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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Entertainment
Zara Whelan & Elle May Rice

How abandoned theme parks around the UK look now

Theme parks and attractions across Britain lie in a state of disrepair years after closing their doors.

Unable to keep up with major competitors such as Alton Towers and Blackpool Pleasure Beach, many family favourites have been forced to close over the years.

Since closing, many have been reclaimed by nature while others have made way for new developments, reports the MEN.

One thing each of these places has in common is that they now only exist in memories.

This is what happened after the gates closed for the final time.

Camelot, Lancashire

Images taken from a video inside the abandoned Camelot theme park (Darren Richmond)

Based on the King Arthur’s medieval Camelot castle, this theme park welcomed thousands of visitors every year, boasting a 1000ft rollercoaster called the Knightmare.

Camelot was also home to a log flume, The Twister, three large water slides and a large caterpillar rollercoaster train which spanned the entire length and depth of the park.

The park closed in 2012, leaving its sprawling 140-acre site to fall into disrepair.

Many of the rides were sold to parks around Europe, but others - including Knightmare - were left behind.

Now abandoned, Camelot has become a playground for urban explorers.

Ocean Beach, Rhyl

Ocean Beach funfair in Rhyl (Jeff Pitt)

Ocean Beach saw thousands of visitors at the height of the British summer holiday, so popular that it had to relocate in 1954 from Marine Lake to a bigger space at the end of the promenade.

The park features rides including the Ghost Train, a 1930s vintage toy set, and Britain’s first ever tubular steel rollercoaster.

In its final years there was little investment in new rides or attractions, and Ocean Beach closed for the final time in September 2007.

There is nothing left of what was once a popular amusement park, with a new retail park now standing in its place.

Frontierland, Lancashire

Frontierland, Lancashire (Wikimedia Commons -Ivan Lucas)

This complex in Morecambe operated for almost 100 years, rebranding in the 1980s during the height of the theme park era with a western theme.

Frontierland was home to several popular rides and attractions, including the famous Polo Tower, a 150-feet-tall tower sponsored by Polo Minds, a skyride, a log flume and a runaway mine train.

However, a decline in visitor numbers led to the park closing in 1999.

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Most of the rides were demolished, dismantled or sold on.

A retail area was built on part of the site, though plans for a full shopping park and leisure complex are still on hold, despite planning permission being granted several years ago.

American Adventure, Derbyshire

American Adventures, Derbyshire (Wikimedia Commons - Liam Samuel Brooks)

Once home to several white knuckle rides which featured top rollercoasters like The Missle, Twin Looper and Nightmare Niagara, American Adventure is sorely missed.

The park was rebranded in 2005 to cater for younger children but by 2007 it had closed down and many of the rides sold off.

What remained of American Adventure was left to rot.

Despite a petition to rebuild it, the park has now been demolished and the land is being prepared for building work to start on 307 homes, a hotel, retirement village, leisure facilities and offices.

Belle Vue Zoological Gardens and fairground, Manchester

Belle Vue theme park, 1946 (Mirrorpix)

With a 150 year lifetime, this park wowed millions with its exotic blend of wild animals, circus freaks and dizzying rollercoasters.

Though it started out as a small private collection of birds in 1836, the park blossomed into Manchester’s own theme park.

Belle Vue Zoological Gardens and fairground was home to animals such as Asian elephants and chimpanzees, and a range of rides offering great views from the top.

Spiralling debt saw the zoo close its gates in 1982 and its attractions were dismantled.

What was left of the site was demolished in 1988 and now nothing remains.

Blobbyland, Somerset

Blobbyland, Somerset (Wikimedia Commons -Robert Linsdell)

Based on the popular Saturday night TV show Noel’s House Party, which was set in the fictional village of Crinkley Bottom, Blobbyland was opened at Cricket St Thomas in Somerset.

In the height of Blobbymania, when the pink spotty sidekick starred in the the show, it featured a range of Mr Blobby themed attractions.

Rides included the Animals of Farthing Wood, a safari ride, a deer park and Dubblobbin, Mr Blobby’s house which was painted bright pink with yellow spots and a blue roof.

The park closed in 1998 following dwindling attendance figures but in the years that followed many attempted to break into the empty site.

Efforts were made by the owners to stop people breaking in, including blocking up an access tunnel, but the site was eventually demolished in 2014.

Pleasure Island, Cleethorpes

Pleasure Island, Cleethorpes (Wikimedia Commons - crazy-dancing)

Once home to Cleethorpes Zoo, Pleasure Island launched in 1993 with a range of family attractions covering the 54-acre site.

Thrillseekers used to flood to the site to enjoy the rides and attractions - which included six white knuckle rides.

The iconic theme park closed at the end of 2016 after 23 years due to a gradual fall in visitor numbers.

The rides and fixtures were sold off under auction in 2018, leaving behind little of what was once a booming theme park.

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