Toverland

Toverland started as an indoor play hall and grew into a full theme park with six themed areas, which is unusual in a country that already has one very large park and not much room for another. The draw is the mix of covered and open. Outside there are two big roller coasters, a wooden one and a wing coaster that hangs riders off the side of the track, plus water rides and a family section. Inside, large halls hold a dark ride castle and enough attractions to fill a wet afternoon. The theming leans on forests, harbours and invented legends, and it is done carefully rather than cheaply. The park is compact enough for a single day and generally quieter than the obvious alternative.

What you actually see

• The wooden roller coaster - the park's big outdoor ride, rough and fast in the traditional way.
• The wing coaster - riders seated either side of the track rather than above it, the newest large attraction.
• The indoor halls - covered themed areas with a dark ride castle and family attractions, useful in rain.
• The themed areas - six sections built around forest, harbour and legend themes, each with its own architecture.

When to go

The main season runs from spring to autumn, with reduced opening at either end and special periods around Halloween and winter. Weekdays outside Dutch and German school holidays have the shortest queues. Arriving at opening and heading straight for the two big coasters saves an hour of waiting later in the day.

Honest expectations

Despite the modest size, the two headline coasters draw long queues on summer weekends, when the park attracts visitors from across the German border as well. Parking and food cost extra and are not cheap. The theming is good but a step below the country's biggest park, which is the comparison everyone makes, and the oldest indoor halls now look dated.

Nearby

Venlo and the German border are close, with the river dune woods of northern Limburg nearby.