Brean Theme Park in Somerset, which is the ‘Home of Sooty and Sweep’, has officially entered liquidation, meaning it can no longer trade as it winds up its operations.
The popular park initially opened as a camping and leisure site in the village of Brean – set between Weston-super-Mare and Burnham-on-Sea – in the 1940s, but has since developed into a sprawling amusement ground with more than 40 rides.
Brean Theme Park is said to be the UK’s largest free theme park, as entry is free, though credits are required to get on different rides, which can be purchased in advance or on-site on the day.
Despite opening seasonally from March to October each year, the family-run park has faced ‘significant challenges’ due to dwindling visitor numbers following the pandemic, according to a spokesperson for the attraction’s liquidators.
The closure of the nearby Pontins Brean Sands – currently used to house Hinkley Point C workers rather than tourists – is said to have also severely impacted footfall.
Liquidators from Hazlewoods LLP were appointed on January 28, and the company must now cease all trading except for what is necessary to complete the closure process.
Nicholas Stafford, of Hazlewoods, said: “The company traded throughout the peak summer season of 2025, however revenue generated over that time was insufficient to enable the company to sustain operations through the park’s usual winter closure.”
