In a controversial move that marks the end of a century-long era for the British seaside, Dreamland Margate has officially announced that the Scenic Railway, the UK’s oldest roller coaster, has completed its final journey as an operational ride.
The Grade II* listed timber landmark is entering a period of “well-earned retirement,” transitioning from a thrill-seeker’s staple into a permanent heritage installation and creative space.
The decision signals a transformative chapter for an attraction that has survived fires, neglect, and the changing tides of the British tourism industry. Dreamland leadership confirmed that while the coaster will no longer haul passengers up its famous lift hills, the structure itself will remain the centrepiece of the park. The focus now shifts toward a “reimagining” of the site, with the park issuing a creative call-out to heritage experts, local organisations, and visionaries to propose a sustainable future for the wooden giant.
The Scenic Railway’s history is inextricably linked to the survival of Margate itself. Opened in 1920 by John Henry Iles, the coaster was based on designs by LaMarcus Adna Thompson, the “Father of Gravity.” Unlike modern coasters, the Scenic Railway required a “brake man” to ride aboard the cars to control speed, a rare feature that made it a site of pilgrimage for global enthusiasts. Its significance was formally recognised in 2002, when it became the first roller coaster in the country to be granted listed status, and was eventually upgraded to Grade II* due to its international rarity.
The path to this retirement has been anything but smooth. The coaster’s story is one of remarkable resilience against shifting ownership and physical decay. Following the decline of the traditional seaside holiday in the 1980s and 90s, the park faced numerous threats of closure. Under the ownership of the Bembom Brothers, the park was renamed “Bembom Rides” for a period, but the coaster retained its soul. Disaster struck in 2008 when an arson attack destroyed significant portions of the track and the original station.
The subsequent “Save Dreamland” campaign became a symbol of community defiance, eventually leading to a multi-million-pound restoration funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. When Dreamland reopened in 2015 under the guidance of Sands Heritage Ltd, and later the involvement of Arrowgrass Capital Partners, the Scenic Railway was the star attraction, painstakingly rebuilt using traditional timber techniques and reclaimed wood.
However, the high cost of maintaining a century-old wooden structure to modern safety standards has prompted this pivot toward a stationary future. Dreamland’s new vision aims to showcase the structure’s architectural beauty while ensuring it remains financially viable and accessible. This summer, the park will bridge the transition with a pop-up exhibit celebrating the coaster’s storied past, inviting the public to share memories before the “reinvention” begins in earnest.
Potential contributors are being asked to provide proposals that respect the strict heritage protections of the Grade II* status while aligning with Dreamland’s modern identity as a cultural and musical hub. The park has emphasised that any new use must be operationally achievable and inclusive, ensuring the “Margate icon” remains a functional part of the skyline, even if its days of high-speed drops are now a matter of history.
Photos: Dreamland/Dreamland Heritage Trust
