Hitchin fruit farm defends Titanic-themed ride after backlash

A Titanic-themed amusement ride located at Graveley Fruit Farm near Hitchin, Hertfordshire, has sparked controversy, with some people online criticizing it as being disrespectful to those who lost their lives in the 1912 maritime tragedy. The original RMS Titanic sank after hitting an iceberg during its maiden voyage from Southampton to New York, resulting in the deaths of more than 1,500 passengers and crew.

The attraction, designed to resemble the famous ship, features a hydraulic slide that lifts one end of the replica before allowing riders to descend, mimicking the sinking motion of the ocean liner. Will Campbell-Gray, the farm manager, defended the ride, stating, “We’re keeping the memory of Titanic alive and we’re not making fun of the dead at all.” Despite receiving complaints, the farm initially renamed the ride The Big Tipper in response to online criticism. However, after Campbell-Gray’s wife received threatening messages demanding the original name be reinstated, the ride’s Titanic name was restored.

Constructed last year from recycled materials such as strawberry polytunnel hoops and an old tipper lorry trailer, the ride attracts around 500 visitors daily. Campbell-Gray emphasized the educational benefits of the attraction, noting its appeal to children who have developed an interest in the Titanic’s history. He said, “We’ve had autistic children who are obsessed with Titanic… they love coming here and going on it because they know all the facts and all the figures.” The manager admitted that he never anticipated any backlash when the ride was built.

The Titanic itself was an enormous vessel, measuring 269 meters in length, 28 meters in width, and standing more than 53 meters tall. Its construction spanned approximately three years and cost £1.5 million at the time, equivalent to around £170 million in today’s currency. Despite the controversy surrounding the ride, Campbell-Gray is adamant that the intention is to honor the memory of the historic ship rather than to mock those who perished, highlighting the importance of preserving its legacy

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