Eerie photos reveal the crumbling remains of Pleasure Island in Cleethorpes, Lincs., a theme park that closed for good in October 2016 and has been left untouched for a decade. The sprawling 57-acre site is now overgrown, with vegetation reclaiming its faded mock-castle buildings and 20ft-high shrubs creeping up their walls.
Nature takes over the site
Weeds have taken over the former dodgems building and waterpark features, while the vast site has become a magnet for urban explorers and anti-social behaviour. Aerial images show the park's iconic structures stripped bare, with the vast majority of its rides sold to attractions around the world.
Pleasure Island opened on May 27, 1993, and was divided into six themed areas: Africa, Kiddies Kingdom, Morocco, Old England, Spain and White Knuckle Valley. Family-favourite Boomerang rollercoaster is now at a park in Indonesia, while the Alakazam ride ended up more than 3,000 miles away at Kuwait's Winter Wonderland, where it is now called 'Fly Away'.
Redevelopment plans stall
More than 3,500 days after Pleasure Island closed, the site is earmarked to become a "Center Parcs-by-the-sea" style destination. The £70million revamp includes 272 holiday lodges, a Lidl and its own Costa Coffee. A planning application was submitted in 2023, but three years on the council is still arguing over what will be built on the land.
Late legal challenges from Tesco and another party questioning "retail impact viability" and environmental details mean it could take years before the bulldozers clear the site. Tesco argues there is no evidence another "retail food store" is needed outside Cleethorpes town centre.
Residents frustrated
North East Lincolnshire Council have deferred the final planning decision to an unspecified future date, leaving residents fearing the site will remain an eyesore for years to come. One local said: "I don't understand why this has not been opened up again as another theme park in that time, it's been that long. That would actually create jobs and bring in more tourists."
Writing on Facebook, one user said: "Anything is better than leaving it to rot. Let's just let the investors do what they need to and make it a going concern." Another said: "Why not something fun? Huge outdoor playground / fair / with rides to bring income? A cafe?" The council refused to comment, saying it was an "ongoing planning matter."
