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An abandoned theme park on the Lincolnshire coast once attracted thousands of visitors every year before closing its gates for good. Pleasure Island Family Theme Park in Cleethorpes operated for more than two decades before shutting down at the end of the 2016 season.

The attraction, often simply called Pleasure Island, first opened to the public on May 27, 1993. For 23 years it was a popular destination for families visiting the seaside resort in North East Lincolnshire. The park was originally linked to Flamingo Land in North Yorkshire but later became an independent business.

Despite its popularity in earlier years, the theme park eventually closed after visitor numbers declined.

When the closure was announced in 2016, owner Melanie Wood said the decision had been extremely difficult.

She said: "It is with deep sadness that I am informing you I have made the very difficult decision to close Pleasure Island Theme Park at the end of this season.

"For the past seven seasons we, as a team, have tried very hard indeed to keep the business going but unfortunately there have been too many hurdles.

"Despite heavy investment over the years the visitor numbers continue to fall and the good August weather this year sadly was not enough to sustain the business.

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"In truth it has been a massive struggle from day one but I lived in the hope that with the support of such a loyal and dedicated team and some good weather we would get through. The team never let me down but over the years the weather, amongst other things, certainly has."

Pleasure Island stood on the site of the former Cleethorpes Marineland and Zoo. The zoo had previously featured animals such as dolphins, sea lions and pelicans before closing in 1977.

Plans for a new theme park on the site were first announced by RKF Entertainment in the 1980s.

However, the company went into receivership during the early 1990s and construction was halted.

The site was later bought by Robert Gibb, managing director of Flamingo Land, who continued the redevelopment of the park.

After reconstruction work was completed, Pleasure Island Family Theme Park officially opened in 1993. The park was later managed by members of the Gibb family, including Melanie Wood.

In 2010 the attraction became separate from Flamingo Land and began operating independently under Dewarsavile Enterprises Ltd.

Over the years the park featured several themed areas including Africa, Morocco, Spain, Old England, Kiddies Kingdom and White Knuckle Valley.

It also introduced new attractions, including a farm and petting zoo that opened in 2013.

Following the park's closure in 2016, its rides and equipment were gradually sold off, including a historic carousel dating back to 1904. The last rides were sold in October 2018.

Although the attractions have gone, many of the buildings on the site remain standing today, including the entrance area, dodgems building and the structure that once housed the carousel.

Various redevelopment plans have been suggested for the land, including proposals for hotels, log cabins, a casino and other leisure facilities.

However, as of 2026 much of the former theme park site still remains abandoned.