"Keeps its finger on the pulse of the rare book world" - William Reese

A new £62m indoor visitor complex themed around the life, work and times of Charles Dickens opens in Chatham, Kent on the 25th May this year.

Dickens World reproduces the best and worst of times that were to be had in Victorian England with a Victorian School Room, Scrooge's Haunted House and Fagin's Den  to keep the children occupied, and a nightly selection of "naughty delights" for those who feel like a bit of burlesque with their dinner in the Victorian Music Hall.

Threading the park together is the river, on which you can hitch a trip on the Great Expectations boat ride to sample the sights, sounds and smells of 19th Century London with its picturesque archways and cobbled stoned streets, brought to life by costumed characters, shop keepers and street entertainers.

Whilst some may dislike the idea of the life and works of England's greatest novelist being reduced to a Disney-style theme park, the creators have paid great attention to the authenticity of the time, characters and story lines: "It offers a new and entertaining way to enjoy Dickens and his characters as well as gaining an understanding of the times and conditions people experienced living in England in the early 19th century."

The "dark, smoky, moody London, full of smells and mist" that its creators promise suggest that this won't be the sugar-coated, sanitised version of Dickensian England that skeptics fear. And not even Disney could beat the atmosphere of the Dickensian Winter Wonderland that will take over during the festive season, inspired by the ambient stories of "the man who invented Christmas". 

As the populist writer of his time, one can't help but think that Dickens would have enjoyed the education-through-entertainment spirit of Dickens World. In this "age of wisdom and foolishness", it seems appropriate that children are taught the wisdom of one of English Literature's greatest stars through a bit of fooling about.

Prices will be £12.50 for adults, £7.50 for children, and £10.50 for concessions, open 10am to 7pm daily (except Christmas Day) from 25th May 2007. For further information call 08702411415 or see www.dickensworld.com.