26 Oct 2015
- Dreamland Margate's Scenic Railway, the oldest roller coaster in the UK, has reopened, ready for Screamland, Dreamland's Halloween scare festival.
- Thanks to National Lottery players, the 1920's Grade II* listed Scenic Railway has been painstakingly restored after it was destroyed almost a decade ago
- Opening marks the completion of the Dreamland Amusement Park, part of one of the UK's biggest restoration projects.
- Dreamland's new future has been largely supported by a grant of almost £6m from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF). Funding has also been received from Thanet District Council and Sands Heritage Ltd.
For more information contact dreamland@kallaway.com or on 020 7221 7883
Dreamland Margate's Scenic Railway, the UK's oldest roller coaster, is open again following a major restoration project. For the first time since it was destroyed in a fire almost ten years ago, the jewel in Dreamland's beachfront crown is once again set to thrill visitors in an old fashioned, yet oh so fashionable way. The opening marks the completion of the amusement park at Dreamland, a pioneering £28m development project, with more that 17 restored rides and amusements, plus a Roller Disco, The Octopus' Garden, Dreamland Emporium, restaurants, food stalls, arcades and ice cream parlour – all from the golden age of the British seaside.
Dreamland has also launched its membership packages. The Membership scheme permits members to preview new rides, events and attractions throughout the year, depending on what package is selected. For more information, please go to http://www.dreamland.co.uk/membership
The Scenic Railway restoration was completed just in time to transform into the 'Screamic Railway' when Dreamland mutates into Screamland, until 31st October. In an industrial hellhole beneath the 'Screamic Railway', a mechanical monstrosity, known as The Scream Machine, powers the coaster above. Fuelled by fear, the living power station feeds on screams and its swarm of monkeys must keep it fed at all costs.
The Grade II* listed Scenic Railway first opened in the 1920's and was the UK's leading attraction welcoming more than one million visitors in its first year. It fell into disrepair when Dreamland closed in 2006 and was then destroyed in an arson attack in 2008. The railway, which has taken more than a year to complete, has seen some of the world's leading restoration specialists brought in to ensure its original character has been maintained whilst bringing it up to speed with modern day standards.
Eddie Kemsley, CEO of Dreamland, says: “We are absolutely thrilled to be announcing the launch of the Scenic Railway. The opening of the UK's oldest wooden rollercoaster is another fantastic reason for people to come to Margate and to visit Dreamland. This historic milestone comes after the enormous success of the opening of the park, which contributed to a 55% increase in hotel stays in Margate, year on year. We want to thank everyone for their patience and support of Dreamland.”
The re-invigorated Scenic Railway, made of over 320 tonnes of timber and 100,000 screws, will feature three upcycled carriages and detailed finishings that ensure it's brought up to its former glory. The mile-long track has been hand assembled and connected by skilled craftsmen using traditional methods and will be operated by a full-time brakeman, who famously sits on an elevated seat holding a giant lever to slow the train down as it cruises around the Margate skyline.
Since the launch in June this year – complete with performances from Chas & Dave and Marina and The Diamonds – Dreamland has welcomed thousands of visitors old and new from around the country. From traditional Gallopers and Helter Skelter to the adrenaline-pumping Jumping Tower and Kiss Me Quick, Dreamland houses over 17 large rides alongside expansive events spaces including, 600 capacity ballroom, The Octopus's Garden, Roller Disco and Diner, vintage arcades and ice cream parlour. The design-led project has been overseen by HemingwayDesign and has brought a new least of life to Margate.
Dreamland plays a significant role in the continued regeneration of Margate. The first phase of opening has created 250 jobs in the local area.
Stuart McLeod, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund South East, says: “The opening of Dreamland's Scenic Railway marks a key milestone in the wider restoration project and is the culmination of months of hard work and dedication from all involved. Dreamland will play a crucial role in the regeneration of Margate and provide a significant boost to the local economy, and the Heritage Lottery Fund are delighted to be involved. This month will see the site transformed for Halloween and we're sure everyone will have a spookily fun time!”
Director of Community Services for Thanet District Council, Larissa Reed, says: “We're delighted that the Scenic Railway is open for the public to ride once again. Breathing new life into Britain's oldest surviving rollercoaster has been an immense challenge, but the time, dedication and attention to detail taken by our contractors to replicate an authentic heritage experience has been worth the wait. I'm sure the sights and sounds of the iconic Scenic Railway will evoke many happy memories from the community who have been so passionate and patient with this journey. The launch today marks another positive step forward in the continued regeneration of our original seaside town. A big thank you to the Heritage Lottery Fund, our wider partners and the community for helping this ambitious vision become a reality.”
Nick Laister, Chair, The Dreamland Trust, says: "My first involvement with the Scenic Railway was to ask for the ride to become a listed building back in 2001. Since then the Scenic Railway has been a big part of my life. I led the Save Dreamland Campaign, where thousands of passionate members fought to save this ride, even after the devastating fire of 2008. The Dreamland Trust was then instrumental in securing funding to rebuild the Scenic Railway. It is the crowning moment of our 12-year efforts to bring Dreamland back, and I am sure it will delight many new generations of riders.”
For more information, visit www.dreamland.co.uk
SCREAMLAND
This Halloween, Dreamland Margate mutates into a world of nightmares transforming into Screamland, the region's biggest scare festival. With unique experiences and rides that will haunt the darkest soul. The fully interactive and immersive Screamland scares include mazes, sideshows and attractions with over 60 professional scare actors bringing it all to life. Each scare is cleverly themed to reflect Dreamland's colourful history!
Contact Penny Shorricks via penny.shorricks@dreamland.co.uk for further information.
ENDS
Notes to editors
Media contacts Jack Hickmott or Georgina Church, Kallaway PR dreamland@kallaway.com / 020 7221 7883
For more information, visit www.dreamland.co.uk
Eleven facts about the Scenic Railway
- Originally opened in 1920.
- The Scenic Railway is Britain's original roller coaster and one of the oldest roller coasters in the world.
- In its first full season of 1921, the Scenic Railway carried over a million passengers.
- It was originally made from Canadian Douglas Fir wood costing more than £20,000, that's over £920,000 in today's money.
- The track is nearly one mile long.
- Dreamland's Scenic Railway was given Grade II* Listed status in 2002. It is the first amusement park ride in the world to be given this status.
- The attraction has had its ups and downs – 2008 saw a major fire that destroyed about a quarter of her timber structure.
- Work to restore the track began in September 2014.
- It is made from 320 tonnes of new timber all treated in England.
- The completion required 20,000 bolts, 20,000 nuts and 40,000 washers and 100,000 screws.
- In keeping with the ethos of Dreamland it was hand assembled and connected by skilled craftsman using traditional methods.
DREAMLAND, MARGATE
The Dreamland site with its long heritage as an entertainment space dating back to the 1870's, was saved from being turned into a housing development by an eleven-year 'Save Dreamland' campaign by locals and amusement park enthusiasts, whose successful campaigning led to the regeneration of a fire damaged and derelict site, back into a fully operational pleasure park.
A re-imagined Dreamland opened on 19th June 2015 as a world-class visitor attraction, providing ageless entertainment through truly re-inventing the famous seaside entertainment experience.
The new Dreamland is a unique, vintage-style pleasure park with a witty and timeless design theme. It consists of a outdoor amusement park with the UK's only Grade II* listed roller coaster along with eighteen other stylishly restored rides, that tell the story of rides through the decades. The amusement park offers much more than just rides with classic sideshows, a pleasure garden of pop up entertainment, a bandstand for DJ's and live music, an in-house entertainment team known as the Fun Fairers and Betty and Teddy Bear along with a food court of surprisingly good quality seaside food favourites.
The free to enter Grade II* listed indoor space, houses an amusement arcade, vintage pinball parlour, roller disco and diner, ice cream parlour, Dreamland retail emporium and the Octopus's Garden (family entertainment centre).
The Pleasure Park is set within a 16-acre landscape capable of hosting national festivals, major events and visiting attractions.
Thanet District Council owns Dreamland's site. The council, working with The Dreamland Trust secured a funding package of £18 million, which includes external funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Sea Change grant, to deliver the first phase of the project. Sands Heritage Ltd. was appointed in 2014 as the commercial operator of Dreamland and has invested an additional £10 million in the project.
The 2015 phase one opening of the Dreamland pleasure park has required the herculean effort of many passionate and dedicated individuals and Dreamland is extremely grateful to the authorities and individuals who have invested time, money and unprecedented community support in the project.
The Dreamland project plays a significant role in community engagement, education, training, sustainable employment and boosting the local economy. It is also a major component in the continued regeneration of Margate, spearheaded by Turner Contemporary in 2011.
TICKET PRICES:
Adults (Advance Online): £14.95
Adults (On the Day): £17.95
Children (Advance Online): £12.95
Children (On the Day): £14.95
Concessions (OAP, student, disabled - proof required): £12.95
Adult (Thanet Resident): £13.95 (with proof of address)
Child (Thanet Resident): £11.95 (with proof of address)
Under 3's: Free
Disabled Carers: Free
T&Cs apply.
Tickets are available online at www.dreamland.co.uk/buytickets
MEMBERSHIP:
CHERRY ON TOP
ANNUAL PEAK MEMBERSHIP
Want access to the park throughout the year with all sorts of other fantastic additional benefits? This is the all-singing, all dancing membership package. This is available in individual, joint, and family membership options:
Unlimited entry to the park throughout the year Monday – Sunday
Priority 24 hour advance ticket booking for a range of popular ticketed events
10% off Dreamland Emporium goods
10% off food and beverages
10% off additional tickets for friends who come to the park with you
Monthly newsletter with upcoming events and news from Dreamland Margate
10% off if you renew before your current membership is up. It will start from the day your current membership ends
PRICES
Individual Membership - £49.95
Joint Membership (One named adult and guest) - £69.95
Family (One Adult) Group Membership - £99.95
Family (Two Adults) Group Membership - £129.95
THE SPRINKLES
ANNUAL OFF-PEAK MEMBERSHIP
Can't get enough of the rides, but don't like the crowds? Our Sprinkles Membership offers you off-peak entry for one year. We have individual, joint and family membership options.
Unlimited entry to the park throughout the year Monday – Friday (excl. Bank Holidays, School Holidays and Half Term)
Priority 24 hour advance ticket booking for a range of popular ticketed events
10% off Dreamland Emporium goods
10% off food and beverages
Monthly newsletter with upcoming events and news from Dreamland Margate
10% off if you renew before your current membership is up. It will start from the day your current membership ends
PRICES
Individual Membership - £39.95
Joint Membership (One named adult and guest) - £59.95
Family (One Adult) Group Membership - £89.95
Family (Two Adults) Group Membership - £119.95
T&Cs apply.
Membership is available to buy online at http://www.dreamland.co.uk/membership
