Urban explorers have been inside the deserted theme park that closed its doors in March 2025 after four decades, and the iconic Megafobia wooden rollercoaster is still standing07:54, 21 May 2026Urban explorer investigates abandoned log flume with sensors still workingThe 1990s represented something of a golden era for British theme parks. During that decade, market leader Alton Towers was pulling in over three million visitors annually. Today, that figure stands at an impressive, yet far less lucrative, two million.‌Smaller operators have fared far worse, disappearing altogether. Oakwood Theme Park, in Pembrokeshire, shut its gates in March 2025 after its owners confirmed it was closing following four decades of operation, citing "challenges presented by the current business environment", and a decline in financial performance "making further investment unsustainable."‌Today, many of its attractions remain abandoned. Urban explorers from the Urbandoned collective managed to gain access to the deserted site, capturing images of the much-celebrated Megafobia rollercoaster, which helped Oakwood achieve an all-time attendance record of 500,000 visitors during the 1996 season.‌"We'd heard that one of the main roller coasters is being dismantled currently," Alastair from Urbandoned revealed in a recent video. "So, it's kind of the last chance to to see it in a somewhat abandoned state."The wooden rollercoaster, Megafobia, was constructed in 1996 at a cost of £1.7 million. It now stands as a sorry reminder of the heyday of British theme parks. Its somewhat ramshackle appearance was entirely intentional, according to the explorers. "They always make them to look as rickety as possible...you wouldn't trust it," they said.‌Certain attractions are reportedly being dismantled for relocation. The Speed rollercoaster, for instance, is anticipated to relocate to a French theme park. Other sections of the venue remain untouched.At one stage Alastair and his companions are startled when a motion-sensor triggers sound effects within Oakwood's log flume attraction.Accessing a closed theme park can naturally prove extremely hazardous, which is why the property's owners employ round-the-clock security personnel to prevent trespassers.‌"After covering more than we had hoped, our luck would eventually run out," the explorers reveal as they're discovered by a security guard.The security guard proves courteous yet resolute as he instructs them to depart. He acknowledges they've experienced a "lot of call-outs" concerning trespassers at the abandoned venue.‌A fundamental principle of urban exploration dictates that explorers must inflict no damage upon buildings they access, and must never remove anything. Alastair from Urbandoned explained: "At Oakwood, you could just walk in. It is a civil trespass law in England, meaning that entering either theme park isn't a criminal offence as long as we don't cause damage on-site, vandalise or steal."Urban exploration is typically classified as trespass – making it a civil rather than criminal issue, potentially resulting in legal proceedings from property owners. However, circumstances exist where trespassers face prosecution for criminal offences, particularly if they gain entry using force. Even during its operational years, Oakwood was not without its tragedies. Hayley Williams, a 16 year old from Pontypool, lost her life after plummeting from Hydro – a water ride that transported passengers in a 'boat' to heights exceeding 100ft before sending them hurtling down a near-vertical drop into the water below.‌The ride had been marketed by Oakwood as "Europe's fastest and wettest watercoaster". On April 15, 2004, Hayley had been taken to Oakwood as a special treat, accompanied by her younger sister and parents.During the Hydro ride, she was flung from her car because – as a subsequent inquest determined – "she was not properly restrained". She was airlifted to hospital but tragically succumbed to internal injuries.Article continues belowA fellow passenger on the same ride – 10 year old Martin Rothwell from Swansea – required treatment for head injuries after being struck by Hayley as she fell.The theme park was handed a £250,000 fine as a consequence. Hydro – which had cost £1.7m to construct and featured a nine-tonne 24-seater boat that plunged into a million gallons of water – was shut down for 12 months in the wake of the tragedy. It was subsequently renamed Drenched.The park's then chief executive, Patrick McNamara, said: "We are very sorry that this tragic accident happened and our thoughts, as always, are with the family at this difficult time."