The site of the former American Adventure theme park in Heanor, Derbyshire, is now an unremarkable housing development, with many locals unaware of its past as a celebrated family attraction. The Wild West-themed park operated for 20 years before closing permanently in 2007.
From Britannia Park to American Adventure
The park rose from the ashes of Britannia Park, which opened in June 1985 as a 'showcase of Britain' with a Concorde flypast and a grand opening by boxing legend Sir Henry Cooper. However, it went bankrupt just two months later. Derbyshire County Council purchased the land in 1986 and sold it to Manchester-based Granada, which also owned Camelot theme park and launched Granada Studios in Manchester.
Unlike Granada's other parks, American Adventure featured an Old West theme, competing with nearby Alton Towers. It boasted rollercoasters, thrill rides, and its own town, Silver City, complete with a saloon called Lazy Lil's that staged spectacular shootouts.
Iconic Rides and Attractions
Memorable attractions included the Runaway Train, The Missile, and Rocky Mountain Rapids. In 1989, the theme expanded to include other aspects of North American culture and history, adding a space-themed area featuring The Missile roller coaster. This ride was officially inaugurated by Apollo 11 lunar-module pilot Buzz Aldrin and was voted the best roller coaster in the UK at the time.
Other notable rides included the Water Rapids and Nightmare Niagara log flume, which had the highest drop of any in the country. The Flying Island was launched by pop group Boyzone. The Skycoaster, a 200ft roller coaster without tracks, was the largest ride of its type outside the US, propelling passengers at speeds up to 80mph.
Decline and Closure
From 1996 onward, the park experienced a downturn. Granada sold it to Ventureworld in 1997, but fortunes could not be reversed. The park closed permanently in 2006, with owners announcing in 2007 that it would not reopen and rides would be sold off. An auction of 1,300 lots sold rides, props, and outfits. The site then became a vacant wasteland.
After years of dereliction, the land was developed into a housing estate. A 2018 petition to resurrect the park garnered over 10,000 signatures but proved unsuccessful. Today, the site is a housing estate with surrounding parkland.
Fond Memories from Visitors
Many readers recall the attraction fondly. Christine Apted said: "My children loved it there. They loved 'panning for gold'." Jackie Dowler said: "Got videos of the days we went, especially the sling-shot which flew you through the air... such language coming from it, so funny!" Sue Clements said: "Loved it here. The rapids had a sign saying 'you will get wet on this ride', and as you left, [it] said 'we warned you, didn't we?' It was the wettest ride I'd been on and [I] had been to all the UK parks." Nick Johnson said he "preferred it to Alton Towers." Alan Pinchbeck said: "Loved taking the children here in the '90s. Less queues than Alton Towers." Clyde Hog said: "Used to go to theme parks a lot back in the day. This place didn't have the rides of Alton Towers, but it was cheaper and often more fun."
