For forty years, the Gold Mine was a fixture of the Blackpool Pleasure Beach overpass. Opened in October 1971, the ride was built by the Arrow Development company (who also built the Grand Prix, Alice Ride and many others). It took guests through a maze of underground tunnels where they would see miners hard at work.
Taking much inspiration from the Calico Mine Ride at Knott’s Berry Farm, the Blackpool ride inspired John Wardley to create the Wacky Gold Mine at Barry Island Pleasure Park.
It closed forever on September 25th 2011 to be transformed into the Wallace & Gromit’s Thrill-O-Matic attraction.
Here is a POV from Ridemad – enjoy as they take you through one of the Pleasure Beach’s long lost dark rides.
“Oh my darling, oh my darling. Oh my darling, Clementine, You were lost and gone forever, dreadful sorrow, Clementine”
