Oakwood Theme Park in Pembrokeshire, once a beloved destination for generations of children, now lies abandoned and overgrown. The park, which operated for nearly 40 years, permanently closed in March 2024, citing financial difficulties due to rising costs and dwindling visitor numbers.
Aspro Parks, which took over in 2008, invested millions but faced what it described as 'unrelenting economic challenges' from ride parts and electricity costs to food inflation and wage increases. The site is now guarded by security with surveillance systems to deter trespassers.
In its final years, Oakwood was branded the 'UK's worst theme park' by guests, accumulating over 1,000 negative reviews on TripAdvisor. Journalist Taite Johnson visited in 2024 and noted a lack of visitors, with only a handful of cars in the car park and no queues for rides. She described the park as 'dreary and run down', with the magic she remembered from childhood lost.
The future of the site remains unclear, with rides dismantled and cleared. Once a major draw with attractions like the Megafobia rollercoaster, Oakwood now stands silent in the Pembrokeshire countryside.
