Families Express Dismay Over Flambards Theme Park Closure

The cessation of operations for a theme park after 48 years has led to families voicing their disappointment. Flambards theme park, located in Helston, Cornwall, declared on Monday its immediate closure, citing “rising costs and a steady decline in visitor numbers” as reasons. Subsequent to this declaration, numerous individuals recounted their experiences and conveyed sorrow regarding the choice. Chris Bates and his family were among those, stating that their frequent visits to the attraction positively influenced them, and they referred to the park as a “haven”. Mr. Bates, alongside his partner Amy Gauntlett and their children, Phoebe and Jake Bates, who reside in Stafford, indicated they could not recall the exact number of their visits. These excursions held particular significance for 11-year-old Phoebe, who mentioned that attending Flambards assisted her in navigating difficult periods at school. “We mostly went to Cornwall for Flambards, so I’m really gutted that it’s shutting down,” she said. Phoebe’s father further expressed his regret over the park’s closure and his concern for the staff, who he stated “had become part of their family”. Mr. Bates commented: “Flambards was like our haven away from the stresses and strains of life.” Andrew Guttridge recalled cherished memories from his childhood visits to Flambards, such as riding the log flume 10 times consecutively on one occasion and encountering Gus Honeybun, the Television South West rabbit mascot. Mr. Guttridge, a resident of Leicester, suggested that it would be beneficial if the park could be preserved. “It would be great if someone could save it, but my worry is would it be feasible with the cost of living and so many places struggling,” the former pupil at Penair School in Truro said. Jessica Morgan, who spent her formative years in St Agnes, described Flambards as Cornwall’s premier theme park during her childhood and the “number one destination for birthday parties”. “When I heard it was closing, I felt really sad,” Ms Morgan, who now lives near Bath, said. “I’ve actually taken my own children there and they were asking to go again.” Readers were encouraged to follow BBC Cornwall on X, Facebook, and Instagram, and to submit story ideas to spotlight@bbc.co.uk. The article concluded with a copyright notice for 2024 by the BBC, asserting all rights reserved. It also included a disclaimer stating that the BBC is not accountable for the content of external sites and provided guidance on its external linking policy.