More than a year has passed since Oakwood Theme Park in Pembrokeshire closed permanently, and the site remains abandoned as nature steadily reclaims it. The park shut its doors in March 2025, with its owners citing "unrelenting economic challenges" as the reason.
A History of Thrills and Decline
Oakwood first opened on 14 April 1987 as a modest leisure destination, featuring a narrow-gauge railway, go-karting, water slides and a bobsleigh run. During the 1990s, the iconic rollercoaster Megafobia was unveiled, constructed at a cost of approximately £1.7 million, and was joined by larger and more thrilling rides.
In 2006, the park introduced Speed: No Limits, a rollercoaster that at the time was the steepest in the UK. Following the park's closure, it was sold and relocated to Walygator Sud-Ouest amusement park in Agen, France.
Attractions Left Behind and Relocated
Several attractions remain standing in fragments or are yet to be dismantled. Some rides, including Drenched, Treetops, the Pirate Ship, and Snake River Falls, were given a new lease of life elsewhere.
At its peak, the park drew thousands of visitors. The site remains in the hands of Aspro Parks, a Spanish leisure conglomerate that owns 68 other parks across Europe. Aspro bought Oakwood from the McNarma family in 2008, who had founded it during the 1980s.
Owners' Statement and Local Impact
Aspro issued a statement saying: "In the entire history of Aspro we have never closed any park or attraction. We, and our dedicated team of staff has strived to overcome numerous challenges to continue to bring joy to families and visitors across the region and country. Unfortunately, we could no longer see a sustainable way forward and will seek to improve our other parks using the assets and, where possible, team elsewhere. We are aware that Oakwood has been a much-loved destination for generations and a rite of passage for many young visitors. It is for this reason we feel such a sense of sadness."
Di Clements, county councillor for Pembrokeshire's Martletwy ward, where the park was situated, said: "Locally there has been little discussion and comment about the future of the old Oakwood site. No plans have been made public or any that I am aware of. Other local attractions have, over the years, become popular with visitors and locals alike, so Oakwood's closure didn't really have that much of an impact locally, and it had been in steady decline anyway. Whilst some of the old rides have been removed, there are still a number of structures prominent to the skyline. Ideally, if there are no future plans for the site as a theme park, these should be removed. It's not particularly attractive to have rusting and rotting structures visible in such a beautiful area."
Future Speculation
The councillor suggested that an "all-weather attraction" would serve Pembrokeshire well. Speculation is growing that the site might be transformed to expand Bluestone National Park Resort, a holiday venue also located in the same county.
