The Lost American Adventure Theme Park - Part 1

[@bonniescott2733]

My chest hurts watching this. My whole family used to go here pretty much yearly and it's so sad knowing it's all gone.

[@50sRockChick]

I used to love this place. They sold The Missile ride to Pleasurewood Hills In Norfolk. It’s still there now.

[@katf3155]

My dad used to take me and my brother here in the early 90s. They are some of my fondest childhood memories. I visited the site about 10 years ago and it was a strange feeling to walk around the empty park.

[@GlenFair]

I've noticed a pattern with Trevor Hemmings, the billionaire guy who took over this park. It happened here, it happened at Pontins Hemsby, Pontins Wall Park, Pontins Tower Beach, Pontins Middleton Tower. Pontins Blackpool. He runs something into the ground then applies for planning permission to cover it with housing. The planning is rejected so he closes the park and leaves it sitting there forlorn and abandoned for a few years until the local council get fed up and eventually agree to his planning application. The only time it failed was at Pontins Jersey.

[@AdventureMe]

Yeah sounds like they have a track record for this. If only we knew back then

[@Clara-ph7my]

It is so sad, quite emotional looking at the before and now. All that excitement and fun, just vanished like it never existed. Thank you for restoring, long lost memories

[@rachaelhardcastle5158]

Fab Sunday night viewing as always Darren - who needs a TV licence when we have your fantastic videos - love them! ❤

[@AdventureMe]

I always watch KZbin over TV haha

[@rachaelhardcastle5158]

@@AdventureMe me too these days lol 😂

[@markymark-r]

I agree, tv license is a massive con in the modern world with fantastic KZbin channels like this one.

[@Kimmy-pw8tm]

Same, I rarely look at a Tv screen. Unless I switch youtube over to my big screen. Darren you're not bad looking close up!😮

[@xlr82u]

Honestly, KZbin content is FAR better than anything on TV these days

[@colettemikaelson160]

its sad really how many of our theme parks we have lost. I went to American adventure on a school trip and loved it. thats gone, frontier land in morecombe gone and lightwater valley as we knew it gone.

[@mshossain1439]

I’m 48 years old now and I went there when I was 13 with school. I still remember it like it was yesterday.

[@sqwidink1]

1993 I was a teenager. Was a great place to go!

[@sqwidink1]

1993 I was a teenager. Was a great place to go!

[@lindakirk698]

O how wonderful. Just happened on this. I visited the park in July 2000. It was my hubbies surprise 50th birthday outing. We had already done the "Driving a Steam Train" bit & this was the continuation of the day of childhood dreams - "Cowboys & Indians"!!!We lived near Castle Donington airport & took our 2 grown dayghters & 1 future son in law for the day out- Hubby had no idea what was planned! We managed to get hubby on that big swinging drop! We had a fab time. Some sections were not quite like Alton Towers but we still remember a fab day. Dont even know where the photos have gone. 23 yrs gone since then & still a fab memory Thank you so much. I shall have to save this & get hubbg & the family to watch. Good job!!! Xx Would love to have all those clips of the rides together on one access point.

[@mr-nobody-on-youtube]

Fantastic video, we are pretty local and have so many memories of the place. It's really sad to see it becoming such a sterile suburban nothingness.

[@AdventureMe]

Couldn't agree more!

[@danj3789]

The collioery was always the bit that confirmed to the excited childhood me that we were there, I was lucky enough to have gone 4 times during the 90's, some of the best memories of my childhood, life even, are based there. I remember it incredibly well, may as well have been yesterday so it's scary to know it's been 19 years since it shut. So many memories. It was good that at least urban explorers got to see a fair bit before it was lost for good so it's demise is well chartered. Quite an emotional watch to be fair!

[@user-dk6jb6hq9t]

Fantastic video. Used to love this place as a kid and watching this video i feel like I was almost back there

[@AdventureMe]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@seinov714]

I did visit the park once in 2004 for my sister's birthday. From about 2020, I contemplated coming to the site to see what became of it. So, I briefly came here at the beginning of last year and yeah, it was pretty fascinating to see some remnants of the park and I could recognise some areas. Still, in a way, it's good to see this area having new development but still kind of sad in another way.

[@oldhamer111]

Love these nostalgia resort videos. Thank you and keep up the good work!

[@AdventureMe]

Glad you like them!

[@AutoShenanigans]

Yes mate... Love a theme park video.

[@AdventureMe]

Theme parks are my true passion. Probably can tell. Thanks matey

[@AutoShenanigans]

@@AdventureMe I like all your videos but the theme park ones seem to be just that little bit betterer. You got anything in the works for pleasure island, Cleethorpes?

[@AdventureMe]

Yes. When I get there one day soon. Plenty of others too.

[@waynepaxford7263]

Great video Darren very interesting I do like these old videos bit of history I can't wait for part 2

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks 👍

[@Joober2000]

Ace video Darren. Absolutely breaks my heart seeing the housing estate there instead. I loved that place, so many great memories.

[@AdventureMe]

You and me both!

[@cyberleaderandy1]

I went there a few times when they had movie days etc with a costuming group, dress as a Stormtrooper etc. It was a lovely place and its really sad its gone.

[@samseptember6404]

Fantastic video, you would have thought the council would let the park be expanded and welcome the revenue. Real shame as it was quite a cool place, I remember the super looper was always closed! Also, the editing at the end with the drone, and the fading of the old photo’s is absolutely amazing. Your editing really is something else. Thank you for taking the time.

[@AdventureMe]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@mtem2253]

Superb...also sad remembering the times i visited the park

[@RaggyAl1971]

Still got the picture that was taken of me aged 19 on the Missile ride,i'm 52 now!

[@malcolmrichardson3881]

Very enjoyable and interesting exploration of what was and what might have been with more investment and imagination. It seems. as so often in the UK, that a mixture of short-terminism, greedy asset-stripping (and possibly, inflexible local planning regulations) sealed its fate. From the video footage, the concept and the original attractions looked very impressive and popular. But, when things begin to look run-down and uncared for, then interest fades and people look for alternatives. Thank you. Look forward to the next instalment.

[@DarkEnchantressOfAllThee]

Fantastic video Darren! Really loved this, its made my sunday, I'm really excited for next weeks episode and the week after! Your lost theme park content is some of the best work I've seen on KZbin!

[@AdventureMe]

Ahh thanks mate. That means a lot. I did put some hours into this.

[@louisekinsley718]

Local Derby girl here, saw it as Brittania Park twice and as American Adventure several times. Lots of memories for myself and family and friends, great to see this on your channel.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks for sharing!

[@MORONSUK]

Great video. I worked there for the 1993 season in the stores keeping all of the food outlets stocked up. It wad a great park then.

[@mustang-hovercraft]

Great video! Mr Broome owned Trentham Gardens for a period, a short distance from Alton Towers. He had grandiose plans for the site, and put forward proposals in 1982 which would see it transformed into an 'American style' park based on 'Wet'N'Wild' in Florida. The plans never materialised, and he sold the site to the NCB. Mining subsidence was in part blamed for the collapse of his vision.

[@GlenFair]

Broome had grandiose plans for Battersea, Trentham and American Adventure but it all came to nowt.

[@DCI-Frank-Burnside]

I remember the gunslinging frontier cowboys with Midlands accents 😂

[@AdventureMe]

Yeah I remember the bad American accents

[@MarkGFRex]

Thanks for making this video, it brought back many happy memories from my late teens and early 20's. We used to visit a couple of times a year so it was good to see the archive footage. I now cycle around the park once or twice a month and still mumble to myself at the loss.

[@markeone]

I really enjoy the work, effort and production of these videos. You mention Chessington in this video as being maybe first or a bit later. Technically Chessington Zoo opened in 1931 which a small part of what is now Chessington World of Adventures, which did open it's door fully in 1987 as a 'theme' park. As a kid Chessington was my growing up area. I'll look forward to any productions on our old sites. Thank you!

[@AdventureMe]

I think the new John wardley themed Chessington opened the month after this park did.

[@CX23882]

Great video as usual. I love how much effort goes into your videos - especially matching the historic photos with present day, and the hours of research that clearly go into finding the facts. I went to the American Adventure in the early 90s and remember looking at their website in 2006 but being underwhelmed by the list of attractions by that point, so never revisited before it closed.

[@AdventureMe]

Thank you very much! Yes it did take me a few weeks to make these ones.

[@gameoverman2836]

Amazing video, thanks Darren. So many great memories here.. sad to see it’s gone now. The missile was my first ever roller coaster.

[@AdventureMe]

And mine as you will see in the next episode

[@danielkettle9991]

My dad took me when I was younger loved the park wish it was still there and get some child memories back so sad seeing how it is now every time I see a video of it, another great video I'm looking forward to the next one, of American Adventure would be nice if they built a similar one somewhere in the UK.

[@mikenewbold1699]

the missile was my first proper roller-coaster cried my eyes out on that late 90's.

[@ReBuildMusic]

I cried pretty much the whole way through this, being from Derby we went here often as a family and my Dad died 2 years ago, something about closed theme parks just makes me very sad and nostalgic. Thanks for the video.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks for watching

[@jeffdayman8183]

Nice one Darren! it was quite a park. Cheers!

[@shirleylynch7529]

How tragic and sad to see what has been lost. Those men and the council should be ashamed. Thank you Darren for telling its story and history. You are keeping it alive in people’s memories.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Shirley

[@handsoffmycactus2958]

The council are nasty and arrogant.

[@martinmarsola6477]

Thank you for the sad, but realistic video today. See you on the next, Darren. Cheers mate! 😮

[@vincentpilsworth3195]

That's made me so emotional..had so many many memories..really sad that's its gone ...but like u said ..it still lives on in so many hearts

[@beechy006]

Love these trips down memory lane, had been a few times but struggling to remember much beyond going on the slight shot bungee, one of the highest around from memory? Thanks for the effort you put in to the still shots fading in / out, always a highlight

[@AdventureMe]

Yeah the highest in Europe if I recall

[@roberte5303]

That was excellent and brought back some memories.

[@David-R-Hall]

Yet another well crafted and put together video, thank you Darren. I loved this park when it was open, many happy memories there. I’ve still got a souvenir guide and some of the old park maps/leaflets. RIP John Broome

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks 👍. Yes sad news about John

[@richardhalliday6469]

Another good one Darren, I can only endorse the other comments made praising your productions, always well thought out content , interesting historical background and, as always, a liitle soft spot of nostalgia as we look back on these reminders of the family recreation days we all so fondly remember - happy days Darren , happy memories - great work.

[@AdventureMe]

Much appreciated!

[@hyper2high]

Gutted! I never went here but frequently went to Camalot! Its so sad to see childhood memorys gone forever👍

[@AdventureMe]

So sad

[@steveader]

I visited this theme park during the 90s, on at least 3 occasions. Quite a drive for us. We realised on our last visit (possibly early 0'ies) that the park had had better days. I seem to remember a Rally Attraction on our last visit. Maybe that dates it. Can't understand the desire to shift the main opening entrance, which I remember so well. You entered at the top of the slope and you could basically see the whole theme park and it's attractions laid out before you. Very exciting for youngsters. As you walked down into the park, I recall passing fake, comic Western style grave stones\crosses. Really enjoyed this place. A short lived attraction, but very memorable. Great video. Very informative and obviously done with love. 👍

[@rob28781]

I used to visit my Aunt in Nottingham every summer holidays in the late 80s and The American Theme Park was always the highlight of the trip for me. I think that's why I still have a strong interest in the American West. Great video!

[@lizlilliman3644]

I used to visit as a kid and loved it. My last visit was as an adult in 2001 , it was a dull windy school day and I think there where probably about 6 visitors in the park.

[@R0n8urgundy]

Amazing photo fade’s with the drone.

[@AdventureMe]

Thank you 🙌

[@PhilEmmaandBen]

Fantastic video. My mum and dad used to take us here in its hay day and I remember riding the missile for the first time. It was unlike anything in the UK. Looking forward to part 2, I’m hoping you will visit the old Frontierland site in Morecambe whilst it’s still a derelict site. Keep up the great work.

[@AdventureMe]

Hoping to

[@duke2512]

Thanks Darren. Been waiting for this one! Such great memories there and such a shame its gone.

[@AdventureMe]

Yes it was

[@garyholtontribute]

I used to walk my dogs around the derelict site after the park had closed, it was so eerily quiet yet peaceful. There were plenty of remnants left and ex-staff members had left home-made plaques marking the positions of the rides and buildings etc.

[@AdventureMe]

Wish I'd gone to see. But I would have been even more gutted

[@bunkerboy02]

Did you get any photos etc?

[@TheRattyBiker]

The photo fade king is back in action!

[@AdventureMe]

Haha. Even more in the next parts

[@spunkymonkie]

You should film at Legoland Windsor looking back at when it was Windsor Safari Park

[@roadsandrails]

Brilliant video, I remember by dad taking me in the mid 90's, I remember 'how bizarre' being on the radio on the way, which was new at the time. I also remember it being the first place I was ever served fish with skin on! I think it was in one of the blue buildings that were in your video at the end. It's strange what you remember, other than the log flume and rapids I don't remember many of the rides. It's a shame it closed, sounds like the council didn't really want it there and made it impossible to improve it to survive.

[@AdventureMe]

Yes the blue fin I think it was called.

[@daviespaulaann8913]

Brilliant video

[@bunkerboy02]

Fantastic video this. I visited the American Adventure Theme Park on four occasions and this video gave me such a nostalgia fix. I felt sad too because this park could have been immense and seeing the plans for what could have evolved there made me even sadder. Once houses go on land we will never turn it back. Thank you.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks. Part two is out now

[@davidmaguire5510]

Miss this place it was amazing and had so much fun there loads off fond memories there 😢

[@katiedales582]

I remember going on the rapids and getting wet😂. Great video.

[@AdventureMe]

You and me both!

[@kevinseymour8793]

Never had the chance to visit any of those parks owned once by Granada, some of the theming looked world class, I know we have parks that are vulnerable right now, but I don't think they are on the same level as the American Adventure, as always your wonderful faded in footage especially from the drone shots, allowing us to relive what it would have been like to visit. Outstanding work, thank you

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks. Some better ones in the next episodes.

[@lindonMRL]

I love the music and fade ins .gives it a special nostalgic feel ..your research must take time ..love it

[@sampoole9549]

I remember when Camelot first opened, they had a section with Wild West theming. I wonder if that was moved here? I only visited once in the early 90’s. Great video, looking forward to part 2.

[@AdventureMe]

I'm not sure. maybe

[@AntonyBarnes]

I remember going the one time in the Mid 90s. The Missile was my favourite thing, even though it wrecked my shoulders. Years later I looked for the area after seeing pictures on an Urbex site. I found it, and the whole site was fenced off, but you could see in from the footpath that surrounded it. I'd seen the plans online about turning it into Shipley Lakeside a long time ago.

[@T200026]

My kids and I would go there every weekend with my mum who had vouchers to get in free, I can remember going when it was just Britannia park and being local it was easy to get to, having been there a few times before the houses being built after closure and seeing parts of the buildings still there was very weird, my mother loved the flying island, I loved the Missile ride, the locals never wanted a theme park there and got a petition up to try to stop it. Great video.

[@peterthornton2396]

My dad took us in the 90s and the whole way there we listened to war of the worlds. Great memory

[@OutandAboutWithDavid]

0:45 Great into. What would the park be like today? Thank you for the history on the American Adventure.

[@ShokaLion]

I had no idea how big the plans had been. I just remember when it changed to Adventure World and they started adding in upcharge attractions was when it started that slow downward spiral to the end. Still makes me sad thinking of this park. In the 90s, when it was still loved and maintained, it was amazing.

[@ayeuphutchy9807]

Hi Darren. Excellent post as usual. Would love you to do a video of the old Belle Vue amusement park/zoo that we used to have in Manchester. Just a distant memory now but fondly remembered by many.🙂

[@AdventureMe]

Yes. On my list. Keep your eyes peeled

[@terryquest]

I fitted all the draught drink equipment into the kiosks across the park. I remember it all being turned into the American Adventure Park. Happy memories here.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks for watching

[@oddsandwindsocks5905]

Great content as always Darren, yes very sad seeing the area now compared to all the fun and joy which went on all those years ago.

[@AdventureMe]

Tell me about it ☹️

[@Neweratourismandevents]

This is really sad. Still miss America Adventure loads. When the Park first shut, I used to own some of their original signs.

[@aligiff17]

Couldn't click on this quick enough, Darren, I love these types of video & you make them to perfection, this park was one we used to frequent a lot as it was only an hour away, I loved the different levels tbh, esp the walk down to the bridges & that little stream below it that ran over the rocks, very picturesque site, your fades are kind of eerie but lovely at the same time, can't wait for part two, they're so good, a great watch, tfs 👍😊

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks. I did put some hours into these.

[@RaggyAl1971]

Went three times to it,the last time was not long before it closed.

[@celticecho]

I remember visiting The American Adventure when Wolf and Warrior from Gladiators visited. One of my brothers and I met them both in one of the shops - if memory serves, it was a sweet shop of some description.

[@JD-wn3cc]

Really good video Darren. Great coverage of the history and the blending of the old and new photos is second to none. I went here in its early years and loved it, although I was very young and I only had lightwater valley as a comparison. From what you say, it had a rocky start but that expansion plan could have set something really strong in motion for a large and healthy theme park. It's really strange that it wasn't supported at the time. There must have been some egos and emotions on the councils side of things, given they were the ones who had stepped in a few years earlier to support it becoming AA after the failed brittania land. Thinking in the present mindset and how long its been gone, at least there's some silver lining that it's been developed into much needed housing

[@AdventureMe]

I think they got a lot of flack over the Britannia park fiasco and they never liked it after that.

[@jasonsilkstone-qn4xx]

Smashed it again Darren brilliant watch can’t wait for part two I never got to visit it

[@UKThemeParks]

This was a brilliant watch, I never got to visit American Adventure, amazing how many parks now have changed to "children's focus" and failed. Would love to have gone here.

[@AdventureMe]

You would have loved it. In its early days it was so good and probably better themed that the merlin parks today. But it didn't last long.

[@UKThemeParks]

It really did look it, the Log flume looks insane. Glad i've got on most the moved rides but that is one park that got away. Can't wait for part 3!@@AdventureMe

[@lynneleverton8825]

I'd never heard of this theme park but the video is really interesting! I remember taking my children to Alton Towers about 1987 for the first time and it seemed quite developed.

[@AdventureMe]

Yes Alton towers came first. But it was more of a fairground. No theming. Until the 90s.

[@tjweston1]

Brilliant and informative video as always ❤

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks so much!

[@kirstie_alice]

Fantastic video, but it also made me so sad. I never truly appreciated this place until it was gone. I remember Aliens at Motion Master and also Robocop and, my favourite, Secrets Of The Lost Temple.

[@melaniesurgeon6610]

This was great a great video. I love the then/now shots! I only went there a couple of times in the early 90s but it's crazy how much I remember about it - including the 'mall'! It's also a little crazy how much nostalgia I feel for the park. On to part 2 - Thanks so much!

[@AdventureMe]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@ruthbrierley1798]

Remember going here in about 1990. Happy days!

[@leonbero1974]

Brilliant absolutely class publication m8

[@thewiseoldrailroadingbear666]

Another great video, thank you! It does sadly, make me feel melancholic when I think of all we have lost. This was a great park, many happy memories!

[@AdventureMe]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@fatlad5090]

seen a video on KZbin. Urbex video of this place. they was still a lot there in there video

[@GemiZZle]

Such a blast from the past, so many memories of this place from the rodeo shows to being tricked by my aunt to go on my very first rollercoaster, i remember going to see the last firework show of the year, i also remember mot knowing the park had closed and making the bus trip from Derby to Ilkeston so spend a Saturday there with a school friend and being utterly heart broken when we got off the bus and the place was deserted and closed.

[@AdventureMe]

Sad times

[@thewiseman80]

I only went once to this park, I think when the missle opened and still have something from the park, a plastic lasoo on an elastic string. Was my dads best friend who us himself and his son to the park and sadly brian who took us here and camelot died a year ago today, so watching brings back memories.

[@pyrodoll2422]

Excellent as always, the flying island fades were especially good. I'd never even heard of the park before.

[@richardbrooks50]

Loved going here,it had the only triple drop log flume I seem to remember

[@jakepower2631]

Unlocking some core childhood memories for me there of my dad taking me and my brother to all the theme parks throughout the 90s & 00s. Keep up the good work mate 🙏👌

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks bud. Yeah my dad took me too

[@lindsayarmitage3474]

Another great video Darren 😊

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks again!

[@christelbraune4530]

Kann mir gut vorstellen, das war eine schöne Zeit. Voller Abenteuer 😂. Danke Darren war ein großartiges Video 👍👍❤

[@Fattus99]

Fantastic video but also very sad. I remember the park well from 90,s to 00’s. It’s also a shame that MFN has now gone too. 😢

[@xlr82u]

What a great video. Unfortunately I never went to the American Adventure, despite living about 10 miles from it in the early 90's. Can't help thinking how short sighted, unimaginative and unhelpful local councils can be! Such a shame the park wasn't given the investment and attention it needed in the latter years.

[@DisneyMarkUK]

What a waste, wouldn’t you think there was still a market for UK theme parks like American Adventure. Great video as always Darren.

[@AdventureMe]

I think so yeah

[@simoncarter6281]

Hi I would just like to say many thanks for your video . Because my late Dad Brian Carter of Derbyshire County council was one of the people responsible for the Shipley land , and yes I can remember my dad taking me on the site . So many thanks . All the Best Simon Carter

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Simon

[@heybigbender]

Just found your channel and I'm amazed! Fantastic video work, fantastic commentary, and some fantastic ambient music thrown in. So yeah, fantastic haha.

[@AdventureMe]

Thank you very much! Welcome aboard

[@koolstup]

Awesome video as ever, love the drone stuff and photo fades. I never got to go here 😢 but it looks like such a rural peaceful place, not somewhere to build houses 😤. I suppose it was quite near Alton Towers and Drayton Manor Park, so probably survival of the fittest. Pray for Lightwater, RIP John Broome.

[@AdventureMe]

It's not rural. Just a few miles from Nottingham and in some very built up towns.

[@ponyboymb]

Wicked video 📸✌🏼👌🏻🙏🏻💯 as Always 👌🏻 Never went here, heard of it! Brilliant fade ins and Outs 💯 hope this week finds you well ✌🏼🙏🏻

[@AdventureMe]

Thank you 🙌

[@robwilkinson11]

This is amazing! Some amazing memories of The American Adventure. Thank you for this

[@AdventureMe]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jetsons101]

Really like the ghosting of the drone video over the vintage film footage. The Concord at (2:37) is/was flying art in motion. Granada TV from Manchester ??? The vintage film showing the western theming reminds of Knott's Berry Farm. As a citizen of the American West, I approve of "The American Adventure" theme park, only with I could have enjoyed it. Thanks Darren for posting.... mike

[@AdventureMe]

Yeah Granada from Manchester

[@jetsons101]

@@AdventureMe Mr. Zero years back did, I think, a vid on Granada TV..... Thanks

[@paulbeesley5743]

Great video as usual I love the content. I ran what was the Ridemad site, I had to give it up due to work commitments but I do have a heap of photos from the final year if you ever wanted to use any in the future, im happy to share. Sadly no video just stills.

[@AdventureMe]

I used to frequent ridemad back in the day. Yes that would be awesome, I haven't finished part three yet. [e-mail]

[@paulbeesley5743]

@@AdventureMe Just dropped you a note with a link. Thanks.

[@Technaudio]

Quite a few bits of scenery & props ended up at Malc Allured's former pub MFN, about a mile to the NE from the original American Adventure entrance on Pit Lane.