UK’s largest indoor waterpark faces demolition in North Shields
Wet 'n' Wild waterpark in North Shields may soon be demolished
An abandoned waterpark in North Shields, once the UK’s largest indoor facility, may soon face demolition after standing unused for four years. Wet ‘n’ Wild, which opened in 1993, held the title of the UK’s largest indoor waterpark. For nearly three decades, families enjoyed the lazy river and the Kamikaze water slide.
It featured Britain’s biggest water slide of the time, the 165-metre Black Hole, and became a favourite spot for children’s birthday parties and family outings. In 2001, the park even set a Guinness World Record for the first individual flume ride down its Tornado corkscrew double twister.
However, the park encountered several issues. Blackpool’s Sandcastle Waterpark, boasting 18 slides, overtook its title as the largest indoor waterpark in the UK. Financial problems led to its closure in 2013, but it reopened after Serco invested £1.1 million in refurbishments, including the reception, café, children’s play area, and boiler.
The abandoned water park Wet 'n' Wild in North Shields will soon be turned to rubble under demolition plans. It's in a sorry state and a far cry from when it was the UK's largest indoor water park when opened by Diane Youdale (Jet from Gladiators) in 1993. #wetnwild #northshields pic.twitter.com/dwbsbrl1Yc
— Mark Hume (@mark_hume) August 27, 2024
Despite these efforts, Wet ‘n’ Wild couldn’t sustain its operations and closed again in 2020 after entering administration. Hopes were briefly reignited when an unnamed buyer purchased the park this June.
A Serco Leisure spokesperson confirmed the sale, saying contracts had been exchanged with completion expected in August. However, plans to demolish the building have now emerged.
Bloom Developments Ltd submitted a planning application to North Tyneside Council to demolish the former Wet ‘n’ Wild building, including its external slides. Developers claim the process could take just eight weeks if approved. The application cited increasing break-ins and anti-social behaviour as reasons for the demolition, which would allow future development.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
What was the UK’s largest indoor waterpark?
Wet ‘n’ Wild in North Shields.
When did Wet ‘n’ Wild open?
In 1993.
Why did Wet ‘n’ Wild close in 2020?
It entered administration.
Who invested in refurbishing Wet ‘n’ Wild after it closed in 2013?
Serco.
What is the current status of Park?
A planning application has been submitted to demolish it.
