West Cornwall’s largest theme park closed its gates for good in November 2024, with parts of the beloved attraction now lying abandoned
A cherished UK theme park that brought joy to countless families for nearly five decades now sits derelict following its permanent closure.
Flambards, formerly West Cornwall’s premier theme park, shut its doors for the final time in November 2024 after 48 years of welcoming visitors.
The shutdown arrived mere weeks after bosses revealed plans to mothball several ageing rides owing to a scarcity of specialist components. Certain attractions were subsequently sold off or put under the hammer, whilst other structures and sections of the park remain disused and deserted to this day. The move brought the curtain down on an extensive chapter that kicked off in 1976, when the venue launched as Cornwall Aero Park.
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Flambards was initially established by Douglas Kingsford Hale alongside his wife Audrey, who aimed to create an aviation museum showcasing aircraft, engines and airframes.
The venue grew consistently throughout the 1970s and 80s, introducing fresh attractions including “Britain in the Blitz” in 1984 and subsequently “The Victorian Village”, which featured authentic granite setts, a wood-block floor and a meticulously reconstructed chemist shop, reports the Express.
Come 1990, the destination had been rebranded “The Flambards Experience” to acknowledge its broader appeal, encompassing early rides like the Dragon Coaster, the Log Flume and Paddle Boats.
Additional white-knuckle attractions materialised between 2007 and 2013, featuring the Carousel, Rocking Tug, Space Shuttle and the Cornish Mine Train.
In 2010, the Skyraker 001 secured the distinction of being the UK’s inaugural twisting drop tower. Sadly, the attraction encountered numerous difficulties throughout its history, including a brief spell in administration before Livingston Leisure Ltd acquired it in 2013.
This era ushered in fresh investment and new attractions, with the Sky Swinger arriving in 2015 and Jurassic Journey launching in 2016. The following year saw Sky-Force make its debut after being relocated from a defunct theme park in Lincolnshire.
Yet upkeep difficulties and deteriorating infrastructure proved progressively harder to tackle. Throughout winter shutdowns spanning 2017 to 2022, Flambards undertook refurbishments, stripped out dated displays and modernised amenities.
Certain zones were completely torn down, including the Science Exploratorium, whilst portions of the outdoor play area underwent reconstruction. The post-Covid years brought additional transformations. Fresh attractions, such as the Western Mine Train in 2021 and ThunderDome in 2024, made their appearance.
Nevertheless, various other rides were scrapped owing to supply complications, including Thunderbolt, Sky Swinger and the Hornet Rollercoaster. Speculation regarding a wholesale redevelopment also did the rounds, though the park dismissed suggestions the site would be turned into a fast-food outlet.
When the attraction ultimately revealed on November 4, 2024, that it would shut permanently, a spokesperson stated: “It is with great regret we have to announce Flambards Theme Park will close its doors permanently with immediate effect. Flambards has been a cherished destination for generations, and it is with a heavy heart that we bid farewell.”
