Unthinkable? A British history theme park | Editorial

An opportunity for a roller-coaster ride through the best of times, and the worstThe French want to build a Napoleon theme park. You need only think of the Millau Viaduct to know the French don't lack ambition for les grands projets. Yet, large as the little corporal looms in his nation's identity, it seems too narrow a focus. Why not a theme park devoted to a country's whole history? In fact, why not a theme park devoted to the history of Britain? This is not a project for Michael Gove ? all King James bibles, and things-getting-better-and-better, nor Julian Barnes's Isle of Wight make-over. Yet a histotainment attraction does need an organising idea, which is what the Dome sorely lacked, and narrative history could provide it. More challengingly, it also needs rides. In fact, the potential for physical thrills would unavoidably shape the organising idea. The trick would be to harness the growing but still relatively narrow range of experiences at a theme park to the full range of historical experiences. You go down very fast, or very unexpectedly, or both. Or you go up, similarly. You get wet while doing any of the above, and increasingly nowadays you might get very cold, and perhaps dizzy. It might mean history, as in 1066 and All That being reduced to a Manichean choice between good and evil. But a theme park has to mean action. In many ways that is its strength, even if it would also militate against some more sophisticated readings of past events. After all, it's a day out with the kids, an opportunity for a roller-coaster ride through the best of times, and the worst.MilitaryTheme parksFranceEuropeHeritageguardian.co.uk © 2012 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

Lapland skiing holidays Travel Finland holidays Finland skiing holidays