Sunshine 'boost' for under-pressure attractions 19 minutes ago Andrea Ormsby South West Crealy Theme and Resort Park New rides including the Pirates Plummet helped bring visitors to Crealy Theme and Resort Park, bosses said A hot summer has given some tourist attractions a "much-needed boost" after a difficult few years, bosses have said. Among those reporting a positive season was Crealy Theme and Resort Park in Devon, one of the region's biggest attractions, which is considering how to adapt for the future after the hottest summer on record . Indoor attractions including the National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth said visitors had come to "escape from the sun" but this was in contrast to Bodmin Jail which reported a "huge decline" in numbers over summer.
Devon Association of Tourist Attractions chairman Roger Sell said visitor numbers varied considerably across the county but spending was generally strong despite lower footfall for indoor attractions, making for a "mixed but resilient summer overall". The Cornwall Association of Tourist Attractions said the season had a "mixed start but a strong finish" with about half of its members in August reporting higher admissions and about seven in 10 reporting higher revenue than the year before. PA Media Theme parks were in competition with beaches as the South West experienced consistent hot weather Cornwall Visitor Alliance chairwoman Katie Warren said overall 2026 had been a positive season for attractions.
"During the very hot days it was a bit quieter at the attractions but overall it did not affect them," she said. "Visitor spend was slightly up - they were buying more at the restaurants and cafes. It was a much-needed boost for them because some attractions have suffered with rising costs." Crealy director Josh Haywood said summer brought new challenges including rides being "too hot to sit in" Crealy director Josh Haywood credited "a really good summer" with a major £2m investment on two new family thrill rides.
He said the investment "certainly helped people through the doors" but the hotter weather also brought its own set of challenges including seats on rides being "too hot to sit in". "It's always difficult when you're competing against the weather," he said. "We have some world class beaches in the South West and it's very easy for people to go and have cheaper days out at the beach." He said he was already making plans for next year on how to combat hot weather.
"Do we add more shaded areas? Do we add more water attractions?" he said. Canonteign Falls experienced lower than expected visitors in August, according to chief executive Amy Greenman Despite a strong start to summer, bosses at Canonteign Falls near Exeter said visitors started to tail off as hot weather persisted.
Chief executive Amy Greenman said it had been a "fantastic July" for the highest waterfall in the South West. However, she said August was "slightly lower than expected" for visitors. "Those heady heights we're used to in August were definitely not there," she said.
"People were definitely feeling like a 220ft waterfall might be quite a lot in those really hot days." Cornish heritage attraction Bodmin Jail reported a more widespread drop in visitors over the summer. General manager Ashleigh Bettison said the jail was typically a "rainy day attraction" and this year it experienced a "huge decline" in numbers. "When you only have two to three days of rain in a season, it's been really bad," she said.
Tourism tax concerns Tourism bosses, however, said changing weather patterns were not as concerning as future economic uncertainty and investment in the sector. They cited low confidence as a result of the cost of living, staff bills, uncertainty over higher fuel and a possible levy on tourism as major issues. The government said "tourism is a major contributor to the South West economy"and "we are committed to supporting the sector".
"Our forthcoming Visitor Economy strategy will set out a long-term plan to help drive sustainable growth across the country," a spokesperson said. "On top of that we are investing £3.38m to help destinations develop stronger visitor experiences and VisitBritain's £2m All on England's Coast campaign is encouraging people to book staycation breaks this autumn." More on this story Related internet links
Source: BBC
