The history of Wet 'n' Wild, once the UK's biggest waterpark, as attraction is sold

A North Shields indoor waterpark that made childhood memories for thousands of families has been sold. As reported earlier this week, Wet 'n' Wild owners Serco placed the popular waterpark on the market, some four years after buying the attraction.

An update from the business has revealed that Wet ‘n’ Wild has been sold to a developer, though the identity of the new owner and its plans for the site are yet to be revealed. Many had hoped that the attraction which was once Britain’s largest waterpark would reopen.

Wet ‘n’ Wild was once home to attractions including the Black Hole, Kamikaze, Abyss and the Lazy River. It was opened in 1993 by Jet, one of the original Gladiators from the ITV game show. Now, after more than two decades, ChronicleLive takes a look back at Wet 'n' Wild's history over the years.

• Read more: Waterpark Wet 'n' Wild is sold to North East developer, owners reveal

• Read more: A splashing 1990s day out at North Shields' Wet 'n' Wild water park - in 10 photographs

Opening in 1993, Wet 'n' Wild at Royal Quays, North Shields, was the largest indoor water park in the UK. Hundreds and thousands of visitors flooded in eager to try out the new pools and slides including the Kamikaze, Abyss and the Lazy River.

Originally home to Britain’s biggest water slide, the 165 metre long Black Hole, the attraction became a much-loved place for birthday parties and family activities. The Black Hole holds a very special place is this Ashington couple’s hearts.

After many dates at the pool since they met, in 1997 romantic Gary Young took the plunge and asked his girlfriend Dawn Carney to marry him. The special proposal happened whilst 31-year-old Gary and Dawn journeyed down the 600ft pitch black tunnel in an inflatable ring.

Then in 2001, the pool was part of a world record attempt to slide down a water chute the fastest. After looking in the Guinness Book of Records and the attraction could not find anything relating to flumes so asked if they could set up a new record - all in aid of charity. The pool was first to set the individual world speed record for flume riding down the Tornado corkscrew double twister.

In 2013, the Geordie Shore cast went Wet 'n' Wild when they filmed part of an episode there. After many years of fun and laughter, hundreds of families were left shocked in October 2013 when it was announced the attraction was closing.

With many feeling lost without the pool, they were over the moon to hear that Wet 'n' Wild would be opening its doors again in summer 2014.

Following the takeover by Moirai Capital Investments, the attraction had an £1.1m refurbishment - including a new reception, entrance, café, a new soft play area and lower admission costs than before. And since reopening, Wet 'n' Wild had over 170,00 visitors within their first 12 months.

In latter years, as Wet 'n' Wild struggled, there seemed to be a glimpse of hope and in Sept 2017 the attraction was snapped up in a £2.9m deal by London investors. But in September 2019, Wet 'n' Wild announced that it was closing over the winter and would remain shut until February 2019.

Due to the need for maintenance work the attraction then extended its closure and revealed that it would be open again in the Easter holidays. Its future has remained uncertain ever since.

Along the years the site has also seen tragedy and scandals. In 2000, seven-year-old Anthony Armstrong, from High Spen, Gateshead, was pulled unconscious from the wave pool. He sadly died two days later.

In 2017, mum, Joanne Adoniadis, from Felling, was left in shock after she visited the water park and found 'spyholes' in a changing room cubicle. As the family was changing, Joanne heard her son, in a next door cubicle with her husband, shouting out that he could see his mum and sister. The family left in disgust. The discovery was reported and staff at Wet n Wild immediately filled the holes.

Another mum was left horrified in 2014 after she discovered faeces at the popular water park. Justine Bell visited Wet 'n' Wild with her 10-year-old daughter Millie Doughty and minutes into the visit, she had to grab Millie to keep her from stepping in human faeces at the foot of one the water park’s popular slides.