As Wales’s biggest theme park shuts its doors after four decades, locals are pointing the finger at a proposed ‘tourism tax’ they fear will drive away business.
Oakwood Theme Park in Pembrokeshire had been a much-loved entertainment staple for years.
The firm behind the attraction said it invested more than £25million since the park was saved from closure in 2008 – but it has finally reached its end.
Its owners blamed rising costs, as the government hikes up minimum wage and national insurance contributions, as well as sharp fuel price rises.
But locals tell a different story of a tourist tax, proposed by the Welsh government, which could be introduced in 2027.
The new levy would see visitors to the country charged £1.25 per night when they stay at B&Bs, hotels and self-catered accommodation.
Hostels and campsites would demand a lower rate of 75p.
The government believes the new law will be instrumental in funding services in tourism hotspots but residents fear it will deter visitors and reduce income.

Haunting photos show the empty theme park, with the Pirate Ship ride partially dismantled

The staple of west Wales has finally reached its end after many ups and downs

Colourful toy aeroplanes which used to swing around in a circle with delighted children sitting inside were pictured lined up in a row on the ground

Remains of rollercoaster tracks can be seen scattered around the park

The partially dismantled Dizzy Disk ride is pictured as the park is taken down

Oakwood had an array of rides, including toy taxis in a ‘mini London’ for children to explore
Many believe the potential impact of the tax was on the minds of Oakwood’s owners when they decided on its closure.
Kevin Hart, the manager of The Snooty Fox, a bar restaurant and caravan site, told The Sun: ‘How am I going to be able to sell up and retire now when the Welsh and national governments are doing their level best to destroy what we’ve spent 18 years building up?’
Mr Hart has been running the site, within walking distance of Oakwood, for 18 years. He said the theme park’s closure will have a devastating impact on his business and the imminent threat of a tourism tax fills him with greater dread.
And another local, Jenny, 45, said: ‘Once the dreaded tourist tax comes in, I don’t think anyone in their right mind will want to come to Wales.’
The proposed levy will be charged per person per night and will also apply to children.
The plans require new legislation, published on Monday, to be approved by the Welsh Parliament, with April 2027 as the earliest anticipated date of effect if all hurdles are passed.
If every council implemented the tax, the estimated funds raised would be £33million per year, although not every local authority is expected to opt in.
Stays of more than 31 nights will not be taxed, nor will people forced into homeless accommodation or in hostels be taxed.

The park, which opened in 1987, was originally owned by William McNamara – a Pembrokeshire farmer. Pictured is Oakwood left as a ghost town after the closure

Speed: No Limits was the fastest rollercoaster in Wales

The Pirate Ship ride is pictured in the background amongst the rubble


Pictured left is one of the pirates near the Pirate Ship ride. Pictured right is the abandoned ride Speed

Snake River Falls had several water slides for those who hate being flung in the air
Nostalgic people commented on social media to say they were ‘gutted’ and expressed how they felt ‘sad the park was left to rot’.
Just today, haunting photos emerged which showed the empty theme park in the process of being demolished, with the Drenched and Bounce coasters totally dismantled.
The Pirate Ship ride is in the process of being taken apart, and a section of track has been removed from Tree Tops ride.
The Pedalos have been removed from the water as the attraction is closed, as photos shared to Hidden Pembrokeshire – Gareth Davies Photography illustrate.
Colourful toy aeroplanes which used to swing around in a circle with delighted children sitting inside were pictured lined up in a row on the ground.
The crestfallen locals put up hand-drawn signs outside, reading ‘we love Oakwood’ and ‘don’t let the rides just rot’. Others read ‘save Oakwood’ and ‘open those gates’.
One parent said: ‘Very sad, many happy days on our holidays with our children.’
The park, which opened in 1987, was originally owned by William McNamara – a Pembrokeshire farmer.

Pictured are the abandoned twists and tracks at the park

The Snake River Falls ride is one of those yet to be taken down


Pictured is the boat part of the Pirate Ship ride, which was part of the Neverland area for younger visitors to enjoy
He went on to open another staple of the county’s entertainment industry – Bluestone water park – and sold Oakwood to Spanish leisure giant Aspro in 2008.
Oakwood was the scene of a tragedy in 2004, when 16-year-old Hayley Williams died after falling 100ft from the top of the Hydro ride, while a boy aged 10 was injured in the accident.
In 2008, Oakwood Leisure was fined £250,000 and ordered to pay £80,000 costs when it was revealed that basic safety procedures were widely ignored by staff overseeing the ride, which was later renamed Drenched.
Memories of the theme park have been shared by former employee Richard, 48, from the Welsh town of Pembroke Dock, who joined Oakwood in 1995 – with his father and two sons also working at the attraction.
He was there when the world-renowned rollercoaster Megafobia was installed in 1996 and has told the BBC he remembers thinking how impressive it was.
When Aspro took over, Richard stayed on but was let go in 2009, after 14 years of working there. He said he thinks Astro ‘underestimated’ the scale of maintaining the park.
The closure has left him feeling ’emotional’, but he plans to have a staff reunion this summer.
He said his father, who still worked at the park recently, would say ‘we only had so many people in today’, or they had to ‘close this ride because they didn’t have enough staff’.


Pictured are some of the abandoned rides at Oakwood

Vertigo hung thrill-seekers from the top by a cord before swinging them back and forth

The crestfallen locals have put up hand-drawn signs outside, reading ‘we love Oakwood’ and ‘don’t let the rides just rot’. Others read ‘save Oakwood’ and ‘open those gates’


Some of the rides have already been dismantled, but others are taking more work


One of the most popular rides was TreeTops, where visitors were hurled through the trees and weaved around them at high speeds

Hayley Williams 16, fell 100ft to her death from the Hydro ride at Oakwood Theme Park in 2004

The ride was later renamed as ‘Drenched’
Aspro Parks, the owner and operator of Oakwood, said it reached the ‘difficult decision’ to shut the park due to financial challenges caused by rising costs and declining visitor numbers.
Announcing the closure, a spokesperson for Aspro Parks Group said: ‘In the entire history of Aspro we have never closed any park or attraction.
‘We, and our dedicated team of staff has strived to overcome numerous challenges to continue to bring joy to families and visitors across the region and country.
‘Unfortunately, we could no longer see a sustainable way forward and will seek to improve our other parks using the assets and where possible team elsewhere.
‘We are aware that Oakwood has been a much-loved destination for generations and a rite of passage for many young visitors.
‘It is for this reason we feel such a sense of sadness.
‘We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the dedication and commitment of our team members past and present, suppliers and contractors who have loyally supported us and of course all those that have visited Oakwood Theme Park over the years. We are sincerely grateful.’
MailOnline has contacted the Welsh government for comment.