Britain's oldest theme park forced to move rides away as it teeters on the edge of a cliff

Fintan Starkey
Tue, 07 Apr 2026 16:07:57 +0000

Britain's oldest theme park faces an uncertain future as coastal erosion continues to eat away at the land beneath it.

Blackgang Chine, situated on the Isle of Wight near Alum Bay, is welcoming visitors for its 183rd consecutive season amid fresh concerns about the stability of the terrain.

Recently captured drone footage has exposed the dramatic extent of landslips that have occurred in recent months, with the images showing rapid deterioration of the ground surrounding the attraction.

The footage reveals rides and attractions now perilously close to the eroding cliff edge, raising questions about the long-term viability of the historic site.

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Established in 1843 by Alexander Dabell, the park once drew Victorian holidaymakers eager to experience its dramatic seaside ravines and high-sided gorges where rivers met the ocean.

That original landscape has since been obliterated by successive landslides.

Over the past 75 years, approximately 350 metres of terrain has vanished into the sea, with rainfall gradually weakening the underlying clay layers.

The coastline in this stretch of the Isle of Wight, celebrated for its vibrant sand cliffs and waters, retreats by roughly three and a half metres annually.

Records of land movement in the vicinity date back to the 1700s, with major cliff collapses documented in 1928, 1961 and 1994.

The 1994 landslip proved particularly devastating, forcing the evacuation of homes, caravans and chalets from the area.

Several beloved attractions required relocation to safer ground inland, including Fairy Castle, subsequently renamed Fairyland, Cowboy Town, Snakes and Ladders, and Smugglers' Boat.

Park management maintains constant vigilance over ground conditions.

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A spokesman for Blackgang Chine stated: "We are always monitoring the land, and will take the appropriate action as and when it is needed safety of the staff, guests, as well as preserving any attractions, are always our top priority."

This ongoing surveillance has enabled the park to repeatedly shift endangered rides away from the crumbling coastal boundary.

Despite the threat, Blackgang Chine continues to operate with numerous attractions that have been successfully repositioned away from danger.

Visitors can still enjoy Fairyland, Cowboy Town, Rumpus Mansion, Pirate Cove, the Blackgang Express, Underwater Kingdom and Shankes and Ladders.

The Dabell family oversaw operations across four generations until Francis Richmond Dabell passed away in December last year at the age of 101.

Having managed the business since 1947, he earned recognition for his skilled handling of the challenging terrain to safeguard the attraction.

In 2023, the park introduced Extinction, a dramatic 360-degree swing positioned on the cliffside.