascinating aspect of this setup is the one-way sound effect: - Visitors near the Wild Woods clock can hear the St Mary’s bells in the distance. - However, those at St Mary’s Church cannot hear the Wild Woods clock. This creates an immersive experience where Adventure Point remains self-contained in its ambiance, while Wild Woods carries a subtle connection to the upper area through sound. The result? A park-wide melody that subtly changes depending on where you are!”
Michael Cary
4 years ago
“I would give it 1 star simply because of the daft new name of the area. For me it is Transylvania and will always be. The area is the best themed place in the UK.”
RMB
5 years ago
“So this was apart of Chessington's theme park. Was very big clean, large area of theme park. With lots to do. Well worth a visit”
Liv Lee
4 years ago
“One of my favorite Chessington areas as themeing is awesome and it's home to Vampire which is a fantastic ride.”
Reviews from Google
Overview
Wild Woods — previously known as Transylvania — is Chessington's most elaborately themed zone. The Bavarian-Gothic design features stone architecture, chiming bells, and layered sound effects that vary by location. It houses the Vampire suspended coaster and The Gruffalo River Ride Adventure, and is consistently rated among the best-themed areas in the UK.
