SHUT DOWN
Beloved PIG-themed park with crazy golf & train rides ‘bulldozed for housing’
Gutted families have cried over how they 'loved it there'
AN ICONIC pig-themed park with crazy golf and train rides has been demolished to make way for housing.
Locals in Devon have been left devastated at plans to bulldoze the Once Upon A Time holiday destination.
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After reportedly lying semi-derelict for many years, the attraction was approached by a housing developer in 2004.
Initially, it was reported the first offer of £500,000 was refused by theme park owners.
But the developer then put in a late bid of £800,000 which was finally accepted.
The attraction was then unfortunately closed at the end of the 2005 season.
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One fan said: "I am still so gutted that they got rid of Once Upon A Time, as a child I loved it there."
Another added: "I am so sad my children never had the chance to experience it too!"
A third reminisced: "I went here so many times as a kid whenever we went for our Devon family holidays!"
"It's such a shame that there is no footage out there of the building with all of those fairytale animations."
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One also cried: "I absolutely loved it here and wish with all my heart it was still open so that I could take my kids"
She added: "It made me fall in love with the smurfs! I used to collect them.
Plans revealed for new UK theme park
"Ohhh the memories. I am so sad Once Upon A Time is no more"
Another said: "We went there too in the 1990's, when our's were little, oh the good days!"
The theme park, was notorious for its mascot - a large pink pig called Pippa.
Pippa was featured on all of the signs and would greet families as they came in.
Birthday parties hosted by the mascot would include happy birthday songs for children at a soft play area and restaurant.
Aimed at primarily younger audiences, you were also able to take a kids driving test on their iconic racing tracks, where children would receive their exclusive certificate.
Much of the iconic site was been demolished by 2007, with the majority of amusement rides auctioned off - leaving just the main building and platforms on the premises.
After it was sold to the housing developers, it lay untouched for several years before the new project began.
Developers plan to build of seven units of affordable housing and 37 units of holiday accommodation.
The development will be known as the Atlantic Lodge Holiday Park as a mix of permanent and holiday homes.
It comes as a once bustling theme park with water rides and fairground attractions is now an abandoned shell.
The tourist site in Cornwall had a tobogganing slope, go karts and an assault course.
It also boasted an indoor adventure play centre, a boating lake and bumper boats.
Abandoned theme parks in the UK
HERE are just some of the abandoned theme parks in the UK.
Frontierland, Morecambe
The Lancashire amusement area was left to rot in 2000 and has been an eyesore to townspeople ever since.
The abandoned theme park had a rich history of over 90 years in service, but sadly had to shut down permanently at the beginning of the millennia.
The site lays bare and empty, with the local council now trying to revive it back to its glory days.
Pleasure Island, Cleethorpes
The Lincolnshire park has been shut since 2016.
Dwindling visitor numbers led to the park's decline and eventual closure with rides being sold off.
Meanwhile, Camel Creek Adventure Park in Cornwall launched holiday accommodation after going into administration last year.
Plans revealed earlier this year included caravans, safari tents and glamping pods, as well as amenity blocks with showers and toilets.
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The theme park was able to reopen in March with three new attractions.
They included a pirate-themed adventure golf, a 7,000 square foot playground inspired by Merlin the magician and an indoor playground and cafe.
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