How the Story Begins
In March 1976, Lieutenant Commander Douglas Kingsford Hale RN, now chairman of 'FLAMBARDS', retired from the Royal Navy after 25 years service as a pilot and founded the 'CORNWALL AIRCRAFT PARK'. The park officially opened to the public on 10th June 1976, and was very well recieved by both local residents and the many holiday visitors in Cornwall. It attracted over 72,000 people during the first season. Towards the end of the season, the Park gained a special British Tourist Authority 'Come to Britain' award.

The joint founder of the park, Mrs Audrey Hale, is Director of Design and Acquisitions, she has designed and personally supervised the creation of all Flambards exhibitions and landscaping.
In 1979 'FLAMBARDS VILLAGE' was opened as a small exhibition of 3 period rooms. This was so well recieved that the theme was enlarged and throughout the following years, Mrs Hale has continued to design and equip the 'FLAMBARDS VICTORIAN VILLAGE.' It is acclaimed as the Country's top authentic reconstruction of turn of the century - life-size village. It now has over 50 shops and houses set in cobbled streets.
On 8th June 1984, 'BRITAIN IN THE BLITZ,' was opened by Dame Vera Lynn OBE. This is the Country's first re-created full scale 1940's street with shops and houses, combined with special effects and original sound recordings depicting day-to-day life during the Second World War in Britain. It shows the 1940's houses, shops and lifestyles as realistically as can be portrayed.
A major step forward was in July 1989, with the opening of 'CORNWALL'S SCIENCE CENTRE'. It has been carefully researched and designed to provide an attractive and stimulating atmosphere, where the wonders of science, sound and light come together. In 1994 the 'Tunnel of Illusion' was added. in 2003 the Beams of Dreams was introduced, which allows sounds to be controlled by light beams.
With our overall exhibitions becoming larger and more diverse, it was felt that the name 'CORNWALL AERO PARK' was no longer appropriate, and on 1st January 1987 a new name of 'FLAMBARDS THEME PARK' was adopted, named after our 'flagship' FLAMBARDS VICTORIAN VILLAGE'. In 2004, the Park was renamed 'FLAMBARDS EXPERIENCE.'
1995 saw the opening of the 'HORNET ROLLERCOASTER'
1997 saw the opening of 'SPACE QUEST' a giant laser show. This has now been superseded by our resident 'REALLY WILD SHOW' with spiders, snakes and birds of prey.
1999 'FLAMBARDS FORMULA CIRCUIT' opened with 20 go-karts, 10 single seater and 10 dual seaters for adults and small children.
2001 'THE MIGHTY THUNDERBOLT' ride opened.
2002 'THE EXTREME FORCE' ride opened.
2003 Expansion of Flambards Victorian Village.
2004 Introduction of Wildlife Encounters.
2005 KINGSFORD VENUE opened with live shows.
2006 HRH The Countess of Wessex made Flambards’ 30th Birthday celebrations extra special
2007 'CAROUSEL', 'ROCKING TUGBOAT' and 'SHUTTLE' rides opened
 
2008 'CORNISH MINE TRAIN' ride, 'PIONEERS OF FLIGHT EXHIBITION' and 'THE DIG FOR VICTORY GARDEN' opened.
AND CONTINUES...... The park has over the years, evolved and expanded rapidly, as more exhibitions, bigger amusement rides and facilities have been added - always with a single aim, quite simply for our visitors to enjoy themselves, by providing a 'value for money' top visitor centre for all ages. It is now West Country's Premier Attraction and is among the top 10 in Britain. Setting the high standards that today's visitors deserve in the leisure field.
 
Flambards has received many awards over the years, and in 2000, our Chairman Douglas Kingsford-Hale, received the MBE in recognition of services to the tourist industry.
site: creativeedge