A THEME park with water rides and fairground attractions was once an adrenaline junkies’ dream – now it’s abandoned.
Killarney Springs was a leisure park opened in 1990 and situated on just over 65 acres near Bude in Cornwall.
The tourist site had a tobogganing slope, go karts and an assault course.
It also boasted an indoor adventure play centre, a boating lake and bumper boats.
The park introduced a new range of attractions in 2005 called the Family Fun Fair.
But additions of a roller coaster and log flume were not approved by North Cornwall District Council.
As a result of the breaches of its planning permission, Killarney Springs was forced to close in 2006.
Much of the park has been left derelict, but some parts were demolished.
The land has since been granted planning permission for a replacement dwelling by a private owner.
The existing dwelling is located on the north-west part of the site adjacent to a remaining large timber clad building.
A recent planning statement read: “There is some evidence of the theme park on site although this would be removed subject to a future planning permission.”
An area known as the Fun Barn housed a play room for under 6’s and used to be filled with bouncy castles, ball pits and toys.
The existing barn is currently used for equestrian use and storing farm machinery.
The rest of the site is mainly laid to pasture today, with a range of small ponds and lakes.
And it’s not the only theme park to have such plans.
HERE are just some of the abandoned theme parks in the UK.
Frontierland, Morecambe
The Lancashire amusement area was left to rot in 2000 and has been an eyesore to townspeople ever since.
The abandoned theme park had a rich history of over 90 years in service, but sadly had to shut down permanently at the beginning of the millennia.
The site lays bare and empty, with the local council now trying to revive it back to its glory days.
Pleasure Island, Cleethorpes
The Lincolnshire park has been shut since 2016.
Dwindling visitor numbers led to the park’s decline and eventual closure with rides being sold off.
Camel Creek Adventure Park in Cornwall launched holiday accommodation after going into administration last year.
Plans revealed earlier this year included caravans, safari tents and glamping pods, as well as amenity blocks with showers and toilets.
The theme park was able to reopen in March with three new attractions.
They included a pirate-themed adventure golf, a 7,000 square foot playground inspired by Merlin the magician and an indoor playground and cafe.
A BELOVED theme park where wannabe-cowboys lived out their Wild West fantasy has got a new lease on life after being left to rot
The Spirit Of The West theme park in St Columb Major, Cornwall, was closed in 2009 and redeveloped into Retallack Resort & Spa.
Photos of the abandoned Wild West town show the fake general store, Sheriff’s office, a jail, and a gallows set up for hangings, all falling apart.
The park was a popular destination in the early 2000s and recreated “the American frontier as it was, and how it will never be again”, Cornwall Live reported.
When the park was running actors would act out scenes from the Old West, including a gun fight, arresting outlaws, and delivering justice.
The audience watching the show stand inside the town and get a close look at a Hollywood-style Wild West.
Spirit of the West had two towns – the law-abiding Fort Smith and also the lawless Silver City.
In 2003 and 2004, it hosted the Tapestry Festival, lasting three days, featuring a variety of acts fitting in with the cowboy theme.
But the towns were shut down in 2009 and the site became overrun with long grass and the buildings became dilapidated.
In 2014, the abandoned town was designated for demolition with the area redeveloped into holiday lodges.
It was converted into Retallack, a five star self-catering holiday destination with luxury lodges, watersports, and spa facilities.
