AFTER 23 YEARS COLOSSUS LEAVES ROBIN HILL FOR THE MAINLAND

One of the main attractions at Robin Hill, the swinging galleon boat ride ‘Colossus’, has been shipped to the mainland this week. Colossus was a brand new ride when it arrived at Downend in the year 2000, but after some 23 years in operation, it seems it’s time on the Island has come to an end – or has it? The Italian-built swing boat was removed from the now-closed Robin Hill over the weekend and placed on the back of a lorry. It was last seen heading onto a car ferry to the mainland, but its final destination is currently unknown. For more than 2 decades the ride had been a firm favourite with visitors offering an exhilarating journey some 40ft into the air. Island Echo also understands that the Cows Express Junior Train Ride has been removed from the park. Vectis Ventures announced at the start of October 2023 that they were closing the tourist attraction and placing it up for sale following a prolonged period of financial turbulence. The COVID pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis were also blamed for the decision to close, with poor weather in the previous 2 seasons hitting visitor numbers too. In November, Robin Hill was listed with Savills with an asking price of £2.25million. https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=GfUBIZe4yU0