Dingles Theme Park Closes Just Two Months After Grand Opening
Hey everyone, I’ve got some pretty surprising and honestly disappointing news to share—especially if you’ve been looking forward to some family fun this year in Devon. Dingles Fun Park, the newly opened indoor amusement park in Lifton, has suddenly shut its doors—just two months after its grand opening. I know, it feels like it only just opened, and now it's already gone.
The announcement came totally out of the blue. On their website, the team behind Dingles simply stated: “We are very sorry to announce, due to unforeseen circumstances Dingles Fun Park is now closed.” That’s it. No big lead-up, no gradual warning—just a sudden and complete shutdown. They also confirmed that their upcoming Pop Fest tribute festival is cancelled and refunds are on the way for anyone who bought tickets.
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If you didn’t get a chance to visit, the park was set up on the site of the old Dingles Fairground Museum. It was an indoor venue that brought together classic fairground rides with a modern twist—things like the Waltzer, Dodgems, a Fun House, and more. The whole idea was to revive that nostalgic funfair energy while offering a fresh, family-friendly experience that was open all year round.
Park manager Tom Ellis spoke out, saying that while local support was amazing, the financial side of things just didn’t line up. The scale of the building and site meant rental costs were just too high to manage long-term. They couldn’t secure a lease that made sense for the business, and in the end, they had no choice but to pull the plug.
What’s even more heartbreaking is that this site already had a tough history. The previous attraction, the Dingles Fairground Heritage Centre, shut down in 2024, also due to financial issues, especially after the pandemic hit. It seems like the remote location and high overheads made it difficult for any operation to survive there.
And this isn’t an isolated case. Just a few weeks ago, Oakwood Theme Park in Wales—a park that’s been a family favorite for nearly 40 years—also announced its closure. Rising costs, declining visitor numbers, and the general strain on the amusement industry are taking their toll. We’re witnessing a worrying trend across the UK where beloved parks are disappearing faster than anyone expected.
It’s honestly sad to see. Dingles had real potential, and for a brief moment, it brought joy and excitement back to Devon families. The response from the community says it all—people had great experiences there. Comments online are filled with shock, nostalgia, and disappointment. It was a place that reminded many of their childhood, and for some, gave their kids the same kind of memories.
Let’s hope this isn’t a sign of things to come for more UK attractions. We need spaces like Dingles—places where families can just switch off from the world and have some carefree fun. But for now, we’re saying goodbye to what could’ve been a real gem in the South West.
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