UK theme park beloved for world-renowned Cyclone rollercoaster left to rot – as desperate locals beg for its return
A POPULAR Theme park which featured the world-renowned Cyclone rollercoaster has been left to rot for a staggering 25 years.
Frontierland in Morecambe, Lancashire dates back to 1906 and has hosted families for more than 90 years.
The park was once owned by the Thompson family, who also ran Blackpool Pleasure Beach.
In its 12 years of operating, Frontierland would regularly add new exciting rides to its attractions.
The park was even once visited by Margaret Thatcher in 1997 when she named one of the horses on the carousel after herself.
Frontierland was famous for its log flume and other rides including the world-renowned Cyclone and Chair-o-Planes.
However, dwindling visitor numbers eventually forced the park to pull down its shutters for good in 1999.
After its closure, several of the rides were demolished while others were rehoused in Blackpool.
The iconic Space Tower, now known as The Polo Tower, became a landmark in Morecambe and remained there until 2017.
Little was left of the park with the site deserted for 25 years.
The local council has attempted to revive the site back to its glory days.
Lancaster City Council acquired the land in 2021 and invited interested parties to submit development plans for it.
Joanne Ainscough, Cllr, told BBC: “We have done an expression of interest and the majority of developers came forward with hotels and housing, and that’s not really the inspiration we want.
“We want something that’s more exciting.
“If somebody came along with a really brilliant idea for a fairground, why not?
“But it has to be something that gives the council some money back on its investment but also gives something for both visitors and locals.”
Most locals have expressed interest in building a leisure site in place of the former theme park, according to Ainscough.
She added that residents hope building on the site can begin in the next 12 to 18 months.
“The council does not want this to be sat around for another five, or 10 years.
“The people of Morecambe have had to put up with this white elephant for a very long time.
“We want it to be done as quickly as possible, ” Ainscough said.
It comes after a disused theme park in the UK is set to undergo a huge £65million refurbishment.
And eerie photos show what an abandoned theme park looks like eight years on from its closure.
The iconic theme park left derilct for more than 17 years
The American Adventure theme park was once a hit for Derbyshire families.
Throughout the 80s and 90s, the site near Heanor featured thrilling rides and attractions.
The following years saw the park’s standards decline and it was later sold to various companies before closing for good in 2006.
Several of the park’s most popular rides were sold off and what remained was left to rot.
Much of the iconic site was demolished, with the land being used to build around 300 homes, a hotel, a retirement village, leisure facilities and offices.
ans of the theme park launched a petition to restore the site to its former glory.
It currently has more than 11,000 signatures which is above the amount needed to elicit a response from the government.
Declan Salmon, who wrote the petition, said: “Nightmare Niagara was the best log flume in the UK at one time but it got demolished in the 2000s.
“The American Adventure was my and quite possibly a lot of people’s childhood.
“Me and my friend have come up with a new design and plan for the return of The American Adventure Theme Park with modern roller coasters and attractions.
“So sign this petition and let’s see if we can get The American Adventure Theme Park Back open for business with brand new attractions and coasters.”
Several fans commented on the petition and shared their reasons for wanting their beloved park back.
“I want the theme park to be back I loved the rides,” cried a user.
Another added: “I’m signing this petition because I used to go to American Adventure when I was a kid.
“I loved it then.
“Now I have a son and another on the way so this would be great for my family.”
A third commented: “It would be great to see it back plus look at all the job opportunities it would put up for local people.”
Wet ‘n’ Wild by Ryan Merrifield
This theme park, in North Shields, Tyne and Wear, closed in 2020 due to financial difficulties.
It was home to attractions like star ride The Black Hole – a two-person tyre slide, The Kamikaze, Calamity Canyon, The Mistral, The Cyclone, The Hurricane and The Tempest.
One of its main selling points when first opening was the controlled indoor climate, heated to a ‘tropical’ 29C.
Photos from February this year show it in a sorry state, with the slides themselves still in place and the surrounding vegetation growing out of control, and glass facades boarded up.
The once-bright rides are now cracked and dull, with the pools empty.
Many fans on social media have called for it to spruced up and re-opened.
Amie Tiffin said: “Bring it back, please.
“We need this, loved this food court… awesome times I’ve had there.”
Wayne Fenwick added: “Hope they will do it back up.”
Rachel Belk said: “Loved Wet n Wild.
“Needs bringing back!”
Cheryl Brittain said: “Fabulous memories, wish it would re-open!”
Lisa Pearson said: “Fantastic day out.
“Wish it could still exist to take my kids.
“They would love it.