Coney Beach Amusement Park, a fixture of Porthcawl’s seafront since 1918, will close permanently at the end of the 2025 season. The announcement was made by The Evans family, who have operated the park for generations.
“This season at Coney Beach will be our last,” they said. “We will be closing our gates for the final time this October. It’s the end of an era. For over 100 years we and other showmen and their families have lived and worked in Porthcawl helping to make it a busy seaside destination bringing fun, laughter, and fond memories to so many.”
The closure comes as part of a wider regeneration scheme led by Bridgend County Borough Council and the Welsh Government, which will see the 20-hectare waterfront site transformed into a mixed-use development. Plans include up to 1,100 new homes, retail and leisure facilities, a primary school, and extended public boardwalks and green spaces.
Coney Beach was originally built to entertain American troops returning from the First World War and took its name from the famous New York amusement park on Coney Island. Over the decades, it became a beloved destination for generations of families across South Wales and beyond.
“We will miss it greatly and while we are sad to see our time here come to an end, we are forever grateful to have had the opportunity to have been part of so many generations of families’ lives, young and old,” the Evans family added. “Thank you for sharing our love of ‘all the fun of the fair’ and the legacy that Coney Beach leaves.”
The announcement has sparked an emotional response from the community, with hundreds of comments flooding social media.
“This is heartbreaking,” wrote one commenter. “I have so many memories of going there with my grandparents. It was the highlight of every summer.”
Another added: “Genuinely gutted. Coney Beach was part of my childhood and now my kids won’t get to experience it the same way.”
“Thank you for the memories,” said a third. “From the ghost train to the dodgems, it was always the best day out. You’ll be missed more than you know.”
Some called for a commemorative event or permanent tribute to mark the park’s legacy, with suggestions ranging from a heritage mural to a dedicated exhibit in the town’s museum.
As Porthcawl looks ahead to a new chapter, the closure of Coney Beach marks a poignant moment in the town’s history — a farewell to a century of seaside tradition, and a reminder of the enduring power of shared memories.
