I visited an iconic UK theme park – I’m not shocked it is closing | UK | News | EUROtoday

Theme parks usually maintain a particular place in our childhood reminiscences, however revisiting them as adults can generally be a disappointing expertise. This was the case for reporter Taite Johnson from Wales Online when she returned to Oakwood Theme Park final summer season.

Taite shared: “My family and I would often join other holidaymakers from all over the UK for a day out at Oakwood. However, my recent visit as an adult was a stark contrast to those fond memories.” Once one in all Wales’ high vacationer sights, the Pembrokeshire theme park has not too long ago been labelled the “worst rated” within the UK by YouTube sensations The Sidemen.

Taite expressed little shock on the current information of park’s closure, recalling a dark ambiance throughout her final go to: “The park seemed desolate, with a palpable sense of gloom hanging in the air. I had been looking forward to revisiting this cherished place from my childhood, hoping to recapture some of that old magic. But sadly, that wasn’t to be.”

Despite visiting throughout peak season, the park was eerily quiet and lacked the same old bustling crowds and lengthy queues. While mild rain on the day might have deterred some guests, Taite was greatly surprised by the dearth of vehicles within the automobile park simply quarter-hour after opening time.

“I planned to arrive as soon as the gates opened, having experienced queues in the past. However, this time, with only two other groups ahead of us, we strolled straight in without any delay. There was a single staff member at the box office for ticket purchases and another scanning pre-booked tickets at the entrance.”

Taite described the ambiance as she wandered round Oakwood: “Maybe it was the weather that day, but the park seemed gloomy and dilapidated. Little had changed since my childhood visit, which evoked nostalgia but didn’t ignite a desire to explore again.”

She additionally discovered it tough to navigate: “Throughout our trip, we often felt disoriented without a physical map and no internet signal to check online. We wished for more map posters around the park, but only found two, which were not prominently displayed.

“Despite the park’s comparatively small measurement of 80 acres in comparison with different UK theme parks, we felt extra maps would have been useful.”

But there were upsides: “One of the widespread complaints folks have when visiting theme parks is the lengthy queues, with fast-pass tickets usually being snapped up shortly to bypass the await a experience. However, this wasn’t an issue throughout my final go to to Oakwood.”

“I did not queue for any of the rides I went on, and even bought to remain in my seat for a second go on one in all them. This could possibly be as a result of climate, however a rollercoaster attendant instructed me that the day past – which was rain-free – noticed a customer experience the identical attraction 50 occasions in a single day!”

However, not all the rides were open on the day of Taite’s visit. While Megaphobia, Speed and Vertigo were in action, the log flume Drenched was closed.

Bounce, a drop tower ride had also been shuttered after an incident in July 2024 when the ride “skilled a programmed emergency cease process” and came to a sudden halt.

At the time, the park released a statement saying: “Quite a few visitors reported minor decrease again ache instantly after the incidence and have been attended to by our onsite workforce of first aiders, the place help was offered. One group sought extra therapy domestically, while others continued their day on the park.”

Taite wasn’t informed of these shutdowns on entry to the park, although they are mentioned online, with the site saying: “Whilst we proceed to patiently await the return of our Drenched Boat from the experience producer, the place it has been present process an entire overhaul of the experience restraint system, we don’t at present have a gap date for this attraction which stays closed right now.”

Instead, she opted for Megafobia, a ride she described as having “massive drops, a quick monitor, and a large number of twists and turns”.

“Despite having ridden it a number of occasions, the variety of drops nonetheless took me without warning,” she said.

“Among all of the sights at Oakwood we tried, each my mate and I agreed that Speed was our favorite. I even dared to go for a second spherical, because of the quick queue.”

However, Taite encountered another unexpected disappointment when she went to try the thrill ride Vertigo. The park demanded an additional £25 on top of the admission fee for this ride, which was “over in a flash”.

Taite was left disappointed by her visit: “It’s no surprise then, amidst the shut down rides, the hidden ones (like The Creepy Crawler behind a large pumpkin), and the poor meals choices – a number of have been closed – that Oakwood’s time has come.

“It was disheartening to see a place I once adored as a child leave me feeling so disappointed. With ticket prices starting at £28.80 for kids and £36 for adults (an adult ticket bought on the day is £46), I expected to spend the whole day enjoying the park.”

According to Taite, the dearth of amenities additionally resulted in a somewhat temporary day trip.

“After arriving at 10.15am, we stayed less than four hours and were back home in Cardiff in time for tea.”