The lost theme park a short trip from Greater Manchester that delighted 80s and 90s kids

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Many Mancunians will remember visiting a now lost theme park only a short car journey from Greater Manchester and only a few miles from the ever popular Alton Towers.

The American Adventure theme park in Ilkeston, Derbyshire, was a much loved wild west inspired themed park. Famous for its white-knuckle rides, the park opened on a country estate in 1987 and thrilled visitors from all over the North West in the '80s and '90s.

Originally the site opened in 1985 as Britannia Park but lasted a mere 10-weeks before closing. Derbyshire County Council bought the land in 1986 and sold it to Manchester based Granada who had also recently purchased the Camelot theme park and opened the now lost Granada Studios theme park in Manchester in 1988. Read More:Lost children's paddling pool in Heaton Park was 'an endless place of adventure' for kids Read More:Loved and lost Greater Manchester family fun centre had 'everything under one roof' Different from Granada's other theme parks, American Adventure had an Old West and cowboys versus Native Americans theme.

Despite being in direct competition with the likes of nearby Alton Towers, American Adventure initially proved a big hit with its rollercoasters, fairground rides and even its own Wild West town called Silver City with a saloon - Lazy Lils - featuring spectacular staged shoot-outs between cowboys.