PREVIEW

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 (4Mar25) that it will shut citing financial difficulties. Aspro Parks, the owner and operator, explained that rising costs and a decline in visitor numbers had led to the “difficult decision.”

Since rescuing the park from closure in 2008, Aspro Parks had invested more than £25m in its development.

A spokesperson for the Aspro Parks Group, which also runs multiple other attractions, including Cheshire’s Blue Planet aquarium, stated: “In the entire history of Aspro we have never closed any park or attraction. We, and our dedicated team of staff, have 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.”

Having been closed for the winter season, Oakwood Theme Park had been scheduled to reopen for the 2025 season before the sudden decision to shut down.

The park’s history has also been marked by tragic incidents. In 2004, 16-year-old Hayley Williams lost her life after falling from her seat on the Hydro water ride as it plunged almost 30 metres into a pool. She suffered fatal internal injuries, while a 10-year-old boy, Martin Rothwell, was also hurt.

An inquest into Williams’ death ruled out unlawful killing, delivering a narrative verdict. In 2008, Oakwood Leisure was fined £250,000 and ordered to pay £80,000 in costs after it emerged that staff had widely ignored basic safety procedures.

More recently, in July 2024, a ride malfunction resulted in injuries. Passengers aboard Bounce, a “drop tower” attraction, experienced a sudden stop during mid-fall due to a “programmed emergency stop procedure,” according to park officials. Several individuals reported “minor lower back pain” and were treated by the park’s in-house first aid team.