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The largest theme park in Wales has closed with immediate effect after nearly 40 years, its owner has announced.
Oakwood Theme Park, in Pembrokeshire, west Wales, announced on Tuesday that it will shut.
Aspro Parks, the owner and operator of Oakwood Theme Park, said it had reached the “difficult decision” due to financial challenges caused by rising costs and declining visitor numbers.
The company said it has invested more than £25m since the park was saved from closure in 2008.
A spokesperson for Aspro Parks Group, which operates dozens of other attractions including Blue Planet aquarium in Cheshire, said: “In the entire history of Aspro we have never closed any park or attraction. We, and our dedicated team of staff has strived to overcome numerous challenges to continue to bring joy to families and visitors across the region and country.
“Unfortunately, we could no longer see a sustainable way forward and will seek to improve our other parks using the assets and where possible team elsewhere.
“We are aware that Oakwood has been a much-loved destination for generations and a rite of passage for many young visitors. It is for this reason we feel such a sense of sadness.
“We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the dedication and commitment of our team members past and present, suppliers and contractors who have loyally supported us and of course all those that have visited Oakwood Theme Park over the years. We are sincerely grateful.”
Photograph: Matthew Horwood/Alamy
Oakwood Theme Park had been closed for the winter season, but was soon due to reopen for the 2025 season.
In 2004, 16-year-old Hayley Williams died after falling out of her seat while on top of the Hydro water ride as it began an almost vertical 30-metre descent into a plunge pool.
She died of internal injuries. A 10-year-old boy, Martin Rothwell, 10, was also injured.
A coroner ruled out unlawful killing in the inquest into Williams’ death and gave a narrative verdict.
In 2008, Oakwood Leisure was fined £250,000 and ordered to pay £80,000 costs because of the tragedy when it was revealed that basic safety procedures were widely ignored by staff overseeing the ride.
In July 2024, passengers on another ride were injured after it came to a sudden halt.
Bounce, a “drop tower” attraction “experienced a programmed emergency stop procedure” while in mid-fall, the park owners said at the time.
It added that a number of people reported “minor lower back pain” and had to be attended to by a team of in-house first aiders.
