Oakwood Discussion Thread

[Nrthwnd]

^ Yes, it was a train.

 

It went slowly Into a tunnel and then

into the world of bunny sex.

[rctneil]

I heard about this a few days ago. It was truly a bizarre ride and I think it's past due for being replaced. Glad I got to ride it before it goes though!

[gisco]

Noooooo! Memories from the first TPR trip!

[cfc]

This ride was, shall we say, unique in its portrayal of bunny culture.

The party . . .

. . . the aftermath.

[Henry M]

I go to Wales quite a lot, but I never went here. Is it a park worth visiting if within an hour drive.

[Nrthwnd]

^ I believe Oakwood has one of the first Euro-Fighters ever built (Speed). Megafobia is a wild, if rough, wooden coaster.

And Treetops Coaster that actually goes through the trees... well, let`s just say you had to quickly knock a few branches out of the way,

as you were riding. It also has HYDRO, which is now one of The Only High Water Drop rides around.

Not sure if that's true now, but I did ride it back in 2006 and 2010... and it is a total drencher.

 

This might not be much help from me.

The park is in a nice forested setting with plenty of shade to enjoy.

Keeping HYDRO filled up with fresh water. Note the drop behind the guy? eep.

[djcoastermark]

Um, Oh,there is a drop upon further inspection.

[Nrthwnd]

^

 

Uh huh.

[Nrthwnd]

Oakwood Park is CLOSING???  

Or so the rumors go. It was one of my fave parks in the UK to visit, with TPR. And I gained my 100th coaster credit there, which was really cool to do.

I will miss it w/ Megafobia, Bunny Sex Tunnels, Speed, Treetops Coaster.....

Myself, on my #100 coaster: Clown Coaster. Oakwood Park, Wales. 2006 TPR UK Tour.

[CoasterGuy06]

Oakwood Theme Park has officially announced its permanent closure with the owners intending to distribute the park's assets to other properties they own. The park will not open for the 2025 season. 

(Photos and video from Theme Park Review)

https://www.oakwoodthemepark.co.uk/blog/sin-categoria/oakwood-theme-park-to-close/

It is with much sadness that we have to announce the immediate closure of Oakwood Theme Park and confirm the park will not open for the 2025 season.

Following a strategic review of the business, Aspro Parks, owner and operator of Oakwood Theme Park have reached this difficult decision due to the challenges presented by the current business environment.
All possible avenues have been explored to avoid the closure, and we fully recognise the impact of the closure on the local community and the loss that will be felt as a result.

Aspro Parks has invested over £25M since rescuing the park from being at risk of closure in 2008. Most recently a major refurbishment of Megafobia, the iconic wooden rollercoaster was completed to great success and acclaim from enthusiasts and fans of the park.

Despite the ongoing investment visitor numbers have declined, the financial performance of the park has suffered, making further investment unsustainable.

The unrelenting economic challenges ahead, increases in costs, affecting all areas of the operation from; ride parts to electricity costs, food and beverage inflation, increases in NLW and changes to national insurance thresholds have all impacted the decision.

A statement from Aspro Parks Group 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.

Thank you for making Oakwood Theme Park a special place.

 

https://www.oakwoodthemepark.co.uk/blog/sin-categoria/important-notice-security-measures-at-oakwood-theme-park/

Following our recent announcement regarding the closure of Oakwood Theme Park, we have unfortunately experienced incidents of trespassing on the premises.

We want to make it explicitly clear that Oakwood Theme Park is private property and is not abandoned. Our team continues to work on-site daily, and unauthorised access is strictly prohibited. To ensure the safety and security of both our staff and the premises, 24-hour security is in place, including regular police patrols and security dogs on-site.

Anyone found trespassing will be reported to the authorities and could face prosecution. We also ask that neighbouring businesses and properties are respected, and that no one attempts to use their sites as a means of access to Oakwood Theme Park.

We urge the public to respect the park, as well as the hard work and dedication of those who continue to maintain the site.

For any enquiries regarding Oakwood Theme Park, please contact our head office at headoffice@asprouk.com

 

[prozach626]

Weird.

[Nrthwnd]

^ Well, they appear to have covered "everything", there.

I think.      Ha ha?

One of my fave Oakwood pix, is of their drop (?) tower And the .... uh .... statue of it .....? 

On the UK-Europe Tour, 2010.

[prozach626]

That may be even better than 'dick rock falls' at Kentucky Kingdom. It might not be quite as anatomically correct, but DRF sprays people...

[jedimaster1227]

A local man has submitted a bid to Aspro Parks, the owners of Oakwood Amusement Park who recently announced that the park would permanently close in 2025, to purchase, invest in and operate the park. 

https://pembrokeshire-herald.com/113336/plan-to-rescue-oakwood-revealed-as-local-man-makes-bid-to-save-park/ 

A Pembrokeshire resident has launched a bold rescue plan to bring Oakwood Theme Park back to life — just two months after its shock closure was announced.

Oakwood, Wales’ largest theme park, closed its doors suddenly on March 4 after four decades of family fun. The site, owned by Spanish firm Aspro Parks, had faced a sharp decline in visitor numbers and growing financial challenges in recent years.

But now, a new proposal has been submitted by a local group known as Richens Leisure Projects (RLP), which aims to restore Oakwood to its former glory and turn it into a flagship attraction once again.

The man behind the bid, who wishes to remain anonymous, said the project is deeply personal. “I grew up in west Wales,” he told The Herald. “I remember every queue, every hill climb, every first drop. Oakwood wasn’t just a theme park — it was a rite of passage for so many children in Wales. You didn’t just go there. You remembered it.”

RLP says its proposal includes a phased investment plan, promising to repair and update aging infrastructure, reintroduce popular rides, and generate over 100 seasonal jobs in the local economy.

“This isn’t about nostalgia — it’s about rebuilding pride. It’s about giving today’s kids the same memories we had, but doing it with proper community backing and long-term thinking,” the group said.

Since its closure, Oakwood has been stripped of several well-known attractions, and the future of the site remains unclear. However, the new bid aims to change that, and discussions with Aspro Parks have been initiated.

“We’re not here to pressure anyone,” RLP said. “We’re trying to do things properly and respectfully. But if the park’s future is undecided, we’re ready to step in. What we’ve put forward isn’t just an idea — it’s a fully costed, deliverable plan that can begin immediately if given the green light.”

Asked about funding, the group said it would not disclose specific backers at this stage due to the uncertain ownership position. However, it claims the business case is robust and based on professional financial modeling.

The campaign has already attracted support from local residents, many of whom were shocked by the park’s closure. A petition launched just days after the announcement gathered thousands of signatures.

RLP added: “We’ve kept this quiet until now, out of respect for the owners and the park’s legacy. But the time has come to show people that there is a serious option on the table. This doesn’t have to be the end for Oakwood — it can be the start of something new.”

The Herald contacted Aspro Parks for comment but had received no response at the time of going to press.

Background

Oakwood Theme Park first opened in 1987 as a small family attraction before expanding dramatically during the 1990s and early 2000s. It was home to popular rides including Megafobia, Hydro, and Speed, and welcomed hundreds of thousands of visitors each year at its peak.

In recent years, however, the park faced growing criticism over ageing infrastructure, rising prices, and the closure of key attractions. In March this year, its owners confirmed that keeping the park open was no longer viable.

Whether the new rescue plan will be accepted remains to be seen — but for many in Pembrokeshire, it offers a glimmer of hope that the thrills and laughter of Oakwood might one day return.