Oakwood's Unexpected Goodbye: After Nearly 40 Years, a Welsh Icon Closes
It’s hard to believe, but Oakwood Theme Park in Pembrokeshire, Wales’ biggest theme park, has closed its doors after almost 40 years. The announcement, dropped on March 4th, 2024, was a real shock. Honestly, who saw that coming? It left a massive hole in the Welsh tourism scene and raised a whole heap of questions about what happens next.
The Money Troubles and Fewer Visitors
Aspro Parks, the Spanish company that owns Oakwood, said rising costs and fewer visitors were the main reasons for shutting down. They’d actually poured over £25 million into the park since rescuing it from possible closure back in 2008 – including a recent £1.5 million spruce-up of the Megafobia rollercoaster. But even with that investment, it just wasn’t enough. Inflation, higher energy bills, and the rising minimum wage all added to the pressure. You know how sometimes things just spiral?
A Rollercoaster Ride of History
Oakwood’s history is a real mix of ups and downs. For years, it was hugely popular, a favorite for families all over Wales and even Ireland – lots of Irish visitors came as part of holiday packages from Rosslare Europort. But then came the 2004 tragedy on the Hydro ride (later renamed Drenched and then demolished). While the inquest didn’t find anyone responsible for unlawful killing, it resulted in hefty fines and really highlighted safety concerns. And then, more recently, there was another incident in 2022 with a fall from the Treetops rollercoaster. This closure is a huge loss for Pembrokeshire and Welsh tourism.
The Impact: Jobs and Uncertainty
This closure means many people have lost their jobs, adding to the economic challenges facing Pembrokeshire. First Minister Eluned Morgan said she was incredibly sad about it, pointing out the tough times the tourism industry is going through. What’s going to happen to the park now? That's the big question. The rides, the land… it’s all up in the air. Aspro Parks said they’ll try to use some of the assets and maybe find roles for some of the staff elsewhere, but right now, there’s a lot of uncertainty.
A Legacy of Memories
Even though it’s closed, Oakwood will always have a special place in people's hearts. It’s full of cherished childhood memories for so many, a big part of Wales' tourism history. Its contribution to the local economy and the impact it had on generations of visitors won't be easily forgotten. It's a sad end to a chapter, but the memories will live on.
