‘It’s a huge loss for families’ All the UK theme parks that have closed in recent years – and the ones that are at risk
BRITS have been left devastated after the huge Oakwood Theme Park confirmed that are closing down after 40 years – as one of the latest closures in recent months.
The Welsh theme park was saved back in 2008 after £25million was put back into it.
However, rising costs of ride parts, electricity and food were behind the closure, with locals left gutted by the news.
The theme park is the latest in recent months to have been forced to close its doors.
Just last month, Leisure Island Fun Park, on Canvey Island, confirmed it would be shutting down after 20 years.
The Essex theme park underwent a refurbishment in 2021, but hasn’t explained the reason for the closure.
All of the rides and attractions have since been removed.
In a statement, they thanked the “3,000 staff members” who have worked there in the past two decades.
They said: “It’s so sad we have had to close the park but hopefully we have created loads of memories for the families that visited us.”
And back in September 2024, Flambards theme park in Cornwall also closed its doors.
Having opened in 1976, it became Flambards in 1990 after more rides were added, with the name coming from a popular TV drama.
It was saved from closure in 2012, only for it to close 12 years later.
In a statement, they said that “all possible avenues had ben exhausted” in trying to keep it open, but cited rising costs as the issue.
Other closures include Pleasure Island Family Theme Park, in Lincolnshire, which shut back in 2016 after falling visitor numbers.
And indoor waterpark Wet n Wild closed back in 2019, with it demolished last year.
Some UK theme parks have also warned that they are at risk of closure.
Wickstead Park, one of the oldest theme parks in the UK, warned they were at risk of closure.
The park is considering an entrance fee, which would be the first since it opened 104 years ago.
Mr Wicksteed said: “The Trust has invested millions in recent years to try to secure a sustainable future.
“But ultimately this is a private park which needs a great deal of money to maintain if we are to continue to open for people to use free of charge, as we have for more than 100 years.”
Adventure Island theme park said they will be reducing his seasonal staff hiring by 200, as well as opening for fewer hours.
Philip Miller, owner of Adventure Island in Southend-on-Sea told Mail Online: “What it means is we’ll open the rides a bit later, close a bit earlier, save staff that way. We’re going to cut numbers.”
Last year, they only opened at weekends in June as well.
What could this mean for UK theme parks?
The Sun’s Deputy Travel Editor Kara Godfrey weighs in.
UK theme parks saw a boom in visitors during Covid, when Brits couldn’t go abroad for their thrills.
But in recent years, the cost of living has hit the attractions from all angles.
Families are looking for cheaper days or even free days out instead, with some theme parks costing upwards of £100 for four tickets.
Not only that, but the rising costs of electricity and food means theme parks are also facing much higher bills when it comes to running the parks.
While the larger theme parks are likely to survive, smaller local attractions will likely be feeling the pinch especially those without the steep entry tickets bringing in revenue.
More closures could be yet to come, which is a huge loss for families wanting to try and keep the kids entertained.
One of the biggest theme parks that never got off the ground was London Resort, dubbed the UK Disneyland.
The £2.5billion plans were finally scrapped last year.