Woman visits abandoned British theme park and is left devastated by what she finds

Daily Mirror

2 days ago

Urban explorer Charlee Popperwell was left heartbroken when she saw the 'state' of the abandoned Flambards Park in Cornwall - with the once popular theme park now in ruins
An urban explorer was left "saddened" after she visited a British theme park just months after it closed for good. Charlee Popperwell was shocked when she saw the "state" of the eerie Flambards park.
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The theme park, in Cornwall, was originally opened by Douglas Hale in 1976. It welcomed generations of families through its doors before closing for the final time last year.
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It came just weeks after officials decided to retire some of the major thrill rides. Iconic items from the park, including a Concorde cockpit mock-up and a King Charles waxwork, were subsequently auctioned off.
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Among the successful bidders was former Love Island contestant Lucie Donlan, who purchased the alien models from the Space Orbiters ride. Lucie, hailing from Newquay, fondly remembered the bumper car-like ride as her childhood favourite.
Recently, 21-year-old Charlee and her friends visited the now-deserted park to explore the decaying rollercoasters, slide down the abandoned slides, and pedal on the old bikes. Despite closing just nine months prior, Charlee noted that nature had quickly begun to reclaim the park, reports Cornwall Live.
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In a conversation with What's The Jam, Charlee said: "It was very sad to see the state of the place. Especially having so many childhood memories there, not just for me but for many people in Cornwall.
"It was weird to walk around a theme park where nothing was running. Most of the rides are still there, but then some have been sold off in an auction along with the stuff from the Victorian village.
"It was very easy to get in, and there was not a lot stopping anyone from going inside. The site is constantly patrolled by security.
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"I think a lot more people have been going now, so it's unlikely most people will get in without getting caught."
Over 1,000 items from Flambards went under the hammer, although one of its most iconic attractions, the Victorian Village, was saved from auction. The sale meant Audrey Hale's unique creation could stay together as one piece.
It will however be moved to Bishop Auckland near Durham, where it will become part of Kynren – The Storied Lands, the UK's first live-action historical theme park, for a new show at the attraction opening in 2026.
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Caroline Lancaster, whose grandparents helped to fund the attraction, and as a result are immortalised with their names on the shop fronts in the Victorian Village, says she couldn't be more thrilled that their legacy will live on.
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"Flambards was only in existence over 40 years ago with huge financial help from my granny and grandad, Pamela Milton-Hall and John Dyke," she said.
"As a gesture of thanks for their financial help, their names are detailed on the shop fronts in Flambards Victorian Village.
Those shops are Linen Draper P. Milton-Hall Lace Maker and J.Dyke Apothecary, done as a tribute to Pamela's love of embroidery and lace making and John's job as a vet dispensing medicines."
Caroline's family had initially planned to try and buy the sign at auction, but is pleased the Victorian Village will remain as one. She added: "I'm so very, very happy the Victorian Exhibition is not being auctioned off and broken up. I'm just so, so ecstatic and my cousins are all happy as well. It's the best news I've heard."