Scenic Railway at Margate's Dreamland has closed permanently

The Grade II* Scenic Railway at Dreamland in Margate has been announced as permanently closed. The wooden ride, Britain’s oldest rollercoaster, has been out of service since developing a fault in 2024 and was last restored in 2015.

The Scenic Railway at Dreamland in Margate has been announced as permanently closed. The wooden coaster opened in 1920 and is Grade II* listed. It has not operated since a fault developed in 2024. The ride was restored in 2015 after earlier periods of damage and closure. Key points: - The permanent closure was announced and has prompted public reaction in Margate. - The Scenic Railway opened on 3 July 1920 and is described as Britain’s oldest wooden rollercoaster and a listed historic structure. - The ride had been out of use since 2024 and had previously been repaired and restored, including after fires in 1949 and 1957 and an arson attack in 2008. - Local residents, former staff and a historian described the attraction as a multigenerational part of Margate’s heritage and expressed sadness at the closure. Summary: The closure marks the end of a long-running seaside attraction that many in Margate associate with family tradition and local identity. Reporting does not specify immediate procedures or plans related to the ride. The situation remains undetermined at this time.