The theme park was “a cherished vacation spot for generations” and house owners bid farewell with a heavy coronary heart.
Flambards: Traditional advert for theme park in Cornwall
A much-loved UK theme park that entertained households for almost half a century now lies deserted after closing its gates for good. Flambards was as soon as West Cornwall’s largest theme park, however it shut down completely in November 2024 after 48 years of operation.
The closure got here simply weeks after the park introduced it will retire a number of older rides on account of a scarcity of specialist elements. Some points of interest have been later bought or auctioned off, whereas different constructions and areas of the park stay unused and deserted in the present day. The choice marked the top of a really lengthy story that started in 1976, when the location opened as Cornwall Aero Park.
Flambards was as soon as West Cornwall’s largest theme park (Picture: Google Maps)
The theme park shut down completely in November 2024 after 48 years of operation (Picture: Google Maps)
Flambards was initially created by Douglas Kingsford Hale and his spouse Audrey, who got down to construct an aviation museum that includes plane, engines and airframes.
The park expanded steadily via the Nineteen Seventies and 80s, including new points of interest akin to “Britain within the Blitz” in 1984 and later “The Victorian Village”, which included authentic granite setts, a wood-block flooring and a rigorously recreated chemist store.
By 1990, the attraction had been renamed “The Flambards Expertise” to replicate its wider providing, which included early rides such because the Dragon Coaster, the Log Flume and Paddle Boats.
Extra thrill rides arrived between 2007 and 2013, together with the Carousel, Rocking Tug, House Shuttle and the Cornish Mine Practice.
In 2010, the Skyraker 001 claimed the title of the UK’s first twisting drop tower.
The years after the Covid pandemic noticed additional modifications (Picture: CornwallLive) The day’s greatest headlines in UK and World information Subscribe Invalid electronic mail
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Sadly, the park additionally confronted a number of setbacks over time, together with being briefly positioned into administration earlier than being bought to Livingston Leisure Ltd in 2013.
That interval was adopted by new funding and additions, such because the Sky Swinger in 2015 and the opening of Jurassic Journey in 2016.
In 2017, the Sky-Pressure experience arrived after being transferred from a closed theme park in Lincolnshire.
Nevertheless, upkeep challenges and ageing infrastructure grew to become more and more troublesome to handle.
Throughout winter closures between 2017 and 2022, Flambards carried out renovations, eliminated outdated displays and up to date amenities.
The house owners bid farewell with a heavy coronary heart on the finish of 2024 (Picture: Google Maps)
Some areas have been demolished totally, together with the Science Exploratorium, whereas sections of the outside play zone have been rebuilt.
The years after the Covid pandemic noticed additional modifications. New rides, together with the Western Mine Practice in 2021 and ThunderDome in 2024, have been launched.
Nevertheless, a number of different rides have been eliminated on account of provide points, together with Thunderbolt, Sky Swinger and the Hornet Rollercoaster.
Rumours a few full redevelopment additionally circulated, however the park denied claims that the land would change into a fast-food restaurant.
When the park lastly introduced on November 4, 2024, that it will shut completely, a spokesperson stated: “It’s with nice remorse now we have to announce Flambards Theme Park will shut its doorways completely with fast impact.
“Flambards has been a cherished vacation spot for generations, and it’s with a heavy coronary heart that we bid farewell.”
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