Oakwood closes its doors, cites financial difficulties

[Matt N]

This news is very bleak, but unfortunately anticipated to an extent. I think the writing was on the wall given the park’s downward trajectory within the last year or so, and to be honest, I’d say it’s been a number of years since the park seems to have truly thrived. Oakwood gave off the impression of struggling when I last went in 2019, and I ascertain that it declined quite a bit further after that.

From a personal perspective, I do feel strangely sad about this news. I would never have said Oakwood was a park I visited regularly, or rated highly even in the UK sphere, or clamoured to revisit (beyond a desire to try the retracked Megafobia), but it is, to a degree, steeped in nostalgia for me. It was among the first theme parks I visited as a young child, and Megafobia was my first ever wooden coaster and one of my first ever properly “big” thrill coasters. For a park of its calibre, I always had a soft spot for it, and found it to have a surprisingly impressive collection of thrill ride hardware!

I do hope some of the attractions find new homes elsewhere. Sadly, I think Megafobia seems unlikely to be relocated, but some of the other rides could definitely fit well somewhere else.

 

[Graeme]

How likely would ride relocations be? Could Megafobia have a new life somewhere else?

It would be difficult, as the first drop goes quite a bit lower than the rest of the ride. I hope they find a way to keep this ride open though, if nothing else, as it's just too good to lose. It would be another "Belle Vue Bobs".

Other than that, I have little nostalgia for the park, even though it was perfectly pleasant. The ride choices after Megafobia weren't for me. Enthusiasts, including myself, used to dream of another, perhaps larger, woodie there. Now that seems like ancient history. I still think there must be a business model for the park, though - new owners, gradually gain a good reputation again and, eventually, something worthy to accompany Megafobia. Let's just hope it can get there.

 

[Nick13]

Rampage at Alabama Adventure has been SBNO for over a year and is in need of a lot of work apparently. I wonder if they would be looking at some of the newer track and other parts from Megafobia…

 

[Steely Dan]

Never fun to hear about a place with a classic wooden coaster shutting down, even if it's a world away from me.

Btw, RCDB is already listing all of Oakwood's coasters as "removed", which seems a touch premature. Wouldn't the correct classification at the moment be "SBNO"?

 

[roomraider]

I'm devestated to see it go but I think the writings been on the wall.

In 2022 I visited the park during a weekend in June with 2 friends, there were I think 16 guests there that day in the entire park. This led to all sorts of shenanigans like having to do deals with other groups to get enough people to reach the required riders on various rides in the park. (If you ride with us then 2 of us will stay on board so the rest of your group can ride too)

There's just no way a park can exist if it's get that sort of turnout.

 

[Jamesss]

We all knew this was coming at some point, but the sudden announcement caught me off guard.

I had planned to visit this summer, anticipating the park might not be around much longer.

Not gonna lie — this news has made me quite sad. My last visit was in the early 2000s when I was a child, and the park was great back then. Fond memories.

 

[Railfan uk]

I never made it there either but was considering visiting this year but that isn’t going to happen now

 

[Niles]

Sadly i dont think i can fit Megafobia in my garden because outherwise i dont see it being relocated and it was a fab coaster.

Speed i hope gets relocated to a park in the UK, Southport's new coaster seems to be on hold or not happening and i think this would be a great coaster for them if they can afford it.

I liked the park but it was allways so out the way, last time i went was mid 2000s but nothing ever enticed me to go back since. Never nice to see a park close, bunch of people losing their jobs and locals losing a place they have grown up with. I hope at least the rides can get a new life somewhere.