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The Independent
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Beloved south coast theme park set to reopen after nearly two years
A former UK theme park has announced plans to reopen as an adventure park, two years after closing its doors. Adventure Wonderland Theme Park in Bournemouth first opened in 1992 with Alice in Wonderland -themed rides and rollercoasters. Rising costs forced the park to shut its outdoor attractions in 2022, before the family theme park temporarily 'closed for a restructure' at the end of 2023. At the time, the park near Bournemouth Airport said: 'The current trading climate and steep increase in key costs across the board is not conducive to the existing theme park model.' A formal planning application has now been submitted to Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council to improve the existing theme park facilities. Adventure Wonderland's transformation into a smaller adventure park will feature a maze, mini-golf and a go-karting track among its attractions. Park bosses also plan to reopen the cafe and education facility, replace some former ride areas with outdoor play spaces and repurpose existing buildings. Organisations, including Diverse Abilities and Discovery Village, have operated out of the theme park since it closed two years ago. A statement from the planning application said: 'The aim of this proposal is to create a site which is better adapted for use by the occupants of Merritown, Discovery Village and Diverse Abilities. 'All of these tenants want to create sustainable spaces which focus on creative outdoor spaces which are stimulating environments with outdoor play, sensory gardens, water play, and utilise the existing external spaces and buildings on site', reported the Bournemouth Echo. Adventure Wonderland initially opened as a pick-your-own fruit farm, eventually welcoming around 180,000 visitors to its tea cups, log flume and 'Wild Thing' indoor play area in the year before it closed. There is currently no confirmed reopening date, but the park announced hopes to start the 'new adventure in 2025' last September. In the 2024 update, the park shared on Facebook that the former Adventure Wonderland site was 'undergoing an exciting redevelopment '. It added: 'With the Alice in Wonderland maze at the heart, we are working on a lovely new concept with children's play areas, sensory and wildflower gardens and beautiful outdoor spaces for children and adults to enjoy quality time together.'
Metro
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Much-loved UK theme park abandoned for nearly two years set to reopen
A theme park left abandoned for two years after being forced to close has revealed plans to reopen as an adventure park. Adventure Wonderland opened in Bournemouth in 1992, with rides and rollercoasters inspired by Alice in Wonderland. But the amusement park, between the coronavirus pandemic and the cost of living crisis, closed its outdoor rides in 2023. The indoor attractions, including the soft play area, followed the next year. Joining other closed-down parks like Pleasure Island in Cleethorpes and Flambards Theme Park in Helston. 'The current trading climate and steep increase in key costs across the board is not conducive to the existing theme park model,' the park said. The park, on Parley Lane in Hurn, wasn't going to be gone for good though. Organisers hinted that it might be back one year. And this year will be that year. Adventure Wonderland is set to relaunch as a smaller park with attractions such as go-karting, mini golf and a maze. Play zones, splash parks, a pedal tractor track and 'sensory gardens' will also be built. There will also be a café, shops and an 'immersive children's role-play attraction' called Discovery Village, according to the planning application seen by Metro. But the Alice in Wonderland maze will be 'at the heart' of the site, with most of the existing buildings being repurposed. Adventure Wonderland first announced the rebrand in September, with the website now saying it is 'closed for restructure'. An opening date has yet to be announced but the park hopes to welcome visitors this year. Adventure Wonderland began as a pick-your-own-fruit farm before becoming a theme park in the 1990s, welcoming 180,000 visitors a year. More Trending Children spun around in teacups, tore through the waters in the log flume and whizzed around in the rollercoasters featuring characters like Alice, the White Rabbit and the Queen of Hearts. Central to the relaunch will be supporting local charities, the planning application says. It notes it aims ''to create a site which is better adapted for use by the occupants of Merritown, Discovery Village and Diverse Abilities'. 'All of these tenants want to create sustainable spaces which focus on creative outdoor spaces which are stimulating environments with outdoor play, sensory gardens, water play, and utilise the existing external spaces and buildings on site,' it adds. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Ian Wright slams 'soft' Arsenal stars and makes prediction for PSG clash MORE: Huge UK theme park is scrapping entry fees – but you'll need to grab tickets fast MORE: Drayton Manor is offering free entry – you'll need to grab tickets fast
Daily Mirror
25-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Abandoned UK theme park to be reopened and transformed with new rides
The theme park was initially forced to close its outdoor rides due to 'rising costs', but has now revealed exciting plans to reopen as an adventure park featuring a complete overhaul and transformation of the existing structures. A theme park in the UK that shuttered down in 2023 has revealed its grand plans to reopen as an adventure park. Having first opened its doors to the public in 1992, the iconic Adventure Wonderland — situated right next to Bournemouth Airport — featured rollercoasters and rides centred around Alice in Wonderland. The theme park was initially forced to close its outdoor rides due to 'rising costs', with the indoor attractions, including the soft play area, following suit the next year. At the time of closure, the theme park released a statement which said: "The current trading climate and steep increase in key costs across the board is not conducive to the existing theme park model." However, 'exciting plans' for a simpler attraction were also announced during that time — and now it seems those plans have been submitted. Adventure Wonderland is about to undergo a massive transformation as it transitions into a smaller adventure park featuring a go-karting track, mini golf, and a maze, among other attractions. The recreational site will also see a shop and café reopen, forming part of the educational facility already on the premises. Since most of Adventure Wonderland's buildings are being repurposed and not rebuilt, patrons can expect a quick restoration process. Plans to open the new theme park are in place for later this year, however little else is known about the renovated attraction and its opening dates. The adventure park's planning application statement says: "The aim of this proposal is to create a site which is better adapted for use by the occupants of Merritown, Discovery Village and Diverse Abilities. All of these tenants want to create sustainable spaces which focus on creative outdoor spaces which are stimulating environments with outdoor play, sensory gardens, water play, and utilise the existing external spaces and buildings on site.' Initially a pick-your-own-fruit-farm, Adventure Wonderland evolved into a full-blown theme park in the 90s, complete with its Alice in Wonderland theme based on Alice — a character presumed to be inspired by a woman who lived nearby in Lyndhurst. In 2005 the theme park saw the addition of its first indoor area, Wild Thing, a new £1million indoor play attraction, along with the incorporation of rollercoasters. Adventure Wonderland welcomed around 180,000 people a year before it closed, and at its peak had exciting rides including a rollercoaster, tea cups, and log flume. However, Adventure Wonderland isn't the only hot attraction in Bournemouth. Bournemouth beach was recently crowned the UK's top beach on Tripadvisor, amassing visitors by winning them over with its golden sands, vibrant beach huts, and inviting waters. In fact, if you're up for a dip, the bays there offer some of the UK's warmest sea temperatures. The beach resort proudly offers seven miles of award-winning beaches, lined with promenades filled with fish and chip shops, arcades, ice cream parlours and a fantastic selection of bars and restaurants. Bournemouth beach is a paradise for families, boasting a picturesque pier and designated areas packed with fun activities for children, including sandcastle competitions.
