An abandoned theme park in a UK seaside town is set to reopen. It closed down in 2023 due to "rising costs" but has recently revealed plans for a huge transformation.

Adventure Wonderland, in Bournemouth, first opened in 1992 and featured Alice in Wonderland themed rollercoasters. However, it was forced to close its outdoor rides before shutting its indoor attractions a year later. The theme park said in a statement at the time: "The current trading climate and steep increase in key costs across the board is not conducive to the existing theme park model."

Adventure Wonderland now has plans to reopen as a smaller adventure park. It will feature mini golf, a go-karting track and a maze, as well as a cafe and an educational facility.

The new park is expected to open later this year although a specific date is yet to be confirmed. The planning application for Adventure Wonderland says: "The aim of this proposal is to create a site which is better adapted for use by the occupants of Merritown, Discovery Village and Diverse Abilities.

"All of these tenants want to create sustainable spaces which focus on creative outdoor spaces which are stimulating environments with outdoor play, sensory gardens, water play, and utilise the existing external spaces and buildings on site.”

Bournemouth is a popular seaside resort, known for its beaches and coastal views. The town is also home to attractions such as Bournemouth Pier, Bournemouth Oceanarium, the Winter Gardens, and the Bournemouth Arts Centre.

Bournemouth Beach was recently ranked as the nation's top beach on TripAdvisor. It attracts thousands of tourists every year with its golden sands and inviting water.

Writing on TripAdvisor, one visitor said: "Beautiful, clean sandy beaches, well marshalled by RNLI Life Guards, who should be so proud of themselves, they are amazing."

A second wrote: "Glorious sandy beach with shallow sea and no rocks." A third put: "Probably the cleanest beach on the South Coast. Plenty of eateries and bars. Plus things nearby to keep you entertained, like the zip wire."

A fourt said: "Beautiful sandy beaches. Plenty to do around Bournemouth Pier. Great vibes for the younger generation and quieter as you walk towards boscombe and beyond. Plenty of places to eat and drink."