Much-loved UK theme park abandoned for nearly two years set to reopen
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@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check our news page.
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