The Tom Anstey Column
www.parkworld-online.com
Oakwood: A farewell to an iconic Welsh attraction
Tom Anstey chronicles the rise and fall of a classic UK destination. I
t was back in the 1980s when a small leisure park in Pembrokshire, Wales, would open its doors to the public for the very first time. Oakwood Theme Park, which launched in 1987, was built on the grounds of a former country estate. Its founders envisioned a family-friendly destination set within a breathtaking natural environment, offering visitors a memorable guest experience. Initially featuring small fairground-style rides, Oakwood quickly expanded its ambitions. By the mid-1990s, the park unveiled its crown jewel: Megafobia, a wooden roller coaster constructed by the renowned CCI (Custom Coasters International). When it opened in 1996, Megafobia immediately captured the hearts of thrill-seekers and became a landmark attraction in the UK and beyond, earning coasters. This bold investment was a game-changer for Oakwood, firmly establishing the park as a premier destination not only in Wales but across the UK.
Building on this success, Oakwood continued to enhance its offerings throughout the late '90s and early 2000s. The park introduced several major attractions, including the Hydro water ride and the
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Gerstlauer-manufactured Speed: No Limits, which opened in 2006. With its impressive 97-degree drop and multiple inversions, Speed became the first Euro-Fighter model in the UK and solidified Oakwood's reputation as a serious contender in the competitive UK theme park scene.
Not only solidifying its offering with these new attractions, Oakwood could now boast some of the very best rides in the UK, with the park firmly establishing itself as a beloved visitor destination among both enthusiasts and families.
New ownership, new challenges In 2008, Oakwood was acquired by Aspro Parks, a Spanish leisure group with an extensive portfolio of water parks, zoos, aquariums, and theme parks across Europe. Under new ownership, Oakwood continued to evolve, not just through new rides but also with significant upgrades to its infrastructure and theming, positioning itself as a major player in the UK's theme park industry. theme park industry and under new leadership, things looked bright for Oakwood. The park saw new developments, including the addition of a drop
tower and the Treetop Adventure high ropes course, aimed at diversifying its appeal to a wider range of visitors, from families to young adults. However, despite these investments and a loyal following, Oakwood faced mounting challenges. Rising operational costs, shifting consumer preferences, and increasing competition from other UK parks made it difficult to maintain profitability. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 brought even more uncertainty. Like attractions all over the world, Oakwood was forced to close its doors due to lockdowns, and when it eventually reopened, the financial strain was evident. The park struggled to compete with larger rivals that had more resources to invest in new, high-profile attractions. While Oakwood made efforts to modernise, refurbishing older rides and introducing new events, it was clear
End of an era
While the park has long been considered a hidden gem by those who had the chance to visit it, it was no longer in a sustainable position to continue operations. Enjoying highs through the years matched only by its most popular thrill attractions,
APRIL 2025
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