Flambards Theme Park 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.
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.[citation needed]
In 1984, "Britain in the Blitz," a mock-up of a bomb-hit street during World War II, was opened.[1]
By 1990, the park had grown and was renamed "The Flambards Experience." Early rides featured at the theme park included the Dragon Coaster, the Canyon River Log Flume, Paddle Boats, and the hype glide.
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 and the War of the Worlds paintball game was introduced. 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 to Flambards Theme Park.
On 6 December 2013, the park was bought by Livingston Leisure Ltd, an investor in the Park.[2]
In 2015, Livingston Leisure opened a new ride called the 'Sky Swinger', added screens fronted to like a picture frame to the Victorian Village, and is continuing to make improvements to the Park which will have been open for 40 years in 2016.
In March 2016, Jurassic Journey, a permanent exhibition where visitors can follow in the footsteps of dinosaurs, opened at the Park.
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 Ladybird Coin Operated Boats, Coin Operated Trucks and Kids pirate-themed play area and climbing frame.
The winter of 2017-2018 saw an improvement in current facilities and a major redecoration, which has led to a much cleaner and brighter feel for the 2018 season.
The 2018-2019 Winter closure, saw minor renovations around the park, including the 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. Access to the Avro Shackleton cockpit was also removed, over radiation fears.
The winter of 2019-2020 saw minor improvements around the park. These included the removal of trees around the Hornet Coaster, a new canopy on the Carousel, and improvements to park and ride lighting.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Flambards Theme Park was closed for a brief period of time in early 2020. The site was reopened in July of the same year after government guidance was changed.
The park was forced to close for a brief period, at the beginning of the 2021 season, fully reopening in May. A new ride was announced prior to opening, ‘The Western Mine Train,’ and officially opened on 26 May 2021. Other work that took place over the 2020-2021 Winter season included the demolition of the Indoor Stage and ‘Kingsford Hale’ Bar. This has now been replaced with an outdoor seating area. The Victorian village had a partial replacement of lighting, with the introduction of LED bulbs in certain areas. Minor repairs have been made in ‘Britain in the Blitz,’ further improving the exhibition. The outdoor play area has also had a completely new set of play equipment.
The 2021-2022 Winter closure saw lots of redecoration around the park, including areas that had not been touched for several years. The Village cafe was completely revamped, with new seating, and a repaint. The Science Exploratorium was demolished, and replaced with an outdoor seating area. Additionally, the former Remote Controlled Pirate Ship area has been demolished and reverted to a pond. Trees around ‘Ferdi’s Funland’ have been removed, and the Miniature Pirate Ship in this area has been replaced with a Miniature Carousel.
Between the 2022, and 2023 seasons, the ‘Balloon Race’ ride was replaced with the newer ‘Samba Balloons’ ride, which is aimed at a slightly younger audience. ‘Ferdi’s Indoor Play’ (previously known as One2Eleven - a separate attraction) was combined with the park admission, to allow younger visitors to stay and play inside, while the older visitors ride. The ‘Space Race’ ride was removed, along with the smaller indoor play area, ‘Cool Zone’. Various landscaping tasks also took place over the winter closure, including filling in the former ‘Remote Control Pirate Ships’ pond, to create a welcoming garden space, and the trees surrounding the ‘Cyclecopters’ and ‘Ferdi’s Indoor Play’ were removed.
Superrides 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.
A HUSS Frisbee Ride, originally located at Pleasure Island until its closure in 2016.
Flambards Formula Circuit
Family
(New Fleet in 2017)
10:00
20 go karts (10 single and 10 double seaters) on a figure of 8 track. A pay for attraction.
Jurassic Journey
Life-size dinosaurs include a 5-metre tall brachiosaurus, a T-Rex and a triceratops. 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
An area at Flambards is devoted to younger guests.
Human Cannonball – As you spin, control your height as you fly in 4-person capsules.
Mini Carousel – A miniature version of the traditional carousel.
Tea Cups – A miniature version of a tea cups ride.
Dino Express – Travel through a Dinosaur Haven in Dinosaur-themed cars.
The Cornish Children's Eye – A miniature version of a classic Ferris wheel.
The Western Mine Train - a short train ride, through a Western Mining Town. (Located near to the outdoor stage, next to ‘Samba Balloons’.)
Outdoor Stage - Live entertainment stage
Exhibitions
The Victorian Village
The Victorian Village Experience – The Victorian Village was created of just three rooms in 1979 by Mrs. Audrey Kingsford – Hale who wanted to portray a life-size recreation of the fascinating Victorian period. Through the years the village has grown to some 50 shops, cottages and attendant trades including a butcher’s shop, bakery, blacksmiths and sweet shop. A time capsule is also available to view showing the history of William Whites Chemist Shop.
"Britain in the Blitz" display
The Britain in the Blitz Experience – The Britain in the Blitz exhibition was opened in 1984 by Dame Vera Lynn.
The War Gallery – The War Gallery is closely linked with the Britain In The Blitz exhibition, and is a tribute to all of the men and women of Great Britain and The Commonwealth who served in World Wars 1 and 2.
Memory Lane – Charts a century of Wedding Gowns from Mid Victorian to the 1970s including a War Time dress made from a parachute. The stitch marks of the seams show that it was re-fitted and worn by several brides. The selection of photographs also charts weddings from the late Victorian period.
The Aviation Experience - A Century of Pioneering Flight is an inter-active exhibition of some highlights in aviation history throughout the last Century. It features the achievements of:
Richard Pearse, the son of Cornish parents settled in New Zealand, claimed by some to have made the first sustained powered flight in 1902, a year ahead of the American Wright Brothers.
The full-scale flight deck of Concorde, built by BAC for defining and confirming the ultimate positioning of the highly complex instrumentation, plus flight crew and passenger seating.
Operation Sealion - an insight into the German intelligence gathering in preparation for the planned Nazi invasion of England in World War 2.
William White’s Chemist Time Capsule - Discovered after being locked away and forgotten since 1909 in South Petherton, Somerset. Every item in the shop was numbered and charted so that when it was re-assembled at Flambards everything was exactly the same as the original.
Family Entertainment
Space Orbiters (Coin Operated Bumper Cars)
‘Faulty Repair Shop’ Shooting Range (Coin Operated Shooting Gallery)
Coin Operated Ride on Tractors
Coin Operated Crane Machines
Family Amusements
Free to Play Mini Golf (9 hole golf course)
Ferdi’s Indoor Play - Formerly known as One2Eleven (Previously a separate admission to the main park)
Former Attractions
Extreme Force - a Ranger pendulum ride, built by UK manufacturer K.T. Enterprises. - Currently in storage. Operated between 2002, and 2013.
Paddle boats - opened during the late 1980’s and removed early 2000’s.
Dragon Ride - a Zamperla Rollercoaster located at the park between 1990, and 1994.
Hype glide - a giant slide, manufactured by Harry Steer in 1980s. Scrapped in 2001.
Space Mission - Três Eixos Caterpillar Coaster. Opened in 1991, and removed in early 2000s.
Cornish Mine Train - a short electric train ride - opened 2008, and closed in 2012, following the construction of neighboring attraction, One2Eleven.
War of the Worlds - a paintball game operating during the 2008 season.
Gus Honeybun’s underground burrow, and garden - replaced in Jurassic Journey in mid 2010’s.
Coin Operated Fork Lifts - Removed in early 2010’s.
Ladybird Boats - Toddler Self Drive, Coin Operated Boats. Removed in 2017, and replaced by SkyForce.
Coin Operated Radio Controlled Trucks - Removed in 2017, and replaced by SkyForce.
Pirate themed outdoor play area and climbing frame - Removed in 2017, and replaced by SkyForce.
Indoor Stage, and ‘Kingsford Hale’ Bar - Demolished Winter 2020/21, and replaced with an outdoor seating area.
The Pirate Ship - Miniature version located in ‘Ferdi’s Funland’ - Replaced by Mini Carousel over Winter 2021/22.
Science Exploratorium (Also known as Hands on Science) - Demolished 2021/22.
Remote Controlled Pirate Ships - Removed 2021/22, pond retained as nature area. Pond filled in 2022/23 and now a maintained garden.
Space Race - former fairground ride of the Super Bob style. Originally Chariot race, but was located indoors with strobe lighting effects - Removed 2022/23 but Green Enclosed Dome retained for future development.
Balloon Race - a Zamperla Balloon Race - opened early 2000’s and replaced by Samba Balloons in 2023.
Cool Zone Indoor Play - Closed over winter of 2022/23.
Opened, and Closed dates are unknown for the following attractions.
Superbob
SR2 Simulator
Gravitron
SuperCinema 3D
Space Rangers
AquaBuggies
Food and Drink
Flambards has two main eateries within the park.
Village Cafe
Ferdi’s Burger Bar
There are also many takeaway outlets located around the park. These serve a range of hot and cold drinks, snacks, and ice creams.
Related Research Articles
Dollywood is a theme park that is jointly owned by Herschend Family Entertainment and country singer-songwriter Dolly Parton through her entertainment company, Dolly Parton Productions. It is located in the Knoxville metropolitan area in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, near the gateway to The Great Smoky Mountains. Hosting nearly 3 million guests in a typical season from mid-March to the Christmas holidays, Dollywood is the biggest ticketed tourist attraction in Tennessee. It has won many international awards.
Blackgang Chine is the oldest amusement park in the United Kingdom, having opened in 1843. Named after a now-destroyed chine in the soft Cretaceous cliffs, it is about 6 miles from Ventnor at the southern tip of the Isle of Wight just below St Catherine's Down. Blackgang Chine and its sister park Robin Hill are owned by the Dabell family. Blackgang Chine is home to many lands of imagination, including Pirate Cove, Restricted Area 5, Fairy Land and Village, and Cowboy Town. Owing to the unstable land on which the park is situated, landslides occur frequently, meaning that attractions have been moved further inland to safer ground on several occasions.
Canada's Wonderland, formerly known as Paramount Canada's Wonderland, is a 134-hectare (330-acre) amusement park located in Vaughan, Ontario, a municipality within the Greater Toronto Area. Opened in 1981 by the Taft Broadcasting Company and the Great-West Life Assurance Company, it was the first major theme park in Canada and remains the country's largest. Cedar Fair purchased the park from Paramount Parks in 2006, and they have owned and operated the park since then. In 2019, it was the most-visited seasonal amusement park in North America with an estimated 3.9 million guests. The park still retains this record, with an estimated 3.8 million guests in 2022 amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Heide Park Resort, commonly known as Heide Park, is a theme park in Soltau, Lower Saxony, Germany. With an overall area of over 850,000 m2, it is the largest amusement park in Northern Germany and among the largest in the country. It is part of the British-based Merlin Entertainments, which operates 123 attractions in 24 countries.
Valleyfair is a 125-acre (51 ha) amusement park in Shakopee, Minnesota, United States. Owned by Cedar Fair, the park opened in 1976 and now features over 75 rides and attractions including eight roller coasters. Valleyfair also has a water park called Soak City which is included with the price of admission. Cedar Point and Valleyfair were the first two parks in the Cedar Fair chain and a combination of the park names – "cedar" and "fair" – were used to name the company.
Lakeside Amusement Park is a family-owned amusement park in Lakeside, Colorado, adjacent to Denver. Opened in 1908, it is the oldest amusement park in Colorado still operating in its original location, and is the lone remaining American amusement park to have had the name White City. The park, comprising nearly half of the Town of Lakeside that it was responsible for creating in 1907, features the landmark Tower of Jewels.
Chessington World of Adventures Resort is a 128 acres theme park, zoo and hotel complex in Chessington, Greater London, England, around 12 miles (19 km) southwest of Central London. The complex originally opened as Chessington Zoo in 1931; the theme park aspect was developed by The Tussauds Group, debuting on 7 July 1987 as one of the first combined animal-amusement parks in the UK. The theme park, which features over 40 rides, is now owned by Merlin Entertainments, following its merger with The Tussauds Group in 2007. Under Merlin, Chessington has been increasingly developed into a resort and tourist destination, including two on-site hotels, swimming pools, a campground, spa and fitness facilities.
Story Land is a theme park in Glen, New Hampshire. Opened in 1954, the park is meant to appeal to children up to the pre-teen ages.
The Macau Fisherman's Wharf is a themed entertainment, retail and hotel complex and former amusement park in Sé, Macau, China.
Dutch Wonderland is a 48-acre (19 ha) theme park just east of Lancaster, Pennsylvania in East Lampeter Township, appealing primarily to families with small children. The park's theme is a "Kingdom for Kids." The entrance to the park has a stone imitation castle façade, which was built by Earl Clark, a potato farmer, before he opened the park in 1963.
Trimper Rides Of Ocean City is a historic amusement park located near the inlet at South First Street and the boardwalk in Ocean City, Maryland, United States. It was founded in 1893 as The Windsor Resort. It is located at the south end of the boardwalk and consists of three outdoor lots as well as an indoor section.
Pacific Park is an oceanfront amusement park located in Santa Monica, California. The park, located on the Santa Monica Pier, looks directly out on the Pacific Ocean, in the direction of Catalina Island. It is the only amusement park directly located on the West Coast of the United States located on a pier and LA's only admission-free park. There are a total of thirteen rides in Pacific Park, including the world's first and only solar-powered ferris wheel that provides a view of the Pacific Ocean and a roller coaster that circles the majority of the park. Pacific Park is also home to 14 midway games and over-the-ocean food and retail outlets. It has appeared in over 500 movies and television shows such as Fat Albert, Hannah Montana, Hannah Montana: The Movie, Kidsongs, 90210, Bean, and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, as well as the popular video game Grand Theft Auto V. In 2020, it featured in the opening ident for the sky television channel Sky Comedy. It is operated by Premier Parks LLC.
The Pike was an amusement zone in Long Beach, California. The Pike was founded in 1902 along the shoreline south of Ocean Boulevard with several independent arcades, food stands, gift shops, a variety of rides and a grand bath house. It was most noted for the Cyclone Racer (1930–1968), a large wooden dual-track roller coaster, built out on pilings over the water.
Eldridge Park, located in Elmira, New York, is a famous amusement park, which opened around the turn of the 20th century. Covering roughly 15 acres (6.1 ha), it is dedicated to the memory of a local physician and is still in common usage.
Sunnyside Amusement Park was a popular amusement park in Toronto, Ontario, Canada that ran from 1922 to 1955, demolished in 1955 to facilitate the building of the Metro Toronto Gardiner Expressway project. It was located on the Lake Ontario waterfront at the foot of Roncesvalles Avenue, west of downtown Toronto.
Codona's Amusement Park is an amusement park located in Aberdeen, Scotland. It was established by the Codona Family in 1970 and is currently managed by the third generation of the family. It is situated adjacent to the Aberdeen Beach and Queens Links on the coast of the North Sea.
Nunley's Happyland was an amusement park in the hamlet of Bethpage on Long Island, New York, located at the intersection of Hempstead Turnpike and Hicksville Road. It operated from 1951 through 1970s.
Wheaton Regional Park is a public park and county-designated protected area, located in Wheaton, Maryland. It is operated and managed by Montgomery County Parks, a division of a bi-county agency, Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M–NCPPC), which serves both Montgomery and Prince George's counties in the Washington, D.C. suburbs of the state of Maryland. The park was established in 1960, incorporating several large parcels of land into one of the county's largest parks, at the size of 538.7 acres.
Attractiepark Toverland is an amusement park. Which is located in Sevenum, the Netherlands. It first opened in 2001 as an indoor family entertainment center, operated by the Gelissen Group. Toverland won the European Star Award for the Best Theme Park in 2018. More recently, the park shifted towards an older demographic, partially rebranding and adding new attractions.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
