No trace remains of the UK's biggest indoor waterpark, which has been closed forever after 26 years of operation. The popular hotspot was once the country's largest indoor waterpark, drawing huge crowds from near and far. However, after years of decline, it has been demolished, leaving no trace behind.
The Rise and Fall of Wet N Wild
The much-loved attraction, Wet N Wild in North Shields, Tyne and Wear, opened in 1993. It quickly became a magnet for families and adrenaline junkies, boasting an extensive range of slides. Among them was the Kamikaze, Britain's most vertical water slide with a dramatic 80-foot plunge, the Abyss with two substantial drops, the Tornado with twisting slides allowing visitors to race friends, and the double tyre slide Black Hole. The venue also featured a wave machine and rapids that simulated a natural river's rapid current.
Over time, visitor numbers dwindled due to high entry fees and substantial operational costs. In 2013, Wet N Wild went into administration. It reopened in 2014 after a £1.1 million renovation by Moirai Capital Investments and Serco Leisure, which added a new soft play zone, family changing facilities, and a cafe. But the revival was short-lived. By 2019, the park closed again, with complaints about damaged pools, filthy changing rooms, and other issues. Serco Leisure announced it would not reopen in 2020.
Demolition and Memories
The site lay derelict for years, suffering break-ins and vandalism, until demolition began on November 8, 2024. A fan posted photos on Reddit, asking for memories from its heyday. One user wrote: "I'm not from the area but used to go up there quite a lot. Loved this place and haven't come across anything in the UK quite like it."
Social media users shared their memories. One said: "I remember being terrified of the Kamikaze, pretty much just a sheer vertical drop in a pitch black tube." Another added: "Kamikaze was insane because I could feel myself lifting off it. Someone needs to buy the park and restore it." A third commented: "Christ, memory unlocked haha," while a fourth lamented: "It's closed?!?!"
Another user shared: "I had no idea it was closed. That's sad. I remember it had a ride which had multiple slides and pools." And one recalled: "Told my mum I was going to the cinema, was around 11 or 12, me and a friend jumped on the ferry and went to Wet N Wild for the day. Good times."
