A year has passed since the closure of Oakwood Theme Park in Pembrokeshire, Wales, yet its future remains uncertain as nature steadily reclaims the abandoned site. The beloved attraction, which operated for 39 years, closed its gates for good in March 2025, shocking locals and visitors alike.
Decline and Closure
Despite enjoying considerable success over the years, the park had been on a gradual decline, citing 'unrelenting economic challenges' as the driving force behind its closure. Aspro Parks, the Spanish leisure conglomerate that owns the site, stated: 'In the entire history of Aspro we have never closed any park or attraction. Unfortunately, we could no longer see a sustainable way forward.'
History of the Park
Oakwood Theme Park first opened on April 14, 1987, as a modest leisure attraction with a narrow-gauge railway, go-karting, water slides, and a bobsleigh run. The 1990s saw the introduction of the iconic rollercoaster Megafobia, built at a cost of approximately £1.7 million, followed by other thrill-seeking rides that drew visitors from across the UK.
In 2006, the park unveiled Speed: No Limits, a rollercoaster that was the steepest in the UK at the time. After the park's closure, it was relocated to Walygator Sud-Ouest in Agen, France.
Current State and Future
More than a year after closure, several attractions remain in fragments or have yet to be demolished. Some rides, including Drenched, Treetops, the Pirate Ship, and Snake River Falls, have been granted a second chance elsewhere. The site remains under Aspro Parks, which owns 68 other parks in Europe, suggesting it may not be a high priority.
Di Clements, county councillor for Pembrokeshire's Martletwy ward, noted: 'Locally there has been little discussion about the future of the old Oakwood site. No plans have been made public. Ideally, if there are no future plans for the site as a theme park, the remaining structures should be removed. It's not particularly attractive to have rusting structures visible in such a beautiful area.'
Speculation suggests the site could be redeveloped to expand Bluestone National Park Resort, a holiday destination in the same county. Councillor Clements added that what would truly benefit the region is an 'all-weather attraction' for Pembrokeshire.
As families' entertainment preferences evolve with advancing technology, theme parks are experiencing declining visitor numbers, which could herald further closures in the coming years.
