Project Anchor

Project Anchor marked a significant transformation at Chessington World of Adventures, breathing new life into the ageing Pirates Cove area. The ambitious redevelopment reimagined the once underutilised corner of the park, delivering a refreshed coastal theme under the name Shipwreck Coast. With a focus on increased guest interaction and immersive storytelling, the area was carefully crafted to blend family-friendly thrills with a maritime twist.

Central to the transformation were two brand-new attractions from ride manufacturer Zamperla. Barrel Bail Out, a soaking water-based ride, took the place of the former Goal Striker pay-to-play football game. Just across from it, Trawler Trouble, a Rockin’ Tug ride, was relocated to replace a basketball game stand. These new additions not only offered fresh experiences but also made better use of the previously underused space.

Complementing the new attractions, two existing rides—Blue Barnacle and Seastorm—received extensive refurbishments. Both rides were reworked and rethemed to better integrate with the new seaside village aesthetic. The retheming unified the land, delivering a coherent visual and thematic identity that enhances the storytelling throughout the area.

Shipwreck Coast wasn’t just about rides, either. The project also saw the introduction of two new animal enclosures featuring Black Rats and Bagot Goats, adding educational and interactive elements to the land. This inclusion reflects Chessington’s ongoing commitment to blending theme park thrills with animal experiences.

Project Anchor officially set sail on July 15th, 2022, and was met with enthusiasm from guests. The refreshed area has since become a standout family zone within the park. With its thoughtful design, fun attractions, and lively coastal atmosphere, Shipwreck Coast represents a successful revitalisation effort—one that honours the past while steering toward a bold and exciting future.

Status:

Completed

Planning submitted:

4^th February 2022

Project approved:

4^th April 2022

Latest update:

22^nd June 2022

Total updates:

21 (View all)

News

Shipwreck Coast Coming July 15th

29^th June 2022

Chessington World of Adventures has announced Shipwreck Coast, coming July 15th. The new land, designed and developed in-house, is…

New For 2022: Shipwreck Coast

7^th March 2022

New For 2022: Shipwreck Coast! Chessington World of Adventure is planning a new land for 2022! The pirates have…

Two New Rides For 2022

16^th February 2022

That’s right, Chessington World of Adventures is planning to add two new rides for the 2022 season. Today, a…

View all Project Anchor news

Barrel Bail Out
Trawler Trouble

Planning

Barrel Bail Out

Barrel Bail Out became one of the headline additions for Shipwreck Coast, bringing a bright, energetic, and interactive water ride to the new land. Chosen from Zamperla’s popular Watermania range, the attraction replaced the former Goal Striker football game, giving this corner of Chessington a much stronger family focus.

The idea behind the ride fitted perfectly with the wider Shipwreck Coast story. Guests would board barrel-themed rafts and help bail water from a sinking ship, creating a fun sense of seaside chaos. As a result, Barrel Bail Out added both movement and personality to the area.

Although the ride aimed itself at younger guests and families, it still offered something everyone could enjoy. Parents, children, and groups could all get involved, especially as the attraction encouraged playful interaction rather than passive riding.

Visually, Barrel Bail Out also played an important role in the land’s design. Themed barrels, nautical props, splashing water, and coastal details all helped make the ride stand out. In addition, its central position gave Shipwreck Coast a lively focal point.

The attraction also helped balance the area’s wider ride line-up. With Seastorm bringing a classic Chessington experience and Trawler Trouble adding gentle family thrills, Barrel Bail Out introduced a wetter, sillier, and more colourful layer.

Overall, Barrel Bail Out gave Shipwreck Coast exactly what it needed. It brought energy, interactivity, and a strong themed identity to a refreshed corner of the park.

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Trawler Trouble

Trawler Trouble was planned as a key family attraction for Shipwreck Coast, adding gentle thrills to the refreshed coastal village. The ride originally operated at Thorpe Park as the Timber Tug Boat, before Chessington gave it a new home and a fresh identity.

The Rockin’ Tug ride system made perfect sense for the area. Its rocking boat motion suited the nautical theme brilliantly, creating the idea of a fishing trawler trapped on rocks and drawn in by a siren’s song. As a result, the attraction fitted naturally into the wider shipwreck story.

Trawler Trouble also made much better use of its new location. The ride replaced a former pay-to-play basketball game, turning a simple games space into a fully themed family attraction. Therefore, the area gained more energy, more movement, and a much stronger guest appeal.

The planning team also designed the ride’s surroundings to feel like part of a working harbour. Fishing nets, crates, dockside details, and weathered coastal props all helped build the scene. Meanwhile, the refreshed colour scheme gave the attraction a bright new look.

The queue line also received careful attention. Planners refined the layout to improve guest flow and visibility, helping the ride sit comfortably within Shipwreck Coast.

With its compact footprint and broad appeal, Trawler Trouble became an ideal addition. It brought charm, movement, and a playful sense of danger to Chessington’s shipwrecked seaside village.

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Updates

Final Touches Arrive Across Shipwreck Coast

22^nd June 2022

Work continues across Shipwreck Coast, and the new land now looks incredibly close to completion. After months of following Project Anchor from its earliest clearing work, this update sadly marks our final construction look at the area.

Decorators are now busy adding highly detailed set pieces throughout the land. As a result, Shipwreck Coast feels less like a building site and more like a finished seaside settlement. New signage has also started to appear, helping bring the area’s story and attractions together.

Across the site, theming continues to pop up in almost every corner. These finishing touches make a big difference, especially after weeks of foundations, fencing, and ride installation. Now, the character of Shipwreck Coast is finally taking centre stage.

With the area expected to open very soon, there is not much construction progress left to follow. However, that is exactly what makes this update so exciting. We cannot wait to hear the area’s music, see the rides running, and watch guests explore this refreshed corner of Chessington for the first time.

Project Anchor has been a brilliant transformation to document. It has brought new life to the former Pirate’s Cove, while also giving Seastorm a much-needed refresh.

Although our Shipwreck Coast updates end here, our construction coverage continues. Next up, we will keep following Project Genesis, with plenty more updates coming soon.

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Shipwreck Coast’s Theming Comes Together

16^th June 2022

Shipwreck Coast is starting to feel like a real seaside town, as theming work continues throughout the new land. Everywhere you look, fresh details are appearing, and Project Anchor now feels much closer to completion.

Chessington’s teams are busy installing decorative features across the area. In addition, speakers are now being fitted, which should help bring the finished land to life with music and atmosphere. These smaller details make a huge difference, especially in a themed area built around character and charm.

Over at Barrel Bail Out, work continues on the plant room. This important building will house the pumps and filtration systems needed to keep the splashy attraction running. Although it is a practical part of the ride, it plays a key role in getting everything ready for opening.

Meanwhile, Seastorm appears to be nearing readiness. After months of repairs, rebuilding, and extra theming, the classic ride looks closer than ever to welcoming guests back on board.

Trawler Trouble is also progressing well. The loading platform is taking shape, while newly refurbished cladding has now been installed on the ride. As a result, the attraction is looking smarter, brighter, and more in keeping with its new coastal home.

Overall, the land is really coming together. With theming, audio, ride systems, and finishing touches all moving forward, Shipwreck Coast feels just around the corner.

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Behind The Walls Of Project Anchor

11^th June 2022

Please note: These photos were taken on the Project Anchor construction site during an escorted visit with Chessington. All appropriate personal protective equipment was worn. Never enter an active building site without permission.

Of course, it would not be Chessington Buzz without a behind-the-scenes look! We recently put on our high-vis jackets and joined a senior park official for a special tour of the future Shipwreck Coast.

There is plenty to cover, so let’s start with Trawler Trouble. The ride system is now fully installed, and work will soon begin on the loading platform. Unlike its former setup, the ride will no longer use a mechanical platform. Instead, Chessington is installing a larger fixed platform, which should make long-term maintenance much easier.

Controls are expected soon, with testing planned for later this month. Meanwhile, the queue line has gained two new black rat habitats. These themed enclosures are connected by a tunnel system, allowing the rats to move between them. Eventually, forty black rats will call this area home.

Over at Barrel Bail Out, the ride vehicles are now installed. Controls are also in place, while work should soon begin on the plant room. This will house the pumps and filtration systems that keep the attraction running.

Elsewhere, Chessington’s creative team has started set-dressing the land. The Trawler Trouble entrance feature is progressing well, and a small stage area is also taking shape near Barrel Bail Out.

Overall, Shipwreck Coast is looking more exciting by the day.

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Barrel Bail Out Vehicles Arrive On Site

10^th June 2022

Fresh off the boat, quite literally, Barrel Bail Out’s ride vehicles have now arrived at Chessington. The newly delivered rafts are currently being stored within the nearby Project Amazon site compound, ready for installation.

This is another exciting step forward for Project Anchor, as Barrel Bail Out continues to move towards completion. Over recent weeks, we have watched the foundations take shape, the ride system arrive, and the lighthouse-style operator cabin appear. Now that the vehicles are on site, the attraction is really starting to feel close.

The rafts look fantastic and should bring plenty of character to the new ride. Once installed, they will complete a key part of the attraction’s playful, splash-filled identity. As a result, Barrel Bail Out should soon look far more like the finished experience guests will enjoy in Shipwreck Coast.

Of course, the big question now is when the team will lift the vehicles onto the ride. Hopefully, installation will take place overnight, allowing the attraction to take another major step forward before the next park day begins.

Elsewhere, the wider land continues to inch towards completion, with theming, planting, speakers, and finishing touches all helping to bring the area together.

Project Anchor has changed quickly over the past few weeks. However, this latest delivery feels especially exciting. With the rafts now at Chessington, Shipwreck Coast is edging ever closer to opening.

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Barrel Bail Out Gains Its Lighthouse Cabin

1^st June 2022

Project Anchor has taken another smaller step forward, as work continues across the future Shipwreck Coast area. While this latest update does not bring huge changes, the land is still edging closer to completion.

The main visible update comes from Barrel Bail Out. The ride now has its operator cabin in place, and it takes the form of a themed lighthouse tower. This is a lovely touch, as it gives the control booth a proper role within the seaside setting. Rather than feeling like a standard ride cabin, it now adds to the area’s character.

With the lighthouse tower installed, Barrel Bail Out is starting to look far more complete. The ride hardware already gave us a good idea of the attraction’s shape, but this new feature helps bring the whole experience together. As a result, the attraction now feels much more at home within Shipwreck Coast.

Elsewhere, work continues on tidying up the wider land. Teams appear to be preparing several areas for planting, which should soften the site and add more life to the finished space. In addition, speaker installation work also seems to be underway.

These details may feel small compared with the ride hardware arriving on site. However, they play a huge part in creating atmosphere. Bit by bit, Shipwreck Coast is moving from a construction site to a finished, themed land.

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Huge Overnight Progress For Shipwreck Coast

27^th May 2022

A lot can happen overnight at Chessington, and this latest Project Anchor update proves it. In just 24 hours, the site has taken a huge leap forward, with several major elements now visibly coming together across the future Shipwreck Coast area.

Most excitingly, Trawler Trouble has now been lifted onto its track. That is a huge milestone for the refreshed Zamperla Rockin’ Tug, as the attraction finally looks like a real ride rather than just a construction site. As a result, the area is starting to feel much closer to completion.

Meanwhile, Seastorm has regained its centrepiece, giving the attraction a far more complete appearance once again. After months of downtime, repairs, and reassembly, it is brilliant to see the ride looking whole again. Better still, the new theming neatly ties it into the wider shipwreck story of the land.

Elsewhere, Barrel Bail Out has also hit an exciting stage. Its central barrel is now in place at the top of the ride, giving us our best look yet at how the ride vehicles and overall attraction will come together.

Theming is also beginning to appear around the land. A ship and fishing baskets now sit near Seastorm’s entrance, while a nearby resting spot has revealed a faux bronze mermaid. Therefore, Shipwreck Coast is no longer just about ride hardware and pathways. The character of the area is now starting to shine through, too.

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Barrel Bail Out Arrives From Italy

26^th May 2022

Exciting progress has arrived at Project Anchor, as Barrel Bail Out’s ride system is now on site! After weeks of groundwork, foundations, and preparation, Chessington has started installing one of Shipwreck Coast’s headline new attractions.

The ride has recently arrived by ferry from Italy, and the construction team is wasting no time getting it into place. Installation work is already moving quickly, with the first major ride components now being set up on the completed foundations.

Barrel Bail Out is a Zamperla Watermania attraction, manufactured by the well-known Italian ride company. Once complete, it should deliver a fun, splashy interactive experience to Shipwreck Coast. As a result, the area will gain another family-friendly attraction with plenty of energy and movement.

Meanwhile, work is also continuing around Trawler Trouble. The ride now features a newly installed operator kiosk, which adds another finished element to the attraction area. In addition, teams appear to be installing what we believe could be animal enclosures within the queue line.

If confirmed, that would add a great Chessington touch to the experience. After all, the park often works best when rides and animals sit close together.

Overall, Shipwreck Coast is now entering a very exciting stage. With Barrel Bail Out arriving and Trawler Trouble gaining final details, Project Anchor is quickly becoming a real new land.

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Seastorm Gains New Shipwreck Theming

18^th May 2022

Chessington is not settling for a simple repair when it comes to Seastorm. Instead, the park is giving the much-loved ride a proper refresh as Project Anchor continues to transform Pirate’s Cove.

A few seasons ago, Chessington refreshed Seastorm’s centrepiece. Now, however, the ride is gaining even more character. During our latest visit, a large shipwreck feature and a tentacle had been installed around the centre of the attraction. By the end of our visit, teams were also adding a broken mast.

These new details already make Seastorm feel far more dramatic. More importantly, they should help the ride fit beautifully into the new Shipwreck Coast theme. It is great to see Chessington giving an existing attraction this much care, rather than simply reopening it as before.

The ride hardware is also nearly back together. The main structure now looks close to complete, with only the ride’s boats still needing to be reattached. Meanwhile, work continues on painting the operator cabin, giving another part of the attraction a fresh finish.

Creative teams from both Chessington and Freemont Baxter are working on the project, and their impact is becoming clear. Across the wider site, fencing now lines most ride queues, helping the land feel more complete.

As a result, Shipwreck Coast is really starting to come together. We cannot wait to see the area finished and open again.

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Trawler Trouble Receives A Fresh New Look

11^th May 2022

Project Anchor continues to build momentum, and this update brings our first proper look at one of Shipwreck Coast’s new rides. After a short refurbishment, Trawler Trouble has received a fresh coat of paint and a bright new colour scheme.

The ride, formerly known as Timber Tug Boat at Thorpe Park, already looks almost new. This Zamperla Rockin’ Tug has adopted a much cleaner, more vibrant style, which should fit nicely within Shipwreck Coast. Moreover, the refreshed colours appear to match the bolder look planned for the wider land.

Back on the construction site, work also continues at a pace around Barrel Bail Out. Workers are currently building a large section of scaffolding above the ride area. We believe this will help protect the foundations while waterproofing work takes place. After all, the British weather rarely makes construction simple!

The foundations now appear mostly complete, so attention should soon turn to the arrival of the ride hardware. That will be an exciting moment, as Barrel Bail Out should quickly become one of the area’s most eye-catching additions.

Meanwhile, fencing work continues around the site, helping shape the final guest routes. Over at Seastorm, progress also appears to be moving well.

Overall, Shipwreck Coast is starting to feel much closer. With Trawler Trouble refreshed and Barrel Bail Out nearing its next stage, Project Anchor is really coming together.

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Blockwork Arrives Across Project Anchor

7^th May 2022

Project Anchor continues to take shape, and the future Shipwreck Coast area now feels more complete with each visit. This week, one of the biggest changes comes from the ground itself, as blockwork pathing is now being laid throughout the land.

This fresh pathing already helps define how guests will move through the area. As a result, the layout of Shipwreck Coast is becoming much easier to understand. Over at Bobbing Barrels, the queue line has also become much clearer, giving us a better look at how guests will approach the new ride.

Meanwhile, Trawler Trouble has seen more steady progress. The exit ramp is now under construction, adding another important piece to the ride’s surrounding infrastructure. Although the attraction has yet to arrive on site, its future home is quickly coming together.

However, the biggest update comes from Seastorm. Chessington’s team has made significant progress by reinstalling the ride’s main arms. After weeks of waiting for parts, this is a brilliant step forward for the much-loved attraction.

Even so, the new Seastorm queue line still has some work to go. Rocks and planting continue to block parts of the final route, so the area is not quite ready yet.

Overall, Project Anchor is progressing well. With pathways going down, queues taking shape, and Seastorm rebuilding, Shipwreck Coast is edging closer to completion.

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The Storm Returns

29^th April 2022

It’s time for another Project Anchor update, and this one brings some exciting news from Pirate’s Cove. After weeks of waiting, the long-awaited replacement parts for Seastorm have now arrived at Chessington.

This means the park’s engineers can continue putting the much-loved ride back together. As a result, Seastorm finally feels a step closer to spinning once again. It remains unclear whether the park will reopen the ride as soon as it is ready or hold it back for the full Shipwreck Coast launch.

Elsewhere, Barrel Bail Out continues to move forward. The main foundations now look complete, while work has started on the foundations for the queue line. However, the operator kiosk still appears to need its base, so that work will likely follow soon.

At this stage, we have not confirmed whether the Barrel Bail Out ride hardware has arrived at the park. However, we will continue to monitor the site closely over the coming weeks.

Meanwhile, Trawler Trouble is also progressing well. Its exit path and fencing are starting to take shape, further defining the ride area. In addition, a scenic refurbishment company is currently overhauling the attraction before it arrives at Chessington.

Overall, Project Anchor is moving in the right direction. With Seastorm repairs restarting and the new rides taking shape, Shipwreck Coast is getting closer.

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One Last Pour

21^st April 2022

Project Anchor continues to gather pace at Chessington, with another week of visible progress across the future Shipwreck Coast area. This time, the biggest update comes from Barrel Bail Out, where the ride’s concrete trough has taken another major step forward.

The final framework for the trough is now in place, with concrete poured and left to set. As a result, the ride’s base looks much more complete than it did during our previous visit. This marks an important stage for the new water-based attraction, as the trough will eventually hold the splashy action at the heart of Barrel Bail Out.

Meanwhile, work also continues on Trawler Trouble. The perimeter of the ride is now taking shape, giving guests a clearer idea of the attraction’s final footprint. Although the ride hardware has yet to arrive, the site already feels far more defined.

Over at Seastorm, the refreshed queue line now looks close to completion. The new layout should help bring the classic ride into Shipwreck Coast, rather than leaving it feeling attached to Adventure Point.

However, parts of the queue remain blocked by large boulders and fresh planting. Therefore, there is still some finishing work to complete before the area can fully come together.

Bit by bit, Shipwreck Coast is edging closer. The foundations are almost ready, and the new land is starting to feel real.

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A Trough Appears

14^th April 2022

Work continues across Project Anchor, as Chessington pushes ahead with the future Shipwreck Coast area. This latest update brings more solid progress, especially around the land’s two new attractions.

Most of the concrete base for Barrel Bail Out is now in place. As a result, the ride’s foundations look close to completion. Rebar sidings have also appeared around the edge of the base, giving a clearer view of the ride’s final footprint.

This area should eventually hold water, creating the splash-filled setting for the new Watermania-style attraction. Therefore, these groundwork stages play a key role in shaping the ride experience before any themed details arrive.

Nearby, Trawler Trouble has also reached an important point. The construction team appears to have completed the main foundations, and fencing is now being installed around the site. In addition, the base for what looks set to become the left-hand loading platform now appears complete.

However, Seastorm remains the big question mark. Little visible work has taken place on the ride itself, and Chessington still seems to be waiting for replacement parts. Hopefully, those parts will arrive soon, allowing the park to rebuild and reopen the much-loved attraction.

With summer approaching, Shipwreck Coast could become an important addition for crowd management. More importantly, though, it should give Pirate’s Cove a fresh new lease of life.

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Work Speeds Up

9^th April 2022

Time flies at Chessington, and it seems the construction teams are moving just as quickly! Project Anchor has picked up pace once again, with more visible work now taking place across the future Shipwreck Coast area.

The biggest progress can be seen around Bobbing Barrels. Foundations for the ride are now clearly taking shape, with concrete troughs and wooden framework appearing on site. This framework will act as a mould when the team pours the concrete base. As a result, the ride’s final footprint is becoming much easier to picture.

Meanwhile, Trawler Trouble has also made strong progress. Foundations are now in place, along with what appears to be early utility work. These practical details may not look especially exciting yet, but they play a huge part in bringing the new attraction to life.

Nearby, Chessington has completed trimming and widening work along a section of pathway. This should improve guest flow once the land opens, especially around the refreshed attraction entrances.

Unfortunately, Seastorm itself remains in a poor state, with little visible progress on the ride hardware. However, its queue line has seen a complete overhaul. A new entranceway is now taking shape within Shipwreck Coast, rather than Adventure Point.

That change should make a big difference. It pulls Seastorm into the new land and helps the whole area feel more connected. Bit by bit, Shipwreck Coast is starting to emerge.

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Concrete Forms Hard

4^th April 2022

Project Anchor continues to make steady progress, even though this latest update brings no major headline change. Across Pirate’s Cove, Chessington’s teams are still pushing ahead with preparation work, groundwork, and smaller removals.

The most visible progress remains around Seastorm’s queue line. New sections continue to take shape, helping the attraction feel more connected to the wider redevelopment. Although Seastorm itself remains in pieces, its surroundings now look much more structured than they did a few weeks ago.

Meanwhile, foundation work continues for both Trawler Trouble and Bobbing Barrels. These early works may not look dramatic from the pathways, but they play a key role in shaping the new land. As a result, the layout of Project Anchor is becoming easier to understand with each visit.

Elsewhere, Chessington has now dismantled the former pay-to-play Pirate Blasta game. This removal clears another piece of the old Pirate’s Cove and creates more space for the refreshed area. It also shows that the park continues to strip back older features as the project moves forward.

For now, Seastorm shows no major visible change. The ride remains dismantled while the park waits to bring it back together.

However, Project Anchor still feels active and well-paced. Bit by bit, the old area is making way for what will become Shipwreck Coast.

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Foundations Take Shape

26^th March 2022

Project Anchor is now moving from preparation into visible construction, with exciting progress across Pirate’s Cove. After several weeks of clearing, fencing, and pathway work, the future Shipwreck Coast area is beginning to take shape.

One of the biggest changes sits around Seastorm. The attraction’s new queue line fencing is now in place, giving the ride a much fresher and more complete appearance. In addition, Seastorm’s entrance now feels far more connected to the wider project area. This is an important step, as the classic spinning boat ride will eventually sit at the heart of the refreshed land.

Elsewhere, the first foundations for Trawler Trouble are now in place. Although the ride has yet to rise vertically, this groundwork gives the clearest sign yet of where one of the new attractions will sit.

Meanwhile, Barrel Bail Out also appears to be taking shape. The outline of the ride area has become much easier to spot, helping reveal how the new layout will work. As a result, guests can now start to picture the scale of the transformation.

Project Anchor still has plenty of work ahead. However, this latest update marks a real turning point. The land no longer feels like a simple tidy-up. Instead, Chessington is clearly building towards a bold new coastal adventure.

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Groundworks Start

20^th March 2022

Project Anchor continues to move along at a pace, with more clearing work now visible across Pirate’s Cove. Although the biggest changes remain behind the themed site walls, the area is already starting to feel different.

One of the clearest updates comes from the extended pathway section. Work began earlier in the season, and this new stretch now looks close to completion. Once finished, it should improve guest flow through the area and create more space around the developing project site.

Meanwhile, Seastorm has also seen fresh attention. The ride itself remains closed, but work has now shifted into its queue line. Chessington appears to be carrying out maintenance across the area, giving the attraction’s entrance and access routes some much-needed care.

Notably, the former Fastrack merge point has now gone. The old batching area has also been removed, clearing out a dated section of the queue line. As a result, Seastorm’s surrounding space already feels simpler and more open.

These updates may seem small on their own. However, together they show steady progress across Pirate’s Cove. Chessington is not only clearing space for the future, but also improving the areas that will remain part of the land.

Therefore, Project Anchor continues to move from early preparation into more active change. With pathways nearing completion and Seastorm’s queue being refreshed, this corner of the park is firmly heading towards its next chapter.

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It’s Officially On

17^th March 2022

Project Anchor has taken another clear step forward, as themed site walls now surround key parts of Pirate’s Cove. After several weeks of smaller changes, Chessington has moved quickly to secure the area and prepare it for more visible work.

The new boundary marks an important moment for the project. Until now, most changes have involved tidying paths, removing prizes, and preparing smaller pockets of space. However, with construction walls now in place, the project feels much more real.

Behind the walls, work continues on clearing parts of the area. Chessington appears to be wasting no time, with teams already preparing the land for the next phase. As a result, Pirate’s Cove now has a very different feel, even from the guest pathways.

Meanwhile, HB Leisure has relocated the former basketball game. This move frees up more space within the project area and adds another sign that wider changes are now underway.

Although there is still a long way to go, Project Anchor is clearly gaining momentum. The themed walls also help keep the area looking tidy while work continues behind the scenes.

For now, the biggest changes remain hidden. Even so, this update marks a major shift from early preparation to active redevelopment. With the boundary now set, work should begin ramping up very soon.

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Works Subtly Begin

5^th March 2022

Project Anchor remains in its early stages, with only small changes visible across Pirate’s Cove. However, the area continues to show quiet signs of preparation as Chessington gets ready for the wider work ahead.

During our latest visit, some clearing had taken place around the nearby pathways. In addition, early path-widening work appeared to be underway. These changes do not dramatically alter the area yet, but they suggest that the park has begun preparing the space for heavier activity later.

Elsewhere, Seastorm remains closed and partly dismantled. The much-loved spinning boat ride still sits in pieces, with no major visible progress from the guest areas. However, Chessington has now confirmed to Chessington Buzz that replacement parts have been ordered.

Unfortunately, those parts may take some time to arrive. Like many attractions across the wider industry, Seastorm appears to be affected by ongoing supply issues. As a result, the ride now faces further delays before it can reopen.

For now, Pirate’s Cove remains largely unchanged. Even so, the groundwork has clearly begun. With planning submitted and small preparatory work underway, Project Anchor continues to move forward behind the scenes.

Therefore, while this update may not bring major visual progress, it still marks another important step. The area is slowly edging towards a much bigger transformation.

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It’s All Too Quiet

26^th February 2022

With planning now submitted, the first signs of change have started to appear around Pirate’s Cove. Although the area still looks familiar, a few smaller updates now hint at the bigger project waiting just over the horizon.

Most notably, Chessington has closed the former basketball court. The prizes have now gone, and the surrounding pathways look clearer and tidier than before. It is not a dramatic change yet. However, it shows that the park has begun preparing the area for its next chapter.

Nearby, Seastorm remains closed, with no obvious progress visible from the guest areas. The ride’s centrepiece still looks in a poor state of repair, following its earlier dismantling by the maintenance team. For now, fans will need to keep waiting for further signs of work.

Meanwhile, the Pirate’s Cove mast remains in place. Installed in late 2021, it continues to stand tall over the area. As a result, it adds an interesting touch of newer theming while the rest of the land waits for redevelopment.

Project Anchor still sits in its earliest visible stages. However, with two planned new rides and several expected changes to existing features, this could mark the beginning of a much wider refresh. Therefore, Pirate’s Cove may soon look very different indeed.

We will continue following the project as it develops, with more updates to come soon.

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A Plan Comes To Light

16^th February 2022

In early 2022, rumours began swirling that change could be on the horizon for Pirate’s Cove. So, naturally, the Chessington Buzz team headed into the park to capture the area as it stood. At the time, Chessington had recently submitted a planning application, and that gave us the first real sign that something bigger could be coming.

Pirate’s Cove had long offered a quieter corner of the park. However, with fresh plans emerging, it suddenly became an area worth watching closely. As a result, we began documenting the land in detail, from its pathways and theming to the attractions that called it home.

One of the most noticeable sights during this visit was Seastorm. The much-loved spinning boat ride sat closed behind construction-style barriers following a long period of downtime. Meanwhile, Chessington’s maintenance team had dismantled parts of the ride while they waited for replacement components to arrive.

Although the ride looked far from ready to reopen, the park still hoped to bring Seastorm back into operation as soon as possible. Even so, the attraction’s closure added to the growing sense that Pirate’s Cove was entering a period of change.

Of course, nobody knew the full scale of what would follow just yet. However, this visit marked the beginning of our Project Anchor coverage. Before long, those early signs would lead towards the creation of Shipwreck Coast.

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