Pleasure Island Family Theme Park in Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire, has remained derelict for over a decade since closing in 2016, with redevelopment plans still facing pushback. The site, which attracted tens of thousands of visitors annually during its operation, now sits eerily abandoned with several original structures still standing.
Park history and closure
The park operated from May 1993 until the end of the 2016 season, featuring nearly 50 rides, including the Hyperblaster, Obliterator, Pendulus, and Terror Rack. Visitor numbers declined from the mid-2000s as more Britons opted for holidays abroad, leading to a rapid drop in footfall and eventual closure.
After closure, several rides were sold at auction, including the historic 1904 carousel, and most other rides were demolished in 2018. Despite this, the dodgems building and children's entertainment zone remain, though much of the park is in disrepair. The entrance still stands, but metal fencing now encloses the site, covering the 'welcome' sign, while plants and weeds have grown across the area.
Redevelopment plans and objections
Plans to reinvent the space include two hotels, hundreds of log cabins, a casino, and additional leisure facilities. First proposed in 2022, the project is estimated to require around £65 million in investment and reportedly includes restaurants, cafés, retail outlets, and use of the lake for fishing.
The plans have faced considerable pushback from several organisations. The Environment Agency raised concerns about flooding, stating: "We will require continuous access along both banks of the watercourse, and as a minimum, the bridge should not reduce the cross-sectional area of the channel. Further details are required to determine whether these requirements have been met." Natural England has also warned that the development could threaten the wellbeing of the neighbouring Humber Estuary.
Whether the plans will ultimately go ahead remains unclear, leaving the site's future uncertain.
