Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Oakwood Theme Park operated for nearly 40 years in rural West Wales, but its early story is often overlooked.
In this first part of a new history series, I’m taking a deep dive into The MacNamara Years, from the park’s opening in 1987 through to the mid-2000s. This was the era that shaped Oakwood’s identity, from its early family attractions and unusual ride line-up, right through to the arrival of Megafobia and the park’s rise onto the national stage.
Using rare photos, archive adverts, old footage and press coverage, this episode looks at how Oakwood evolved year by year, what worked, what didn’t, and how a small Welsh theme park ended up building one of the UK’s most famous wooden roller coasters.
This is part one of a two-part history series.
0:00 - Intro
0:11 - 1987
3:02 - 1988
3:32 - 1989
5:00 - 1991
5:58 - 1992
6:37 - 1994
7:42 - 1995
8:44 - 1996
12:19 - 1997
13:55 - 1999
15:48 - 2000
16:27 - 2001
16:48 - 2002
17:21 - 2003
17:56 - 2004
19:10 - 2006
Join this channel to get access to perks:
youtube.com/channel/UCT4CT3g8Rm0vovxPejqkQVw/join
For theme park merch please visit:
coaster-dad.com
For POVs visit:
youtube.com/@coaster_dad_POV
Follow Coaster Dad on social media!
Facebook: facebook.com/coasterdad1
Twitter: twitter.com/_coaster_dad
Instagram: instagram.com/coaster.dad
TikTok: tiktok.com/@coaster_dad
If you like Theme Parks and puzzles, check out my books on Amazon:
amazon.com/dp/B0BQY232QB
amazon.com/dp/B0BSLKY52S
Oakwood Theme Park operated for nearly 40 years in rural West Wales, but its early story is often overlooked.
In this first part of a new history series, I’m taking a deep dive into The MacNamara Years, from the park’s opening in 1987 through to the mid-2000s. This was the era that shaped Oakwood’s identity, from its early family attractions and unusual ride line-up, right through to the arrival of Megafobia and the park’s rise onto the national stage.
Using rare photos, archive adverts, old footage and press coverage, this episode looks at how Oakwood evolved year by year, what worked, what didn’t, and how a small Welsh theme park ended up building one of the UK’s most famous wooden roller coasters.
This is part one of a two-part history series.
0:00 - Intro
0:11 - 1987
3:02 - 1988
3:32 - 1989
5:00 - 1991
5:58 - 1992
6:37 - 1994
7:42 - 1995
8:44 - 1996
12:19 - 1997
13:55 - 1999
15:48 - 2000
16:27 - 2001
16:48 - 2002
17:21 - 2003
17:56 - 2004
19:10 - 2006
Join this channel to get access to perks:
youtube.com/channel/UCT4CT3g8Rm0vovxPejqkQVw/join
For theme park merch please visit:
coaster-dad.com
For POVs visit:
youtube.com/@coaster_dad_POV
Follow Coaster Dad on social media!
Facebook: facebook.com/coasterdad1
Twitter: twitter.com/_coaster_dad
Instagram: instagram.com/coaster.dad
TikTok: tiktok.com/@coaster_dad
If you like Theme Parks and puzzles, check out my books on Amazon:
amazon.com/dp/B0BQY232QB
amazon.com/dp/B0BSLKY52S
