An iconic rollercoaster in a British seaside resort will never roll again if management plans to give the attraction “a well-earned retirement” go ahead. Dreamland Margate, an amusement park on the Kent coast, has announced that its historic, grade II-listed Scenic Railway is set to close permanently.
The Scenic Railway was inaugurated over a century ago in 1920 in the town of Margate, which had long marketed itself as a seaside destination for Londoners. The advent of the railways made the Kent town more accessible and popular. Dreamland, the funfair that hosted the Scenic Railway, was an attempt to emulate US-style attractions such as Coney Island, further boosting Margate’s appeal to holidaymakers. The railway was promoted as the largest rollercoaster in Europe and attracted almost a million riders during its first season alone.
But in recent years, the funfair has experienced other ups and downs, financial concerns, disrepair, and public and private ownership. The Scenic Railway suffered repeated fire damage and has been threatened by redevelopment, amid the sale of other rides at the park. The railway was eventually shut down in 2024 after a train derailed and did not operate in 2025.
Now threatened with permanent closure, the railway remains reliant on the many campaigners and locals who have lobbied to save it over the years, citing its cultural and historical significance. Having won protected grade II status in 2002, the Scenic Railway cannot be demolished, but Dreamland’s management does not appear to want to erase its memory.
Dreamland said in a statement it is disappointed at the railway’s fate and remains “committed to developing a new long-term vision that will not only showcase this remarkable grade-II listed structure, but reimagine its purpose so it can continue to be enjoyed by future generations in a fresh and meaningful way.”
The park is calling for proposals for the ride’s future, and promising the beloved structure will be redeployed for people to “enjoy in a different way.” But it is also already memorialising its past, asking the public to share their memories of the rollercoaster, and commemorating its history in a pop-up exhibition scheduled for summer 2026.
It’s with a heavy heart that we share the news that the Scenic Railway at Dreamland in Margate, England, Britain’s oldest wooden roller coaster, has officially been retired from operation. This classic opened in 1920.
— American Coaster Enthusiasts (@aceonlineorg) January 28, 2026
📸: Michael Horwood, Bobby Nagy, C. Schimmel, Derek Perry pic.twitter.com/ZoXGSh7ZSA
Meanwhile, some locals have criticised the decision, with one hotel owner in the town hailing the railway as an “important artefact” and saying it would be “sad” to see it go. Another told the BBC the ride is still “good for attracting people down here.” That factor could be important, given Visit Kent’s research published in 2024, which shows nearly three in four people (71%) said they had “no compelling reason to visit Kent.”
The deputy leader of Thanet District Council (TDC), Helen Whitehead, agrees that the Scenic Railway should be considered a vital part of the area’s appeal. She has written to the UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, arguing the ride is of international and local importance and urging Nandy to step in to prevent the Scenic Railway’s closure.
