Britain's oldest roller coaster, the iconic Scenic Railway at Dreamland Margate, has been permanently retired from operation after 106 years. The amusement park's owners announced the closure on Tuesday, citing significant safety concerns directly linked to the ride's advanced age and deteriorating condition.
A Historic Ride Reaches Its Final Destination
The Grade II listed wooden roller coaster first opened to the public in 1920 and has long stood as one of Dreamland's most cherished attractions. However, following an extensive series of consultations and thorough inspections, park management concluded that the ride had reached the end of its operational life.
Dreamland Margate stated that the Scenic Railway would 'take well-earned retirement from operation as a ride' following this comprehensive assessment. The decision was made in close collaboration with several key heritage organisations, including The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Historic England, and Thanet District Council.
Turbulent History and Restoration Efforts
The closure marks the conclusion of a remarkably turbulent history for this historic attraction. According to records from Historic England, the Scenic Railway survived multiple fires throughout its existence, including significant blazes in 1949 and 1957. The ride suffered particularly severe damage during an arson attack in 2008, which occurred after the park had already closed to visitors.
A major restoration project was completed in 2015 as part of an £18 million investment to reopen Dreamland, which had remained closed to the public for an entire decade. This ambitious restoration was widely celebrated as a landmark achievement in preserving Britain's rich amusement park heritage and cultural history.
The Scenic Railway has been out of operation since 2024 when a technical fault was identified, prompting the detailed safety assessments that ultimately led to the permanent closure decision.
Future Plans for the Historic Structure
Despite the operational closure, Dreamland has indicated that the Scenic Railway will continue to exist in some form for future generations to appreciate. A park spokesperson revealed that the ride will be 're-invented for people to enjoy in a different way', suggesting creative repurposing rather than complete removal.
The theme park plans to host a special pop-up exhibition in 2026 that will showcase the ride's remarkable century-long history. Dreamland has also actively invited public participation in shaping the attraction's future, posting surveys across social media platforms to gather ideas, memories, and creative suggestions from visitors and enthusiasts.
The park issued a statement encouraging public involvement: 'If you are a creative thinker with a practical approach, or a dreamer with a thoughtful and achievable vision, we would love to hear from you.'
Broader Theme Park Challenges in Britain
This closure occurs against a backdrop of challenges facing Britain's theme park industry. In a separate development, Oakwood Theme Park in Pembrokeshire, Wales, has also closed permanently after more than thirty years of operation.
The Welsh attraction, which delighted visitors from 1987 until its abrupt closure in March last year, was taken over by Aspro Parks in 2008. The operator cited rising operational costs and declining visitor numbers as primary factors behind their 'difficult decision' to shut down the park.
Aspro Parks revealed they had invested over £25 million since initially saving Oakwood from closure in 2008. In the ten months since the park closed, the site has become increasingly derelict, with many rides already dismantled and security personnel replacing the once-bustling crowds of visitors.
The permanent closure of both these historic attractions highlights the ongoing challenges facing Britain's amusement park sector, balancing preservation of heritage with modern safety requirements and economic viability.
