Remember Mr Blobby? He once had his very own theme park in Somerset, but its fate echoed that of the character that inspired it.
At the height of his fame in the late 1990s, Mr Blobby attracted almost 17 million viewers to the Noel’s House Party television show, hosted by Noel Edmonds. The large, pink character caused chaos wherever he went, and although many adults despised him, he proved to be a huge hit with younger viewers.
The only word that Mr Blobby could say was, fittingly, “Blobby”. He caused controversy in the media, with Elizabeth Kolbert of The New York Times writing: “Mr. Blobby’s rise to stardom has provoked anguished commentaries about just what he stands for — the so-called Blobby question. Some commentators have called him a metaphor for a nation gone soft in the head. Others have seen him as proof of Britain’s deep-seated attraction to trash.”
Mr Blobby’s popularity led to the opening of two theme parks dedicated to the character. The first, in Lancashire, closed down just three months after opening in 1994, resulting in a £2 million loss for the local council. The second in Somerset, lasted a little longer, closing in 1999 after Noel’s House Party was finally cancelled by the BBC. Pleasurewood Hills also briefly hosted Mr Blobby, but the park survived as an independent entity.
Here’s a glimpse at what was on offer at the Somerset Blobbyland, the main attraction of which was Mr Blobby’s house, Dunblobbin’.
When the theme park closed, most of the rides and attractions were removed and the site reverted to being a wildlife park. The exceptions were Mr Blobby’s home itself, and the train ride that circled the park. Raves were held at the abandoned site, resulting in extensive damage.
Take a trip into the derelict Blobbyland in the stunning video below from YouTube user trimcatchris:
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Did you visit the Mr Blobby theme park before its closure? What do you remember about the park? Let us know in the comments below!
