Endorsements from Business Entrepreneurs

Angela Wright MBE

Angela Wright is founder of Crealy Adventure Park and now Managing Director of family business Maximum Fun Ltd.

Angela was raised at Hayes Barton in East Budleigh, the birthplace of Sir Walter Raleigh.  As a child she had the run of the farm and Woodbury Common, had lots of pets and was able to help out on the farm. She grew up with an understanding and respect for animals and farming, and also with a strong sense of the importance of adventurous play. In addition to this, Angela was used to sharing her home and heritage with visitors, as her house used to be opened to the public.

When her parents bought a farm of their own in Devon, Angela decided to recreate the magic of her childhood by turning it into an adventure park. She wanted people to be able to come and play in the adventure playgrounds, hold and feed the animals, ride the ponies and learn about farming.

Angela carried out the initial research and planning for the park from 1987, and after many setbacks, Crealy Adventure Park finally opened for business in 1989. Visitor numbers in the first year were on target at 40,000 and the business moved into profit after 3 years. However the onset of foot-and-mouth disease in 2001 threatened to ruin the business, when visitor numbers fell by 20%.

Now 'The Original Crealy Adventure Park - Devon', it currently attracts 500,000 people a year. In early 2004, 'Cornwall’s Crealy Great Adventure Park' was opened near Newquay. It welcomes over 150,000 visitors a year and is also home to the Cornish Shire Horse Centre.

Angela and Crealy Great Adventure Parks have received many

awards, including “Parents at Work” Best Boss Awards,

Business Challenge South West and South West Tourism’s

Chairman’s Award.
 

Learn more by visiting the website www.crealy.co.uk.

View other endorsements by clicking a link below:

Business       Education       Entertainment       Sport