The Milky Way Story - From Farm To Theme Park 

The Milky Way Story - From Farm to Theme Park.
In 2024 The Milky Way Adventure Park celebrates its 40 birthday, and to mark the occasion we asked ⁠‪‪@TimeandTideMediaLtd‬ to create this short film about triumph over adversity. 'The Milky Way Story' tells how in 1984 the Stanbury family, then successful dairy farmers and cattle dealers, were suddenly faced with certain bankruptcy following the introduction of milk quotas and the collapse of their cattle dealing business. But out of desperation, came the brainwave which changed everything…‬
This feel-good, short film is a surprisingly emotional story charting the many ups and downs of our transformation from dairy farm to adventure park, including fascinating footage from ITV’s 'Wish You Were Here', licensed by Fremantle media, with kind permission and approval from Judith Chalmers herself. It features Trevor Stanbury MBE, who remains true to his roots as a down to earth character of integrity, honesty, warmth and humour, and still very much a farmer at heart, as well as other members of The Milky Way ‘crew’, many of whom will be recognisable to visitors to our multi-award-winning North Devon family attraction.‬
For the best viewing experience, see 'The Milky Way Story' at the park, where it’s showing on a big screen in the large indoor arena.
www.themilkyway.co.uk
About the park
The Milky Way Adventure Park is a multi-award-winning attraction with some delightful differences. Still family-owned and run, it’s quite likely to be one of the Stanbury family who serves, greets or helps you on your next visit here - or one of our very loyal members of staff.
Though we’ve been named amongst the best in the UK and the world by TripAdvisor for the last 8 years, we’re a bit different to many of the large, big-money attractions who also made the list. Like them, we’re committed to excellence, to providing a fantastic day out, and to constantly adding to and improving what we offer - but we’re also much smaller with a welcoming family atmosphere, and we’re a little quirky too (plus, our entrance fees and queue times are significantly less!).
To this day, the most important thing to all of us at The Milky Way is that our visitors (no matter how old they are - from 0 to 100+!) have a fantastic day out, and one that’s great value - virtually all our attractions are included in the one entrance fee. We also design our attractions so that families can play all together - adults are encouraged to have fun with their kids here, rather than just watching them.
What’s more, we’re in beautiful, rural North Devon - surrounded by fields, hills and farmland and just a mile from the coast, as well as the historic fishing village of Clovelly. In fact, some of our rollercoasters and attractions offer simply stunning views of glorious Bideford Bay.
Awards
Most recently, we were named as the 2023/24 winners of Devon's Large Attraction of the year in the Devon Tourism Awards, judged by industry experts. Plus, thanks to outstanding visitor reviews and ratings, we’re also a 2023 Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best award winner in the Amusement Parks and Water Park category for the 8th year running … ranking 5 out of 25 in Europe and 10 out of 25 in the world.
Trevor Stanbury MBE
Now in his ninth decade, Trevor works daily at the park. From power hosing the rides to cutting grass, greeting visitors to picking up litter, it could almost be said that ‘spotting Trevor’ is one of the most popular Milky Way attractions! Born and raised in the farmhouse at the park, for the past 40 years The Milky Way and the tourism industry of the area have benefitted from his hard work and dedication. His motivation comes largely from his love of North Devon and his desire to see it and its residents prosper. In 2007 Trevor was awarded an MBE for his services to tourism, and he was honoured at the 2018 Devon Tourism Awards for his Outstanding Contribution to Devon Tourism.
‪@TheMilkyWayAdventurePark‬
‪@TimeandTideMediaLtd‬
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