29th March 1913
First opened with a figure of eight rollercoaster and a slide.

1924
In the years after the First World War, several more rides were added and having outgrown the original King’s Garden site, moved to its current site to allow for expansion.

1930s
Renamed ‘Pleasureland’ and the Ghost Train added.

1937
‘Cyclone’ wooden rollercoaster opened.

1940s
Pleasureland closed during the Second World War when it was used by the Air Ministry as a ‘plane park’. The post war years saw further expansion plus an increase in tourism and more visitors.

1950s
Fun House opened with giant slides, rotating barrel, joy wheel and moving stairs. In 1954, following the Coronation, The Queen’s Horses were built.

1960s
Haunted Swing and 1001 Troubles mirror maze were constructed.

1970s
Wild Cat steel rollercoaster with its very steep drop was added to the list of rides along with Skyride and a journey-into-space dark ride.

1980s
Himalaya, a fast spinning thrill ride was installed together with the Trabant, Big Apple kiddies coaster and the Log Runner.

1991
A new major attraction from Myrtle Beach in the USA arrives - the Log Flume makes quite a splash.

1992
Sultan’s Towers kiddies park opened.

1993
Pleasureland achieves the Investors In People Award.

1994
Amazing Waterboggan ride, Astroslide, Mighty Moroccan Waltzer and
Hurricane Jets bought by Pleasureland.

1995
Pleasureland won a Britain In Bloom Award.

1997
Tidal Wave, Swamp Buggies and a new Ghost Train arrive at Pleasureland.

1998
£2 million redevelopment including Europe’s only ‘CHAOS’ ride.

1999
£8 million investment, including £5 million TRAUMAtizer, then the UK’s tallest and fastest suspended looping coaster; the ride was the first ever of its type in the UK and flies TRAUMAtized thrillseekers through 5 terrifying loops and rolls at speeds of up to 85 Km an hour, pulling up to 4.5+G! TRAUMAtizer’s 2,200 foot track suspends 8 seats for 16 riders sitting 2 abreast, so for the first time in the UK, both riders got a breathtaking view!

Plus Casablanca built, the new Family Entertainment Centre with restaurant and bar.

2000
£1m investment including King Solomon’s Mines coaster and Fun House refurbishment.

2002
Lucozade Energy Space Shot – the new £1m Space Shot for Pleasureland Southport was another major new white-knuckle thriller. A 150-foot tower ride where 12 seated riders are catapulted up into the air at 80mph, pulling 4 positive G on the way up and a tummy-tingling 1 negative G on the way down…like being ejected from a fighter plane: total “vertical reality”.

2003
Abdullah’s Dilemma: Haunted Swing and 1001 Troubles merged to make one separate attraction. An Odditorium making scientific principles fascinating for kids.

2004
Lost Dinosaurs of the Sahara: over £2m worth of investment for 2004 starring The Lost Dinosaurs of the Sahara which is the new theme of the traditional River Caves (£500K), brand new Pleasureland entrance (over £300K), Desert Rescue family ride (£200K), Sandstorm ride, and a whole host of landscaping and refurbishment projects, including new arcades, games, bingo, and catering improvements (£1m).

2005
Sponsorship and support for the Southport Air Show

2006
Chair-o-planes, Paint Ball and Big Wheel introduced

2006
5th September: Park closes