The beloved Flambards theme park closes after nearly five decades, leading to an auction of its iconic rides and attractions amid declining visitor numbers.
A theme park in Cornwall, renowned for its heritage and charm, is auctioning off its rides and attractions following its closure due to escalating costs and a decline in visitor numbers. Flambards, which had operated since 1976, initially began as an aviation museum before transforming into a popular family destination featuring a Victorian Village exhibition, complete with over 60 shops set on historic cobblestone streets and themed attractions.
The park announced its immediate closure in November 2024, citing a “steady decline in visitor numbers” and “rising costs” as key factors. In a heartfelt statement shared on its Facebook page, the park expressed, “Flambards has been a cherished destination for generations, and it is with a heavy heart that we bid farewell.” This marked the end of nearly five decades of operation where Flambards was described as “Cornwall’s most beloved visitor attraction.”
With the Victorian Village sold earlier this year as a single entity, the remaining assets are now being auctioned by Lay’s Auctioneers in Penzance. The auction, which is taking place over two days, features over 1,200 lots, including a variety of rides and themed props. Among the items available for bidding is a full-scale wooden mock-up of the front half of a Concorde jet, projected to fetch between £10,000 and £20,000. This piece is considered historically significant, providing aviation enthusiasts with a rare opportunity to own a piece of flight history.
Also up for auction is a lifesize wax figure of former Prime Minister Winston Churchill, estimated to become one of the most valuable human models ever sold, with an expected final price ranging from £800 to £1,200. Additional notable items on the auction block include a Spectrum Sports Rocket Rascal Space Shuttle, a World War II US Army jeep, a unique hornet ice cream kiosk, and large fibreglass figures of beloved characters, such as Humpty Dumpty.
David Lay, director and founder of Lay’s Auctioneers, highlighted the intrinsic value of the collection, commenting, “The whole is so much greater than the sum of its parts.” He also noted the impact of Flambards on local culture, stating that the experience of walking through Flambards Village transported visitors to a notably historic past. He acknowledged the mixed emotions tied to the sale, saying, “Whilst we have all been enriched by the experience of cataloguing this remarkable collection, it has been tinged with sadness that this incredible creation… must now be dispersed.”
This auction not only signifies the end of an era for Flambards, but it also opens the door for memorabilia collectors and enthusiasts to acquire pieces of the beloved park, which has left an indelible mark on the memories of families and visitors across Cornwall.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://blooloop.com/theme-park/news/flambards-theme-park-closure/ – This article confirms that Flambards theme park in Cornwall closed due to rising costs and declining visitor numbers. It also mentions that Flambards had operated since 1976 and was known for its family-friendly attractions, which aligns with the description as Cornwall’s most beloved visitor attraction.
- https://www.timeout.com/uk/news/after-50-years-this-beloved-cornwall-theme-park-is-being-forced-to-close-110624 – This piece reports on Flambards’ closure, highlighting factors such as rising costs and declining visitor numbers alongside the park’s efforts to adapt with new attractions. It also discusses the impact on the local community.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbuNzInHi5I – This video provides a tribute to Flambards and explains the reasons behind its closure, including the retirement of older rides and maintenance challenges. It reflects on the park’s legacy and the mixed emotions tied to its end.
- https://www.noahwire.com – Although not directly accessed, this source is mentioned as providing original information about Flambards’ closure and the auctioning of its assets. The auction details would likely be covered here.
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/news – Presumably, local BBC news would cover the closure of Flambards and its impact on Cornwall, though a specific URL is not provided. This would align with comments from local figures like Andrew George mentioned in other articles.
- https://www.cornwalllive.com – Similarly, local news outlets like Cornwall Live would likely report on the closure and its significance to the community. However, a direct link is not available in the provided search results.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative mentions recent events including the park’s closure in November 2024 and an ongoing auction. However, there is no direct link to a very recent press release, and the context seems to follow typical news cycles.
Quotes check
Score:
5
Notes:
Direct quotes from David Lay and Flambards are mentioned, but no earlier reference to these specific quotes could be found online. The quotes appear original but lack external verification.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from Express.co.uk, a reputable publication in the UK. However, specific details about the auction and quotes depend on unverified online sources and press releases.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims about Flambards’ closure and auction are plausible given the current economic climate and are supported by context about rising costs and declining visitor numbers.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative provides plausible recent events and quotes from individuals involved, which align with typical business closures due to financial constraints. Originating from a reliable publication, the information appears trustworthy.
