AN ICONIC park with a pig theme, crazy golf and train rides has been demolished to make way for housing.
Devon residents have been left devastated by plans to demolish the Once Upon a Time holiday destination.
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After reportedly lying semi-abandoned for many years, the attraction was approached by a real estate developer in 2004.
It was initially reported that the first offer of £500,000 was turned down by the theme park owners.
But the developer made a late offer of £800,000, which was ultimately accepted.
The attraction was then unfortunately closed at the end of the 2005 season.
One fan said: “I’m still so devastated that they got rid of Once Upon a Time, as a kid I loved it there.”
Another added: “I’m so sad my kids never got the chance to experience this too!”
A third recalled: “I went here so many times as a kid, whenever we went on a family holiday to Devon!”
“It’s a shame there’s no footage of the building with all those fairytale animations.”
One of them also shouted: “I love it here and I wish with all my heart it was still open so I could take my kids.”
She added: “This made me fall in love with the smurfs! I used to collect them.
“Ohhh the memories. I’m so sad that Once Upon a Time is no more”
Another said: “We also went there in the 1990s when ours were little, oh what good times!”
The theme park was famous for its mascot – a large pink pig named Pippa.
Pippa appeared on every sign and greeted families as they arrived.
Birthday parties hosted by the mascot would include happy birthday songs for children in a play area and restaurant.
Aimed mainly at a younger audience, you were also able to take a child driving test on its iconic race tracks, where children would receive their exclusive certificate.
Much of the iconic venue was demolished in 2007, with most of the attractions auctioned off – leaving just the main building and platforms in place.
After being sold to property developers, it remained untouched for several years before the new project began.
Developers plan to build seven affordable housing units and 37 vacation accommodation units.
The development will be known as Atlantic Lodge Holiday Park as a mix of permanent and holiday homes.
It appears as a once bustling theme park with water rides and fairground attractions, now an abandoned shell.
The Cornish tourist site had a toboggan run, go-karts and an assault course.
It also boasted an indoor adventure games center, a lake for boating and bumper boats.
Abandoned theme parks in the UK
HERE are just some of the abandoned theme parks in the UK.
Border, Morecambe
The Lancashire amusement area was abandoned in 2000 and has been an eyesore for the city’s inhabitants ever since.
The abandoned theme park had a rich history of over 90 years of service, but unfortunately had to close permanently at the start of the millennium.
The site sits empty and vacant, with the local council now trying to revive it back to its glory days.
Pleasure Island, Cleethorpes
Lincolnshire Park has been closed since 2016.
The decline in visitor numbers led to the park’s decline and eventual closure, with the sale of attractions.
Meanwhile, Camel Creek Adventure Park in Cornwall has launched holiday accommodation after going into administration last year.
Plans revealed earlier this year included caravans, safari tents and glamping pods, as well as amenities blocks with showers and toilets.
The theme park was able to reopen in March with three new attractions.
They included a pirate-themed adventure golf course, a 7,000-square-foot playground inspired by the magical Merlin, and an indoor playground and cafe.
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This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
