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Wales Online
Lifestyle
David Prince

Oakwood, Penscynor, Coney Beach: The theme parks of every Welsh childhood that you never wanted to leave

Growing up in South Wales during the '80s and '90s more than likely meant you would either visit the following places during the summer holidays, as part of a school trip or maybe even as part of a weekend day trip.

As a child I loved going to Porthcawl and even better than that was a day trip to Penscynor Wildlife Park in Neath.

And that's not forgetting the amazing rides in Oakwood or the feel of catching the latest pop and rockstars at a Radio 1 roadshow in Barry Island or Porthcawl.

Hopefully, these pictures will take you back to a time when life was a lot simpler.

Oakwood Theme Park

Aerial view of Oakwood Theme Park showing rides Hydro, Vertigo, Treetops, Bounce and Speed. (Matthew Horwood)

Oakwood was the best school trip destination due to its closeness which meant you would have more time on the rides.

Originally opening in 1987, it wasn't until the introduction of rides such as Megaphobia and Vertigo in the mid to late '90s that saw the park flourish.

Penscynor Wildlife Park

The entrance to Penscynor Wildlife Park (South Wales Evening Post)

Opened in 1971 by Johnny Morris of the Animal Magic TV show, the park would eventually close in 1998.

However, the memories of the park live on in the thousands who visited the wildlife park throughout the years.

Penscynor Wildlife Park proprietor Idris Hale cuts the birthday cake to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the silver jubilee of the National Federation of British Zoos in 1991 watched by keeper Dave Field (left) and Howie Watkins, the park's education officer. (South Wales Evening Post)

Coney Beach, Porthcawl

At the bottom of the Water Chute ride at Coney Beach funfair - August 2, 1990 (Western Mail and Echo Ltd)

Porthcawl during the '80s and '90s was a great place to visit.

Coney beach was the place where everyone went to in Porthcawl. A lot of this was down to the funfair and water chute.

Aerial crowd scene at the Radio One roadshow - August 20, 1991 (Media Wales Ltd)

Barry Island

Majestic Holiday Camp (formerly Butlins). Holidaymakers enjoying the outdoor swimming pool on July 6, 1994. (Mirrorpix)

More recently made famous by Gavin & Stacey, Barry Island has always had a place in our hearts as one of the prime day-out destinations during the summer school holidays.

The Island had everything from the Majestic Holiday Camp (formerly Butlins) and it also hosted the occasional Radio 1 roadshow like when Kylie popped in for a song back in 1992!

Kylie Minogue performing on stage at the BBC Radio One Roadshow held in Barry Island in August 1992. (Mirrorpix)

The Sun Centre, Trecco Bay

Holiday makers enjoy the swimming pool at the Sun Centre, Trecco Bay on July 12, 1988. (Mirrorpix)

The Sun Centre at Trecco Bay Holiday Park was one of Porthcawl's best attractions back in the late '80s.

The pool was situated right in the middle of the park and no matter what the weather was like outside it was pure sunshine indoors.

Holiday makers enjoy the Swimming Pool at the Sun Centre, Trecco Bay, Porthcawl, Bridgend, South Wales, 21st July 1989. (Mirrorpix)

Porthcawl's Hydro Slide

Not many pictures exist of the Hydro Slide which was situated on Sandy Bay, Porthcawl.

I loved the slide, as it took swimming to the extreme.

As you can see from the photo above of Matt 'Dirty Vegan' Pritchard and his brother, the slide was a big part of Sandy Bay.

The slide closed in the early '90s, due to damage it received from the weather conditions on the seafront.

Swansea Leisure Centre

Swansea Leisure Centre and ampitheatre before skate board ramp was built. Picture taken February 1999 (South Wales Evening ~Post)

Swansea Leisure Centre featured the first wave machine to be installed in Wales and was the main attraction at the leisure centre.

Opened by the Queen during her silver jubilee in 1977, the centre became one of Wales' top tourist attractions.

Having closed in 2003 for a makeover, it reopened as the LC2 in 2008.

The peashooter sent you crashing into the pool at high speed, as can be captured here in May 1989. (South Wales Evening Post archives)

Wales Empire Pool, Cardiff

Wales Empire Pool (Media Wales)

Whilst this is not a fun park as such, many a childhood was spent learning to swim here and being scared of the diving boards.

It opened as the centrepiece for the 1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games, which was held in Cardiff that year at the National Stadium of Wales, Cardiff Arms Park which was next door.

The pool was demolished in 1998 to make way for the Millennium Stadium.

The view from the diving boards at the Empire Pool in the 1960s (Media Wales)

Western World

The deserted site of WesternWorld at Blaenrhondda after news the developers were in financial trouble in June 1987 (Western Mail and Echo Ltd)

Western World was supposedly based on Dolly Parton’s Dollywood resort in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee.

The purpose-built Wild West town, at the foot of the Rhigos mountain, had plans for the biggest saloon bar in South Wales and 12 chalets for guests to stay in.

It opened with huge fanfare and at a cost of £1m but few can even remember the cowboy-inspired theme park in South Wales.

That's because it closed just weeks after opening, built in 1987 on the site of the former Fernhill colliery in Blaenrhondda, Treherbert.

The Wild West town is taking shape on April 21, 1987 (Western Mail and Echo Ltd)

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