The famous wildlife park entertained families for 27 years before closing down forever - now it lies desolate and abandoned, with nature reclaiming its derelict premises.08:17, 03 Jun 2026Updated 08:17, 03 Jun 2026A cherished Welsh wildlife park which captured the hearts of the local community shut its doors permanently after 27 wonderful years, and those who experienced it during its prime still can't stop singing its praises.‌Penscynor Wildlife Park was once the top choice for school excursions and memorable family outings, with the much-loved animal attraction holding the unofficial crown as south Wales' essential visit for people of all ages for many years.‌During its peak, the wildlife park was so well-known that its distinctive menagerie logo sticker appeared on virtually every car's rear window. The emblem even featured on the CD cover for rock outfit Liberty 37's track When We Say.‌Creatures including sea lions, penguins, marmosets, various bird species, polecats, muntjac deer, snakes, meerkats and monkeys made the Cilfrew wildlife park in Neath their home, and for Welsh grown-ups, simply mentioning the venue immediately transports them back to their youth.How the much-loved wildlife park beganPenscynor Wildlife Park's creation was almost accidental.‌In 1966, Neath builder Idris Hale purchased the run-down Penscynor House in Cilfrew. His passion for wildlife had taken him abroad to Indonesia, and this beloved pastime rapidly transformed the sprawling 11-acre estate into home for an extensive private collection of exotic parrots - with numerous charity events organised to meet public demand to view the birds, reports Wales Online.By 1971, Idris had chosen to welcome the public to his wildlife park, with a high-profile launch featuring television personality Johnny Morris of Animal Magic TV fame firmly establishing its reputation. A period of prosperity ensued.The 1980s marked the true zenith of Penscynor's success, driven by an innovative new attraction - the alpine slide.‌The toboggan run was commonly attributed to Idris' vision - guests would ride a chairlift up the hillside, settle into a bucket seat, then regulate their speed on the way down, before repeating the experience.The attraction demanded a substantial £250,000 investment, an enormous figure for that era, yet it proved so popular that the costs were reportedly recovered within just 18 months of launching.The next significant change arrived in March 1996, when Idris' grandson, Jonathan Hale-Quant, assumed ownership of the park.‌Reflecting warmly on the venue, Jonathan told ITV Cymru Wales: "It started off in my grandfather's imagination. It was a ridiculous, impossible dream but one that he actually did create. There's no doubt that he was a visionary, with a touch of eccentricity thrown in for good measure."At its height, the site employed 40 permanent staff, swelling to 150 throughout the summer months, and with a quarter of a million visitors annually, it rapidly emerged as one of Wales' top three tourist destinations.‌Closure and what remains nowThe beloved wildlife park, which provided the setting for treasured lifelong memories for generations of Welsh families, met a tragic and dismal conclusion.Wales' unpredictable weather, declining attendance figures and inadequate financial returns ultimately resulted in Penscynor Wildlife Park's demise.While Jonathan was recognised for revitalising the park considerably, he eventually made the decision to shut down operations, telling BBC Wales Today: "It was borne out of one man's dream and commitment to the conservation and to education of future generations. But really if it's not paying for itself then it has to go.‌"It was difficult. You've got a lot of emotions, a lot of memories tied up."By 1998, the location had been deserted and all activities had stopped, and its 174 animals had been relocated. Starting in 1999, the park's northern section was transformed into 41 residential properties, and by 2005, Jonathan had listed Penscynor House for sale.‌Many of the enclosures remain standing, completely dilapidated and forsaken, and to this day, the wildlife park stays abandoned, reclaimed by nature, but still remarkably vivid in people's recollections.Abandoned but never forgottenMultiple Facebook groups and pages exist dedicated to the once-flourishing wildlife park's memory, and former visitors regularly post their most treasured memories of their trips online.While one Facebook user said, "Loved the place as a kid," another warmly remembered, "always went here as a 70s kid." One past visitor to the wildlife park added: "Brill day out as a child, shame to see it like this."‌Another person posted stunning photographs of the now-deserted location from the present day and said on Facebook: "Abandoned Penscynor Wildlife Park closed in 1998! I imagine a lot of people have fond childhood memories of this place. Part of it has since been converted into housing, whilst the rest is 'left to rot' and taken over by Mother Nature."Meanwhile another person shared: "Some snaps of penscynor wildlife park, gone but not forgotten... found the old monkey house, nature slowly taking back its land."Recalling the park's famous logo sticker, one person said: "Every car in Wales had this sticker [of Penscynor Wildlife Park] on the back window."‌While another former visitor described it as their "favourite place as a child".One spoke about their "fond memories" from the attraction: "It was a great place to spend the day. Even the scary pelican which used to peck you as it roamed free and of course the Gibbons on their island."‌While another Facebook user who had explored the site in its present condition said: "Any one been for a walk at the Old Penscynor Wildlife Park? I recommend it to anyone, truly amazing, it's like walking through Jurassic Park the Lost World."Opening up about the park, Jonathan previously told Wales Online: "I had a fantastic upbringing at the park. But it's been closed for more than 20 years now, and nature has reclaimed the park. I haven't been there for a long time."There is a twinge of sadness when you see these photos of what it looks like now. When I close my eyes I can see it exactly as it was, and these pictures conflict with what is in my head."Article continues belowHe went on to say: "I come from a close family, and I was glad that two of my daughters, who were aged five and eight, got to experience a year of the park while it was open. I wish my third daughter had the same opportunity."It was an incredible way to grow up, and it taught me and my sister a massive amount about life."