Before Chessington became the best place to come for the ultimate family day
out, it was a farmstead, a wayside alehouse and it's even been said that it was
an archery school.
It was around the time of the civil war (1642-1660) that Burnt Stub Mansion was
being used as a farmstead. Unfortunately it was burned to the ground by
Cromwell's forces and was left in ruin for many years. When the war was over, it
was re-built and used as a wayside alehouse (pub).
After that, it went back to being a farmstead and generations of owners added
to the house and made it grander until it became known as Burnt Stub
Mansion. Its believed that the name comes from the fact that oak trees in
nearby fairoak lane were being chopped down to build a palace for Henry VIII
and the stubs were burnt out to stop them re-growing. Then, in the early 20th
century a man called Reginald Goddard brought Burnt Stub Mansion and
turned it into a Zoo. It was a great success from the minute it opened.
Over the last 60 years or so the Zoo has grown to add attractions like a railway
and circus, as well as expanding the Zoo to the size it is today. This is before in
1978 Tussauds purchased the park, and shortly after planned for the
transformation into a theme park. In 1987 Chessington World of Adventures
opened its doors, and has grown ever since, to what you see in the park today.
Time Line in brief
1348 - Burnt Stub Mansion was built.
1370 - 1529 - After re-build it became the home to a medieval settlement.
1533 - 1603 - An Archery Scholl was established by Queen Elizabeth.
17th Century - Burnt Stub becomes a wayside Alehouse.
18th - 19th Century - Burnt Stub once again became a Farmstead.
1931 - Reginald Goddard purchases the land, and opens Chessington Zoo.
1945 - Through the popularity, the Zoo had expanded to now include a Funfair,
Railway, and Circus.
1946 - Reginald Goddard Dies and the Zoo is taken over by Pearsons.
1978 - The Tussauds Group purchases the Zoo.
1981 - Planning for the Theme Park begins.
1987 - Chessington World of Adventures opens to the public.
out, it was a farmstead, a wayside alehouse and it's even been said that it was
an archery school.
It was around the time of the civil war (1642-1660) that Burnt Stub Mansion was
being used as a farmstead. Unfortunately it was burned to the ground by
Cromwell's forces and was left in ruin for many years. When the war was over, it
was re-built and used as a wayside alehouse (pub).
After that, it went back to being a farmstead and generations of owners added
to the house and made it grander until it became known as Burnt Stub
Mansion. Its believed that the name comes from the fact that oak trees in
nearby fairoak lane were being chopped down to build a palace for Henry VIII
and the stubs were burnt out to stop them re-growing. Then, in the early 20th
century a man called Reginald Goddard brought Burnt Stub Mansion and
turned it into a Zoo. It was a great success from the minute it opened.
Over the last 60 years or so the Zoo has grown to add attractions like a railway
and circus, as well as expanding the Zoo to the size it is today. This is before in
1978 Tussauds purchased the park, and shortly after planned for the
transformation into a theme park. In 1987 Chessington World of Adventures
opened its doors, and has grown ever since, to what you see in the park today.
Time Line in brief
1348 - Burnt Stub Mansion was built.
1370 - 1529 - After re-build it became the home to a medieval settlement.
1533 - 1603 - An Archery Scholl was established by Queen Elizabeth.
17th Century - Burnt Stub becomes a wayside Alehouse.
18th - 19th Century - Burnt Stub once again became a Farmstead.
1931 - Reginald Goddard purchases the land, and opens Chessington Zoo.
1945 - Through the popularity, the Zoo had expanded to now include a Funfair,
Railway, and Circus.
1946 - Reginald Goddard Dies and the Zoo is taken over by Pearsons.
1978 - The Tussauds Group purchases the Zoo.
1981 - Planning for the Theme Park begins.
1987 - Chessington World of Adventures opens to the public.
Welcome to Chessington UK History section! Here you can find out how Chessington has developed over the years, with an in depth look at old, and new Chessington! Above, you can access the menu on every page to help you find your way around, the main page contains a piece on Chessington's Progress, the time line gives you a quick look at key dates over the years, while the menu below cover's every year since Chessington has been open as a theme park, with in depth pictures and maps from nearly every year. |
Over the past years Chessington has gone over many changes since its opening in 1987, but the question on the
minds of everyone looking at the park, is, is the parks new family come first outlook working?
Before its looked at, here’s a quick look at what I feel were the best and worst years for the park, for the different
visitors they were trying to attract, since being a more concentrated theme park.
Best year for Thrill Seekers: 1999
The reason I believe this was the best year for the park for thrill seekers, was the amount of more thrilling rides, to the
amount of family/children attractions. 1999 obviously saw the impact of Samurai on the park, and with Rattlesnake still
fresh from 1998, along with a fully themed Vampire, Rameses Revenge, and Rodeo, and the complete closure of
circus world, the options were more in favour of the thrill rides.
Worst Year for Thrill Seekers: 2005
Yes, can't see much argument here, the closure of Samurai in 2004, with the eventual replacement of Peeking
Heights, Rodeo closing and Rameses Revenge with several months down time, even with Dragon's Fury, thrill
seekers had nothing extra in 2005.
Best year for the Family: 2011
Heading in the right direction 2011 sees the best year for the family, for a few reasons over the 2010 season, even
though the biggest point would have to be Wild Asia. With Wild Asia in full flow, including previous existing rides and
of course Kobra and the Lorikeet Lagoon, is also joined by a fully open Wanyama Village for the full season, and the
return of the Chessington stage area full time. Chessington at the moment is one of the best family parks to visit,
whilst it does need that extra thrill, the park looks excellent as years go on. Although a new show is on board for 2012,
with the lack of investment seen in both Thorpe Park (The Swarm) and Alton Towers (Ice Age 4D and Nemesis Sub
Terra) whilst the park will have a good year, it's still unfortunately lacking.
Worst year for the Family: 1999
The best year for the thrill seekers has to be the worst for the family, for the very same reasons! Lots of thrill rides,
No Circus, depleted animals removed gradually in previous years, and some old children’s rides in the clown coaster,
certainly the year before Beanoland main investment had gone into Thrill Seekers.
Best year for the Park: 2000
Yes with investment all over the park, regardless what is said about Beanoland, its a smart choice, and even with
Vampire's few breakdowns, the line up for this year for thrill seekers and family could be regarded as the best, this
included continuation of work in decoration (Rameses Revenge, previous year Black Buccaneer and Vampire) and
Beanoland.
Worst year for the park: 2001
Although reported early, it seemed a late decision to close Vampire for 2001, and it’s difficult to close something, that
is, that obvious of still being there. Little was known at the time if it was being removed or revamped, along with
Vampire, many saw attraction like Forbidden Tomb, and the Animal Land, as falling apart, and unfortunately, the
Bash Street Bus wasn't going to help the complaints.
It's very difficult to make a list like above, and I’m sure that not everyone will agree, but even with big years like 1987,
1990, and 1995, I feel the park is still making progress, and if the parks best year was 10 years ago, that wouldn't say
much for its improvement.
The final thing that crops up a lot, is the new direction for the park, families, although sitting, looking closely at the
park since its opening, hasn't this always been the case?
I mean yes, Thorpe Park is now a Thrill Park, but did Chessington ever have anything like that in the first place, no.
Its fair to say that when Chessington opened it had some great rides, with possibly the most thrilling being Magic
Carpet and that was more through fear of falling out than speed! Even when Vampire opened, right the way up to
1995, there was no ride that inverted, not even a ride with a 1.4m height restriction. Instead there was Vampire, even
at the time, a fun, well themed roller coaster, Bubble Works, 5th Dimension, the low restricted Smugglers Galleon,
Dragon River, and Circus World with Juggler, even taking the fact that Vampire was more of a thrilling ride,
Chessington, was a family park.
1995 brings the first thrill ride to Chessington (and people say its still not now) and by this time, real thrilling roller
coasters, in Shockwave, Big One, and of course Nemesis were shadowing Vampire as an entry level coaster. Then in
1999, Samurai really showed what flat rides are about, in a time when they were getting more popular, and much
more advance, Chessington struck hard to bring the best in. Was it a thrill park? Alton Towers, classed as a thrill
park, had Nemesis, Oblivion, Corkscrew, and a clone of Rameses, which again, means Chessington can’t be with
Rattlesnake and Vampire heading the roller coaster outings. But, with those in mind, Chessington was the place to
be, because it had something for everyone.
So why the negativity of recent installations? It was obviously disappointing seeing Samurai leave, but should that ride
have replaced the Magic Carpet in the first place? Although it’s a question I don't want to answer, if Thorpe Park
hadn't installed what’s it’s installed since 2001, would Chessington be getting so much stick for thrill rides? Well it
never used to, and the years 1991, 92, 93, 96, 97, saw little in the way of major investment, but still the park stayed
on top, yet 2002, and 2004, and then in 2010 sees massive investment and people miss the point. Chessington is
now established as a family theme park, and with Wild Asia now open, probably the best looking park in the UK, yes
including the towers.
Each area is themed, and 90% looks fantastic with lots of new additions added every year. Family rides have been
getting better and better, as to the attractions with the addition of animals coming back to the park, however, what is
next? Animal aside, the park is running short on space, and some rides (Mine Train, Bubble works) look worn and in
need of a really good refresh. Also is another thrill ride needed to add to the family lineup? Only time will tell but the
2013 plans for the Safari Trail need to go ahead to really boost the park numbers.
minds of everyone looking at the park, is, is the parks new family come first outlook working?
Before its looked at, here’s a quick look at what I feel were the best and worst years for the park, for the different
visitors they were trying to attract, since being a more concentrated theme park.
Best year for Thrill Seekers: 1999
The reason I believe this was the best year for the park for thrill seekers, was the amount of more thrilling rides, to the
amount of family/children attractions. 1999 obviously saw the impact of Samurai on the park, and with Rattlesnake still
fresh from 1998, along with a fully themed Vampire, Rameses Revenge, and Rodeo, and the complete closure of
circus world, the options were more in favour of the thrill rides.
Worst Year for Thrill Seekers: 2005
Yes, can't see much argument here, the closure of Samurai in 2004, with the eventual replacement of Peeking
Heights, Rodeo closing and Rameses Revenge with several months down time, even with Dragon's Fury, thrill
seekers had nothing extra in 2005.
Best year for the Family: 2011
Heading in the right direction 2011 sees the best year for the family, for a few reasons over the 2010 season, even
though the biggest point would have to be Wild Asia. With Wild Asia in full flow, including previous existing rides and
of course Kobra and the Lorikeet Lagoon, is also joined by a fully open Wanyama Village for the full season, and the
return of the Chessington stage area full time. Chessington at the moment is one of the best family parks to visit,
whilst it does need that extra thrill, the park looks excellent as years go on. Although a new show is on board for 2012,
with the lack of investment seen in both Thorpe Park (The Swarm) and Alton Towers (Ice Age 4D and Nemesis Sub
Terra) whilst the park will have a good year, it's still unfortunately lacking.
Worst year for the Family: 1999
The best year for the thrill seekers has to be the worst for the family, for the very same reasons! Lots of thrill rides,
No Circus, depleted animals removed gradually in previous years, and some old children’s rides in the clown coaster,
certainly the year before Beanoland main investment had gone into Thrill Seekers.
Best year for the Park: 2000
Yes with investment all over the park, regardless what is said about Beanoland, its a smart choice, and even with
Vampire's few breakdowns, the line up for this year for thrill seekers and family could be regarded as the best, this
included continuation of work in decoration (Rameses Revenge, previous year Black Buccaneer and Vampire) and
Beanoland.
Worst year for the park: 2001
Although reported early, it seemed a late decision to close Vampire for 2001, and it’s difficult to close something, that
is, that obvious of still being there. Little was known at the time if it was being removed or revamped, along with
Vampire, many saw attraction like Forbidden Tomb, and the Animal Land, as falling apart, and unfortunately, the
Bash Street Bus wasn't going to help the complaints.
It's very difficult to make a list like above, and I’m sure that not everyone will agree, but even with big years like 1987,
1990, and 1995, I feel the park is still making progress, and if the parks best year was 10 years ago, that wouldn't say
much for its improvement.
The final thing that crops up a lot, is the new direction for the park, families, although sitting, looking closely at the
park since its opening, hasn't this always been the case?
I mean yes, Thorpe Park is now a Thrill Park, but did Chessington ever have anything like that in the first place, no.
Its fair to say that when Chessington opened it had some great rides, with possibly the most thrilling being Magic
Carpet and that was more through fear of falling out than speed! Even when Vampire opened, right the way up to
1995, there was no ride that inverted, not even a ride with a 1.4m height restriction. Instead there was Vampire, even
at the time, a fun, well themed roller coaster, Bubble Works, 5th Dimension, the low restricted Smugglers Galleon,
Dragon River, and Circus World with Juggler, even taking the fact that Vampire was more of a thrilling ride,
Chessington, was a family park.
1995 brings the first thrill ride to Chessington (and people say its still not now) and by this time, real thrilling roller
coasters, in Shockwave, Big One, and of course Nemesis were shadowing Vampire as an entry level coaster. Then in
1999, Samurai really showed what flat rides are about, in a time when they were getting more popular, and much
more advance, Chessington struck hard to bring the best in. Was it a thrill park? Alton Towers, classed as a thrill
park, had Nemesis, Oblivion, Corkscrew, and a clone of Rameses, which again, means Chessington can’t be with
Rattlesnake and Vampire heading the roller coaster outings. But, with those in mind, Chessington was the place to
be, because it had something for everyone.
So why the negativity of recent installations? It was obviously disappointing seeing Samurai leave, but should that ride
have replaced the Magic Carpet in the first place? Although it’s a question I don't want to answer, if Thorpe Park
hadn't installed what’s it’s installed since 2001, would Chessington be getting so much stick for thrill rides? Well it
never used to, and the years 1991, 92, 93, 96, 97, saw little in the way of major investment, but still the park stayed
on top, yet 2002, and 2004, and then in 2010 sees massive investment and people miss the point. Chessington is
now established as a family theme park, and with Wild Asia now open, probably the best looking park in the UK, yes
including the towers.
Each area is themed, and 90% looks fantastic with lots of new additions added every year. Family rides have been
getting better and better, as to the attractions with the addition of animals coming back to the park, however, what is
next? Animal aside, the park is running short on space, and some rides (Mine Train, Bubble works) look worn and in
need of a really good refresh. Also is another thrill ride needed to add to the family lineup? Only time will tell but the
2013 plans for the Safari Trail need to go ahead to really boost the park numbers.
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