In a devastating blow to Welsh tourism, Oakwood Theme Park has announced its immediate closure and confirmed it will not reopen for the 2025 season. The popular Pembrokeshire attraction, which has entertained generations of visitors since its opening in 1987, is shutting down due to ongoing financial struggles and rising operational costs.
A Landmark in Welsh Tourism
Oakwood Theme Park, originally a family-run attraction, grew into Wales’ premier theme park, known for its thrilling rides and family-friendly attractions. It gained national recognition in 1996 with the launch of Megafobia, a world-class wooden rollercoaster that earned international acclaim and cemented the park’s reputation as a must-visit destination.
In 2008, Oakwood faced financial uncertainty but was rescued by Aspro Parks, a European leisure group that has since invested over £25 million into the park. This included the recent refurbishment of Megafobia, which was widely praised by rollercoaster enthusiasts. However, despite these efforts, declining visitor numbers and increasing operational costs have made it financially unviable to continue.
Official Statement from Aspro Parks
The closure was confirmed in a statement released today by Aspro Parks, which owns and operates Oakwood. The full statement reads:
“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, and 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.
“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.”
Aspro Parks Group also said: ‘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.”
A Sad Day for Wales’ Tourism Industry
The closure of Oakwood Theme Park marks the end of an era for Welsh tourism. Generations of families have fond memories of visiting the park, with its mix of adrenaline-pumping rides like Speed and Drenched, alongside family attractions such as Neverland and Spooky 3D.
Local businesses and tourism operators have expressed their disappointment, as the park has long been a key attraction for visitors to Pembrokeshire. The park’s closure will also have a significant impact on seasonal employment in the area, with many relying on jobs at the park during peak tourism months.
What’s Next?
While Aspro Parks has confirmed that Oakwood’s assets will be repurposed at its other attractions, there is no confirmation yet on what will happen to the Oakwood site itself. Fans of the park are already expressing their sadness on social media, with many hoping that a buyer might step in to save the attraction.
For now, the gates of Oakwood Theme Park have closed for the final time, bringing an end to nearly four decades of thrills and cherished memories.
