The Flambards Experience

Last updated

Flambards
Flambards Theme Park logo.jpg
Slogan"Best Day of the Week"
LocationCuldrose Manor, Helston, Cornwall, England
Coordinates 50°05′31″N5°15′29″W / 50.092°N 5.258°W / 50.092; -5.258 Coordinates: 50°05′31″N5°15′29″W / 50.092°N 5.258°W / 50.092; -5.258
OwnerHale family (1976-2013)
Livingston Leisure Ltd (2013 - Present)
Opened1976
Previous namesCornwall Aero Park

The Flambards Experience

Flambards Theme Park
Operating seasonEaster–October with winter opening of undercover exhibitions
Area27
Attractions
Total19
Roller coasters1
Water rides1
Website www.flambards.co.uk
Rides at Flambards Helston - The Flambards Experience (geograph 4600498).jpg
Rides at Flambards

Flambards is an amusement park on the southern outskirts of the town of Helston in Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. It was founded in 1976 as the 'Cornwall Aero Park' by Douglas Kingsford Hale MBE.

Contents

History

Park entrance Helston - Flambards Entrance (geograph 4600366).jpg
Park entrance

Flambards first opened in 1976 under the name of 'Cornwall Aero Park'. Owned by Douglas Kingsford Hale MBE, the park slowly built up an array of aircraft, models and exhibitions.

By 1990, the park had grown and was renamed "The Flambards Experience". Early rides which featured at the theme park included the Dragon Coaster, the Canyon River Log Flume, Paddle Boats and the hyperglide.

In 1984, "Britain in the Blitz", a mock-up of a bomb-hit street during World War II, was opened.

For the 2007 season, three rides were added: The Rocking Tug, The Carousel, and The Space Shuttle.

For the 2008 season the Cornish Mine Train ride was added in addition to the introduction of the War of the Worlds paintball game. 2009 saw no major additions to the park, however the field housing the helipad was sold late in the season. The museum exhibitions are open year-round, but the rides and play areas are open seasonally.

In 2010, the Skyraker 001 opened and claimed the title of the UK's first twisting drop tower. As well as this addition, the Park was Renamed - Flambards.

On 6 December 2013 the park was bought by Livingston Leisure Ltd. [1]

Livingstone Leisure have invested in the Park and in 2015 have opened a new ride 'Sky Swinger', Added screens fronted to like a picture frame, to the Victorian Village and are continuing to make improvements to the Park which will have been open for 40 years in 2016.

In March 2016 Jurassic Journey opened, a permanent exhibition where visitors can follow in the footsteps of dinosaurs.

March 2017 brought the announcement of further investment in the form of a new HUSS Frisbee Ride, transported from the defunct Pleasure Island park in Lincolnshire, and renamed as Sky-Force to fit in with the current Sky High thrill rides promotion. The ride took the former place of the Kids Ladybird Boats, Coin Operated Trucks and Kids climbing frame.

The winter of 2017/18 saw an improvement of current facilities and a major redecoration, which has led to a much cleaner and brighter feel for the 2018 season.

The 2018/19 Winter closure, saw minor renovations around the park, including redecoration of some of the indoor exhibits. It also saw the addition of a coin operated, ‘Faulty Repair Shop’ shooting gallery, manufactured by Pan Amusements. The unit is located next to the entrance of the indoor attractions.

Attractions

The Big Ride Zone

AttractionAge rangeYear OpenedOpening timeNotes
The Hornet RollercoasterFamily199510:00A Zierer Hornet style coaster.
Canyon River Log FlumeFamily1990’s10:00Made by Zamperla.
Balloon RaceFamilyUnknown10:00Balloons spin around a centerpiece. Made by Zamperla.
CyclocoptersChildren/Family1990’s10:00Pedal powered monorail with cars themed as helicopters.
Sky SwingerThrill201610:00A Chair-O-Plane ride.
Space RaceThrill201110:00former fairground ride of the Super Bob style. Originally Chariot race, but is now located indoors with strobe lighting effects.
ThunderboltThrill200110:00Superrides International made Super Star ride (SS6) previously owned by Scott Manning as "Wild Thing". This ride was used in the millennium celebration on the Mall in London.
Rocking TugFamily200710:00Made by Zamperla; formerly owned by The American Adventure Theme Park
CarouselFamily200710:00Formerly owned by The American Adventure Theme Park
SkyrakerFamily/Thrill201010:00It is the tallest ride in the park with great views of Cornwall.
Sky-ForceThrill201710:00A HUSS Frisbee Ride, originally located at Pleasure Island until its closure in 2016. Feel the G-Force on the ‘Sky-Force’ ride. Whizzing high above the Park, this adrenaline packed ride is guaranteed fun for thrill-seekers.
Flambards Formula CircuitFamily(New Fleet in 2017)10:0020 go karts (10 single and 10 double seaters) on a figure of 8 track. A pay for attraction.

Jurassic Journey

Follow in the footsteps of dinosaurs. Over a dozen life size dinosaurs including a 5 metre tall Brachiosaurus to a T-Rex and giant Treiceratops. There is also a Dino- Nursery including baby velociraptors and a Dino-dig – where children can unearth fossilised remains of a prehistoric boneyard.

Ferdi's Funland

Aside from the bigger rides, an area at Flambards is devoted just for families with young guests. There are 6 kiddie rides. There are also multiple play areas indoors and out nearby.

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Exhibitions

The Victorian Village Helston - Flambards Victorian Village (geograph 4600386).jpg
The Victorian Village
"Britain in the Blitz" display Helston - Flambards - Britain in the Blitz (geograph 4600469).jpg
"Britain in the Blitz" display

Family Entertainment

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