Fans of an iconic British theme park have been left absolutely devastated after much-loved items were flogged at an auction house for £200,000.
Bosses at Flambards Theme Park in Cornwall announcement the attraction’s closure suddenly last year after 49 years in business.
"It is with great regret we have to announce Flambards Theme Park will close its doors permanently with immediate effect,” a statement released in November 2024 said.
"This difficult decision was reached only after all possible avenues had been exhausted and we fully recognise the impact of this closure on the local community and the sense of loss that it may bring.
"Despite significant and ongoing investment since its rescue from closure in 2012 by the current owners, rising costs and a steady decline in visitor numbers have made the park’s operation and further investment unsustainable.
"Over the years, Flambards has strived to evolve, overcoming numerous challenges to continue bringing joy to families and visitors from across the region."
However, following two days of sales on March 26 and March 27, iconic artefacts and exhibitions were sold.
The items, which ranged from a Concorde cockpit mock-up to a half-scale Rolls-Royce engine, were flogged for around £200,000.
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One punter paid £17,000 for the Concorde mock-up alone, with another purchasing a Spitfire pilot’s uniform, medals and log book for £14,000.
A Willys MB Jeep also managed to sell for £12,500, with a shooting gallery going under the hammer for £6,000.
The theme park’s Victorian village was even purchased by the Durham-based tourist attraction Kynren.
Despite needing to transfer the village some 450 miles, Kynren CEO Anna Warnecke said: "The level of detail and authenticity in the Flambards Victorian Village is simply astonishing.
"To be able to bring this world to life as part of The Storied Lands is a dream come true.
"The shopfronts, interiors, and artifacts will provide an incredible setting for a truly immersive show that will transport audiences back to the heart of Victorian England.
"We cannot wait to unveil this spectacular experience as part of our new park."
However, the auctioning off of the iconic items also came after local fans of the former funfair were left devastated by the closure decision.
One said: "It's awful seeing it like this."
A second added: "We went there a week before they announced it was closing. Glad we went one last time, but you could tell things were being wound down."
A third chimed: "I'm truly gutted Flambards has had to close. Just wish I'd been there a few more times in the final years!"
Another agreed: "It is very sad it's closed, nothing here for kids to visit now. How long until it's all flattened and houses are all built there!"
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Bosses at Flambards Theme Park in Cornwall announcement the attraction’s closure suddenly last year after 49 years in business.
"It is with great regret we have to announce Flambards Theme Park will close its doors permanently with immediate effect,” a statement released in November 2024 said.
"This difficult decision was reached only after all possible avenues had been exhausted and we fully recognise the impact of this closure on the local community and the sense of loss that it may bring.
"Despite significant and ongoing investment since its rescue from closure in 2012 by the current owners, rising costs and a steady decline in visitor numbers have made the park’s operation and further investment unsustainable.
"Over the years, Flambards has strived to evolve, overcoming numerous challenges to continue bringing joy to families and visitors from across the region."
However, following two days of sales on March 26 and March 27, iconic artefacts and exhibitions were sold.
The items, which ranged from a Concorde cockpit mock-up to a half-scale Rolls-Royce engine, were flogged for around £200,000.
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One punter paid £17,000 for the Concorde mock-up alone, with another purchasing a Spitfire pilot’s uniform, medals and log book for £14,000.
A Willys MB Jeep also managed to sell for £12,500, with a shooting gallery going under the hammer for £6,000.
The theme park’s Victorian village was even purchased by the Durham-based tourist attraction Kynren.
Despite needing to transfer the village some 450 miles, Kynren CEO Anna Warnecke said: "The level of detail and authenticity in the Flambards Victorian Village is simply astonishing.
"To be able to bring this world to life as part of The Storied Lands is a dream come true.
"The shopfronts, interiors, and artifacts will provide an incredible setting for a truly immersive show that will transport audiences back to the heart of Victorian England.
"We cannot wait to unveil this spectacular experience as part of our new park."
However, the auctioning off of the iconic items also came after local fans of the former funfair were left devastated by the closure decision.
One said: "It's awful seeing it like this."
A second added: "We went there a week before they announced it was closing. Glad we went one last time, but you could tell things were being wound down."
A third chimed: "I'm truly gutted Flambards has had to close. Just wish I'd been there a few more times in the final years!"
Another agreed: "It is very sad it's closed, nothing here for kids to visit now. How long until it's all flattened and houses are all built there!"
Find Out More...