Ahoy, young pirates! Children are being invited to help make history by giving Sundown Adventureland’s much-loved giant pirate ship a brand-new name.
There are plenty of pirate adventures to be had at Sundown Adventureland, but now young visitors have the chance to leave their own mark on one of the theme park’s most iconic attractions.
The award-winning Nottinghamshire theme park for under-10s is asking budding buccaneers to come up with a brilliant pirate-inspired name for its enormous wooden Galleon, which has been entertaining generations of children in Smuggler’s Cove for more than 30 years.
And there’s a very special prize for the winning young pirate – their chosen name will be unveiled on a brand-new sign on the ship during a special pirate event on International Talk Like a Pirate Day, Saturday 19 September 2026.
Can your child come up with the perfect pirate name?
To enter, children simply need to head to the Sundown Adventureland Facebook page and comment with their best pirate-inspired name.
Entries close on 6 September, with the winner contacted by 13 September and invited to the big reveal event on 19 September.
So whether your little pirate favours something traditional, fearsome, funny or completely bonkers, this could be their chance to give a real pirate ship its permanent name!
A day of swashbuckling family fun
The winning name will be revealed during a special BIG reveal pirate event, with plenty of entertainment planned for families.
Children are encouraged to dress up as pirates and can join Honey & Sunny and the bears for pirate-themed entertainment in the Four Seasons Arena.
There will also be the chance to brave the Jolly Pirate water barrel ride and try to avoid getting splashed by the Sundown Pirate gang before watching the grand unveiling of the Galleon’s new name.
The pirate-themed entertainment, excluding the name reveal, will also take place on Sunday 20 September.
A giant ship with more than 30 years of memories
Standing an impressive 10 metres high, the Galleon is a firm favourite with Sundown visitors.
Found in the seaside-themed Smuggler’s Cove play area, the huge wooden ship is packed with places for children to explore, hide and hunt for smuggled treasure while attempting to evade capture.
The attraction has recently received a £250,000 restoration, including new windows, a new ship’s wheel, soft furnishings and a complete repaint.
New stairs have also been added to provide access to the upper decks, where children can discover a three-metre plank and a brand-new slide for their own swashbuckling adventure.
The restoration should help keep this much-loved attraction ship-shape for another generation of young adventurers.
Shaun Malvern, director at Sundown Adventureland, said:
“The Galleon is one of our most popular attractions here at Sundown, with many families having nostalgic memories of playing on the pirate ship over the years.”
He added that giving children the chance to name the Galleon was a fitting way to celebrate the attraction, saying: “It’s not every day you get the opportunity to name a ship.”
What else can families do at Sundown Adventureland?
The pirate Galleon is just one of more than 30 rides, attractions and play areas at Sundown Adventureland.
Families can explore the imaginative worlds of Toy Town, Storybook Village and Market Square, while adventurous children can burn off some energy in indoor and outdoor play areas including Angry Birds Activity Park and Fort Apache.
Traditional, imaginative and exploratory play is encouraged throughout the park, making it particularly suited to younger children.
Sundown Adventureland tickets
Families booking online in advance can get discounted tickets for £20.95 for adults and children over 90cm. Tickets purchased at the gate cost £25.95.
Children under 90cm enter free, while discounts are available for disabled guests, seniors and carers.
The annual Sundown Fun Pass also includes access to the BIG reveal Pirate event and allows unlimited return visits for 12 months.
For full details, competition terms and conditions and to enter the competition, visit the Sundown Adventureland Facebook page.
For more information and to plan your family visit, visit Sundown Adventureland.
