The abandoned remains of a Wild West-themed attraction in Cornwall captivated visitors for years. Complete with jailhouses, undertakers, stables, courthouses and naturally saloons, The Spirit of The West resembled an American ghost town following its closure to the public.

The attraction, once located at Winnard's Perch near St Columb Major, proved a popular draw until the early 2000s. Built in 1989 and operated by Sheriff JB, it brought to life a realm of gunslingers, cowboys and sheriffs, inviting guests to "re-live the American frontier as it was, and how it will never be again".

Spirit of the West boasted two settlements - the law-abiding Fort Smith and the rowdy, lawless Silver City. The twin settlements also contained an armoury, a Yellow Rose Hotel and everything else one would anticipate discovering in the Wild West.

In 2003 and 2004, it played host to the Tapestry Festival, a three-day event showcasing various acts aligned with the cowboy theme. However, the saloon doors of Spirit of the West closed permanently in 2009.

The theme park subsequently attracted considerable interest when haunting photographs surfaced of its deserted structures, like in the image above. Props, cowboy costumes, aged pianos, bourbon bottles and dishevelled beds had been abandoned, reports Cornwall Live.

Its structures then began to gradually deteriorate and become overtaken by nature. Images of the vacant site revealed vegetation forcing its way through the timber buildings. The site also fell victim to vandals. As inquisitive visitors began flocking to the abandoned location, the owners issued warnings against trespassing, cautioning that the structures were likely unsafe and had suffered vandalism damage.

A spokesperson said at the time: "The Spirit of the West theme park closed in 2009 and was a fantastic attraction in its day. The buildings are now structurally unsound and it's an unsafe area."

In February 2014, it was ultimately confirmed that the ghost town would be torn down and transformed into holiday lodges. Retallack Resort and Spa is a luxury self-catering holiday destination with holiday lodges, watersports, spa, and entertainment.