Aerial photos reveal abandoned theme park reclaimed by nature

By Adam Dutton

Eerie photos reveal the crumbling remains of an iconic theme park left to rot for a decade — as a £70 million ($95 million) redevelopment plan lies in tatters.

Pleasure Island in Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire, England, was a favorite destination for families and thrill seekers before it shut for good in October 2016.

Ten years later, the sprawling 57-acre site and crumbling buildings have been reclaimed by nature.

Aerial images show its faded mock-castle buildings surrounded by vegetation, with 20-foot-high shrubs creeping up their walls.

Weeds have taken over the former bumper cars building and water park features, while the vast site has become a magnet for urban explorers and antisocial behavior.

And locals fear the abandoned attraction could be left decaying for years to come after ambitious £70 million redevelopment plans hit the buffers.

One local said: "I don't understand why this has not been opened up again as another theme park in that time, it's been that long.

"That would actually create jobs and bring in more tourists.

"My kids used to love this in the '90s, but at the minute it looks like a massive eyesore.

"It's such a huge chunk of land just wasted, I don't think any of us want to see it in ruin."

Another local added: "Something needs to be done, or else it's going to become even more of a hotspot for urban explorers.

"We can't be having it sat untouched like that for another 10 years or so, it's not good for the area or the environment.

"It's quite sad to see something that was so loved turn out like that, all overgrown and ugly looking."

Pleasure Island opened on May 27, 1993, and was divided into six themed areas: Africa, Kiddies Kingdom, Morocco, Old England, Spain and White Knuckle Valley.

But the park is now stripped bare of its iconic rides, with the vast majority sold to attractions around the world.

Family-favorite Boomerang roller coaster is now at a park in Indonesia.

Meanwhile, the Alakazam ride ended up more than 3,000 miles away at Kuwait's Winter Wonderland, where it is now called "Fly Away."

More than 3,500 days after Pleasure Island closed, the vast site is earmarked to become a "Center Parcs-by-the-sea" style destination.

The £70 million revamp includes 272 holiday lodges, a Lidl and its own Costa Coffee.

A planning application was submitted in 2023 but three years on the council is still arguing over what will be built on the land.

Late legal challenges from Tesco and another party questioning "retail impact viability" and environmental details mean it could take years before the bulldozers clear the site.

Tesco argues there is no evidence another "retail food store" is needed outside Cleethorpes town center.

North East Lincolnshire Council has deferred the final planning decision to an unspecified future date leaving residents fearing the site will remain an eyesore for years to come.

Writing on Facebook, one user said: "Anything is better than leaving it to rot. Let's just let the investors do what they need to and make it a going concern.

"Some of the ideas put forward by people won't necessarily be profitable and will fold. Let's all calm down and be a little optimistic for a change."

Another said: "Why not something fun? Huge outdoor playground / fair / with rides to bring income? A cafe?

"Do we really need more hotels? There are hundreds of B&Bs etc in Cleethorpes, two caravan parks and a huge Premier Inn.

"We need something for families to do."

The council refused to comment saying it was an "ongoing planning matter."