The American Adventure Theme Park: Difference between revisions
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{{short description|Former theme park in Ilkeston, Derbyshire, England}} |
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:''See also: [[The American Adventure]],'' similar attraction in the U.S. state of Florida.'' |
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{{About|the English theme park|the Walt Disney World attraction|The American Adventure (Epcot)}} |
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{{Infobox Amusement park |
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{{Multiple issues| |
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{{More citations needed|date=July 2022}} |
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{{Update|date=July 2022}} |
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}} |
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{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2023}} |
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{{Infobox amusement park |
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| name = American Adventure |
| name = American Adventure |
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| image = |
| image = American adventure logo.jpg |
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| location = [[ |
| location = [[Heanor]], [[Derbyshire]], England |
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| opening_date = June 1987 |
| opening_date = June 1987 |
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| previous_names = Britannia Park, American Adventure World |
| closing_date = 4 January 2007 |
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| previous_names = Britannia Park, American Adventure World |
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| homepage = |
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| season = April to October |
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|coordinates={{coord|52|59|41|N|1|20|06|W|type:landmark_region:GB|display=title,inline}} |
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| homepage = [http://www.americanadventure.co.uk www.americanadventure.co.uk] |
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}} |
}} |
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The American Adventure |
The '''American Adventure''' was a [[theme park]] in [[Derbyshire]], [[England]], near [[Nottingham]] and [[Derby]] on the edge of [[Heanor]]. The park for many years had a number of large white-knuckle attractions, before being rethemed as a 'family' park aimed at the under-14 market in 2005. In January 2007, the owners of the park announced that it would not reopen for the new season, and the rides would be sold off.<ref name="BBCAmericanAdventure" /> |
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==History== |
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The American Adventure, built on an area of Country Park which had been subject to [[deep seam mining|deep seam]] and [[open-pit mining|opencast]] [[coal mining]], was originally opened in June 1987 with an [[Old West]] and [[Cowboy]]s vs. [[Native Americans in the United States|Native Americans]] theme. A theme park called Britannia Park had been opened on the site in 1985 but closed after just 10 weeks, insolvent, and its founder Peter Kellard was later imprisoned for fraud.<ref name="BBCAmericanAdventure">{{cite news |title=Theme park will close its doors |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/derbyshire/6232333.stm |access-date=26 January 2019 |publisher=BBC News |date=4 January 2007}}</ref> Derbyshire County Council purchased the site in 1986 and sold it to the conglomerate [[Granada plc|Granada]], which in June 1987 opened the American Adventure, heralded as ''Britain's Major New Theme Park''. |
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Initial attractions at the American Adventure included the two-drop [[log flume]] Cherokee Falls, the runaway mine train, the Buffalo Stampede [[roller coaster]], a [[pirate ship (ride)|pirate ship]], and a [[Ferris wheel]]. |
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In 1989, the original theme expanded to other elements of [[North America]]n culture and history. This involved an area themed around space travel, featuring the Missile roller coaster, a [[Vekoma]] Boomerang coaster which was at the time voted the best roller coaster in the UK. Shortly before this there was the Canadian themed addition of the [[Rocky Mountains|Rocky Mountain]] [[Rapids]]. In the same year, the Assault Course round in the junior version of ''[[The Krypton Factor]]'' (known as ''Young Krypton'') was filmed. In 1993, the log-flume was extended to have a third drop and was renamed from ''Cherokee Falls'' to ''Nightmare [[Niagara Falls|Niagara]]''. The extra drop made it the tallest log flume in the UK throughout its operational life (this record was reverted to [[Loggers Leap]] at [[Thorpe Park]] as this ride used to hold the record before the new drop was added, and when that closed in 2015, the title went to [[Tiger Rock]] at [[Chessington World of Adventures]]). In 1995, the Iron Wolf roller coaster (now located in a Polish theme park and known as the Tic Tac Tornado)<ref>{{cite web |title=Devil's Loop – Legendia Śląskie Wesołe Miasteczko (Chorzów, Śląskie, Poland) |url=http://www.rcdb.com/3849.htm |website=[[Roller Coaster DataBase]] |access-date=23 February 2013}}</ref> was installed, which broke away from the American theming of the park and was instead themed around the [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] gameshow ''[[Gladiators (British TV show)|Gladiators]]''. |
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From 1996 onwards, the park began to decline, and in 1997, Granada sold it to the company Ventureworld which was headed by John Broome, a former [[Alton Towers]] developer. During the reign of Broome as owner of the park, the only noticeable change was the addition of minor or [[upcharge attraction]]s, and the slow decline of many of the park's attractions. |
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[[File:American Adventure.jpg|left|thumb|American Adventure in 1991]] |
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Ventureworld immediately renamed the park American Adventure World, with the intention of dropping the American theming and ultimately renaming the park Adventure World. Various logos produced over the next few seasons would use the "American Adventure World" name, but with the prominence of the first and last words varying wildly. By the end of the park's life, the title had reverted to ''The American Adventure''. |
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In 1999, Broome announced his departure. The THG Group, which also owned [[Pontins]] and [[Blackpool Tower]], bought the park. After 1999, many of the smaller rides were removed from the park, and it slowly fell into decline. The old main entrance to the park had to be closed due to [[subsidence]], and the new entrance was much less attractive. |
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2005 saw the closing down of three major rides for which the park was famous, including Nightmare Niagara and The Missile. At the time, it was also believed that the Rocky Mountain Rapids was also ending its life. The two water rides were supposedly closed due to structural instability and water pollution problems, whilst the Missile was not deemed to fit in with the park's new 'family' label and had also experienced heavy disrepair. Missile was relocated to [[Pleasurewood Hills]] as 'Wipeout'. At the start of the season, the pirate ship ride called the Yankee Clipper was closed with the intention of it being reopened later in the season. However, due to refurbishment taking longer than planned it did not open until the following season. |
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2006 was the final year the theme park operated. There were some signs of investment and heavy emphasis on the new 'family' image. New rides included the Mini Mine Rush, a kids roller coaster, now relocated at [[Flamingo Land]], a new motorbike attraction in the building previously used for the log flume station, as well as the re-opening of the newly refurbished Rocky Mountain Rapids and Yankee Clipper rides. |
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==Notable rides== |
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{| class="wikitable" style="width:80%; background:#fff;" |
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|- |
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! style="background:#fff; width:5%;"| Opened |
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! style="background:#fff; width:5%;"| Closed |
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! style="background:#fff; width:30%;"| Ride Name |
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! style="background:#fff; width:30%;"| Manufacturer |
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! style="background:#fff; width:40%;"| Notes |
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|- style="background:#f2f2f2;"| |
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|- style="background:#f2f2f2;"| |
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| 1987 || 2004 || "Nightmare Niagara" || Big Country Motioneering || A log flume. Extended in 1993 to include the UK's tallest drop on a water ride. |
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|- style="background:#fff;"| |
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| 1987 || 2006 || "Runaway Train" || Big Country Motioneering || A powered rollercoaster. Sold to showman James Mellors. |
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|- style="background:#fff;"| |
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| 1987 || 2006 || "Buffalo Stampede" || [[Zamperla]] || A powered rollercoaster. Moved to [[Twinlakes Theme Park]], where it still operates. |
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|- style="background:#fff;"| |
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| 1987 || 2006 || "Santa Fe Railroad" || [[Severn Lamb]] || A miniature railway circling the park. Moved to [[Twinlakes Theme Park]], where it still operates. |
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|- style="background:#fff;"| |
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| 1987 || 2006 || "Yankee Clipper" || [[Zamperla]] || A [[Pirate Ship (ride)]]. Relocated to [[Twinlakes Theme Park]] as "Gladiator's Galleon". |
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|- style="background:#fff;"| |
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| 1987 || 2006 || "High Sierra" || [[Zamperla]] || A wagon themed [[Ferris wheel]]. Relocated to [[Billing Aquadrome]]. |
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|- style="background:#fff;"| |
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| 1987 || 2006 || "Tennessee Tentacles" || Soriani & Moser || A polyp ride. Now operates at Haghtanak Park in Armenia. |
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|- style="background:#fff;"| |
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| 1987 || 2006 || "Custer's Carousel" || [[Chance Rides]] || A modern gallopers ride. Now operates at [[The Flambards Experience]]. |
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|- style="background:#fff;"| |
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| 1987 || 2004 || "Starbase Slide" || || An astroglide slide. |
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|- style="background:#fff;"| |
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| 1988 || 2006 || "Rocky Mountain Rapids" || Big Country Motioneering || A [[River Rapids Ride]]. |
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|- style="background:#fff;"| |
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| 1988 || 2006 || "Balloon Ride" || [[Zamperla]] || A [[Balloon Race (ride)]]. |
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|- style="background:#fff;"| |
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| 1989 || 2004 || "The Missile" || [[Vekoma]] || A boomerang rollercoaster. Moved to [[Pleasurewood Hills]] as "Wipeout". |
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|- style="background:#fff;"| |
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| 1989 || || "Black Hole" || [[HUSS Park Attractions]] || A HUSS Ben Hur (swirl) ride. Previously operated as "Ben Hur" at [[Blackpool Pleasure Beach]]. |
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|- style="background:#fff;"| |
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| 1991 || 1994 || "Canyon Trip" ||[[Vekoma]]|| A canyon trip ride, relocated to [[Camelot Theme Park]] where it operated as "The Rack" from 1995 to 2010. |
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|- style="background:#fff;"| |
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| 1991 || 1994 || "Dive Bomber" || Lusse || A traditional dive bomber ride. Previously operated at [[Coney Beach Pleasure Park]] between 1947 and 1973. |
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|- style="background:#fff;"| |
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| 1995 || 2006 || "Twin Looper" || Soquet || A double loop rollercoaster, previously named "Iron Wolf". Originally from [[Lightwater Valley]]. |
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|- style="background:#fff;"| |
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| 1998 || 1999 || "Flying Island" || [[Vekoma]] || An observation tower. |
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|- style="background:#fff;"| |
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| 2006 || 2006 || "Mini Mine Rush" || [[Zamperla]] || An 80STD children's rollercoaster, relocated from Gulliver's Land, Warrington. Now operates as "Runaway Mine Train" at [[Flamingo Land Resort]]. |
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|- style="background:#fff;"| |
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| 2006 || 2006 || "Rockin' Tug" || [[Zamperla]] || A [[Rockin Tug]] ride. Now operates at [[The Flambards Experience]]. |
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|- style="background:#fff;"| |
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|- style="background:#fff;"| |
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|- style="background:#fff;"| |
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American Adventure is built on the site of an old [[coal mine]] and was originally opened in June [[1987]]. A themed park called Britannia Park was opened on the site in [[1985]] but closed soon after due to a lack of visitors. In June [[1987]] the American Adventure opened heralded as '''Britain's Major New Theme Park.'' Initial attractions at the American Adventure included the two-drop [[log flume]], the runaway mine train, the Buffalo [[Rollercoaster]], a [[pirate ship]], and a [[ferris wheel]]. |
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|} |
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[[1989]] saw the opening of the Missile rollercoaster which was at the time voted the number one rollercoaster in the UK! Shortly after that followed the addition of the Rocky Mountain Rapids. In [[1994]] the log-flume was extended to have a third drop and was renamed [[Nightmare Niagara]]. It was the tallest log-flume in the [[UK]] at its time of opening. In [[1995]] the Iron Wolf rollercoaster was installed, a themed double loop rollercoaster themed around the [[ITV]] gameshow ''[[Gladiators]]. '' |
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==Closure== |
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From [[1996]] onwards the park began to decline and in [[1997]] then owners the [[Granada]] group decided to pull out of owning the park. It was sold to a company called [[Ventureworld]] which was headed by a man called [[John Broome]], a former [[Alton Towers]] developer. During the reign of Broome as owner of the park the only noticeable change was the renaming of the park to American Adventure World and the slow decline of many of the park's attractions. |
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[[File:American Adventure1.jpg|thumb|left|July 2009]] |
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After 19 years of operating, American Adventure announced on 4 January 2007 that the park would not be reopening for the 2007 season.<ref name="BBCAmericanAdventure"/> |
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[[Derbyshire County Council]] reviewed options for the site's future,<ref name="BBCAmericanAdventure"/> stating that they would only allow minimal development on the site. Part of the park has been leased, while the rest is being controlled by Derbyshire County Council. The park has been given the name "Shipley Lakeside" and the land was listed for sale on the Derbyshire County Council land. The park has since been demolished to make way for development.<ref>{{cite web |title=American Adventure Theme Park, Ilkeston Derbyshire|url=http://www.derelictplaces.co.uk/main/showthread.php?t=4504#.USiakjBdCSo |website=Derelict Places – Urban Exploring Forum |access-date=22 February 2013 |date=23 April 2008}}</ref>{{Unreliable source?|sure=y|reason=Source is a forum post.|date=July 2022}} In 2008, three potential buyers expressed an interest in purchasing the land.<ref>{{cite news |title=Theme park site attracts developers |url=http://www.ilkestonadvertiser.co.uk/news/ilkeston-news/theme-park-site-attracts-developers-1-908452 |access-date=21 October 2012 |work=Ilkeston Advertiser |date=12 June 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190421080633/https://www.ilkestonadvertiser.co.uk/news/theme-park-site-attracts-developers-1-908452 |archive-date=21 April 2019}}</ref> In July 2012, it was announced that a project to redevelop the land into "housing, offices and leisure facilities" had been given the green light.<ref>{{cite news |title=American Adventure site: new plan gets green light |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-18979792 |access-date=22 February 2013 |publisher=[[BBC News]] |date=25 July 2012}}</ref> |
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In [[1999]] Broome announced he was stepping down and the [[THG Group]], who also own [[Pontins]] and [[Blackpool Tower]] bought the park. Since 1999 many of the smaller rides have disappeared from the park and it has slowly fallen into decline. The old main entrance to the park had to be closed due to [[subsidence]], and the new entrance is nowhere near as attractive as the old one. |
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The popularity of the theme park was such that in 2017, thousands signed a petition to reopen it.{{Citation needed|date=July 2022}} In 2020, OnTrack Productions began selling park pin badges and set up a Facebook page for the park. Due to the success of this, a 6 part documentary is being made by OnTrack Productions.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Cooke |first1=Emma |title=The fascinating stories behind Britain's forgotten theme parks |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/articles/stories-britain-forgotten-eeriest-theme-parks/ |access-date=11 January 2020 |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|location=London |date=8 January 2020}}{{subscription required}}</ref> |
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[[2005]] saw three of the major rides American Adventure was famous for close down: Nightmare Niagara and The Missile. At the time it was also believed that the Rocky Mountain Rapids was also ending its life. The two water rides were supposedly closed due to structural instability and water pollution problems, whilst the Missile was not deemed to fit in with the parks new 'family' label and had also fallen into heavy disrepair. |
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==References== |
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The Missile and Nightmare Niagra are both now history but the Rocky Mountain Rapids has managed to dodge the bullet and has been refurbished for the park's [[2006]] season with the promise that it is' ''a fun family water ride that’s bigger, better and wetter than ever before'' ' [http://www.americanadventure.co.uk/]. |
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{{Reflist}} |
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What will become of the American Adventure in future years remains to be seen. As many people have said in the past the park seems to have great potential, but poor management in the past has never seen the park realise what it could achieve. |
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== |
==External links== |
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*[https://www.nottinghampost.com/whats-on/american-adventures-runaway-train-entertains-7972450 American Adventure ride now being used thousands of miles away] |
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*[http://www.americanadventure.co.uk/ Official Website] |
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*{{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.americanadventure.co.uk|title=The American Adventure official website}} |
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*[https://web.archive.org/web/20090717104932/http://www.theamericanadventure.info/ The American Adventure Fansite], theamericanadventure.info |
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*[http://www.s104638357.websitehome.co.uk/html/magazine_21_openmic.htm Article by William Squires documenting the park's history], s104638357.websitehome.co.uk |
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*[http://www.heanorhistory.org.uk/v2britanniapark.html Article on Britannia Park Including Pictures of Original Promotional leaflets], heanorhistory.org.uk |
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*[https://www.flickr.com/photos/trainsandstuff/sets/72157608166401142/ A photostream on Flickr detailing a 2005 visit to the now-closed park], flickr.com |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:American Adventure Theme Park, The}} |
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[[Category:Theme parks in England]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:1987 establishments in England]] |
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[[Category:2007 disestablishments in England]] |
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[[Category:Amusement parks closed in 2007]] |
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[[Category:Amusement parks opened in 1987]] |
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[[Category:Defunct amusement parks in England]] |
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[[Category:Tourist attractions in Derbyshire]] |
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[[Category:Western (genre) theme parks]] |
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Latest revision as of 13:22, 22 September 2024
 | This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these messages)
|
| Previously known as Britannia Park, American Adventure World | |
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| Location | Heanor, Derbyshire, England |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 52°59′41″N 1°20′06″W / 52.99472°N 1.33500°W |
| Opened | June 1987 |
| Closed | 4 January 2007 |
The American Adventure was a theme park in Derbyshire, England, near Nottingham and Derby on the edge of Heanor. The park for many years had a number of large white-knuckle attractions, before being rethemed as a 'family' park aimed at the under-14 market in 2005. In January 2007, the owners of the park announced that it would not reopen for the new season, and the rides would be sold off.[1]
History
[edit]The American Adventure, built on an area of Country Park which had been subject to deep seam and opencast coal mining, was originally opened in June 1987 with an Old West and Cowboys vs. Native Americans theme. A theme park called Britannia Park had been opened on the site in 1985 but closed after just 10 weeks, insolvent, and its founder Peter Kellard was later imprisoned for fraud.[1] Derbyshire County Council purchased the site in 1986 and sold it to the conglomerate Granada, which in June 1987 opened the American Adventure, heralded as Britain's Major New Theme Park.
Initial attractions at the American Adventure included the two-drop log flume Cherokee Falls, the runaway mine train, the Buffalo Stampede roller coaster, a pirate ship, and a Ferris wheel.
In 1989, the original theme expanded to other elements of North American culture and history. This involved an area themed around space travel, featuring the Missile roller coaster, a Vekoma Boomerang coaster which was at the time voted the best roller coaster in the UK. Shortly before this there was the Canadian themed addition of the Rocky Mountain Rapids. In the same year, the Assault Course round in the junior version of The Krypton Factor (known as Young Krypton) was filmed. In 1993, the log-flume was extended to have a third drop and was renamed from Cherokee Falls to Nightmare Niagara. The extra drop made it the tallest log flume in the UK throughout its operational life (this record was reverted to Loggers Leap at Thorpe Park as this ride used to hold the record before the new drop was added, and when that closed in 2015, the title went to Tiger Rock at Chessington World of Adventures). In 1995, the Iron Wolf roller coaster (now located in a Polish theme park and known as the Tic Tac Tornado)[2] was installed, which broke away from the American theming of the park and was instead themed around the ITV gameshow Gladiators.
From 1996 onwards, the park began to decline, and in 1997, Granada sold it to the company Ventureworld which was headed by John Broome, a former Alton Towers developer. During the reign of Broome as owner of the park, the only noticeable change was the addition of minor or upcharge attractions, and the slow decline of many of the park's attractions.
Ventureworld immediately renamed the park American Adventure World, with the intention of dropping the American theming and ultimately renaming the park Adventure World. Various logos produced over the next few seasons would use the "American Adventure World" name, but with the prominence of the first and last words varying wildly. By the end of the park's life, the title had reverted to The American Adventure.
In 1999, Broome announced his departure. The THG Group, which also owned Pontins and Blackpool Tower, bought the park. After 1999, many of the smaller rides were removed from the park, and it slowly fell into decline. The old main entrance to the park had to be closed due to subsidence, and the new entrance was much less attractive.
2005 saw the closing down of three major rides for which the park was famous, including Nightmare Niagara and The Missile. At the time, it was also believed that the Rocky Mountain Rapids was also ending its life. The two water rides were supposedly closed due to structural instability and water pollution problems, whilst the Missile was not deemed to fit in with the park's new 'family' label and had also experienced heavy disrepair. Missile was relocated to Pleasurewood Hills as 'Wipeout'. At the start of the season, the pirate ship ride called the Yankee Clipper was closed with the intention of it being reopened later in the season. However, due to refurbishment taking longer than planned it did not open until the following season.
2006 was the final year the theme park operated. There were some signs of investment and heavy emphasis on the new 'family' image. New rides included the Mini Mine Rush, a kids roller coaster, now relocated at Flamingo Land, a new motorbike attraction in the building previously used for the log flume station, as well as the re-opening of the newly refurbished Rocky Mountain Rapids and Yankee Clipper rides.
Notable rides
[edit]| Opened | Closed | Ride Name | Manufacturer | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | 2004 | "Nightmare Niagara" | Big Country Motioneering | A log flume. Extended in 1993 to include the UK's tallest drop on a water ride. |
| 1987 | 2006 | "Runaway Train" | Big Country Motioneering | A powered rollercoaster. Sold to showman James Mellors. |
| 1987 | 2006 | "Buffalo Stampede" | Zamperla | A powered rollercoaster. Moved to Twinlakes Theme Park, where it still operates. |
| 1987 | 2006 | "Santa Fe Railroad" | Severn Lamb | A miniature railway circling the park. Moved to Twinlakes Theme Park, where it still operates. |
| 1987 | 2006 | "Yankee Clipper" | Zamperla | A Pirate Ship (ride). Relocated to Twinlakes Theme Park as "Gladiator's Galleon". |
| 1987 | 2006 | "High Sierra" | Zamperla | A wagon themed Ferris wheel. Relocated to Billing Aquadrome. |
| 1987 | 2006 | "Tennessee Tentacles" | Soriani & Moser | A polyp ride. Now operates at Haghtanak Park in Armenia. |
| 1987 | 2006 | "Custer's Carousel" | Chance Rides | A modern gallopers ride. Now operates at The Flambards Experience. |
| 1987 | 2004 | "Starbase Slide" | An astroglide slide. | |
| 1988 | 2006 | "Rocky Mountain Rapids" | Big Country Motioneering | A River Rapids Ride. |
| 1988 | 2006 | "Balloon Ride" | Zamperla | A Balloon Race (ride). |
| 1989 | 2004 | "The Missile" | Vekoma | A boomerang rollercoaster. Moved to Pleasurewood Hills as "Wipeout". |
| 1989 | "Black Hole" | HUSS Park Attractions | A HUSS Ben Hur (swirl) ride. Previously operated as "Ben Hur" at Blackpool Pleasure Beach. | |
| 1991 | 1994 | "Canyon Trip" | Vekoma | A canyon trip ride, relocated to Camelot Theme Park where it operated as "The Rack" from 1995 to 2010. |
| 1991 | 1994 | "Dive Bomber" | Lusse | A traditional dive bomber ride. Previously operated at Coney Beach Pleasure Park between 1947 and 1973. |
| 1995 | 2006 | "Twin Looper" | Soquet | A double loop rollercoaster, previously named "Iron Wolf". Originally from Lightwater Valley. |
| 1998 | 1999 | "Flying Island" | Vekoma | An observation tower. |
| 2006 | 2006 | "Mini Mine Rush" | Zamperla | An 80STD children's rollercoaster, relocated from Gulliver's Land, Warrington. Now operates as "Runaway Mine Train" at Flamingo Land Resort. |
| 2006 | 2006 | "Rockin' Tug" | Zamperla | A Rockin Tug ride. Now operates at The Flambards Experience. |
Closure
[edit]
After 19 years of operating, American Adventure announced on 4 January 2007 that the park would not be reopening for the 2007 season.[1]
Derbyshire County Council reviewed options for the site's future,[1] stating that they would only allow minimal development on the site. Part of the park has been leased, while the rest is being controlled by Derbyshire County Council. The park has been given the name "Shipley Lakeside" and the land was listed for sale on the Derbyshire County Council land. The park has since been demolished to make way for development.[3][unreliable source] In 2008, three potential buyers expressed an interest in purchasing the land.[4] In July 2012, it was announced that a project to redevelop the land into "housing, offices and leisure facilities" had been given the green light.[5]
The popularity of the theme park was such that in 2017, thousands signed a petition to reopen it.[citation needed] In 2020, OnTrack Productions began selling park pin badges and set up a Facebook page for the park. Due to the success of this, a 6 part documentary is being made by OnTrack Productions.[6]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d "Theme park will close its doors". BBC News. 4 January 2007. Retrieved 26 January 2019.
- ^ "Devil's Loop – Legendia Śląskie Wesołe Miasteczko (Chorzów, Śląskie, Poland)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 23 February 2013.
- ^ "American Adventure Theme Park, Ilkeston Derbyshire". Derelict Places – Urban Exploring Forum. 23 April 2008. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
- ^ "Theme park site attracts developers". Ilkeston Advertiser. 12 June 2008. Archived from the original on 21 April 2019. Retrieved 21 October 2012.
- ^ "American Adventure site: new plan gets green light". BBC News. 25 July 2012. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
- ^ Cooke, Emma (8 January 2020). "The fascinating stories behind Britain's forgotten theme parks". The Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved 11 January 2020.(subscription required)
External links
[edit]- American Adventure ride now being used thousands of miles away
- The American Adventure official website at the Wayback Machine (archive index)
- The American Adventure Fansite, theamericanadventure.info
- Article by William Squires documenting the park's history, s104638357.websitehome.co.uk
- Article on Britannia Park Including Pictures of Original Promotional leaflets, heanorhistory.org.uk
- A photostream on Flickr detailing a 2005 visit to the now-closed park, flickr.com