Pleasurewood Hills is a theme park on a site between Corton and Gunton, near Lowestoft, Suffolk.
History
The park was created by entrepreneur Joe Larter in 1983 as a small American-themed family attraction, containing a miniature railway, Cine 180 and adventure playground. Yearly expansion brought the addition of new attractions and general improvements. Controlling interest in the park was sold to RKF, a property development company, in the late 1980s. RKF built attractions including two Sea Life centres (Great Yarmouth & Hunstanton), a Ripley's Believe It or Not (Great Yarmouth seafront) and the Bure Valley Railway (in Aylsham). It started building a second Pleasurewood Hills style park in Cleethorpes. RKF went bankrupt in early 1991 and its attractions were sold. Some Pleasurewood management staff took control of The Bygone Village at Fleggburgh.
Noel Edmonds converted the Haunted Theatre into Crinkley Bottom Castle in the mid-1990s. The park also featured appearances by Mr Blobby and Edmonds himself.
The park continued in this vein until 1996–1997, when it was bought by Leisure Great Britain, a caravan park operator. It owned the park until 2000, when Peter and Peggy Hadden, who had been connected with the park for many years, bought it. The name changed to New Pleasurewood Hills. In 2000 the park bought Magic Mouse.
In 2004, Grévin & Cie, a French leisure group, purchased the site. The name reverted to its original form and in early 2005 the owners said they would spend £3 million on improvements.
Changes included repainting and renaming a number of rides, but the first major investment was in the park's first inverting coaster, Wipeout, from the closed American Adventure. The old cars were scrapped and new ones bought from Walibi World.
In 2009 the Mellow Yellow log flume was repainted and had a revamped entrance. It is now called Timber Falls. In 2010 the park put a StreetDance show in the Castle Theatre. In 2010 the park appointed a new manager after Yves Delhommeau (2004-2009).
On 30 January 2011, it was announced that the park had been sold to Looping Group. In 2025, the park was sold to Premier Attractions.
Rides and Attractions
Roller coasters RideOpenedManufacturer ModelDescription Barnyard Whirl 2026 Levent Lunapark Twister Coaster 12m tall spinning wild mouse coaster located on the previous site of the Fireball ride and Summer Circus. The family-thrill coaster has been introduced as part of 4 new rides for the 2026 season by new owners Premier Attractions. Previously known as "Crash Test". Installed with "5 year temporary consent". Cannonball Express1995 Schwarzkopf Jumbo V Previously known as 'Enigma' & 'Cannonball Express', this is the only example of a Jumbo V model by the defunct manufacturer Schwarzkopf. Height limit 1.25m. Previously operated at the Rotunda Amusement Park in Folkestone as "Super Figure Eight". In 2017, the park returned the original name of 'Cannonball Express' due to popular demand. The coaster will be left closed during the 2026 season. Egg-Spress 1986 Zierer Tivoli Large Opened as "Ladybird". Later re-themed to "Rattlesnake" in 1990, and then "Snake in the Grass" in 2007. Was renamed back to "Rattlesnake" in 2014. Closed down in 2016, due to track problems. Following repair, the ride re-opened in 2019 with the new name "Egg-Spress" in a new Farmyard themed area. Marble Madness 2014 Maurer Söhne Wild Mouse A non-spinning wild mouse coaster that formerly operated at Flamingo Land from 1997 to 2012, being later sold to Pleasurewood Hills. Wild mouse (car 2+2) that reaches a speed of 28 mph (45 km) on a 1213 ft long track (370 m) and a height of 49 ft (15 m). Height limit 1.25m. Red Apple Run 2026 Güven Lunapark Apple Coaster 5m tall 'big apple' children's coaster located on the previous site of the Flying Elephants and Mini Pirate Ship. Introduced as part of 4 new rides for the 2026 season by new owners Premier Attractions. Installed with "5 year temporary consent". Wipeout 2007 Vekoma Boomerang Relocated from the closed American Adventure Theme Park in Derbyshire, where it was known as "Missile". The region's biggest roller coaster. Height limit 1.3m. Riders are taken backwards 34m in the air, and then released to reach speeds of up to 50 mph. After going through 3 inversions, the process repeats in reverse.
Flat rides RideOpenedManufacturer ModelDescriptionJolly Roger2012 FabbriDrop Tower A 131 ft (40-metre) freefall drop tower that accelerates to 60 mph in under a second; height limit 1.4m. A Fabbri Scary Drop 40 model. The ride travelled from 2000 to 2011 with various showmen, until its arrival at the park permanently for the 2012 season. Features a loose pirate theme.Waveswinger2016ZiererWaveswingerA Zierer Wave Swinger attraction. Height limit 1m accompanied and 1.25m unaccompanied. Previously travelled around the Australian fair circuit. Installed in 2016 at the park, to replace Sky Hooks and Tales of the Coast. First Waveswinger at the park since 1997. Shiver Me Timbers1985HussPirate ShipSwinging pirate ship themed ride; height limit 1m adult accompanied, 1.3m unaccompanied. Formerly operated at OK Corral in France as Bateau Pirate from the 1980s to 1984. Was loaned at first by original owner Bembom Rides, but Pleasurewood Hills took the option to buy the ride.Riptide2026AK RidesStar FlyerA 30m tall vertical swing ride located on the previous Tide Traveller ride site. The family-thrill ride has been introduced as part of 4 new rides for the 2026 season by new owners Premier Attractions. Installed with "5 year temporary consent".
Water rides RideOpenedManufacturer ModelDescription Water Fun Factory 1992ReverchonLog Flume This 235 long log flume ride opened in 1992 as 'White Water Falls'. Later painted and renamed 'Mellow Yellow', and then re-themed as 'Timber Falls' in 2009. Height limit 1.25m unless adult accompanied. For the 2020 season, it was announced the ride would be re themed to Water Fun Factory, featuring new theming structures.Wavebreaker1996WhiteWater WestDinghy slideA two-lane dinghy slide.
Dark rides RideOpenedManufacturer ModelDescription Rootin Tootin Target Trail 1983Supercar LeisureGhost Train A UV themed laser shooter dark ride aimed at the family market, with a Wild Western theme, opening in 2017. Guests under 1.1m must be accompanied by an adult. Was previously Hobs Pitt a horror dark ride that had a 12 age restriction, from 2013 until 2017.
Transportation and observation rides RideOpenedManufacturer ModelDescription Pleasurewood Hills Express 1984Railway 24 Gauge small railway. Three carriages with benches. Seats around 30. Originally a Chance Rides; C.P. Huntington. Repainted for the 2022 season.Woodland Express1984Railway7.25 Gauge small railway. Three carriages with single in line seating. Seats around 15–20. Repainted for the 2021 season and renamed.Chairlifts1987PohligRopewayChairlift taking guest from one end of the park to the other. Previously called Merry-Go-Straight. Taking you from the Farm yard Area to the kids sector queues often are long here.Woody's Wheel2026Güven LunaparkFerris Wheel 36mA 36m tall big wheel ride located on a previously unused plot beside Wipeout. The observation ride has been introduced as part of 4 new rides for the 2026 season by new owners Premier Attractions. Installed with "5 year temporary consent".
Children's rides RideOpenedManufacturer ModelDescriptionWoody Copters1998Modern ProductsJunior Ferris WheelJunior ferris wheel themed to the park's mascot Woody Bear Safari 1984 Supercar LeisureTrack RideVintage car ride travelling round a themed safari fixed track. Rethemed in 2023. Bumpercar Garage 1995 I.E. ParkDodgemsDodgems rethemed in 2019 into the farmyard area Carousel 2001 Concept 1900CarouselDuel Carousel replacing the previous single deck Carousel. Kite Flyer 2004 ZamperlaKite FlyerLay down central spin ride; height limit 1.05m. Up and Away2004 Zamperla Samba BalloonHot air balloon themed central spin ride; height limit 0.9m. Refurbished 2019 to fit in with the farmyard area. In 2020 the concrete floor around it was replaced with artificial grass.Previously known as Balloon Rays. Funky Flyers 2008 Chance RidesJunior JetsCentral spin plane themed ride. Giddy Up 2012 Metallbau Emmeln Pony TrekA Pony track based ride. Previously named 'Pleasurewood Ponies', was rethemed for 2023. Relocated from Loudoun Castle.Mini Twister2002S&W Amusement SalesJunior ScramblerJunior twister rideFlying Elephants1998Modern ProductsJunior Jets Lighthouse 2012 ZamperlaJunior Drop TowerA child's lift and drop tower. Relocated from Loudoun Castle. Moby Dick 2013 VekomaSea StormA whale themed flat ride relocated from Avonturenpark Hellendoorn Woody's Tea Party2013 SBF Visa GroupJunior TeacupsA small tea cup flat ride
Shows RideOpenedDescriptionSea Lion Splash1987A firm family favourite at the park for over 20 years, the show runs 12pm and 3pm daily. Birds of Paradise 1984 Existing in various locations throughout its time at the park, the parrot show runs 1pm and 4pm daily. *Temporary ride names as planning permission is sought.
Past Rides