Megafobia

When Megafobia opened at Oakwood Theme Park in 1996, it marked a turning point not just for the park, but for Welsh tourism as a whole. Built by the respected American company Custom Coasters International (CCI), it was the first wooden rollercoaster of its kind in the UK for over a decade — and quickly became the pride of Pembrokeshire.

Megafobia stood 85 feet tall, reaching speeds of up to 48 mph, with a layout full of airtime hills, sharp turns, and thrilling drops that hugged the park’s natural landscape. Its wooden structure gave it a classic, almost nostalgic feel — the kind of coaster that rattled, roared, and thrilled in equal measure. Riders and enthusiasts often praised it for its smooth pacing and perfectly timed moments of weightlessness. Over the years, it regularly appeared on lists of the best wooden rollercoasters in Europe, earning Oakwood international recognition.

Set within Oakwood Theme Park, Megafobia was the park’s crown jewel. Oakwood began as a small family-run attraction in the late 1980s before expanding into a full-scale theme park in the 1990s. Alongside Megafobia, rides like Speed: No Limits, Drenched, and Treetops Coaster helped define it as a destination for both thrill-seekers and families.

Now that Oakwood Theme Park has closed, Megafobia’s legacy endures as a symbol of Welsh adventure and innovation. For countless visitors, it wasn’t just a ride — it was a rite of passage, a wooden beast that blended fear and joy in a way few modern coasters could. Though the park gates are now shut, the memories of Megafobia’s roar echo on in the hearts of those who braved it.