LAST RIDE
Huge UK indoor theme park once Europe’s largest that was forced to close 16 years ago – with fans calling for its return
And what it was like to visit the theme park as a child during the 90s and 00s
THE UK used to be home to Europe's largest indoor theme park, with plenty of its fans calling for it to return.
In 2008, Metroland at the MetroCentre shopping mall in Gateshead, near Newcastle, closed its doors for good after two decades of entertaining families.
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Now in its place is a cinema, along with restaurants and other attractions, keeping kids occupied while their parents go shopping.
However, that job used to be carried out by 12 rides, games and fairground attractions, with housed under the same roof as the sprawling shopping centre's many retail options.
The theme park was the grand idea of the MetroCentre's former owner John Hall, who was inspired by a similar park called Fantasyland that opened in the West Edmonton Mall in Canada in 1983.
explained: "Inspired by the Canadian model, John envisioned a place where the excitement and joy of an amusement park could be experienced year-round, unaffected by the unpredictable British weather.
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"This idea was about to add a whole new dimension to the shopping and leisure experience they were crafting for the North East."
By 1988, John had realised his dream launching Metroland, after investing £20million in the project.
It would go on to become Europe’s largest indoor amusement park and would be a game-changer for kids everywhere, sick of being dragged around shops by their parents all weekend.
It could be seen from miles around in its giant shiny mirror building, enticing people to come inside and make the most of its vast array of rides and attractions.
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Among kids' favourites were the Disco Dodgems, a pirate ship and its Waveswinger, a spinning swing ride that sent kids flying around in circles from high above the rest of the park.
However, its rollercoaster was the pick of the bunch, with the noises of it zipping through the theme park, accompanied by the screams of the people on it, almost as iconic as the ride itself.
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Newcastle Uncovered continued: "The crown jewel of Metroland was its rollercoaster.
"More than just a ride, it was a rite of passage for youngsters in the North East."
Eventually, problems with lease agreements, wear and tear and updates to the shopping centre put its future at risk.
Despite a spirited public campaign and letters and petitions against its closure the park was forced to shut its doors for good in 2008 and hasn't been reopened since.
Its rides were sold off and then the rest of its parts and fittings were sold off at an auction to fans as mementos.
What was a day out at Metroland like?
Sun Travel's Ryan Gray recounts his experiences of visits to Metroland.
As a child growing up in the North East in both the 90s and 00s, trips to Metroland were all part of the fun of a day out at the MetroCentre.
In the days before online shopping, having Europe's largest indoor shopping centre nearby meant that a lot of my weekends were spent there, whenever my parents needed to get something.
However, while either my mum or dad went looking for whatever items they needed from the vast number of shops, the other one would take me up to Metroland - where I would get to run about, play games and go on the rides as much as I liked, for the princely sum of £6.
Pictures of it might suggest otherwise, but its rollercoaster and swing rides always seemed absolutely huge to me when I was younger and it was a lot of fun going on them over and over again.
I remember the sound of the rollercoaster whizzing around on the tracks, while people could be heard screaming at regular intervals as it passed overhead.
There was also a video game arcade, fairground snacks like candy floss on sale and loads of smaller attractions for little kids too.
It was a highlight of my youth and I always returned home happy from a day out at the MetroCentre, sweets in hand, having been on all my favourite rides multiple times.
I remember when it closed, there was a huge auction, with all of the rides and parts sold off.
I was tempted to try and buy some important nostalgic childhood memorabilia, but it was much too expensive.
Instead, I'd much rather see it reopened and enjoyed by future generations of kids, avoiding being bored while shopping with their parents.
Those fans were given a brief glimpse of excitement earlier this year when it looked like the park might be reopening.
A post appeared on Facebook from an account called Metroland MetroCentre, claiming that the amusement park would be making a comeback in spring 2026 "with new rides and a jungle-themed cafe".
However, according to , "it didn't take long for people to realise that the news was fake" and the Facebook account has since been deleted.
Earlier this year, the same publication shared photos of the theme park on their Facebook page, leading to people calling for it to return.
One wrote: "Should never have closed it. It made the MetroCentre unique and stand out from other malls."
Another said: "Bring it back, it's what people want."
A third added: "I miss Metroland so much, my favourite childhood memory, please bring it back."
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Meanwhile, this award-winning theme park is set to open a new £300m attraction in the UK.
And a huge new theme park opening in 2025 will include a Harry Potter-based land.
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